The Checotah Lady Wildcats (9-6) held off a late rally by the Eufaula Lady Ironheads to win 41-40 Tuesday night at Checotah and sealed their sweep of the rival game this season. Eufaula began chipping away at Checotahs lead in the third period when Elaina Monroe made both of her foul shots to make the score 2521 in favor of Checotah. The Lady Wildcats would answer as Sidney Hamilton rebounded the ball and passed it to Ruby Folkner, who made a great assist to Ruthy Folkner for a score.
Johna Bumgarner was pivotal in the paint as she scored a layup. However, on the next play Ruby Folkner would make another steal off of Monroe and score to extend the lead 29-23.
After scores by Ariel Greenlee and Ruby Folkner the game was 31-24. Eufaula closed the period out strong as Hamilton fouled Olivia Hamby as she scored and hit her free throw to make the game 3127.
Checotah began a 4-0 run early in the fourth period to make the game 37-27. On the next play, Jadence Efurd makes a great block on Shyanne Madewell and passes the ball to Maddie Ballard who was fouled with 4:42 on the clock. After a combined three misses by Bumgarner and Ballard, Efurd grabs the rebound and scores, plus the foul to make it 37-31. Madewell would score at 3:00 to extend the lead 39-31.
The crowd erupted on the next play as Monroe hit a long three-pointer 39-34 with 2:24 to play. Bumgarner then fouled Hamilton who made one foul shot to give Checotah a 40-34 lead.
The momentum swung towards Eufaula’s favor when Ballard stole the ball from Madewell and was fouled by Logan Dowdy. Ballard made both shots but on the next possession Ruby Folkner was fouled, sending her to the free throw line and she made one of two shots, 41-36.
With 1:14 in regulation, Dowdy fouled Bumgarner who made her foul shots to make it a 41-38 game and excitement filled the gym. Checotah threw the ball out of bounds on the next possession, giving the ball back to Eufaula. The Lady Ironheads took advantage of it as Bumgarner drove in the paint and was fouled. She would make both shots making it a onepossession game with the score 41-40 with 1:10 on the clock.
Checotah had two opportunities to score as Hannah Needham drew a technical on Ruby Folkner but Folkner missed both shots and on the next play Ruthy Folkner stole the ball from Monroe with 28.88 seconds to play and again both foul shots were not made. On the next possession the official called jump ball giving the possession to Checotah who ran out the clock to win a nail biter 41-40.
Ruthy Folkner led Checotah with 13 points, Ruby Folkner eight points and Sidney Hamilton 10 points.
Johna Bumgarner led Eufaula with 15 points, Olivia Hamby nine points, Ballard and Monroe each had five points.
