Alva Review-Courier -

Enid, Okla. – The Alva Ladybugs beat Blackwell 47-34 in the first round of Regionals Thursday afternoon.

First Half

The Ladybugs took control of the game early in the first quarter as Alva seized a 16-7 point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Ladybug's hot start can be attributed to Payton Jones, as she scored 13 of Alva's 16 points in the quarter. The remainder of the Bugs' points came from Chloe Durkee, who checked into the ball game and immediately knocked down a three-point basket on her first offensive trip of the game. Blackwell's Lyndi Jobe made their first two baskets of the game.

Blackwell responded in the second quarter as the team outscored Alva 16-12 in the second period. The Maroons' Paige Scott caught fire in the second period as she scored 10 of her team's 16 points in the quarter. Gracey Long of Blackwell also scored four points in the period to account for the majority of Blackwell's offense. Alva's 12 points were scored by two players: Payton Jones, who scored five points in the quarter (18 points in the first half), and Acacia Charles, who led the Ladybugs in scoring in the quarter with seven. Alva held a 28-23 lead going into the half.

Second Half

The Ladybugs maintained their five-point lead through the third quarter as both teams scored just seven points in the period. Alva's seven points came by way of three players. Hallie Durkee scores three points in the quarter followed by Zoe Moorman and Payton Jones who both scored two points in the period. Blackwell's Paige Scott continued where she left off in the second quarter as she scored five of her team's seven points.

Trey Lunn

Ladybug Payton Jones scores 28 points in Thursday's 47-34 win over Blackwell.

In the fourth quarter, the Ladybugs were able to extend their lead as Alva outscored Blackwell 12-4 in the final period. The majority of Alva's points came from the free-throw line as the team held their lead throughout the entire game. Alva went eight of 12 from the free-throw line to secure the victory.

Stats

Ladybugs: Alva had one double-figure scorer in the game, Payton Jones, who had a game/team high of 28 points followed by 13 rebounds. Acacia Charles also scored nine points with 11 rebounds in the game.

Lady Maroons: The Maroons also had one double-figure scorer, Paige Scott, who led her team with 16 points in the game. The second leading scorer for the Maroons was Gracey Lang who contributed nine points in the contest.

The Ladybugs will play on the road versus Jones today, Friday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m.