Central, Daniels drop Washington

By Staff Reports
12/7/2005

Wayne Jackson's double-double helps Braves stay unbeaten.

Central led by Aaron Daniels' 17 points remained unbeaten by defeating Booker T. Washington 67-55 Tuesday night on the Braves home floor.

Central (4-0) placed three other players in double-digit scoring. Jeremy Glazer added 15 points with D.J. Birmingham and Wayne Jackson adding 11 and 10 points respectively.

Jackson also pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double and Daniels grabbed nine boards.

Jamere King paced the Hornets' scoring with 17 points.

Washington jumped out to a 17-13 lead after the first quarter and led by one point at intermission 30-29. However, the Braves exploded for 24 points in the third period to take a commanding 53-38 lead.

GIRLS
B.T. Washington (1-1, 1-1) 80
Central (0-4) 31

Highlight: Washington's Taleya Mayberry led a swarming defense that limited the Braves to only 31 points. Mayberry had four steals and four assists to go with her 16 points

Keys: The Hornets had 30 steals with Jalesa Walker leading the way with six.

Notes: Washington's Ashley Love scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor and pulled down eight rebounds. Nshom Blake led Central with 16 points.

Games on 12.13:

Girls
B.T. Washington 67, Hale 46

Boys
B.T. Washington 71, Hale 69

No box scores or article provided by TW.

I'm falling behind on this. Boy's b.ball team finished 3rd in the recent Tournament of Champions, having lost to eventual champion Jenks in the semifinals and beating Memorial for 3rd place. They recently went to Jacksonville, FL for a tourney and I believe lost all three games there.

In girls action:
Late shots secure Chargers' win
By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Sports Writer
1/4/2006

Duncan, Jackson lift Memorial past Hornets in game's final seconds.


There may be a red flag, burn ban in Oklahoma, but Memorial and Booker T. Washington had a barnburner of a game Tuesday night in the Hornet gym.

Memorial used a running bank shot by junior Hillary Duncan with 26 seconds left and two late free throws by Abby Jackson to pull out a 54-50 verdict. The final 3-1/2 minutes of the Green Country Conference battle sizzled and also featured a quirk of the game clock's buzzer to add spice.

Duncan's basket was the key, however. It was her first game of the season after sitting out the first seven contests. She responded like a veteran with 13 points, four steals and played good defense.

Class 6A's No. 10 Washington had just tied the game at 45-all with 38 seconds remaining. Freshman Christiana Shorter scored an uncontested basket from point- blank range. Shorter got that opportunity when the clock's buzzer sounded twice and froze both teams momentarily.

Hornet coach Annette Kennedy urged her team to keep playing while everyone stood still. Shorter got the message and scored.

Duncan got the ball when everything was sorted out and drove the left side
of the lane. She was covered well but managed a running shot that banked in from 10 feet.

Class 6A's No. 5 Chargers would never trail again.

Washington (5-3 overall and 2-2 in league) turned the ball over on its next possession when Charger sophomore Lindsay Palmer came up with a steal. Jackson was fouled with 10 seconds left and made both free throws to ensure a two-possession lead.

Had Duncan ever made a bigger basket?

"I doubt it," Duncan said. "It was really nice."

Charger coach Lisa Palmer was pleased on many levels.

"That was a tough shot," Palmer said. "I can't tell you the last time we beat them on their floor. I didn't know if we could come out and play with the patience that the Hornets always play with. I have the utmost respect for what coach Kennedy does."

The game featured five ties and 10 lead changes.

Memorial opened an early 24-15 lead, but Washington rallied behind multiple baskets by Shorter, Haleigh Lankster and Taleya Mayberry during a 13-0 run just before halftime.

The rest of the game was played close until Duncan's eventual game winner.

Lindsay Palmer led all scorers with 21 points. All of those came in the first three quarters. Lankster, who downed three 3-pointers, led the Hornets with 14, and Shorter managed 13 points for the Hornets.

Memorial improved to 6-2 and 4-1.

