Ozen Survives Summer Creek Scare
Other than the ball game, Summer Creek had absolutely nothing to lose as they faced Beaumont Ozen, the states #1 ranked 4A team who were not only the defending Region 3-4A Champions, they were also undefeated. Ozen left the game undefeated as well as they won 55-43 but Summer Creek put up a courageous effort and at times the Lady Bulldogs appeared on the verge of pulling off the upset against the Lady Panthers.
Summer Creek jumped out to a 13-8 lead in the first quarter as Kaitlyn Johnson knocked down 3 three pointers in the first five minutes of the game but an 8-0 Ozen run fueled by speedy Asia Booker and Sanqueisha Rawls 7 points which gave Ozen the lead after one 18-15. Rawls continued doing it on both ends in the second quarter and add her to the list of super athletes from Ozen. Nekia Jones has many nicknames and can do many things for a player her size was simply amazing at doing things you just can’t teach whether it’s ball handling or passing the ball with the best of them, her three pointer ignited a 14-2 run, but Creek just wouldn’t go away as Ravin Lott gave Ozen all they could handle on the defensive end coming up with several steals which led to baskets including one by her and Jazper Mabry to close the gap at the half 25-24.
Johnson opened the third with her fifth three followed by freshman Jayla Calhoun’s bucket and it looked like I might see an upset. Then it happened, Amber Jones picked up her fourth foul with a little over five minutes remaining and Ozen went on a 16-2 run which included an and one from Beloved Brown and several free throws from Jones as they closed the quarter out 44-36. Booker went to work in the last quarter doing simply everything and although Johnson finished with six threes, Ozen proved a little too tough winning 55-43. Johnson led the Lady Bulldogs with 20 and the good news is they are young and have a bright future ahead. Jones led the Lady Panthers with 17 followed by Booker’s 15 as they move on to face Huntsville in the Elite 8. Ironically, these very two teams met last season in the Region 3 Final.
