The Eufaula Ironheads and Checotah Wildcats knocked off the long-holiday dust Friday night at the Perry Anderson Gymnasium in Eufaula. Both schools split with Checotah winning the girls game and Eufaula winning the boys game.

In the first game the Lady Wildcats, led by Shyanne Madewell, defeated the Lady Ironheads 48-31. Checo tah’s fast start caught Eufaula struggling to defend the arch as Madewell scored three of her 18 points. Checotah out-rebounded Eufaula with Hailey Prince and Sidney Hamilton grabbing the most rebounds early in the game. Checotah outscored Eufaula 13 to 4 to end the first period.

Eufaula bounced back with a barrage of shooting from Johna Bumgarner, Kate Pippenger, Maddie Ballard, Olivia Hamby and Elaina Monroe. Pippenger and Hamby made their presence known in the paint as they battled with Ruby and Ruthy Folkner, Prince and Hamilton. Hamby closed out the first half with a score to make it a 26-18 game.

Both teams came out the second half determined to win. Pippenger got the hot hand for Eufaula as the senior scored six of the Lady Ironheads’ eight points and Lauren Gray, Jadence Efurd’s effort to grab rebounds was pivotal in making the game a 36-26 contest to start the fourth and final period.

Checotah head coach Wes Cloud adjusted his game plan and rotated his players putting his best defenders on the court and it made the difference in the game as Checotah forced multiple turnovers and scored in transition to outscore Eufaula 12 to 5 to seal the win.

Madewell led all scorers with 18 points, Ruthy Folkner seven, Ruby Folkner six, Sidney Hamilton 10 and Hailey Prince finished with five points for Checotah.

Even though the Lady Ironheads took the loss, some good things came out of the game like the play of Hamby, Gray and Greenlee, who each came off the bench and contributed to the game and competed at a high level.

Kate Pippenger led Eufaula in scoring with nine points, Bumgarner five, Ballard seven, Greenlee four and Hamby finished with five points.