Semifinal Stars at Tournament Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A busy evening of hoops at BOK Center in Tulsa tipped off with a 918 focus. 5A favorite Booker T Washington took on 6A contender Broken Arrow. Each squad features a nationally ranked senior, [player_tooltip player_id='309984' first='Marcayla' last='Johnson'] for the Lady Hornets and [player_tooltip player_id='309979' first='McKenzie' last='Mathurin'] for the Lady Tigers. Both stars delivered, but it was another senior who stole the show in the end. Literally. Texas A&amp;M Western signee [player_tooltip player_id='556050' first='Tierra' last='Owens'] was a thief down the stretch, and even sealed the game with a steal and score in the closing seconds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other match up is one we could see again March in the 4A State Tournament. Lincoln Christian blitzed Fort Gibson from the start. They controlled the game, with smothering on the ball defense and would lead wire to wire. Setting up the 918 clash in the ToC title game at 7:00 PM on Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4:00 PM Semifinal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Booker T Washington 45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Arrow 41</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7:00 PM Semifinal </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Christian 54</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Gibson 36 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["309984"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f528eb2f69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson is often simply too tall, too strong and too quick to be stopped. Has violent and sudden motions when she stops and pulls in the mid-range or from three. When she gets to the rim, she's gritty and seems to relish contact as she plays with infectious energy. Scored a game high 20 points by scoring in a variety of ways. There are previous years, that Johnson would be the clear top dog. And even in a class full of stars, she continues to make a strong statement that she's one of the brightest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["556050"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f528eb2ff0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens only had 5 points but made some of the biggest plays in the fourth quarter. She was credited with 4 steals, including a game sealing steal and score in the close moments. That was a steal where she read the pass like a DB and high pointed it before racing away for the score. But she also has quick hands to makes plays when covering on the ball. Which included forcing a crucial jump ball late. Very clutch performance for the future West Texas A&amp;M standout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["309979"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f528eb304c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even with the waves of pressure thrown at her, Mathurin often looked under control and smooth. Led Broken Arrow with 19 points, including 3-6 shooting from three. Once again, her full scoring bag was on display. As she added in tough finishing at the rim to go along with the perimeter shooting. One aspect that seems to set her apart from players is how quickly she reads and reacts to defense. If the defense sags off for a split second, then she's stopping and pulling. If they lean too much on a close out, it's a blow by to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["556754"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f528eb30a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other Tiger in double figures, Bowen thrived in the athletic and tough contest. Nearly recorded a double double with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Hit some key jumpers and overall scoring, but it was her battling mindset on both ends of the court that stood out. Has swagger to how she plays defense and competes. Very promising signs for her to be a pivotal piece of a Broken Arrow team with Gold Ball aspirations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572964"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f601f8779f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early coast to coast take seemed to set the tone for a flashy and productive game for Leyva. She's a skilled and quick lead guard, with eye catching ball fakes and nice no look feeds. Was a thief on defense, finishing with four steals. Scored 14 points, most of it coming at the rim thanks to her quickness and handles. Continuing to come into her own, as a dynamic lead guard for the elite LCS team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["310154"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f601f87802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Was a bright spot for Fort Gibson in the tough loss. Stanley's stretch forward credentials were on display, shooting it well from distance by going 3 of 5 from three. Scored 11 points and added a couple blocks. Including one where she stayed with and swatted the shot of one of the tougher covers in Oklahoma. Fort Gibson will have a chance to bounce tomorrow with another premier match up, expect the future North Texas forward to be ready for battle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331825"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-676f601f87849"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Physical and versatile wing, who finished with a game high 17 points. Was a very efficient shooting night, consistently draining shots in the mid-range and from deep (3-5 three). Liked the versatility she showed on defense. While she has the size to make an impact around the rim, she was very comfortable and effective at moving her feet to stay with quicker guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->