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Ania Morgan with Glenpool players in pursuit. Photo by Mike Monahan.
Basketball season officially ended for Guthrie High’s Lady Bluejays last Saturday afternoon in a 6152 loss to a tough Glenpool team, but first-year Coach Breck Clark already is optimistic about the future.
“I’m excited for next season,” Clark said. “While we are losing some key pieces of our team, I think we have a chance to surprise people again. I told the girls the expectations of them will be even higher next year, because now they know me and the system. We don’t have to spend the first few months learning an entirely new way of doing things. Our leaders have stepped up and are ready to help the incoming freshmen.”
The Lady Bluejays finished 14-13 (five of those losses against state qualifiers).
Against Glenpool, Guthrie had trailed 33-15 at halftime, but made a late, valiant comeback, closing the gap to 54-50 with 3 minutes to play.
A couple of missed 3-pointers and some critical turnovers, however, sealed the issue.
Senior Anjewl Murillo led the Lady Bluejays with 22 points in her final game. Mariah Dightman added 10, followed by Braydin Russell (9), Ania Morgan (8) and Kynlee Smedley (3).
Guthrie only converted 4 of 13 free throws, including 1 of 8 in the fourth quarter. Glenpool went 12-for-22 in the game and only made 5 of 12 shots in the fourth quarter.
Guthrie had trouble defending Glenpool’s 6-foot center, who scored 21 points, all on lay-ups.
The Lady Bluejays had advanced to the consolation final with a 64-45 win over Guymon, wrapping that up with a 22-8 edge in the fourth quarter. Dightman led the way with 21 points, Murillo had 18, and Smedley and Russell each added 8. Morgan scored 7 and Alyana Wallace contributed 2 points.
“The Lady Jays exceeded all expectations that were set for them this season,” Clark said. “Despite having a new coach, new system, and new players stepping into big roles, they managed to finish with a winning record. Our team’s other accomplishments include making it to the area finals, beating three teams that were ranked ahead of us (including a top 5 team), and completing the first junior varsity season that Guthrie has had in at least the last four years.”
Five of Guthrie’s losses came at hands of state qualifiers Lawton MacArthur, El Reno, Glenpool and Carl Albert. Guthrie nemesis Piedmont lost to Lawton Mac on Saturday afternoon.
Guthrie will have to replace Murillo, Russell and Wallace. Key contributors returning include Smedley, Dightman, Morgan and Denise Doolittle.
“As for our seniors, they will be missed so much,” Clark said. “My point guard, Anjewl Murillo, has been the center of this team for the last four seasons. She is leaving big shoes to fill. Braydin Russell and Alyana Wallace have stepped up to the challenge and have been the reason we pulled some close wins out. They are taking shooting and defense with them when they graduate. I’m sad to lose them, but excited to watch them succeed in the real world.”