MEMORIAL 54, BTW 50
Memorial 19 10 15 10 -- 54
B.T. Washington 6 24 11 9 -- 50

Memorial: Palmer 21, Duncan 13, Green 8, L.Richardson 6, Jackson 4, Monroe 2.

B.T. Washington: Lankster 14, Shorter 13, Mayberry 8, Melendez 5, White 4, Woods 4, Love 2.

===================
Games on 1.7
Girls game:

ENID 56, B.T. WASHINGTON 52
Enid 13 9 15 19--56
B.T. Washington 18 9 12 13--52
Enid: S.Jones 17, Owens 13, Woods 8, Malone 7, Seng 6, Mayberry 3, A.Jones 2.
B.T. Washington: Melendez 15, Shorter 14, Lankster 10, Mayberry 7, Woods 2, White 2, Walker 2.

FIRST COAST 62, B.T. WASHINGTON 61
B.T. Wash. 10 14 11 21--61
First Coast 17 12 16 17--62
B.T. Washington: King 14, Fuselier 10, Smith 10, Nate Harris 8, Booker 8, Nicky Harris 7, Clark 1.
First Coast: Waters 18, Sherman 14, Rose 9, Hodges 9, McBride 5, Commack 5, Dayton 2.

Games on 1.10:

GIRLS

B.T. WASHINGTON 67, ROGERS 34
Rogers 12 6 4 12 -- 34
B.T. Wash. 18 18 12 19 -- 67

Rogers: Adams 8, Sando 7, Masters 6, W.Colbert 6, D.Colbert 2, Townes 2, Cox 1.

B.T. Washington (7-4): Lankster 14, Shorter 13, Love 8, White 7, Woods 6, Melendez 6, Walker 3, Burks 3, Smith 3, Major 2, Mayberry 1.


BOYS
Metro

B.T. WASHINGTON 80, ROGERS 64
Rogers 15 21 16 12 -- 64
B.T. Wash. 10 20 24 26 -- 80

Rogers: Ray 18, Boggan 13, Rowe 11, Gilstrap 10, Williams 5, Rutland 5, Johnson 2, Moment 1.

B.T. Washington (6-5): King 28, Nathan Harris 12, Potter 9, Ziegler 7, Booker 7, Trey Smith 6, Clark 5, Gentles 3, Wiley 3.

News & notes & quotes: Cardinals edge BTW

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
1/16/2006

Ken Holdman scored 16 points, including a basket as time expired, to lift No. 8 Class 5A East Central to a 63-62 win at Booker T. Washington on Saturday night.

The Cardinals prevailed despite not having starting guard Randy Palmer, who was on a football recruiting visit at Iowa State.

"It was exciting to win at Washington, and this should help our confidence," East Central coach Brian Morgan said. "We've lost a lot of close ones."

And so has BTW, which has lost five in a row to fall to 5-7 and to No. 15 in 6A. During that streak, Washington has dropped four games by a combined six points and the other loss was in overtime.

1.25

Boys: TSST shocks BTW

By Staff Reports
1/25/2006

Butler gets fourth double-double as Titans take win.

Center Justin Butler led last-place TSST with his fourth double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and blocking 10 Booker T. Washington shots as the host Class 5A Titans shocked the 6A Hornets 84-54 in a Green Country Conference contest Tuesday night.

TSST junior guard Steven Laster led all scorers with 25 points and senior forward Marlon Lane added 10, as the Titans jumped out to a 30-19 halftime lead. TSST (6-7) also exerted control in the fourth with a 38-17 run.

Jamie Booker, Donte Zeigler and Justin Fuselier scored 7 points each for the Hornets, who fell to 8-8 on the year.

Talons sign former BTW star B.J. Tiger

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
1/24/2006

The Tulsa Talons have signed former Oklahoma State and Booker T. Washington quarterback B.J. Tiger.

Tiger is among the first 10 athletes to join the af2 club for its 2006 training camp, to be held in March.

