The Kingfisher Lady Yellowjackets clamped down defensively down the stretch, limiting Keys to just two points in the fourth quarter of a 45-34 semifinal victory Tuesday night at the 2025 Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic.
Kingfisher, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, improved to 8-2, while Class 3A No. 8 Keys (Park Hill) fell to 6-4.
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The win also marked a milestone for Kingfisher head coach Taylor Young, who earned her 100th career victory. Young, in her fifth season with the Lady Yellowjackets, owns an overall record of 100-28.
In the tournament’s other semifinal contest Tuesday night, Washington pulled away from Lomega for a 63-34 victory. The Lady Warriors, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, improved to 8-1, while Class B-II No. 1 Lomega suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 12-1.
Semifinals
Kingfisher 45, Keys 34
The game remained tight through the first three quarters.
Kingfisher led 12-10 after the first quarter and 24-20 at halftime.
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Kingfisher held a 12-10 edge after one quarter and led 24-20 at halftime. Adali Welker capped the third quarter with a tough drive to the basket, trimming the Keys’ deficit to 35-32 heading into the final period.
Reese Roof scored inside off a nice feed from Abbie Myers to open the fourth quarter, and after Payton Zodrow answered with a jumper for Keys, the Lady Cougars never scored again.
Myers later scored in the paint to push Kingfisher’s lead to 39-34 with 3:50 remaining, and the Lady Yellowjackets sealed the win by knocking down six free throws over the final 1:47.
Myers finished with a game-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added seven rebounds to lead Kingfisher. Roof and Mattie Slezickey chipped in seven points apiece, while Roof also grabbed five rebounds.
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Payton Zodrow paced Keys with 14 points to go with four rebounds and three steals. Sister Paizlee Zodrow added 10 points and five boards, while Welker scored eight points. The Lady Cougars finished 0 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Washington 63, Lomega 34
Lomega was still within striking distance when Alianqa Lawson knocked down a jumper to cut Washington’s lead to 39-25 with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
However, the Lady Warriors responded with a dominant 20-2 run to put the game out of reach.
Preslee Johnson led Washington with a game-high 19 points. She connected on three 3-pointers, went 5 of 8 from the free-throw line and added five rebounds and three assists.
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Eternity Self also reached double figures with 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting. Bentli Brantley and Jayden Wells contributed nine points apiece in a balanced Washington attack, while Briley Beller added six rebounds and three steals.
Washington knocked down nine 3-pointers, while Lomega finished just 2 of 16 from long range.
Consolation
Howe 42, Merritt 39
After Merritt’s Marlie Mong buried a 3-pointer with 4:18 remaining, the Oilerettes grabbed a 37-33 lead. Howe answered by closing the game on a 7-2 run to rally for the victory.
Slatey Jo Free scored on a fast break with 27 seconds left to put Howe on top 40-37.
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Allie Britton got free inside for a layup with 12 ticks remaining to slide the Merritt deficit to 40-39. However, the Oilerettes were forced to foul and didn’t send Howe to the line until Free made a pair of free throws with less than a second left.
Free led Howe with 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Kaydence Delt added seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists for the Lady Lions.
Mong registered a double-double for Merritt with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds. She also tallied five steals and three assists. Britton finished with nine points and three blocks.
