Lady Bombers fall short in OT to eventual champs

For the second year in a row, the Edmond Santa Fe Lady Wolves got the best of the Lady Bombers.

This time, it was in the semifinal round of the Class 6A state tournament as Santa Fe won a thrilling 49-46 overtime matchup of the top two teams in Oklahoma. Last season, the two teams met in the 6A championship game.

Still, the Lady Wolves were forced to rally against Midwest City, which held a 31-20 lead late in the third quarter as Markita Zeigler hit a jumper for the 11-point advantage.

However, Edmond Santa Fe superstar Courtney Walker ignited an 11-4 run in the fourth quarter. At one point, she stole the ball, hit a layup and then connected on a free throw to tie the game, 39-39, with 1:45 left in regulation. Walker had 11 points in the fourth period.

In overtime, Edmond Santa Fe scored eight of its 10 points from the free throw line. The Lady Bombers had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds before an offensive charge was whistled.

Walker finished the game with 23 points while Lady Bomber star Ashley Clark led Midwest City with 16. Clark was named to the 6A all-tournament team while averaging 14 points in the team’s two games. The Lady Bombers defeated Muskogee in the quarterfinal round, 50-34.

Edmond Santa Fe went on to defeat crosstown rival Edmond Memorial, 44-41, in the 6A finals.

Class 5A boys

Top-ranked Carl Albert had high expectations heading into the state tournament, but thoughts of a championship were dashed when eventual 5A champion McGuinness defeated the Titans, 54-41, in the semifinal round.

Carl Albert downed El Reno 64-55 in the quarterfinal round matchup. Darrain Winston earned first-team all-tournament honors with his performance while averaging 14 points per game in the state tourney.

Earlier this week, Titan Carlbe Ervin was named Most Valuable Player in the Suburban Conference this season. Teammates Dondre Brookins and Winston were named to the all-conference third team. Winston also was honored as one of the top defenders in the conference.

Class 5A girls

Carl Albert’s Lady Titans, ranked No. 4 in 5A, had to survive a tough McGuinness team in the first round with a 33-31 overtime win. However, the semifinal matchup with No. 1 Shawnee was a different story as the Lady Wolves notched a 34-29 win.

Shawnee went on to defeat Tulsa East Central, 45-41, in the championship game last Saturday.

Lady Titan star Gioya Carter earned first-team all-tournament honors while averaging 14 points in the two state tourney games.

Carter also received notice this week that she was named to the All-Suburban Conference first team. Teammate Toni Cheadle was placed on the all-conference second team.

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