Tiger was an All-State quarterback in 1996. He also started on two state championship basketball teams for the Hornets and started five games at quarterback for OSU in 1999.

His career was interrupted by four felony charges in a three-year period, starting with his arrest for shoplifting in 1997.

After receiving three-year suspended sentences for each of the felonies, Tiger left OSU and finished his college career at Alabama State as a quarterback and receiver in 2001.

Tiger could not be reached for comment.

"He's older, more mature now," said Talons head coach Dave Alexander. "I'm not so worried about what happened at Oklahoma State as I am about whether he can adjust to the indoor game. He's got a long way to go before he's the Talons starting quarterback, but he's got a strong arm."

Tiger played in a local flag football league against Talons stars Chris Canty and Robert Reed, who urged him to try out for the team.

"It was obvious he had been doing something to keep his arm in shape," said Mitch Allner, Talons personnel director and offensive coordinator.

The Talons also signed Marc Eddy and Dallas Mall, a record-setting Division II passing duo from Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., and Darrell Wimberly, former Union High School and University of Tulsa receiver/defensive back.

Eddy set Division II records with 121 touchdown passes, 28 consecutive games with a TD pass, and 26 three-TD games. Mall had a record 78 TD receptions and the most games with a TD reception.

I'm getting way behind on this, anyone, please, if you have access to the Tulsa World online, help out! People out of town want this sort of info....


Hornets take titles

By BRENDA MARSHALL World Sports Writer
2/3/2006

B.T. Washington girls and boys win conference swim meet.

Booker T. Washington's boys and girls teams swam away with Green Country Conference titles Thursday at their home pool.

The Hornets boys scored 476 points, easily outdistancing Edison (257) by 119 points. In third place was Will Rogers with 171 points.

Memorial rounded out the four-team participants with 40 points.

The Hornets girls (566 points) outpaced Edison (394) by 172 points. Rounding out the field was Rogers (146) and Memorial (70).

"I am pleased with the results, but we did have some bad's to go along with the good's," said Washington coach Phil Brougher, who was thrown in the pool after the meet as a culmination of winning the conference championship.

"Overall, the kids swam pretty much what I expected, and winning the conference, that is a big deal."

Of the 22 races, BTW boys won eight and girls, nine.

Edison coach Pete Eichenberger said he was trying to get as many kids qualified for state as possible.

"A lot of my kids' times dropped tonight," he said. "Some of the times were the fastest they have ever swam. All three of my relay teams have qualified for state."

Edison's
Sarah Schultz picked up wins in the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter freestyle.

She chose not to swim in the 500-meter freestyle, an event she won a state title in two years ago.

"I always swim the 500 and I wanted more options for state just in case," said Schultz who is recovering from a bout with mononucleosis.

"I will have to see in a couple of weeks how much I have improved from the mono before I decide what I will swim in in state."

Said Memorial coach Mark Voldberting: "I was impressed for the most part with our performance. Andrew Charrier was sick early this week, and he did really well. In fact, he scored all of our points on the boys side, winning the 200 free and the 100 backstroke.

"On the girls side, Jenny Thompson just missed state in the 100 freestyle but made it in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle."

GCC Swim Meet
BOYS

Teams: B.T. Washington 476, Edison 257, Rogers 171, Memorial 40.

200 Medley Relay: BTW A (Seitz, Ellis, Nole, Tomlins), 2:29.00. 200 Free: Charrier (Mem), 2:23.05. 200 IM: Sampson (Edi), 3:00.05. 50 Free: Dickason (BTW), 27.62. 100 Butterfly: Kriegsman (BTW), 1:13.39. 100 Free: Gibbens-Rickman (BTW), 103.90. 500 Free: Seitz (BTW), 7:46.91. 200 Freestyle Relay: BTW A (Gibbens-Rickman, Owens, Kriegsman, Dickason), 1:55.09. 100 Backstroke: Charrier (Mem), 1:16.14. 100 Breaststroke: Tomlins (BTW), 1:26.19. 400 Freestyle Relay: BTW A (Gibbens-Rickman, Kriegsman, Owens, Dickason), 4:21.58.

