Strong showings in District 5A-4 victories last week, moved the Durant Lady Lions into sole possession of second place in the league standings heading into this week.
The Lady Lions under the direction of Tony Robinson improved to 9-4 on the season with a 51-46 road win at Tahlequah as well as an emphatic 47-33 triumph over Tulsa Rogers.
Durant’s boys weren’t quite as fortunate, dropping a pair of district decisions to Tahlequah (54-42) and Rogers (58-44) in slipping to 6-7 on the year.
Next up on the slate for the Durant teams is the Atoka Tournament this weekend before returning to district play with the second half district action next week. The Lions visit Tulsa Rogers for a rematch on January 31.
Girls
A slow start at Tahlequah put the Lady Lions in a 14-9 hole after one period but they answered with a 12-4 second quarter flurry to claim a three-point halftime advantage.
Both teams got the offense in gear coming out of intermission, combining for 41 points in a wild third frame that ended in a 40-40 deadlock.
That led to a decisive final stanza in which Ella Sorrels pumped in six of Durant’s 11 points as they held the host Lady Tigers to just six points for the hard-earned victory.
Iyana Wilson led the offensive charge for Durant with 14 points as Sorrels also reached double figures with 12 on the night. Abrianna Freeman was just shy of that mark as she ended with nine points.
Emma Green canned a pair of early treys for six points with Sheraya Struble also posting six, all of which came in the second half run. Rachel Cordell tallied three.
In the pivotal district matchup with Rogers, Durant trailed throughout the first half before erupting after intermission.
The Lady Lions managed only 14 points prior to the break and were down 21-14 at halftime but responded emphatically after the break with a key 11-2 third quarter scoring burst. Freeman fueled the charge with six points.
Carrying a two-point edge into the fourth, Durant turned it on down the stretch as they reeled off 22 points in the frame to pull away. Sorrels and Freeman each pitched in six in the final stanza but it was Wilson’s 11 straight free throws to close the game that sealed it.
All three reached double digits as Freeman took scoring honors with 16 points along with 15 by Sorrels and 13 from Wilson. Green tossed in three with Cordell scoring one point.
Boys
Tahlequah scorched the nets in the opening quarter, sinking four three pointers on the way to a 15-9 advantage and the Lions could never fully recover as they were outscored by the hosts in each period.
It was 24-17 at the half and 36-25 through three frames.
Ryder Jones had a big fourth quarter, scoring 13 of his team-high 18 points in that period but it was not enough to rally the Lions.
Carson Robinson tallied 10 points, Joseph Flores had five with four from Leon Stone, three by Callaway Nabors and Tashaun Williams’ two points.
It was a better start for Durant against Rogers, and the Lions looked poised for the upset after leading most of the way through three quarters.
Durant was up 17-13 after one frame spurred by Nabors’ eight points. They held a slim 27-26 edge at halftime and led 37-35 following the third before things unraveled in a hurry.
The hosts managed only three field goals in the fourth as the Ropers went on a 23-7 run to close the contest.
Nabors posted 12 points as Jones and Flores had 10 apiece in leading the DHS offensive charge. Williams finished with five, Kolton Mason scored four and Robinson chipped in three points.
