Originally Published: Mar 13, 2010 9:2 PM CDT
Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Kansas Lady Comets finished its season with a Gold Ball by beating the Millwood Lady Falcons 66-57 in the Class 3A State Championship.
The Lady Comets’ Kelsey Barnwell opened the game with a lay-up from the tip off. She closed the first quarter with another lay-up from a fast break, as Kansas inched farther away from Millwood.
Barnwell ended with 17 points. Teammates Courtney Cowan and Brooke Panther both added 21 points each for the Lady Comets.
The cool and calm demeanor of the Kansas team was distinctly different from the high-pressure, almost forceful Millwood attitude in the first half.
The Falcons couldn’t seem to find their sync, instead settling into a frustrated groove by halftime as they trailed the Lady Comets 37-24.
Kansas got into early foul trouble in the first half. Both Barnwell and Kortni Kendrick racked up three fouls apiece as the teams began playing increasingly physical.
The Falcons seemed more focused opening the third quarter, but the game’s intensity appeared to gnaw at the them, chipping away their composure with each missed shot or missed rebound.
Kansas set the pace of the game early and remained in control of their emotions all 32 minutes to finish off Millwood and earn a Gold Ball.