GIRLS

Teams: B.T. Washington 566, Edison 394, Rogers 146, Memorial 70.

200 Medley Relay: BTW A (Bennett, Ketcham, Lee, Youngblood), 2:16.09. 200 Free: Bell (BTW), 2:43.09. 200 IM: Schultz (Edi), 2:39.66. 50 Free: Ketcham (BTW), 29.95. 100 Butterfly: Lee(BTW), 1:19.11. 100 Free: Schultz (Edi), 1:03.92. 500 Free: Laizure (BTW), 6:45.00. 200 Freestyle Relay: BTW A (Youngblood, Boley, Laizure, Ketcham), 2:03.69. 100 Backstroke: Bennett (BTW), 1:15.01. 100 Breaststroke: Man (BTW), 1:31.70. 400 Freestyle Relay: BTW A (Combs, Laizure, Bennett, Lee), 4.46.92.


Rachel Bennett of Booker T. Washington swims the breaststroke as part of her 200 IM Thursday at the Green Country Conference swim meet.
STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World

2.4 from Tulsa World:

GIRLS
Metro

B.T. WASHINGTON 71, CENTRAL 31
Central 3 7 9 12--31
B.T. Wash. 23 5 20 23--71
Central: Blake 13, Bailey 5, Baccus 3, Drink 2, Tucker 2, Harvey 2, Craven 2, Tarver 2.
B.T. Washington: Love 16, Lankster 10, Major 10, Mayberry 9, Shorter 8, Carr 6, Melendez 4, White 3, Smith 3, Burks 2.



B.T. Washington 60
Central 56

Highlight: Justin Fuselier and Dustin Wiley sparked host Class 6A No. 15 BTW in a Green Country Conference tilt with a pair of double-doubles.
Keys: The Hornets came out shooting after intermission, outscoring 5A No. 7 Central 24-16 in the third period.
Notes: Fuselier had 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds; Wiley had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Aarron Daniels scored 16 for the Braves and D.J. Burmingham added 10.

B.T. WASHINGTON 60, CENTRAL 56
Central 9 9 16 22--56
B.T. Wash. 15 8 24 13--60
Central: Daniels 16, Burmingham 10, Watson 9, Glazier 9, Louis 6, Moncries 6.
B.T. Washington: Fuselier 18, King 13, Wiley 11, Potter 9, Booker 4, N.Harris 2, Smith 2, T.Harris 1.

Swimming from meet on 2.4?, reported on 2.5:

Players of the Week
By Staff Reports
2/9/2006


BOYS SWIMMING
Dan Gibbens- Rickman
Booker T. Washington


Sophomore won 100-meter freestyle and was on the victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams in BTW's Green Country Conference championship win.

GIRLS SWIMMING
Rachel Bennett
BTW


Senior won the 100-meter backstroke and was on the winning 400 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams in Hornets' Green Country Conference championship victory.

State Signees

By Staff Reports
2/9/2006

Feb. 1 was the first day of the national signing period for football and soccer

Central Oklahoma
Damarques Potter B.T. Washington

Fort Hays State
Brian Humphrey B.T. Washington

Missouri State
Justin Fuselier B.T. Washington

Northeastern A&M > it's been reported by TW as NSU but my understanding is it's NEO A&M,but he'd be better off to go w/ baseball! = ) [bd]
Kevin Radford B.T. Washington

Pittsburg State
Dustin Wiley B.T. Washington
*Reggie Young BTW (NEO)

* transfer

Summaries
By Staff Reports
2/8/2006

BOYS
Metro

B.T. WASHINGTON 81, ROGERS 66
B.T. Wash. 21 19 20 21 -- 81
Rogers 20 14 10 22 -- 66

B.T. Washington: Fuselier 23, King 21, Potter 9, Clark 6, Harris 6, Wyley 6, Booker 4, Zeigle 3, Winters 1.

