Alva Review-Courier -

Coming off a Tuesday night win against Newkirk, the Alva Ladybugs traveled to Blackwell Friday and posted their second win of the season, 44-30.

By the end of the first quarter, Blackwell had three players with two fouls each. The Ladybugs closely guarded Lady Maroon Lindy Jobe who was a big scoring threat last year.

First Half

Blackwell's Kailyn Greenhagen put the first points on the board, but a basket by sophomore Rianna Clark tied it up. Having missed a couple of free throw chances, Gracey Lang tried for a basket, missed, rebounded and stuck it in. Ladybug senior Hallie Durkee answered with one from three point range to put Alva in the lead 5-4.

Lady Maroon Paige Scott added a stickback for a brief Blackwell lead, but Stephanie Spellman was fouled and had three chances to score. Spellman made good on all three free throws, putting Alva on top 8-6. Lang tied the score and was fouled, making the free throw and putting Blackwell up 9-8. H. Durkee put in another big three for the Ladybugs. Cady Smith with fouled but missed both free throws. Alva finished the first period in the lead 11-9.

Early in the second quarter, Spellman hit a three-pointer. Clark picked off the ball and H. Durkee tried for a three, but it was no good. Then H. Durkee made a jump shot for two, and Alva's lead grew to 18-9. Blackwell's Paige Smith sank one out of two free throws. Jobe made her first points on a turnaround jump shot, and the score was 18-12 in Alva's favor.

Clark missed the basket but H. Durkee rebounded and shot, getting two. She was fouled but missed the free throw. Alva's lead was 20-12 at the end of the first half of play. With two fouls, Payton Jones sat out most of the second quarter, but H. Durkee stepped up, posting 10 points in the first half.

Second Half

Jones was back on the floor in the third period, and quickly made a layup shot for Alva. Madelyn Hankins answered with a basket, but Jones came back with another. Spellman added two more on an assist from Jones. Then Spellman hit a three-pointer, and Alva led 29-14. Hankins made a three-pointer for Blackwell to pull within 12 of Alva.

Both teams missed some scoring chances. Then Zoe Moorman pulled down an offensive rebound, feeding it to H. Durkee who sank a trey. Spellman added another basket for Alva, and Jobe put one up for the Lady Maroons. Alva led 34-19 at the end of the third.

Blackwell outscored Alva 11-10 as they fought back in the final period, but it wasn't enough. Lang hit two baskets and Scott added a third before Alva answered. Acacia Charles hit a turnaround jumper, and Alva was up 36-25. Brittany Harth was fouled and added one free throw point. Then Smith made good on two free throws to narrow the Alva lead to eight.

Trey Lunn

Ladybug Peyton Jones rejects the layup attempt of the Maroon player.

Clark hit a layup for the Ladybugs, but Hankins quickly answered with a basket. Then Hankins fouled H. Durkee who made good on the first of two free throws. Alva led by nine at 39-30. Hankins committed her fifth foul, ending her night. Charles went to the free throw line, making the first shot and missing the second. H. Durkee was fouled and made good on both chances. Alva led 42-30.

Scott committed her fifth foul and was out of the game. Jones made both of her free throws, and Alva led 44-30 at the end of the game.

Scoring

Hallie Durkee led the Alva scoring with 16 followed by Spellman with 13. Jones and Clark added six each, and Charles had 3.

For Blackwell Lang led with nine followed by Hankins with seven. Jobe and Scott posted four each followed by Smith with three, Greenhagen with two and Harth with one.

Up Next

The Alva Ladybugs are now 2-0. Tuesday they play rival Chisholm in Alva with a 6:30 p.m. start time. Thursday, Alva beings play in the Pioneer Stampede Tournament. The Ladybugs start off with a 6:30 p.m. against the Enid JV.