Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Ladybugs pulled off an overtime win against a determined Oklahoma Christian Academy team 51-45 to take the championship in the first year of the Pioneer Mustang Stampede Tournament Saturday. The Goldbugs, fresh off football season, lost to Cashion Friday but came back to take third place against Blackwell Saturday, 44-39.

Goldbugs vs. Blackwell

The Alva and Blackwell boys’ teams were fairly evenly matched. With just a minute left in the first quarter, the teams were tied 10-10, but the Maroons scored to lead 12-10. Things turned around in the second quarter with Alva leading 22-20 going into the half.

Blackwell went on a big scoring run in the third period with nine unanswered points before the Goldbugs found their range and answered. Davion Murrow and Jacob Faulkner came in to spark the Alva team, but the quarter ended with the Maroons up 33 to Alva’s 29.

In the fourth, the score was soon tied at 34 all. After baskets for each team, the score was tied at 36. Cameron Gordon handed off to Murrow who scored. Murrow forced a turnover and went in for a layup. Alva was on top 40-36. Mitchell Meyer added another two for Alva, but Jordan Vargas answered with two for the Maroons. With seconds to go, Murrow was fouled and made both free throws. Braydn Lute of Blackwell had his chance at the foul line but made only one. Alva won 44-39.

Lane Scarbrough was the leading scorer for Alva with 12 points. Alva is now 2-1 on the season.

The Goldbugs will be at home Thursday against Chisholm and Friday against Fairview.

Ladybugs vs. Oklahoma Christian Academy

Alva advanced to the championship contest of the Pioneer tournament after beating Hennessey on Friday. The Ladybugs had a lot of trouble getting rebounds for the first half of the game against Oklahoma Christian. At the end of the first period, the score was tied 13-13.

The second quarter opened with Alva getting their first lead of the game 15-13. Tatum Rouse started hitting the basket and by the half, Alva led 22-19. Rouse had 9 points for Alva in the first half of play.

Hallie Durkee made a couple of three pointers, answered by one from OCA to start the third quarter. The Ladybugs led 28-22. That score held for a few minutes, but the Lady Eagles managed to tie the score at 28. By the end of the third quarter, OCA was in the lead 34-30.

The Alva girls started the final period with two points from Rianna Clark and three from Peyton Jones to lead 35-34. OCA answered with four, but Alva came back to tie the score at 38 all. The Lady Eagles pulled ahead by two. Then Jones went to the free throw line and sank two for the tie at 40.

With less than a minute to play, Jones made two more from the foul line, but OCA got a last second layup for the 42-42 tie.

The teams went into a four-minute overtime. Delanie Crawford went to the free throw line, making one of two chances, to put OCA on top by one point. The ball went back and forth several times. Then Stephanie Spellman made her first field goal in the contest to put Alva ahead by two. Jones was fouled and went to the free throw line where she iced both baskets, and Alva led 46-43.

OCA’s Caton Adair got a turn at the foul line to bring the Lady Eagles within one at 46-45. Rouse made two free throws for Alva to widen the lead to 48-45. Then Jones had another turn at free throws, making good on both for the final score of 50-45.

Jones led the Alva scoring with 17 followed by Rouse with 11. The Ladybugs are now 3-0 on the season. Alva will host Chisholm Thursday night with the Ladybug game beginning at 6:30. Alva returns to the court Friday night to play Fairview at home.