Howe girls advance in the basketball Class 2A state tournament Thursday, overcoming a slow start to defeat Riverside 64-55 in the quarterfinals of the OSSAA Class 2A State Tournament.
Read more: Howe girls advance to semifinalsPlaying at the OG&E Coliseum in Oklahoma City, the Lady Lions showed the poise that has led them to 11 consecutive state tournament appearances, turning a halftime deficit into a dominant fourth-quarter finish.
Game Highlights: A Tale of Two Halves
The first half belonged to Riverside, as the Lady Braves used high-energy transition play to take a 36-32 lead into the locker room. Howe struggled early to find their rhythm, trailing 21-18 after the first quarter and remaining behind throughout the second.
The momentum shifted in the second half. Howe tightened their defensive rotations and began winning the battle on the boards. By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Lions had reclaimed a slim 46-43 lead. In the final frame, Howe’s veteran experience took over, outscoring Riverside down the stretch to secure the nine-point victory and a spot in the semifinals.
Standout Performances
- Kadynce Delt (Sr.): The senior forward was an absolute force, finishing with a massive double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds. Her interior presence allowed Howe to control the glass and secure critical second-chance points.
- Slatey Jo Free (Sr.): The floor general provided the steady hand needed in a high-stakes tournament game, managing the tempo and ensuring the Lady Lions stayed disciplined during Riverside’s late-game pressure.
Semifinal Matchup: Today
Howe advances to face the Fairview Lady Yellowjackets in a high-stakes semifinal clash. Fairbview defeated Hartshorne in another quarterfinal game Thursday,
- Opponent: Fairview
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Yukon High School
The winner of Friday’s game will punch their ticket to the State Championship game scheduled for Saturday at 9:45 a.m.
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