Lady Indians achieve back-to-back title dreams

Jan. 23—Coming together at the right time is what made Coach Megan Robbins the most happiest when her Comanche Lady Indians clinched back-to-back Stephens County Tournament Championships after beating the Marlow Lady Outlaws 38-30 this past Saturday evening.

The Lady Outlaws started the game with baskets from Whitney Wade and Erin Doughty to take the early 4-0 lead, however a three from Kylie Roden got Comanche started in the right direction.

It was then when tournament MVP Gracee Miller took over after a three bucket from Doughty and a two bucket gave Comanche its first lead of the game at 8-7.

Jentry Whaley, the tournament 6-man award winner, hit a three basket to end the quarter, leaving the Lady Indians with the 11-7 lead over the Marlow Lady Outlaws.

Marlow came back and held Comanche to only two points in the second quarter while getting seven points to take the 14-13 lead over the Lady Indians heading into halftime.

Wade, Kently Davis and Allye Haile contributed buckets to take the lead. The three helped Marlow keep the game close in the closing minutes of the first half.

Wade's bucket gave the lady Outlaws the lead when Comanche's Miller netted the first points of the third quarter by hitting two free throws to start the second half of action.

Miller's lone bucket in the third quarter put Comanche up 17-14 when a three from Karsynn Bowles put the Lady Indians up 20-14.

The next bucket came from Whaley, giving Comanche another three and the largest lead of the game at nine at the ending of the third quarter.

Marlow ended the third with a 5-0 run, but the Lady Indians held the 23-19 lead heading to the final eight minutes of the championship game.

During the fourth quarter, tournament MVP Miller iced out the game and scored eight of the 15 points for Comanche. Six of those came from the free throw line at clutch moments.

Kynli Morris, an All-Tournament selection, and Breelie Garlinger also hit a big bucket to help the Lady Indians as they secured the back-to-back title wins.

Representing Comanche on the All-Tournament team was Morris, Kylie Roden, Miller and Whaley. The Lady Outlaws had Haile, Davis and Wade as a part of the 92nd Annual All-Tournament team.

Miller had 17 points in the title game while Marlow's Wade had 11 as the top two scoring threats in the game.

With that, Comanche improved to 9-5 on the season.

Robbins said all of her girls contributed when it matter the most and is excited to see the momentum this will have for her team.

"There were multiple times where it was a crucial moment in the ball game that could have gone either way and we kept having a different person step up and make something happen," Robbins said. "Whether it was a steal or making a basket or hitting a big three at the buzzer or an and-one play — every time we got in those critical situations, a different person stepped up and that makes teams special."

With the Lady Indians playing on the road at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 against Madill, Robbins stated this victory means a lot to the team at this crucial moment.

"I think our kids are playing really well and I kind of knew that this is how I wanted our season to go ... we had a lot of kids that haven't had a lot of playing time in the past," Robbins said. "So I knew the more experience they got, the more they can come along. Those kids are getting confidence and they are playing more and they are understanding the game a little bit better. So we are coming together at the right time, we still don't want to peak too early, but going into the next stretch and then into the playoffs — that is where you want to play your best basketball."