Rogers (4-15): Ray 32, Boggan 11, Gilstrap 8, Norman 4, Williams 4, Jackson 3, Johnson 2, Moment 2.

Game on 2.10

TSST (11-8) 66
B.T. Washington (9-10) 60

Highlight: Justin Butler scored 22 to lift the 5A No. 8 Titans over the 6A No. 15 Hornets. Jamere King paced BTW with 26 points.


TSST 72, B.T. WASHINGTON 67
TSST 17 23 18 14--72
B.T.Wash. 19 15 7 26--67
TSST: Butler 22, Walton 12, Rushing 8, Jackson 7, Lane 7, Washington 6, Laster 4, Duckett 4, Wilson 2.
B.T. Washington: King 26, Fuselier 18, Clark 6, Potter 5, Gentles 4, Wiley 4, N.Harris 3, Zeigler 1.


Shay Seals is doing an incredible job at TSST!

Game on 2.14

East Central (13-8) 61
B.T. Washington (9-11) 59

Highlight: Chris Mitchell had 19 points to lead the 5A No. 4 Cardinals, who edged the 6A No. 15 Hornets for the second time this season. Justin Fuselier scored 18 for BTW.

EAST CENTRAL 61, B.T. WASHINGTON 59
B.T. Wash. 19 15 6 19 -- 59
East Central 10 16 16 19 -- 61

B.T. Washington: Fuselier 18, King 14, Na.Harris 10, Potter 10, Nash 6, Ni.Harris 1.

East Central: C.Mitchell 19, Holdman 11, Palmer 11, Hadnott 10, Taylor 10.

Girls:

B.T. WASHINGTON 56, EAST CENTRAL 52
B.T. Wash. 13 15 11 17 -- 56
East Central 11 15 6 20 -- 52

B.T. Washington (14-7): Lankster 15, Shorter 14, Mayberry 11, Woods 8, Melendez 5, Love 3.

East Central: Marham 16, Amie 10, A.Smith 7, Thompson 6, Daniels 5, Davis 3, Stancie 3, Richey 1, Holman 1.

Hornets, Jenks advance

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
2/25/2006

BTW and Trojans face each other in the 6A regional final.


JENKS -- A question asked often recently in state high school basketball circles has been, "What's wrong with Booker T. Washington"?

On Friday night, the answer was: "Nothing at all."

The Hornets looked much more like a team on its way to a 15th consecutive state tournament appearance than one that ended the regular season with 10 losses in its last 14 games.

Jamere King scored 22 of his game-high 27 points in the second half to lead the 15th-ranked Hornets past No. 17 Ponca City 83-67 in a Class 6A regional opener at Frank Herald Gymnasium.

"We've lost a lot of close games this year," King said. "But all of that is out the window. It's playoff time and we're 1-0."

BTW (11-12) advances to play No. 4 Jenks in the regional final at 7 p.m. Saturday. David Jackson scored 29 points as the Trojans rolled to an 82-36 over Choctaw.

BTW led most of the game but was tied with Ponca City at 54 early in the fourth quarter when King took charge with a basket and a trey. Justin Fuselier, who had 20 points, followed with a 3-pointer and a deuce. King sank two free throws to cap the decisive 12-0 run that took 2 1/
2 minutes.

"That's what leaders have to do -- take over the game" said King, a 6-3 junior guard who had 13 points in the fourth period. "You have to pick up your game, and if you do that the others will follow."

King, who averages 19 points per game, only had five in the first half as BTW led 30-29 at intermission. He started the second half with the Hornets' first seven points.

"What I told him at halftime was to penetrate and make good decisions with the basketball," BTW coach Nate Harris said. "We definitely cut out the 35-foot jumpers. When he's penetrating, he is an awfully dangerous player."

Rashawn Parker had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Wildcats (13-10).

Harris does not mind that there are those who doubt his team can make another successful run to a state tourney.

"I want people to keep thinking we're not very good and to write us off," Harris said with a smile.

