Kenny Howell
BIXBY - At this time of year, team basketball keeps you moving through the playoffs.
That is exactly what the Adair Lady Warriors played Friday as they clinched their fifth straight state tournament appearance with a 55-47 win over Beggs.
Adair had four players in double figures, and all hit key buckets at certain times in the game.
Talor Ward got the Lady Demons on the board first with a two, but Adair responded with a 8-0 run. Beggs had an answer, going on a 8-0 run of their own to take the lead back. The Lady Warriors got a bucket before the quarter ran out, and the game was tied 10-10 at the end of the first.
Beggs had their biggest lead of the game in the second quarter, going up 16-12. But Adair hung with them. Chelsie Root’s bucket, foul and free throw put Adair back up 21-20. Chelsey Stricklen hit a fadeaway at the buzzer and Adair led 30-25 at the break.
The Lady Warriors led by as many as eight in the third quarter, but Beggs didn’t have any quit in them. The Lady Demons charged back and a Ward layup at the buzzer put Beggs within two, 38-36 going into the fourth.
Beggs had several chances to tie the game in the fourth, but could never take the lead over the defending champs. Stricklen started the fourth with a layup to go up
40-36. Kalia Crawford hit a free throw for Beggs, but Tamara Harris followed with another layup to put Adair up 42-37.
Kandra Kennedy put in a two for Beggs, but Katey Hatzenbuehler followed with a big three pointer. Crawford added a two, and Katherine Yarnell hit a free throw to get the lead back down to three. After a stop on the other end, Ward got a offensive putback and the game was 45-44.
Adair responded. Root got four straight big points. She got an offensive putback on the first, and the second was a major defensive blunder by Beggs. The ball was coming inbounds from the side, and Beggs had everyone accounted for except Root, who was standing under the goal all alone. Hatzenbuehler got her the ball, Root waited as a defender flew by and laid in the easy layup to put Adair up by four and seal the game. Adair hit 6-of-6 free throws from that point forward and punched their ticket for state.
Stricklen led the Lady Warriors with 22 points. Harris had 11. Hatzenbuehler and Root had 10 apiece. Ward led Beggs with 17.
Adair will kick off the state tournament Thursday in Oklahoma City. The Lady Warriors will be the No. 2 seed.
Adair 55 Beggs 47
B - 10 15 9 13 - 47
A - 10 20 8 17 - 55
B - Ward 17, Crawford 15, Kennedy 5, Berryhill 3, Yarnell 3, Blevins 2, Melton 2. A - Chelsey Stricklen 22, Tamara Harris 11, Katey Hatzenbuehler 10, Chelsie Root 10, Shanna Harrison 2.
Cascia Hall looks dominant, beats Adair 73-43
Another defending state champ won the nightcap, as Cascia Hall looked impressive in a 73-43 win over Adair.
The Commandoes jumped out to a 9-2 lead forcing an Adair timeout. They extended the lead to 17-4 before Adair started getting some offense going. At the end of the first, Cascia Hall led 27-13.
The powerful Commandoes continued their dominance for the rest of the game. At the half, they lead 39-23, and held a 55-34 lead going into the fourth.
Brady Bradbury and Heath Peper led Adair with 11 points apiece. Peper grabbed six rebounds. Matt Prueitt led Cascia Hall with 17.
Adair played Verdigris Saturday night for a last chance at the state tournament. Look for those results in Tuesday’s edition, or check The Daily Times Sports fan page on Facebook for ingame updates.
Cascia Hall 73 Adair 43
A - 13 10 11 9 - 43
C - 27 12 15 18 - 73
A - Brady Bradbury 11, Heath Peper 11, Seth Stricklen 8, Logan Crawford 4, Kip Whiteley 4, Michael Fraley 3, Seth Matthews 2. C - Prueitt 17, Sherwood 10, Bryant 10, Hawkins 9, Wood 8, Rouse 5, Moyer 4, Cargile 4, Horton 2, Fritzell 2, Staab 2.
