Pennington scores 21 in season opening win at No. 7 Bartlesville (with stats)

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Pennington 21, Mutiri 13, McGee 11, Johnson 4, Kersgieter 2. (Bartlesville) Allen 7, Parker 7, Harris 7, Richter 6, Williams 4, Shoemaker 3.

(Sand Springs Only)
Offensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 3, McGee 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Pennington 5, McGee 4, Kersgieter 4, Taber 3, Regalado 2, Mutiri 2, Johnson 1.
Assists: McGee 3, Pennington 2, Mutiri 1, Kersgieter 1, Johnson 1, Regalado 1.
Steals: Kersgieter 3, Johnson 2, Mutiri 1.
Fouls: Johnson 5, McGee 4, Taber 4, Kersgieter 4, Pennington 3, Regalado 3.

It was a slow starter Tuesday night at Bartlesville High School, but the No. 8 ranked Charles Page High School varsity girls basketball team (1-0) racked up 25 points in the fourth quarter to start off the season with a 51-34 conference win over the No. 7 Lady Bruins (0-1). 

Senior Oklahoma-State softball commit Sydney Pennington led the scoring effort with 21 points, followed by junior Ohio-State volleyball commit Gloria Mutiri with 13. Pennington was five of seven from field goal range and ten of twelve on free throws, while Mutiri was six of seven shooting field goals. Senior Union High School transfer Kierra McGee impressed in her Sandite debut, picking up 11 points and was four for five shooting field goals. 

The home team never once led, and tied it only once, midway through the first period. McGee made the first basket of the season, followed by a two-pointer and a free throw from Sophomore Destiny Johnson for the 5-0 lead. After a free throw from sophomore Avery Allen tied it up at 5-5, the Sandites surged ahead for the ultimate lead to finish the period 8-5.

The Lady Sandites started the second quarter with three-straight free throws from Johnson and Pennington. Pennington scored six points in the quarter and close the half 15-8. 

Both teams posted their best performances in the second half, and the Bruins actually won the third period 13-11 with six points from Allen, but trailed 26-21 going into the fourth where the Sandites handily put the contest to bed.

Junior center Destiny Harris hit a field goal to cut the deficit to 26-23, but that would be as close as the home team would come for the duration of the game. McGee hit a three pointer and Pennington tacked on a pair of twos, followed by back to back baskets from Mutiri for a 37-24 double digit advantage. 

By the end of the fourth, the Sandites were just one point short of tying their output from the first three quarters combined. 

Sophomore Holly Kersgieter had a team high seven rebounds along with three steals and an assist to complement her two points. Pennington had five rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Jacie Taber had three rebounds. Johnson picked off one rebound, two steals, and one assist. Sophomore Isabella Regalado had two rebounds and an assist. McGee had five rebounds and three assists. 

The Lady Sandites will return to action next Tuesday when they take on 5A No. 12 Bishop Kelley on the road.