McAlester Girls Win First State Title in 18 Years

Originally Published: Mar 13, 2010 8:1 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – The 5A girls’ gold ball trophy belongs to McAlester after the Lady Buffaloes beat East Central 49-45 in Saturday night’s championship game. The win gives McAlester its first state title since 1992.

After the final buzzer sounded, McAlester players ran into each others’ arms and cried tears of joy. The swarm of students who made the trip to ORU’s Mabee Center cheered for a team that beat the top three teams in the state in succession to earn the state championship.

“We’re state champions. That’s all there is to say,” smiled LaShanda Green after the game. “First it’s shock, then it’s happy.”

Green led the way with 17 points for the Lady Buffs.

McAlester stuck with the formula that got them to the championship round. The Lady Buffs launched 3-pointers from all over the court. Lesley Huff’s pair of 3-pointers sparked McAlester and helped them build an early 13-5 lead.

The quick start East Central got in the semifinal round against Booker T. Washington didn’t happen in the title game. Nerves may have played a part in the slow start for Lady Cardinals. East Central didn’t hit a field goal until the 4:28 mark of the first quarter. McAlester had already built a 6-1 lead.

Unique Gaines did everything for East Central. She scored seven points in the first half to help cut into McAlester’s lead. Her layup in the final seconds pulled the Lady Cardinals to with two points at the break.

East Central adjusted its game plan at halftime. The Lady Cardinals came out with full court pressure that seemed to slow down the Lady Buffs early in the third quarter. McAlester only scored eight points in the frame.

Darrein Clark’s put-back to beat the third quarter buzzer tied the game at 32 heading into the final eight minutes.

The Lady Cardinals won back-to-back gold balls in the 2006-07 seasons. The players reluctantly accepted the runner-up trophy at midcourt to a loud ovation from their fans.

McAlester didn’t score in the second quarter against Tulsa Memorial in Friday’s semifinal round. The slump allowed the Lady Chargers to get back in the game at halftime. McAlester didn’t struggle from the floor in the championship game, scoring 24 first half points.

Arial Williams scored 14 points for the Lady Cardinals. Gaines scored 12.