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Lion Ryder Jones moves down court flanked by Tulsa Memorial players during a recent home game. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat -
Lady Lion Iyana Wilson dribbles down court in a recent home game.
In their final tournament contests of the season, Durant’s girls and boys basketball teams each posted a pair of victories while bringing home trophies from the Bridge Creek Invitational.
The Lady Lions claimed the third place award with a 48-44 win over Chickasha while the Lions used a late comeback to knock off the OKC Storm, 59-54, in the consolation finals.
Both Durant teams will be back on the road Friday in district play at McAlester.
Girls
Coach Will Robinson’s squad opened the tournament with an impressive 57-39 triumph over Class 6A Southmoore and looked to be headed for the championship game before watching Luther put together a 16-0 fourth quarter burst to topple Durant, 42-34, in the semifinals.
Ella Sorrels came up huge in the opening round with a double-double, pouring a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Maya Dodson added 12 points and seven boards as Sydney Grover and Iyana Wilson tossed in eight apiece.
The Lady Lions came up with another solid effort against Class 3A’s 11th rated Luther spurred by another 10 points and eight rebounds from Sorrels. Dodson filled up the stat sheet with six points, five rebounds and four assists.
Durant rebounded on Saturday to improve its record to 8-7 on the year as Wilson took high scoring honors with 16 points. Kennedy LaFevers also reached double figures with 11.
Boys
Jaylon Saxon and Braylen Lyday each tossed in five points during a big fourth quarter rally to topple the OKC Storm for the Lions’ second win of the tournament.
After a tough loss to 4A powerhouse Tuttle (53-45) in round one, Durant advanced to the tournament consolation championship by outlasting Luther, 51-50.
Against the Storm, the Lions trailed 26-21 at halftime and 42-39 going to the final stanza before putting together the pivotal flurry with a 20-point eruption.
Four players reached double figures led by Saxon’s 15 as he connected on three treys. Ryder Jones pitched in 12 while Callaway Nabors and Tashawn Williams checked in with 10 apiece. Joseph Flores and Lyday had five each with Kolton Mason chipping in two.
The Lions looked prime for an upset of Tuttle in round one, leading almost all the way through three stanzas before watching the Tigers take command in a 13-5 fourth quarter run.
Durant blasted out to a double digit first period edge with a 24-point scoring flurry fueled by eight from Jones, seven by Williams and five from Saxon. The Lions were up 33-23 at halftime before a 17-7 Tuttle burst in the third quarter tied the game at 40.
Jones led the offensive charge with 15 while Williams pumped in a seasonbest 14 points. Saxon finished with seven, Nabors had five and Lyday scored four.