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Owasso ends 28-year title drought
TULSA — Ce’Nara Skanes’ game-tying running shot below the freethrow line appeared true as the buzzer sounded.
“Honestly, I did think it was going in,” Skanes said. “But, it didn’t.”
As the basketball rolled off the rim, Putnam West’s title hopes were finished. Owasso players mobbed each other at the center of the Mabee Center’s court.
Skanes tried to hide her tears around her heartbroken teammates.
“You’ve got to finish that,” Skanes said. “It’s a big play.”
No. 3 Owasso edged No. 1 Putnam West 53-51 to win the Class 6A state championship for the first time in 28 years and atone for a finals loss two years ago.
The last title came in 1990, a rout of Ponca City that came a lot easier than Saturday’s win over the favored Patriots.
“They are No. 1 and they’ve been the team this year to beat,” Owasso senior Mya Bhinhar said. “I wanted to play them. I wanted to match up with the best. If you don’t beat the best, then are you really a champion?”
Putnam West (24-3) had lost just once to an in-state team and appeared poised to make a fourth-quarter comeback behind Skanes.
The Florida International signee scored all 17 of her points in the second half, overcoming an 0-for-9 opening half, and finished with 10 rebounds.
“She went to work in the second half,” Owasso senior Terryn Milton said. “I don’t think she was that aggressive in the first half, but second half she kinda caught us off guard with how aggressive she was being.”
Owasso (26-3) still never fully lost control.
It led 41-33 entering the fourth, but Skanes scored seven quick points to get Putnam West within a point.
Putnam West later got heroics from Megan McAlpin with a 3-pointer and a basket. Mekayla Furman then tied the game at 51 with a steal and layup with just less than a minute remaining.
Putnam West had a chance to win the game, but Bhinhar came away with a wild pass with 9.7 seconds remaining and was fouled. She missed the first free throw, but made the second.
Another Putnam West turnover led to it putting Milton on the line with 6.7 seconds remaining. She made the first and missed the second.
After the ball was knocked out of bounds, Putnam West used two quick passes to get the ball to Skanes, who drove from half court and released the runner.
“I felt like the ball was in the player’s hands I wanted it in,” Putnam West coach Carlos Adamson said. “If she makes that shot we’re having a different conversation. For me, I have no regrets. We got a good shot at the basket. It just didn’t go in.”
Owasso’s Milton, who has signed with Texas-Arlington, scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds. Bhinhar, a Missouri State signee, finished with 11 points.
TULSA — Ce’Nara Skanes’ game-tying running shot below the freethrow line appeared true as the buzzer sounded.
“Honestly, I did think it was going in,” Skanes said. “But, it didn’t.”
As the basketball rolled off the rim, Putnam West’s title hopes were finished. Owasso players mobbed each other at the center of the Mabee Center’s court.
Skanes tried to hide her tears around her heartbroken teammates.
“You’ve got to finish that,” Skanes said. “It’s a big play.”
No. 3 Owasso edged No. 1 Putnam West 53-51 to win the Class 6A state championship for the first time in 28 years and atone for a finals loss two years ago.
The last title came in 1990, a rout of Ponca City that came a lot easier than Saturday’s win over the favored Patriots.
“They are No. 1 and they’ve been the team this year to beat,” Owasso senior Mya Bhinhar said. “I wanted to play them. I wanted to match up with the best. If you don’t beat the best, then are you really a champion?”
Putnam West (24-3) had lost just once to an in-state team and appeared poised to make a fourth-quarter comeback behind Skanes.
The Florida International signee scored all 17 of her points in the second half, overcoming an 0-for-9 opening half, and finished with 10 rebounds.
“She went to work in the second half,” Owasso senior Terryn Milton said. “I don’t think she was that aggressive in the first half, but second half she kinda caught us off guard with how aggressive she was being.”
Owasso (26-3) still never fully lost control.
It led 41-33 entering the fourth, but Skanes scored seven quick points to get Putnam West within a point.
Putnam West later got heroics from Megan McAlpin with a 3-pointer and a basket. Mekayla Furman then tied the game at 51 with a steal and layup with just less than a minute remaining.
Putnam West had a chance to win the game, but Bhinhar came away with a wild pass with 9.7 seconds remaining and was fouled. She missed the first free throw, but made the second.
Another Putnam West turnover led to it putting Milton on the line with 6.7 seconds remaining. She made the first and missed the second.
After the ball was knocked out of bounds, Putnam West used two quick passes to get the ball to Skanes, who drove from half court and released the runner.
“I felt like the ball was in the player’s hands I wanted it in,” Putnam West coach Carlos Adamson said. “If she makes that shot we’re having a different conversation. For me, I have no regrets. We got a good shot at the basket. It just didn’t go in.”
Owasso’s Milton, who has signed with Texas-Arlington, scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds. Bhinhar, a Missouri State signee, finished with 11 points.
