Lady Huskies gaining experience, victories

SPERRY — After falling victim to experience in the first round of the Sperry Invitational Basketball Tournament, a slightly older-but-considerably wiser squad took the court the next day for the Pawhuska High School Lady Huskies.

Pawhuska grabbed its second victory of the season by blistering the Bartlesville junior varsity, 46-23, Friday afternoon. Haley Malaske scored 16 points to lead the Lady Huskies, while sophomores Keylee Kirk and Genie Herren chipped in 11 and nine, respectively.

Coach Austin Minshall’s team charged to an 11-2 advantage in the first quarter and held a comfortable (22-9) halftime lead. Although the Lady Bruins closed to within a dozen at the start of the fourth period, the Lady Huskies extended the margin over the final minutes.

This year’s PHS squad may be a little lacking in numbers, but Minshall is certain the Lady Huskies have no shortage of heart. The seven-player roster is comprised of one senior (Malaske), a junior, three sophomores and two freshmen.

In the Thursday night contest, Pawhuska struggled with an experience disadvantage against the senior-laden Sperry Lady Pirates. The tourney hostesses scored the last six points of the first quarter to take an 11-4 edge.

With senior star Emily Neece notching 10 of her game-high 15 in the initial half, Sperry moved ahead 24-8 at intermission and delivered an 18-point knockout in period No. 3.

Neece led her team in every facet of the game by pulling down 11 rebounds and making 13 steals. Lady Pirate junior Sara Seals tallied 11, all in the second half.

PHS top scorer Kirk was held to no points for nearly three quarters, but finished with seven to share team scoring honors with Herren. Malaske added five and each of the seven players scored.

Fatigue was compounded by a deep bench and superior height of the girls from Glenpool, who topped PHS, 46-31, in Saturday’s fifth-place consolation championship game.

Playing for the third time in 2 1/2 days, the Lady Huskies could not quite head off the larger-class Lady Warriors, who narrowly squeaked past the Nowata Lady Ironmen (46-45) on Friday.

Pawhuska looks to wrap up its pre-holiday schedule Friday night against Osage County rival Hominy. Tip off for the Lady Huskies-Lady Bucks is set for 6:30 p.m. at Oren Terrill Field House.

A ceremony following Friday’s girls’ game will feature the presentation of four new members of the Pawhuska Basketball Hall of Fame. This year’s HOF class includes Lisa Burd Chamberlin, the seventh former Lady Huskie to enter the hallowed Hall.

Lady Huskies 46, Bartlesville JV 23

Pawhuska: 11 - 11 - 11 - 8 — 46

Bartlesville: 2 - 7 - 10 - 4 — 23

Pawhuska Lady Huskies (2-1) — Haley Malaske 16, Keylee Kirk 11, Genie Herren 9, Andie Sweeden 4, Sarah Phillippi 3, Sydney Sellers 2, Mary Jo Upchurch 1. Coach: Austin Minshall.

Bartlesville Lady Bruins — Phillips 5, Gillard 4, Hines 3, Barnes 3, Jaxon 2, Latew 2, Jones 2, Titwill 2.

Sperry 52, PHS 26

Pawhuska: 4 - 4 - 7 - 11 — 26

Sperry: 11 - 13 - 18 - 10 — 52

Lady Huskies (1-1) — Genie Herren 7, Keylee Kirk 7, Haley Malaske 5, Sarah Phillippi 2, Sydney Sellers 2, Mary Jo Upchurch 2, Andie Sweeden 1. Coach: Austin Minshall.

Lady Pirates (3-0) —Emily Neece 15, Sidney Pisachubbe 5, Megan Winford 5, Morgan Wolf 2, Haylee Prock 0,

Sara Seals 11, Bethany Neece 6, Bethany Presnall 5, Madeline Driskill 3.