Alva Ladybugs headed to state playoffs
March 8, 2020
After a loss Friday to Millwood, the Alva Ladybugs faced Chandler in the area consolation playoff Saturday night at Western Heights. The Ladybugs turned in a dominating performance, outscoring the Lady Lions 52-32. It’s the first trip to state for the Ladybugs since 2016.
Chandler hit the first basket of the game, but that was the only time they led. Alva set a fast pace, and the Lady Lions had a hard time keeping up. As Chandler’s turnovers reached double digits, the Ladybugs scored 14 points to six for the Lady Lions to end the quarter. The second quarter was more of the same. Chandler managed six more points, but the Ladybugs scored 11 to lead at the half 25-12.
At halftime, senior Payton Jones led the Alva scoring with nine followed by Brooke Perez and Chloe Durkee with six each. Reihm had four points, all from free throws. By halftime, Alva had 10 turnovers but Chandler had 22.
The Lady Lions worked hard to gain the upper hand in the third, causing a scoring drought with a succession of turnovers going both ways. Chandler finally broke free for a three-pointer, but Reihn and Jones quickly sank baskets to bring the Alva lead to 29-15. The Ladybugs continued to widen the margin, leading 37-19 at the end of the third period.
Chandler scored five points to open the final quarter, but Jones quickly answered with a trey. Perez hit the only two-point Alva basket in the quarter. The remaining ten of the Ladybugs’ 15 points came from the free throw line. The Lady Lions were tiring but managed to score 13 points to bring the final Alva win to 52-32.
Three Ladybugs finished with double-digit scores. Jones led with 18 followed by Perez with 14 and Reihm with ten. Durkee added nine and Clark had one. All five were active on the boards as well with Reihm making 14 rebounds, Jones eight, Clark six, Perez five and Durkee three. Alva hit 18 of 24 free throws for a 75 percent accuracy which really solidified their victory. The two leading scorers for Chandler had nine points each.
The Alva Ladybugs will head to the state quarterfinals next week. Head Coach Dusty Horn thinks the most likely opponent will be Adair or possibly Sequoyah.
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