Alva Review-Courier -

After defeating Berryhill on Thursday, the Alva Ladybugs took on KIPP Tulsa Friday in the area tournament at Enid. The Lady Bulldogs are a college prep school new to the OSSAA competition. The teams were very competitive for most of the game with KIPP Tulsa leading 20-16 at halftime. The teams tied at 26 at the end of the third period, but Alva outscored the Lady Bulldogs by nine points in the final quarter to win 45-36.

The victory gave the Ladybugs entry into the final game on Saturday night against Luther with the chance to continue on to state playoffs. The winner of that match advances while the loser is finished for the season.

KIPP Tulsa opened scoring with a trey, but Kylie Adair had back-to-back baskets to gain the 4-3 edge for Alva. The Lady Bulldogs added three points off a free throw and basket, but Ladybug Hadlee Ohm regained the Ladybug advantage at 7-6 with a free throw and basket. Two baskets by KIPP Tulsa gave them a three-point edge, but Carly Argo tied the score with a three-point shot from wing left. A final basket by the Lady Bulldogs put them up 12-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Two baskets, one from a steal, increased KIPP Tulsa's lead but Ladybug Lakin Gaddy narrowed the margin with two baskets. Jaycee Kelln scored, but the Lady Bulldogs had two more baskets to lead 20-16 at halftime.

The Ladybugs began to turn things around in the third quarter, scoring 10 points to six by KIPP Tulsa. Kelln had three successive baskets along with a free throw from Ohm while the Lady Bulldogs managed only one basket and a free throw. With the score tied at 23, Argo sank a three-pointer to give Alva the lead. Heaven Smith stole the ball and made the layup for KIPP Tulsa. She was fouled and made that shot also to tie the game at 26 for the third quarter.

Desiree Morehead

Alva's Hadlee Ohm (35) gets fouled by the KIPP Tulsa defense during the game Friday afternoon.

In the final period, Smith made good on two foul shots, but Argo sank her third trey of the game for a 29-28 Alva lead. Gaddy scored on a basket, but Smith countered with an offensive put-back. Morgan Heath added two points for Alva, and Argo made a free throw for a 34-30 Alva lead. Adair made another point from the foul line, after Smith missed her shot for a one-and-one opportunity. Gaddy added two free throws, and Alva led 37-30. Rekhia Bowen made it to the basket twice for KIPP Tulsa but Gaddy added four more points from the free throw line. Alva now led 41-34.

Bowen ran over Adair, knocking her down. Adair missed her foul shots, but Bowen fouled out. Heath blocked Smith's shot at the basket. Adair went to the charity stripe again and hit both. Alva's Heath fouled out, sending Cameryn Hinson to the line but she missed both shots. Gaddy hit shots seven and eight for the quarter from the foul line. Smith managed a last basket, but Alva won 45-36.

Wrap-Up

The win increased the Ladybug record to 24-4. Gaddy led the Alva scoring with 14 points followed by Adair with 10 and Kelln with eight. Adair had seven points while Ohm had four and Heath two.

Smith led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 followed by Bowen with 14 and Hinson with two. Mikyeasha Wilson had one.