Jenks 82, Choctaw 36: The Trojans (19-4) set a school team record with 23 steals. Jenks' individual records were set by Jackson (seven treys) and Chris Adkins (seven steals). Will Chandler paced the Yellow Jackets (1-22) with 16 points.

The Trojans romped despite playing without their top two scorers. Nick Sidorakis has a toe injury, and Reggie Mathis was sidelined due to disciplinary reasons. Both are expected to play against BTW. Jenks defeated BTW 72-53 on Dec. 29.

"I'll bet the farm we'll see a much better shooting Booker T. team tonight than we saw in the Tournament of Champions," Martin said. "Our guys have to get in there and have a mind-set that we're playing a team with a lot of tradition. And tradition speaks loudly."


BTW's Justin Fuselier drives by Ponca City's Josh Johnson. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World


B.T. WASHINGTON 83, PONCA CITY 67

B.T. Washington
16 14 24 29--83

Ponca City
10 19 22 16--67

B.T. Washington (11-12): King 27, Fuselier 20, Potter 7, Clark 7, Wiley 5, Na.Harris 4, Zeigler 4, Nash 2, Ni.Harris 2, Winters 2, Smith 2, Gentles 1.
Ponca City (13-10): R.Parker 17, Johnson 14, S.Parker 11, Thilsted 9, Nimmo 8, Mongold 5, Swift 2, Council 1.

JENKS 82, CHOCTAW 36

Choctaw
4 4 19 9--36

Jenks
24 16 22 20--82

Choctaw (1-22): Chandler 16, Moore 7, Dean 5, Romero 3, Stepanik 3, Schaefer 2.
Jenks (19-4): Jackson 29, Brown 10, Adkins 8, Ballard 8, N.Pope 8, Boncaldo 6, Lissooey 5, B.Pope 4, Twilley 2, Laptad 1, Hobrock 1.

6A Girls Regionals
All games played at 1:30 p.m.; winners are Regional champions; all teams advance to Area and play Friday.

At Jenks: Stillwater vs. Jenks

At Memorial: Owasso vs. Memorial

At Union: B.T. Washington vs. Union

At Sapulpa: Putnam West vs. Sapulpa

At Norman: Putnam North vs. Norman

At Norman North: Lawton vs. Norman North

At Mustang: Del City vs. Mustang

At Edmond Santa Fe: Edmond Memorial vs. Edmond Santa Fe


Late shot boosts Hornets

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Sports Writer
2/24/2006

B.T. Washington defeats Choctaw, will face Union in final.

Freshman Isis Smith's only field goal attempt was huge for Booker T. Washington Thursday night.

Smith drained a 3-pointer with just over a minute left to give the Hornets the lead for good and capped a furious rally over Choctaw 47-42 in Class 6A regional action in the Hammons Arena at the UMAC.

While Washington struggled to advance to the 1:30 p.m. final Saturday, Union sped past Tahlequah 57-35 to join the Hornets. Union coach Jim Stacy recorded his 300th career win and the players gave him an autographed basketball.

Washington (16-7) was almost an upset victim. Choctaw (11-12) built an 11-point lead at 36-25 with 7:06 left. The Hornets had five point-blank shots rim off through the game, and it did not look good since the losing team would be eliminated.

Washington went on a 15-3 run to pull within two at 38-36 with 3:20 left. The game was tied at 40-all when Smith attempted her only shot. Smith hit nothing but net with 1:03 showing for a 43-40 lead the Hornets would not surrender.

"I just took the shot," Smith said. "It felt good when it left."

Smith admitted she had not made a bigger shot in her life and finished with three
points. Teammate Haleigh Lankster tallied a game-high 21 points and hit enough big shots in the second half to set up Smith's trey.

Lankster hit every second-half field goal attempt, which included 3-for-3 from 3-point range and helped bring the Hornets back into the lead.

"Wow, it's not over until the buzzer goes off," Washington coach Annette Kennedy said. "I had to keep the faith that the ball was going to fall in."



