The McCloud Lady Redskins pulled off a big win over the Checotah Lady Wildcats, 53-40, in the first round of the Henryetta Basketball tournament. It was a game from the opening tip as Checotah attacked the baseline with Ruby and Ruthy Folkner and perimeter shots from Shyanne Madewell and Jazlyn Atkins.
The Lady Wildcats did a good job of grabbing rebounds with Hailey Prince and Sidney Hamilton as Checotah led 1312 to end the opening period.
Dacey Nemecek gave the Redskins a 14-13 lead to start the second period. Hamilton grabbed the next rebound, made a great pass to Atkins who buried a three-pointer. Prince then grabbed the next rebound and scored to give Checotah a 1814 lead with 2:44 on the clock.
Nemecek then scored a three-point shot and followed it with a contested jumper to take a 21-18 lead. Chloe Mapria then scored to extend the lead 23-18. But Checotah would answer the call as Madewell hit a long three-pointer to cut the score 23-21. The next seconds was exciting for Checotah fans as Hamilton out rebounds Nemecek and drives fast upcourt and passes the ball to Madewell who hits another three-pointer as the horn sounded to take a 24-23 lead into the halftime break.
Turnovers were the issue for Checotah in the second half as they committed three to start the period and finished with 12 total turnovers in the second half of play. The good points were scored by Kami Hamm who hit two three-pointers to end the third period 38–37.
McCloud’s size began to take its toll on the smaller Wildcats as they outscored Checotah 15-3 to seal the 53-40 victory.
On Saturday, Checotah beat Beggs 52-33. The Lady Wildcats (53) started off fast, outscoring Beggs 14-8 with three-point buckets by Ruby Folkner and Jazlyn Atkins and four points each from Sidney Hamilton and Ruthy Folkner. Hailey Prince who scored eight of her 13 points dominated the second period. Shyanne Madwell began to slice up the Beggs defense, scoring in the paint and from the perimeter.
Prince led the team with 13 points, Madwell 12, Ruthy Folkner and Hamilton each had seven points, Ruby Folkner nine points and Atkins finished with three points.
