Some might call it fate. Some might call it destiny. But what you can definitely call the Durant Lady Lions is a state tournament team in 2025.
Durant was victorious for the 13th time in 16 games since the death of head coach Will Robinson and needed every one of those wins to reach their goal of the Class 5A state tournament. In an ultimate twist of fate, as a DHS player Robinson wore the number 4 while helping to lead the Lions to state. Ironically, it was double 4’s that his team scored in the area consolation finals to reach that same destination.
The Lady Lions claimed the season rubber match with Pryor to punch its state tournament ticket for the first time since 2009 with a 44-36 triumph on Friday in Sapulpa.
Durant took the lead over the Lady Tigers on Iyana Wilson’s conventional three-point play with 2:28 left in the first half and never relinquished it again. That capped the improbable journey in which they came together as a family unit, overcoming tragedy as the season progressed.
“It’s unbelievable,” said acting head coach Tony Robinson after the victory. “Pryor is a tough team, but we shot it well and played excellent defense. We turned it over too much and gave up some second shots, but the girls found a way to get the job done. They’re just an amazing bunch.
“Iyana is amazing. She had a special game today because she is a special player. I can’t say enough about Abrianna Freeman. She had to have double figure rebounds inside for us. We also have a great group that comes off the bench and makes us click. Will started all of this. I’m proud of what he accomplished and that we could do this for him.”
The Lady Lions trailed 9-7 after one period following five straight Pryor points in the area finale. It was back and forth through the second stanza as well before Wilson came through with clutch buckets. The first put Durant ahead for good and the second came at the first half buzzer when she drained a three pointer to take a 22-17 edge to the locker room after the Lady Lions had run the clock down for the final shot.
Pryor closed to 25-24 with 1:20 left in the third but once again Durant worked the clock in the final minute before another Wilson buzzer-beater that officials ruled as only two points.
Despite dicey free throw shooting during a twominute stretch in which the Lady Lions missed five in a row at the charity stripe, it was the Durant defense that was up to the task. Ella Sorrels’ steal and layup with 1:15 to play pushed the advantage to double digits with Sorrels and Wilson each connecting on a pair of free throws in the last 45 seconds to ice the victory.
Leading the scoring was Wilson’s 17 points as Sorrels also hit double digits with 11. Emma Green tossed in nine, Anslee Morse had three while Abrianna Freeman and Rachel Cordell contributed two apiece. Freeman also pulled down 10 rebounds.
The Lady Lions were forced into the winner-takeall finale after a 49-31 loss to powerhouse Booker T Washington earlier in the week.
Durant actually led the Lady Hornets 9-8 through one stanza as Wilson notched four points and Freeman had three, but the Booker T athleticism began to assert itself in the second quarter.
Booker T was up 22-16 at halftime and 34-24 after three periods.
Wilson was the lone Lady Lion in double figures with 14 points but Sorrels was just shy of that mark with nine. Freeman added five points and Green scored three.
