Class 3A girls basketball: Jones rolls over Perry, returns to finals to defend title
YUKON — The Class 3A girls basketball state semifinals began Friday at Yukon High School. Here’s a look at what happened:
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Jones 51, Perry 33
Knowing it needed to play tough defense, Jones went to work from the start, allowing only three Perry field goals in the first half — all by Braylee Dale — while building a 27-12 lead.
Jones’ Boston Berry had 10 of her 18 points in the first half and Kasia Hansen had 10 of her 11 in the second half as Jones sealed its spot in the finals to defend its state title.
Jones’ 6-2 sophomore forward Sofi Woodson had 11 points while also keying the Longhorns’ efforts with her defense and rebounding. Dale finished with 18 points, but it came with hard work against Woodson.
“We hang around on defense,” Jones coach Jenni Holbrook said. “It has to be defense for us. We don’t ever know how we’re gonna do on the offensive end. We knew we had to shut down (Dale). She’s a force. She’s a monster inside. Our big girl (Woodson) took the challenge on. She read an article somewhere that nobody could stop her one-on-one, so she took the challenge, and I think she did a good job.
“Our guards just played amazing defense on the perimeter. Their guards couldn’t hardly get anything outside. And it’s just belief. These girls have been here before, so they knew what it took to get it done.”
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Idabel 58, Lincoln Christian 50
With three players scoring in double-figures, Idabel secured its first appearance in the state championship game since 2001, when it lost to Bristow, 28-27, in the Class 4A finals.
Idabel senior Jaylee Lopez hit four 3-pointers, then helped seal the game with a 5-of-5 showing at the free throw line in the fourth quarter. She had 19 points, while her freshman sister, Mercades Lopez, had 17 and 6-foot-6 sophomore Mary Carden added 12.
“That’s the big thing with our team,” Idabel coach Kayla Denton said. “You never know who’s gonna hit a shot. Sami Jobe came off the bench and hit a 3 that was big for us. They sagged off of her. I think we do a pretty good job of playing selfless and playing as a team.”
Lincoln Christian pulled within 51-50 in the final minutes, but Idabel was able to answer with pesky defense and good free throw shooting down the stretch.
“This is a big thing for us,” Denton said. “Last year, we got beat out in the first round of area. As soon as we got beat out, our mind went to playing for a gold ball.
“I think it’s the start to something real.”
Lincoln Christian was led by Audrey Hopkins with 23 points and Ellie Brueggemann with 19.
Idabel will face Jones at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the finals at State Fair Arena.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSSAA Class 3A girls basketball state tournament semifinal scores