Booker T. Washington's Taleya Mayberry (left) and Choctaw's Melissa Furche battle for the ball during their basketball game at the UMAC. KELLY KERR / Tulsa World

B.T.WASHINGTON 47, CHOCTAW 42
Choctaw 8 11 15 8--42
B.T.Washington 7 5 13 22--47
Choctaw: Cox 18, Parrish 10, Davis 6, Clark 4, Brewer 3, Reynolds 1.
B.T. Washington: Lankster 21, Mayberry 6, Shorter 6, Love 6, Smith 3, Woods 3, White 1, Melendez 1.

BOYS
6A Regionals

JENKS 69, B.T. WASHINGTON 53

B.T. Wash. 8 12 14 19--53
Jenks 11 14 22 22--69
B.T. Washington (12-12): Fuselier 19, King 18, Nate Harris 5, Potter 5, Nash 2, Clark 2, Nick Harris 1, Smith 1.
Jenks (20-4): Jackson 18, Brown 13, Sidorakis 13, Mathis 12, Pope 6, Ballard 4, Atkins 2, Lisooey 1.

Girls
6A Regionals

B.T. Washington 40, Union 37

Class 6A Girls Regionals: Free throws power Hornets to title

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Sports Writer
2/26/2006

Booker T. Washington downs Union to capture second straight regional.

Freshman Christiana Shorter hit four straight free throws in the final 36 seconds that allowed No. 8 Booker T. Washington to hold off No. 7 Union 40-37 for the Class 6A regional girls basketball championship Saturday.

A UMAC crowd of 300 watched the Hornets (17-7) win their second straight regional trophy and advance to next week's area winner's bracket action. Union (18-6) will also go to area, but through the consolation side. Area site and times have yet to be determined.

Union, however, nearly rallied to win. The Redskins trailed by eight with 1:36 left at 35-27. Washington helped Union's cause by missing 17 free throw attempts, nine in the fourth quarter.

But, Shorter came through when needed. She downed a pair with 36 seconds left to give her team a 38-34 margin and made two more when Union pulled to within one at 38-37 with just six seconds showing.

"I was real nervous," said Shorter, who should be used to that kind of pressure by playing summer AAU competition. "We played together today for the big win."

Shorter did more than make crucial free throws. She scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Her long reach helped
break Union's full court press late and prevented Hornet turnovers.

Union never gave up. Lisa Chenoweth and Jessica Roberts each hit big 3-pointers that fueled the late Redskin rally. Lacey Dake scored seven of her nine points in the last period.

The young Washington team didn't fold under the pressure. The Hornets had just two turnovers in the first half and finished with 10. Washington out-rebounded the Redskins 32-29. Union committed 19 turnovers.

"I've had a lot of teams play with heart. This team ranks right up there with them," Hornets coach Annette Kennedy said.

Shorter not only had her double-double, but managed three assists and two steals. Teammate Haleigh Lankster scored 10 points and had three steals.

No Union player scored more than Dake's nine points.

A driving lay-up by Chenoweth put Union ahead 2-0, their only lead of the game.

B.T.WASHINGTON 40, UNION 37
B.T.Washington 11 9 8 12--40
Union 8 6 6 17--37
B.T.Washington: Shorter 16, Lankster 10, Mayberry 6, Melendez 4, Woods 2, Smith 1, Love 1.
Union: Dake 9, Gilchrist 7, Chenoweth 7, Evans 7, Roberts 5, Williams 2.

Area Playoffs

Thursday
6A girls area

Winners bracket
All games played at 6:30 p.m.; winners advance to state tournament; losers play on Saturday.
At Webster: B.T. Washington vs. Sapulpa

Losers bracket
All games played at 8 p.m.; winners play on Saturday; losers eliminated.
At Webster: Stillwater vs. Owasso

Friday
6A boys area
Winners bracket
All games played at 6:30 p.m.; winners advance to state tournament; losers play on Saturday.
At Broken Arrow: Enid vs. Memorial

Losers bracket
All games played at 8 p.m.; winners play on Saturday; losers eliminated.
At Broken Arrow: B.T. Washington vs. Bartlesville