— Make it eight in a row for Muskogee.

Led by Kelsey McClure’s 25 points and a solid team defensive effort, the Lady Roughers notched their second blowout win in as many contests Friday in the John Nobles Invitational Tournament, defeating Lawton Eisenhower 73-52.

The win for the No. 6 team in the Okrankings Class 6A coaches poll against the No. 12 squad comes on the heels of Thursday’s 71-33 win over Moore. Muskogee will play No. 4 Southmoore at 7 p.m. in tonight’s finals, seeking its third tournament championship of the year to go with the Tahlequah Tiger Invitational and the Bedouin Shrine Classic.

“We went in with a mission and played like it for four quarters,” MHS coach Doyle Rowland said, his squad now 13-2. “We came up with a real good defense with a zone to deal with their 6-1 and 5-10 girls at the 4 and 5 spots. Aerious King played outstanding for Sydni Carter.”

King was summoned when Carter went down with an ankle injury against Moore and was one of the inside defenders Friday. But she wasn’t alone.

“Alexus Wilson played some of the best defense I’ve seen her play here,” Rowland said. “Kelsey ran the offense and when those two are playing with the chemistry they had, they’re something to watch. They both really did a good job putting pressure on their guards up front.”

Wilson contributed 15 points on the other end of the floor. Mari Jackson had another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“I think we played the third best team on the west side today and tomorrow we go after the No. 2 team in the west,” Rowland said.  

It will also mark the first championship in this tournament for Muskogee should it win.





Boys:

Muskogee 51, Star Spencer 41

Tramal Ivy and Anthony King both doubled up and double-downed Star Spencer in the consolation semifinals at Carl Albert High’s Titan Invitational in Midwest City.

Ivy had 19 points and 11 rebounds and King 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Roughers built a 14-8 lead after one quarter, then up three going into the fourth, sealed it with a 12-5 run over the final eight minutes. King was 5-of-6 from the free-throw line in that frame.

“They played with energy and we’re starting to figure out how to finish better,” said MHS coach Josh Berry.

David Beasley had 10 points and five assists. Javare Reed had six rebounds and three blocks.

Berry is using the road trip and hotel stay to build team chemistry.

“I think it’s working,” he said. “As soon as we got here we took away everybody’s cell phone and said they could have it for one hour each day.  We wanted to control their focus.”

Muskogee (7-8) plays Millwood in the consolation finals today at 2:30 p.m.