Struggling to pull themselves out of a losing slump, the Henryetta Lady Knights failed to get their offensive off the ground Tuesday night against the No. 17 Okemah Lady Panthers.
Struggling to pull themselves out of a losing slump, the Henryetta Lady Knights failed to get their offensive off the ground Tuesday night against the No. 17 Okemah Lady Panthers. The Lady Knights scored most of their points from the free throw line, allowing the Lady Panthers to take a 10-point lead. Unable to resurrect their offense completely, the Lady Knights lost their 6th consecutive game, falling to the Lady Panthers in a 54-41 battle.
Fouls on senior Lady Knight Kaylie Hamric put the Lady Knights on the scoreboard. Hamric earned five of six free throw shots in the first quarter, while senior Autumn Blackbear scored another two. With just seven points on the scoreboard, the Lady Knights couldn’t hold back the Lady Panthers’ offense. Okemah went on a 17-point rampage to obtain a 17-7 lead over the Lady Knights.
Having struggled to score in the first quarter, the Lady Knights began to find success under the basket. Freshman Lavenda Billy scored a pair of 2’s in the second quarter that kickstarted a 14-point scoring streak for the Lady Knights. Once again, the Lady Panthers fouled Hamric and sent her to the line for five of six free throw shots. Breaking through their defense, Hamric also secured a two-point basket against the Lady Panthers. Blackbear contributed to the 14-point scoring streak, sinking a three-point shot that put the Lady Knights at 21 points.
Though they had found their offensive momentum, the Lady Knights struggled defensively in the second quarter, which resulted in another Lady Panther scoring barrage. Okemah earned a total of 16 points, including two 2’s and four 3’s.
Allowing the Lady Panthers back-to-back double digit quarters, the Lady Knights fell behind their opponents 33-21 at the end of the first half.
The Lady Knights tried to overcome the 12-point deficit the Lady Panthers had put into place during the second quarter. Henryetta busted out another double digit scoring streak in the third quarter with the help of Hamric and senior Kim Fowler. Hamric made it to the basket for a pair of 2’s, while Fowler scored a total of five points for the Lady Knights. Blackbear also chimed in with another three-pointer, helping the Lady Knights close in on the Lady Panthers.
Okemah took a hit in the third quarter, making it to the basket for just 11 points. With the Lady Panthers slowing down offensively, the Lady Knights cut into their lead, 44-33.
After gaining some ground in the third quarter, the Lady Knights took a major hit in the fourth quarter. Making it to the basket for just eight points, the Lady Knights left the court wide open for the Lady Panthers to go on one last rampage. The Lady Panthers secured their victory with a 10-point scoring streak, earning a 54-41 win over the Lady Knights.
Henryetta’s varsity girls’ team is now 0-6 for the season. They were scheduled to begin the Henryetta Invitational Tournament on Thursday, competing against the Metro Christian Lady Patriots in the first round of games.