CHOCTAW, Okla. — A trip Oklahoma City’s State Fair Arena isn’t anything new for the Frontier Lady Mustangs.
However, Hope Conneywerdy and the other four seniors have never made it to the “Big House.” After a 60-46 win over Hammon in the Class B quarterfinals on Thursday, Frontier’s senior group will finally get that chance to play beyond the quarterfinals.
“This is the first time we’ve ever been, so we’re just trying to enjoy it,” Conneywerdy said after leading all scorers with 22 points. “We just wanted to win. It’s my last year. We just want to try our hardest to leave the court with no regrets.”
Frontier’s signature 3-point shooting wasn’t at its sharpest, but Frontier’s defense was strong enough to help pull away each time Hammon threatened to get back into the matchup two of the top teams in the state.
Hammon came into the game ranked second in Class B while Frontier was No. 5.
After Peyton Walker’s 3-pointer closed Frontier’s lead to 24-19, Frontier got two-straight fast break layups off two turnovers to push the lead back to nine points.
Frontier’s pressure defense forced 12 turnovers and held Hammon to 6 of 20 shooting in the first half. Frontier led 32-22 at halftime, and never let Hammon cut the lead to single digits in the second half. Frontier finished 4 of 20 from 3-point range at halftime.
“I thought we played pretty hard. Our shooting was not very good,” Frontier coach Clay Stephens said, who leads the Mustangs back to the semifinals for the first time since 2006. “Other than that, I thought the game went the way we needed it to go. Frontier has high expectations. Winning this game is great, but it’s not really what we came here for.”
Stephens said he wasn’t pleased with his team’s lackluster 3-point shooting. Frontier also shot 11 of 21 on free throws.
Frontier plays Boynton-Moton at 4:30 p.m. today at the Fairgrounds.
“Playing Boynton, one thing you gotta do is rebound,” Stephens said. “They are probably the best Class B team, offensive-rebounding wise.”
Frontier 16 32 44 60
Hammon 11 22 30 46
FRONTIER: Ingmire 1 0-0 2, Young 1 1-2 4, Drummer 4 0-1 8, Miner 2 0-3 5, Conneywerdy 8 4-5 22, Gum 3 1-2 7, Horinek 2 2-3 7, DeRoin 1 3-5 5. Totals 25 11-21 60
HAMMON: Keahey 1 1-6 3, Baker 5 5-6 15, Candy 1 0-0 3, Brown 4 2-5 12, Smith 0 2-2 2, Walker 4 0-4 9. Totals 15 10-23 46
3-pointers: Frontier 5 (Young 1, Miner 1, Conneywerdy 2, Horinek 1). Hammon 4 (Candy 1, Brown 2, Walker 1). Total Fouls: Frontier 20, Hammon 22. Fouled out: none
