Jeff Harrison
YUKON — The Edmond North girls hoped to make the most of their first trip to the state tournament in 10 years, and after one half of play against No. 2-ranked Norman, it looked like they would. But that all changed in the third quarter when the Lady Tigers hit six 3-pointers and eliminated No. 5 North with a 49-36 victory in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament Thursday night at Yukon High School.
“They shot the ball well tonight, they scored 18 points in that one quarter off threes and that was about it,” North coach Kevin Korstjens said. “But I couldn’t be more proud of our girls, it was the most wins in school history, we win conference champs, city champs, Ada champs, regional champs, area champs and state tournament for the first time since these seniors were in kindergarten. I’m just really, really proud of them.”
The Lady Huskies finish the season with a record of 23-3, while Norman (21-6) advances to the semifinals against Midwest City.
TaNita Dewberry and Elizabeth Donohoe led North with eight points apiece, while Anna Kimsey and Tiara Dewberry each added six.
After some early jitters, the Lady Huskies settled down and pulled within two points at the end of the first quarter. North then held the Lady Tigers to just five points in the second quarter, and took an 18-13 lead into the break.
But it didn’t take Norman long to regroup after the half. Kamra King put the Lady Tigers on top 21-18 with a couple of treys early in the third. And things only got worse for the Lady Huskies, as Norman closed out the third quarter with six treys and widen their lead to double-digits.
North couldn’t get their offense moving again in the fourth quarter, and did not score a point until Rachel Wood hit a basket with 4:32. The Lady Huskies then went on a late run to pull within 10, but it wasn’t enough.
“I wouldn’t expect anything different, we weren’t going to fold up our tents just because they hit some three’s,” Korstjens said.
King led Norman with 15 points and four 3-pointers, while Ashley Brenner added 12.
