Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs headed to Norman Thursday to play the Lone Grove Longhorns in the first round of the regionals. The teams met at 3 p.m. at Community Christian in the consolation bracket game.

Alva got off to a fast start with a 6-1 run before Lone Grove took over to lead 9-6. The Goldbugs got back on the scoreboard and tied the game at 9 all at the end of the quarter. Alva dominated the second quarter, scoring 17 points to eight for Lone Grove for a 26-17 halftime mark.

Scoring slowed a little in the third quarter with Alva leading 35-22 at the end of the third period. In the final period, Alva took control and ran out time, forcing the Longhorns to foul for ball possession. The Goldbugs had trouble hitting the charity shots, and Lone Grove was able to narrow the lead. It wasn't enough with Alva winning 46-34.

After the tie in the first period, the Goldbugs quickly took the lead and never relinquished it. Chuck Shelite got the ball on a turnover, made a basket, was fouled, and made the free throw to put Alva up 12-9. Austin Reed dominated Goldbug scoring in the quarter, and Reece Martin hit a straight on three to end the half with the score 26-17 in Alva's favor.

Goldbug Austin Reed led the first half scoring with 12 points. Lone Grove's Jeshua Miller, a sophomore, led the Longhorns with seven.

During the third quarter, the Longhorns never got closer than the nine point margin of halftime. Although the Goldbugs had some trouble getting the ball to fall through the hoop, they kept scoring enough to retain a solid lead of 35-22 at the buzzer.

About midway through the final period, the Goldbugs held onto the ball while running the clock with the score at 37-26. Other than a basket by Reed, the Alva team added seven points on free throws despite their poor scoring percentage from the line.

Reed led the Alva scoring with 17 points followed by Jackson Feely with nine, Reece Martin seven and Kaden Slater six. Chuck Shelite had three, Braden Hofen two and Baylor Rust two.

Alva scored on only 14 of 32 chances from the free throw line. Their shooting percentages weren't great but they did well on rebounds and had only nine turnovers.

J. Miller led the Longhorns with 12 points, followed by Caden Gilmore with five. Jacob Benson had three and Cale Mclean scored three. Finishing out the scoring were Tyler Eaves, Jackson Ramon, Ty Clemens and Aiden Hale with two apiece. Their 25 turnovers were a big factor in the Lone Grove loss.

The Goldbugs will advance to play at 8 p.m. tonight at Community Christian against the loser of the Perry and Prague game played Thursday night.