The Alva Ladybugs had a slow start but defeated the Perry Lady Maroons in the first round of the Wheat Capital Tournament 50-21. The Thursday afternoon game at Chisholm had a low-scoring 10-4 first quarter with the Ladybugs leading. The Ladybugs scored 16 points while holding Perry to one point in the second quarter to lead 26-5 at halftime. The Alva girls outscored Perry 12-9 in the third quarter for a 42-14 lead. In the final, Perry edged Alva 13-8 in scoring, but the Ladybugs won 50-27.

First Half

The first quarter turned into a defensive battle, but Maebry Shields was finally able to score for the Lady Maroons. Jaycee Kelln went to the free throw line and tied the game at two-all. Lakin Gaddy hit a jumper from the foul line, and Kelln scored a basket to put Alva up 6-2. Shields scored again for Perry. Hadlee Ohm scored off the glass, and Carly Argo hit a left-handed layup to give Alva a 10-4 lead at the end of the first period.

Alva went on a 14-0 scoring run to start the second quarter. Kelln led off with two. Gaddy made one of two free throws, and Ohm went in for a layup. Gaddy stole the ball, passing to Kelln who made a fast break and the two points. Argo sank a deep three on a Gaddy assist. Kelln added two points from the charity stripe, and Argo made a basket to put Alva up 24-4. Shields finally made it to the free throw line where she made one of two tries. Ladybug Morgan Heath sank a layup for the final points before halftime, and Alva led 26-5 at the break.

Second Half

Perry had a 6-1 run to begin the third quarter as Shields scored followed by a basket from Kelsey Mitchell. Kelln made one of two tries from the free throw line for Alva. Then Shields scored again on a steal to narrow the Ladybug lead to 27-11. The Alva girls had a 10-0 scoring run with baskets by Gaddy, Argo and Kelln and two free throws from Kylie Adair followed by another Kelln basket. Shields managed two free throws for Perry, but Ohm answered with a basket. Shields went to the line again, making one of two attempts. Gaddy sank a layup, was fouled and made the free throw. At the end of three periods, Alva led 42-14.

Kelln led off scoring in the fourth quarter with a basket. Shields made two free throws for Perry followed by a Mitchell basket. Then Shields scored a basket. A blocking call on Alva sent Shields to the charity stripe again where she made both shots. Then Shields scored on a jumper to cut Alva’s lead to 20 at 44-24. Heath scored on a drive and layup for Alva. Bella Porter made a Perry basket. Gaddy scored for Alva. Makenna Justus went to the line, making one of two free throws. Alva’s Channing Ferguson had the final basket of the game for a final of Alva 50, Perry 27.

Wrap-Up

The Ladybugs increase their season record to 9-1 while Perry dropped to 5-5. The Alva Ladybugs move on to play the Jones Lady Longhorns at 6 p.m. on Friday in Chisholm. Jones defeated John Marshall 76-21 in the first round of the Wheat Capital Tournament.

Kelln led the Ladybugs in scoring with 17 points followed by Gaddy with ten and Argo with nine. Ohm had six points and Heath four. Adair and Ferguson had two each.

Perry scoring was dominated by Shields with 20 followed by Mitchell with four, Porter two and Justus one.