By Tommy Cobb
BIXBY — Christian Heritage’s Meagan Henson was on her way ending Oktaha’s state tournament streak. But, the Lady Tigers made adjustments the would eventually pay off.
Oktaha overcame a sluggish first half and took advantage of its bench players and key plays from its seniors in the second half to defeat Christian Heritage Academy, 55-51, in the Class 2A Area III consolation championship at Whitey Ford Fieldhouse and earn a berth in next week’s state tournament.
“It was unconventional, but the turning point was when we changed our defense and stopped (Henson),” said Oktaha coach Chester Pittman. “We made adjustments at halftime and (Christian Heritage) didn’t react to it.”
Henson, who scored 14 of her 21 points in the first half, plagued the Oktaha defense with her offensive quickness. Except for a brief moment early in the second quarter, it forced Oktaha to play from behind as the Lady Crusaders took a 31-23 halftime lead.
Things didn’t get much better for the Lady Tigers in the third quarter as Pete Douglass and Kimber Weant each picked up their third foul midway through the quarter. That forced Pittman to turn to his bench to pick up the slack. Oktaha trailed 34-29 when Weant left with four minutes to go in the third, but found itself with a 39-36 lead after a basket by Douglass.
“We knew we would have to rely on our bench,” Pittman said. “They got us through while Kimber was out and kept us in the game. If we could have hit a few more free throws, it would have made things a little easier.”
Oktaha’s defense began to take its toll on the Lady Crusaders in the fourth quarter. CHA hit just four of 12 field goals and was held scoreless for a five minute span.
Chloe Nichols hit Oktaha’s final field goal with 4:48 remaining, but the Lady Tigers took advantage of their free throws. Oktaha, who had hit just three of 11 free throws through three quarters, finally found the basket hitting 12 of 18 in the final period.
A 10-0 run capped by a pair of free throws by Douglass gave the Lady Tigers a 49-43 lead with 1:51 left. Douglass sealed the win for Oktaha by getting offensive rebounds on consecutive missed free throws with 16 seconds left and Oktaha ahead by just four points.
“Our seniors made the plays when we needed them,” Pittman said. “Pete was crashing the boards and Chloe was hitting shots it the fourth quarter. That’s what seniors do.”
Weant led Oktaha with 17 points. Nichols scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half as Oktaha claimed its eighth straight trip to the state tournament.
