CPHS Basketball: Lady Sandites top No. 5 Union 46-39, Johnson scores 23

University of Tulsa-signed senior Destiny Johnson scored a season-best 23 points Tuesday evening at the UMAC, leading the Class 6A No. 7 ranked Charles Page High School girls’ basketball team (10-2, 7-0) to a 46-39 victory over No. 5 Union (10-2, 5-1). The win was the seventh-straight for the Sandites, who are now the only undefeated team left in Frontier Valley Conference action.

Both teams went on eleven-point runs in the first half. The Sandites stormed out to a 15-8 first period lead, but their hosts came roaring back to the close the half with a 19-17 lead. The Redskins only led once in the second half, but kept things competitive throughout the game.

Johnson scored on a long two on the Sandites’ second possession, followed by a three from Isabella Regalado, then another layup from Johnson. Jacie Taber was next in on the streak, with an assist from Johnson, then Johnson sank a pair of free throws for an 11-0 lead.

Nyah Banks finally got the home team on the board with a put back, then Mae Redmond and Kaylen Nelson hit back-to-back threes to make it a one-score game. Darrian Jordan came off the Sand Springs bench for two and Holly Kersgieter made her first bucket of the night to close the first stanza.

Johnson and Kersgieter kicked off the second quarter with a free throw apiece, but by halftime it was anyone’s game.

The Sandites got back on track in the third period as Johnson tied things up on the first drive and sank on a three for the lead. Taber and Kersgieter also contributed in the seven-point run before Sadie Moyer hit back-to-back twos. Johnson scored five more in the period for a 31-25 advantage.

Jordan and Regalado scored to start the final period with a double-digit lead, but Regalado sent Moyer to the line for a three-point play soon after. Johnson sank her third three of the night, Regalado sent Moyer to the line for two more, then Banks came up with a steal to make it 39-32.

Moyer scored two more at the stripe as Taber drew her fourth foul, but Kersgieter broke up the six point run with a layup and Johnson made a three point play on a steal for their third double-digit lead of the game.

Redmond sank a three with 1:01 to play, then Moyer scored in transition with 40.2. With seconds to play Takyla Pitts missed a long three to effectively end any real comeback possibility, and Regalado closed out the night with a pair of freebies.

Sand Springs will return to action Friday with a conference home game against Owasso (2-9, 0-5).

CPHS 46 Union 39
1Q: CPHS 15-8
2Q: Union 11-2
3Q: CPHS 14-6
4Q: CPHS 15-14
Free Throws: Union 9-of-9, CPHS 7-of-13.
Field Goals: CPHS 17-of-39, Union 13-of-40.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 7, Union 6.
Defensive Rebounds: Union 16, CPHS 15.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 22, Union 22.
Steals: Union 6, CPHS 5.
Blocks: CPHS 1.
Fouls: CPHS 10, Union 15.

(Sand Springs Stats)
Scoring: Johnson 23, Regalado 8, Kersgieter 7, Taber 4, Jordan 4.
Offensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 3, Regalado 2, Taber 2.
Defensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 8, Burris 3, Regalado 2, Johnson 1, Taber 1.
Total Rebounds: Kersgieter 11, Regalado 4, Burris 3, Taber 3, Johnson 1.
Steals: Johnson 3, Kersgieter 1, Taber 1.
Assists: Kersgieter 4, Johnson 2, Regalado 1.
Blocks: Regalado 1.
Fouls: Taber 4, Regalado 3, Kersgieter 1, Burris 1, Padilla 1.

(Union Scoring): Moyer 13, Redmond 9, Banks 6, Nelson 3, Burgess 2, Pitts 2, Ortiz 2, Knapp 2.