Vinita knocks ladies out of playoffs
By CHRIS EDENS
City Editor
Oologah’s hard court season came to an end last Thursday.
The Lady Mustangs lost 43-36 in overtime to Vinita in the consolation bracket of the area tournament at Skiatook.
It was a tough ending to an outstanding season. The Lady Mustangs gave the Lady Hornets all they could handle at the area tournament.
“It was a close hard fought game. The kids played hard. Vinita has such a winning tradition and we need to build that here. They expect to win and they find a way,” said Oologah first year head coach Kandy Damron. “Our kids tried hard and I’m really proud of them. We just fell a little short.”
Senior Taylor McElhaney hit a pair of field goals in the first quarter, but Vinita led 8-6 at the end of the frame.
Ali Nakvinda knocked down three baskets in a row to start the second period. Vinita hit a three at the end of the quarter to take a 19-18 lead at half-time.
McElhaney and Gracie Garrison both hit field goals to start the second half. Vinita made a three midway through the period and the Lady Mustangs were down 28-24 going into the fourth quarter.
McElhaney made a pair of field goals in the final period. Vinita was holding onto a slim lead in the final minutes and the Lady Mustangs started fouling.
The Lady Hornets went 3 of 7 from the line and Oologah still had a chance. As the final seconds were ticking off, senior Jessica Wolf drained a three to tie it up 35-35 and the game went to overtime.
Vinita put up two field goals in overtime and shot 3 of 7 from the free throw line. Oologah only managed one point and the Lady Mustangs fell out of the playoff hunt in a 45-36 loss.
McElhaney led the team with 13 points, Nakvinda had 8, Gracie Garrison and Emily Pashley had 4 each, Wolf had 3 and Kelsey Garrison and Brinley Evans had 2 points each.
McElhaney and Wolf played their final games in an Oologah uniform. Coach Damron said the two seniors left their mark on Lady Mustang basketball.
“Our two seniors were great team players and we’ll miss them a lot,” Damron said. “I couldn’t have asked for better kids as a first year head coach and I couldn’t have had two better seniors to work with.”
The Lady Mustangs finished with a top ten ranking in 4A and a 20-7 record.
“It was a good season. We battled through some injuries and made the area tournament. We’re going to get back to work and get ready for next season,” coach Damron said.
