KHS girls taking part in prestigious tournament

While most basketball teams in the state will be trying to keep their skills sharp with practices this week, the Kingfisher Lady Jackets get the opportunity to put those skills to the test.

KHS is part of this year’s Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic, which begins Thursday in Ada.

The invitation-only tournament has been played since 1976 and annually features some of the best girls basketball teams in the state regardless of class.

The tournament’s namesake is a basketball coaching icon. Bertha Teague coached 42 seasons at Byng, won eight state championships, more than 1,150 games and also had a 98-game winning streak.

“It’s always an honor to play in a holiday tournament,” said Kingfisher coach Taylor Young.

She would know. Young - then Taylor Cooper - twice played in the Bertha Teague.

The first time was in 2009 as a sophomore at Bethel.

She made the return trip in 2011 as a senior at Shawnee.

The Lady Wolves won the tournament en route to a 29-0 record and the Class 5A state championship that season.

Young was named to the all-tournament team that year.

Her Kingfisher team takes a 2-2 record into the tournament.

The Lady Jackets are currently ranked 11th in 4A. Their losses are to 4A’s No.

1 Bethany and No. 5 Tuttle. Kingfisher takes on 5A’s McAlester in Thursday’s opening round.

The Lady Buffs are currently 5-2 on the season. (Note: Since moving to a district format this season, Classes 5A and 6A no longer have rankings.)

McAlester went 15-11 a season ago and made it to the area tournament. The Lady Buffs were the 2022 Class 5A state champions.

KHS and McAlester are on the same half of the bracket as Hartshorne - ranked No. 10 in Class 2A - and Washington - the top-ranked team in Class 3A.

Also in the field are Byng (unranked in 4A with a 5-4 record), 2A’s seventh- ranked Merritt, 3A’s seventh-ranked Bethel and 5A’s Carl Albert.

Carl Albert, a perennial contender in Class 5A, is 6-1 on the season and owns a 10-point win over Tuttle, which defeated Kingfisher earlier this year.

The Lady Jackets are coming off back-to-back trips to the Class 4A state tournament.

They sandwiched their losses to Bethany and Tuttle with road wins over Chisholm and Cache.

Senior Addy Matthews currently leads the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game.

She is shooting 50 percent (10 of 20) from 3-point range and is also second on the team in rebounds (4.5) and leads the team in steals (3.0).

Sophomore Abbie Myers is second on the team with 9.3 points per game and leads the Lady Jackets with 7.3 rebounds a contest.

The Lady Jackets also rely heavily on senior Peyton Walker to run the offense. She averages 2.5 points, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals a contest.

Juniors Raegan Snider (5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds) and Talor Mecklenburg (4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds) have started every game as well. Kingfisher averages 45.0 points a game while giving up 31.8.

Young knows the holiday practices can be tedious and the opportunity to play in a tournament like the Bertha Teague can be a good measuring stick for her team.

“Every team we face will be a top team in their respective class, so I’m looking forward to seeing how our kids compete and respond over those three days.”

Following is a complete tournament schedule.

( Note: All three of Kingfisher’s games will be broadcast live on www.kingfishersports. tv):

Thursday

Game 1: Hartshorne vs. Washington, 3 p.m.

Game 2: McAlester vs. Kingfisher, 4:30 p.m.

Game 3: Bethel vs. Carl Albert, 6:30 p.m.

Game 4: Byng vs. Merritt, 8 p.m.

Friday

Loser 1 vs. Loser 2, 3 p.m.

Loser 3 vs. Loser 4, 4:30 p.m.

Winner 1 vs. Winner 2, 6:30 p.m.

Winner 3 vs. Winner 4, 8 p.m.

Saturday

7th place, 3 p.m. 5th place, 4:30 p.m. 3rd place, 6:30 p.m. Championship, 8 p.m.