Bertha Teague Mid-America Classic : Day 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 47th Annual Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic got underway Thursday in Ada. Named after the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach, the tournament takes place at East Central University. Many years the quality of competition rivals the Tournament of Champions, and this year is no different. With the #1 team in Class A, 2A, and 3A represented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The day opened up with 4A #3 Anadarko matched up with Class A's three time defending State Champion Seiling. Anadarko came into the game with a 6-1 record, while Seiling was just 3-0 after a late start due to a State Championship football team. Anadarko last one the Bertha Teague in 2009, but has had five appearances in the years since. Seiling returns to the tournament for the first time since 2016. Seiling was able to take the win in a 44-40 Overtime thriller on Thursday with @Teagan Hamar leading the way with 19 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["733738"],"_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-67701ad34dc4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lady Wildcats 13 steals in the win over Darko, with Briggs accounting for some of the biggest. The recent Oklahoma Baptist University softball signee has stepped up into a star role for Seiling after the graduation losses of Nyberg, Gore, and Whetstone. Scored 10 points on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876894"],"_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-67701ad34dcf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I see Kadence several times in the summer circuit, she is looking quicker and more polished now in late December. While she is probably fourth option for Seiling, she does a lot with her opportunities and I foresee her stepping into a bigger role next season, just as Hamar and Briggs have done this season. Kadence was good for 8 points in the overtime thriller. Post player [player_tooltip player_id='846964' first='Lyndlea' last='Nichols'] who I covered earlier in the week was able to step out and hit some three's in the first game as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game saw Washington take on Class 5A Duncan. Washington, looking to win this year's Classic after a runner-up finish last season. A big start of the second half lead by 7 unanswered points by [player_tooltip player_id='572989' first='Preslee' last='Johnson'] was able to ice the game as Washington was able to get a 68-38 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["578004"],"_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-67701ad34dd73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year's Bertha Teague MVP comes back to try to repeat this season, and try to come home with the championship trophy this time. Beller was the rare MVP to come from the runner-up, as her play was that stellar last season. Dynamic junior guard is one of the most fun players to watch in Oklahoma. Didn't have to score a ton on Thursday, but had a very balanced productive late afternoon. 7 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was another tale of two halves, as Dale was able to use a 24-5 third quarter to take care of business against Purcell. Dale overcame a rough night from beyond the arc (just 1-12 from three) to set up a can't miss showdown between two #1's as they take on Seiling in the Semi-Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897488"],"_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-67701ad34ddef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">11 points in the fist half against Purcell helped set the tone for the Pirates, keeping it a close game before a big second half put the Dragons away. Tough finisher, scores with contact and draws fouls. Uses some misdirection in the post and is strong enough to end up where she wants to be. Finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neither Latta or Roff had to travel far to get to East Central, as the Ada areas perennial small-school powers met in the first round. Latta would outlast Caddo in the second overtime game of the day, winning by a 48-41 score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884663"],"_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-67701ad34de69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While other players for Latta had more points, the four points in the OT period by their post player were the biggest to me. Had some key blocked shots earlier in the game as well. Plays like a much taller post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876710"],"_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-67701ad34dee6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After starting off cold, Latta star hit her next eight shots, ending up as the game's high scorer with 17. Dynamic sophomore guard should be adding Bertha Teague All-Tournament team to her list of accomplishments as Latta heads towards the winners bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->