February 15, 2023 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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4- The Elk City News Sports February 15, 2023 Merritt vs Sentinel 1973 ECHS Girls Basketball Team honored for 50th anniversary of state championship By Shonda Little ‘Teammates present at Friday nights ceremony were Mar- sha Ballew, Ruthie Marable Pickens, Minnie Dickerson Whar- Fifty years ago, the Elk City Elkettes were the pride of the ry, Rhonda Twyman Still, Sherri Adkisson Weatherly, Eva city as they brought home a state championship golden ball. Collins Ewing, Betty Peffer Heard, Judy Sloan Myeye, Sandra With several members of the team joining their coach, Dar- Sapp McClure, Lindy Ward McConnell, Dana Luttrell Muller, rell Merrifield, last Friday to be honored for that achievement. and Becky Davis Shelton. In 1973, Coach Merrifield and his girls were on a mission. Weatherly later recalled the special celebration she and her ‘The previous year, they had missed the state tournament teammates had after winning the championship. by only one game. “That Fourth of July, I had just known that we were going to “We got beat by Hennessy in five overtimes,” team member win state that year,” Weatherly laughed. “So I saved several Ro- Sherri Adkisson Weatherly recounted. man candles. As we headed to state, I packed them in my bag In the 1973 season, they were ready. Only a few friends knew. Of course I didn’t tell of the adults. ‘That night, after we won and had gone to Cattleman’s Steak- During Friday night's ceremony, Justin Ediger said of their Chloe Stout. Staff photo by Rose Cummings. state championship game, “The Elkettes went to the locker house for our celebration dinner, we got back to the Holiday room at halftime down 5. They came out in the second half Inn and lit those Roman candles off. I can’t believe the police with the defense teamed up to stop Checotah’s post girl, and didn’t come. Those are all very sweet and special memories in my mind. We were such a close knit group. We did everything Merritt Oilerettes win big the Elkette forwards hit 100% from the field. Going on to beat Checotah 45-31.” together, on and off the court.” against Mangum Canute Girls win District Basketball Championship _ Gen. ¢) Riley Hartman Staff photo by Rose Cummings. By Shonda Little With next week starting the playoffs, the Merritt Oil- erettes finished their regular season strong. ‘The #3 MHS girls beat Mangum, 23-56. Breegan Barnett was the top scorer with 20 points. Addi- By Shonda Little off against Binger-Oney for in 18 points and 3 rebounds. with 6 points and 1 rebound, the district championship. Also contributing were Destiney Jackson with 5 Taylor Polenksy with 3 points son Hartman knocked out 14 and Ashlee Sosa hit 9. The Canute Trojanettes ‘The final score was a Can- continue to see success on the ute win 77-30. points and 2 rebounds, 5 and 1 rebound, and Taylor basketball court as they enter Top scorer for Canute was points and 2 rebounds, Gabby Beutler with 16 points and 5 Merritt Oilers into post-season play. Kylee Smith with 21 points On Friday, they squared and 2 rebounds. Jade Gray put Espinosa with 3 points and 1 rebound, Meliah DeGarmo rebounds. get Mangum win before going into Elk City Elkettes lose close Districts By Shonda Little Kylee Smith scored 15 Newcastle game points and nabbed 5 re- By Shonda Little ‘The Merritt Oilers squared bounds. Taylor Beutler put off against Mangum on the 10 points on the board and Although the Elkettes’ final score against Newcastle on Fri- basketball court on Friday. day was 60-49, the game felt tighter than an eleven point loss. totaled 4 rebounds. Jade Gray The MHS basketball squad and Kendall Schuster both ‘The Elkettes had several players with solid performances. came out the winners, 60-46. Hailey Buie led the pack with 17 points, followed by Ella points on the board and grab- scored 9 points. Schuster also Sottile with 9 points. bing 6 rebounds. had 5 rebounds. OO LUCK Teams! 1210 S. Main St, Elk City 580-225-0100 OILFIELD SERVICES rs HINTON,OK. ELK CITY,OK, www.elksupply.com Elkettes vs Altus 580.243.0466 Jill Meador. Staff photo by Rose Cummings. We e You Have A Great Season! We want to wish you a great season! Ves Finance 1414 W. Sra St, Elk City, OK » 580-225-1525 [ey Great Plains Bank 2017 W. Third | S. 1300 Main | gpbankok.com 580-225-2265