MOORE —
The Norman High girls were loose and relaxed before the start of the regular-season finale on Tuesday night, even dancing courtside to the pre-game music. But as soon as the ball tipped off the Tigers were all business, and, sparked by reserve Bekah Wade, defeated Westmoore 57-54 after withstanding a late charge by the Jaguars.
Wade, mostly known for her work on defense, where she often guards the opposing team’s best post player, instead turned in her best offensive performance of the season. She went 4-of-5 from the field and scored 10 points for the Tigers, all in the first half.
She was also the catalyst for the second quarter run that put NHS in control of the game. With NHS trailing 17-11 after a 7-0 Jaguar run, Wade hit a three from the top of the key and added a layup on the next possession. The shots seemed to wake up the rest of the Tiger offense, and NHS finished the half on a 19-2 run to go up 11 at the break.
The Jaguars made a late run to make it interesting, helped by the fact the Tigers went just 11-for-21 on free throws in the fourth quarter.
But NHS was able to pull down three straight offensive rebounds from the missed free throws, and Westmoore didn’t cut the lead to one possession until Leslie Branch hit a meaningless three at the buzzer to provide the game’s final margin.
Outside of Wade’s impact off the bench, Taylor Ely and Bethany Cox led the Tiger offense. Ely put up 21 points while Cox contributed a superb all-around game, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kabria Harkey led Westmoore with 18 points and three assists. Leslie Branch added 11.
Westmoore boys 62, Norman High 58: It took overtime, but Westmoore was able to put away Norman High at home, 62-58.
In the overtime period, the Jaguars outscored the cold-shooting Tigers 8-3 to lock up the victory. NHS defeated Westmoore 62-46 at home Dec. 10 in the teams’ first meeting of the season.
The Tigers played from behind for most of the game, trailing by at halftime, but mounted a comeback in the second half to tie the game and send it to overtime. Rico Hogan led NHS with 19 points, while Connor Madole added 13 and George Kittle 10. The Jaguars got 15 points from Trey Ayala. Tripp Fuller chipped in with 13.
NHS will next meet Putnam City West at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at Edmond Memorial in the first round the Class 6A playoffs. Westmoore travels to Tulsa Union to face Supalpa.
