Round up! Class 4A & 3A Quarterfinals

Putting a bow on the last 48 hours of games at the Big House. Only 48 hours to go at the old battle horse. Might be a little punchy at this point. Anyway, words!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 4A</h2>   Game 1   Fort Gibson 60   Newcastle 34   Game 2   Douglass 58   Bethany 47   Game 3   Locust Grove 52   Kingfisher 39   Game 4   Lincoln Christian 45   Madill 38   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class 3A</h2>   Game 1   Roland 41   Washington 47   Game 2   Alva 50   Keys 30   Game 3   Anadarko 44   Tahlequah Sequoyah 49   Game 4   Community Christian 51   Adair 40    Speedy in transition and a livewire in the mid-range in the halfcourt. Whitely carved up Newcastle all game. Had 21 points, on clean looks with her change of pace abilities setting her up in the mid-range. Or she lofted floaters and amde other tough finishes in traffic. When the defense did adjust to her, she showed the passing chops with 5 dimes. Complete game for the future Northeastern Oklahoma Lady Riverhawk and a step closer to the State Title.     While it was a bitter end, Kindred's freshman campaign was filled with highs. Including this trip to the Big House. She was Newcastle's leading scorer, with 14 points. Often operating in the mid-range and as a slasher. The youngster is already a gifted athlete, who makes it look easy. Especially with some of the blocks, including a snatch block in transition where she chased down a speedy guard. It very likely won't be Newcastle and Kindred's last trip to the State Tournament.     Game high 18 points, with sharpshooting in the first half and timely scoring throughout. Went 3-4 from distance, making Bethany pay anytime they lost track of her. Along with her offensive spark, she was a key part of Douglass' swarming guard defense. Which kept in check one of the best players in Oklahoma. The Trojanettes are the type of team where they might have a different leading scoring every night this week. But don't be surprised if Jones steps up again.     Another freshman phenom making her State Tournament debut. Woods' three point shot was off, but that didn't stop her. As she became a silky shooter in the mid-range. Especially down the stretch, as her fourth quarter scoring was crucial in keeping Douglass' double digit lead. 16 points and advancing to the semifinals. Heck of a start for the talented 405 youngster.     The focus on LG often revolves around the three giants they start. But programs don't make State with only three players and the sharpshooting Stokes reminded everyone of that. With a blistering 5 of 7 shooting from three, she made Kingfisher pay for packing the paint. Finishing with a game high 19 points. Her scoring was a big part of the win. While also giving teams something to think about if they try to pack the paint on LC's giant frontline.     Only 8 points for the productive junior, but she didn't force looks. She also showed off some great passing abilities and vision. Pretty no look bounce passes to cutting teammates. Kicking out of double teams to open shooters. Or making accurate cross court passes. Very impressive display of a high skill level to go with her battler mentality around the rim.     Lincoln Christian is looking to get over the hump in 4A, and for 8 minutes they were on upset watch. Losing 17-10. But Stewart and company dialed in defensively. Only allowing 21 points the rest of the contest. Including keeping Madill to only 30 total points for much of the fourth quarter. Offensively, Stewart was responsible for 15 points. Which led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring. More big moments await and expect the gamer guard to produce under the bright lights.     Another premier freshman playing on Wednesday night was Holmes from Madil. She produced a full stat line, fitting of the dominant and complete freshman campaign she had. 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. She has a rare combination of size and athleticism, something multiple D1 programs have recognized and already offered. It should be the first chapter of many State Tournament games for the sensational Southern Oklahoma prospect.     The softball standout was one of three Washington players with 15 points exactly. Along with her scoring, some of which came down the stretch in the fourth, salting away the game. She brought over her battle mentality from softball with 8 rebounds. 5 of the offensive variety. Her second chance opportunity were crucial for a team that struggled shooting wise. And helped advance Washington to the semifinals.     The track star is also a blur on the court. Was in double figures at the half thanks to her transition speed and ability to hit from off the dribble at long range. She's a blast to watch and is the general for a fast paced Alva squad. With 16 points, she paced four Ladybugs in double figures.     Another Ladybug in double figures with 12 points. But it's more than her scoring that helped shape her story on Thursday night. Alva led nearly wire to wire, with a great team effort. In the second half, some teams and players would let up. Not Blackledge. In fact the junior went flying over press row to try to save a loose ball in the second half. She ended up landing on the unforgiving concrete that's behind the row of tables. Not missing a beat, the junior leapt off the concrete and sprinted back to the court. The Ladybugs, they are locked in.     Do it all guard, who's a battler on the defensive end. Her long arms make her scrappy to deflect passes and rebound, while also quick feet to apply on the ball pressure. Offensively, she finished with only 8 points. But looks to have a good mid-range game.     The freshman closed the door on Anadarko by calmly nailing a three-pointer in the final minute of the game. Which put the Sequoyah up 5 points after Anadarko had battled all quarter to make it a two point game. The clutch three is proof Lamb has ice blood running through her veins. She scored a team high 13 points, including two threes. And her contributions to a balanced and now 3A semifinalist Lady Indians team is proof she's a name to watch in Oklahoma's very promising Class of 2028.     Two weeks to the night, Hartsock lost the final home game of her high school career. It also sent the 2nd ranked Lady Royals to the consolation bracket of Regionals. Meaning they needed five straight wins to reach state. They did that and tonight makes 6 straight.   Hartsock had her customary full stat line of 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Unbelievable quickness and control off the dribble. Got paint touches like other's breath. Only took 15 field goals to hit 25 points. Which was added by 7-10 shooting from the charity stripe. This is the second straight year the electric guard has put on a show in the quarterfinals. And has led CSS to their second straight semifinals.     The complete scoring guard capped a productive junior campaign with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Warriors were flying to start the game, and it was Schwerdtfeger at front of their attack. After a second quarter lull, they turned to her again. And she gave them a brief spark, scoring on post up attempts. Showing the complete scoring bag the junior has. She's an impressive college prospect, that despite the bittersweet high school ending, looks set for strong grassroots campaign.

Putting a bow on the last 48 hours of games at the Big House. Only 48 hours to go at the old battle horse. Might be a little punchy at this point. Anyway, words!