CPHS Basketball: Lady Sandites win third-straight Regional Championship, Kersgieter scores 25

University of Kansas-committed senior Holly Kersgieter scored 25 points Saturday afternoon at the Ed Dubie Field House, leading the Class 6A No. 6 ranked Charles Page High School girls basketball team (20-4) to their third-straight Regional Championship. The Lady Sandites defeated No. 16 Ponca City 66-47 in a wild come-from-behind affair.

The first period saw six lead changes before the Wildcats went on a nine-point run to double Sand Springs at 15-7. Isabella Regalado broke the streak with a three to end the period, and Kersgieter kicked off the second period with a layup and a pair of free throws to make it a one-point game. 

Ponca quickly retaliated with a layup from Ryley Beard. Baylee Fincher hit a free throw and took a steal coast to coast, then Ashlynn Fincher sank a three and Beard made a free throw for their first double-digit lead. Destiny Johnson broke up the run with her first three-pointer of the game. Kersgeiter followed it with a layup and a trio of free throws, and Madison Burris rebounded for two, but Baylee Fincher hit a half court three at the buzzer for a 27-24 halftime advantage. 

The Sandites outscored the Wildcats 21-12 in the third period. Burris kicked off a seven point run with a pair of free throws from Johnson and a three from Kersgieter, Ashlynn Fincher scored four to sandwich a three from Johnson, then Regalado hit a pair of free throws and Jacie Taber rebounded for two to end the period 45-39.

Madison Birnbaum made the first basket of the final period, then Kersgieter and Padilla combined for four at the charity stripe followed by a three from Johnson for their first double-digit lead at 52-41. Ashlynn Fincher rattled off a trio of free throws, Padilla hit two in response, then the Sandites took a big loss when Johnson fouled out with 2:56 to play. 

Baylee Fincher scored two more from the stripe, then things began to fall apart for the visitors. Kersgeiter scored a pair of free throws, Ashlynn Fincher fouled out, and Ponca Head Coach Jody Fincher received a technical. The Sandites went on a twelve point run with ten free throws and a layup from Regalado for a twenty-point lead before Carlie Badley broke it up with the final basket of the game.

Johnson, a University of Tulsa commit, scored seventeen for Sand Springs, and Ponca also had two in double digits. Ashlynn Fincher led with sixteen and Baylee Fincher had thirteen.

Both Sand Springs and Ponca will advance to the Area playoffs. Sand Springs will only need to win one game in Area to advance to State, and can afford to lose once, while Ponca will need to win twice and will be eliminated with a loss.

CPHS 66 PoHi 47
1Q: PoHi 15-10.
2Q: CPHS 14-12.
3Q: CPHS 21-12.
4Q: CPHS 21-8.
Free Throws: CPHS 27-of-27, PoHi 11-of-16.
Field Goals: CPHS 16-of-39, PoHi 15-of-49.
Offensive Rebounds: PoHi 10, CPHS 9.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 16, PoHi 12.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 25, PoHi 22.
Steals: PoHi 12, CPHS 10.
Blocks: CPHS 5, PoHi 2.
Fouls: CPHS 17, PoHi 20.

(Sand Springs Stats)
Scoring: Kersgieter 25, Johnson 17, Regalado 9, Padilla 9, Burris 4, Taber 2.
Offensive Rebounds: Kersgieter 2, Johnson 2, Taber 2, Regalado 1, Burris 1, Padilla 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Regalado 5, Padilla 4, Kersgieter 4, Burris 2, Johnson 1.
Total Rebounds: Kersgieter 6, Regalado 6, Padilla 5, Johnson 3, Burris 3, Taber 2.
Assists: Kersgieter 2, Regalado 1.
Steals: Johnson 4, Padilla 3, Regalado 2, Burris 1.
Blocks: Padilla 2, Burris 1, Regalado 1, Johnson 1.
Fouls: Johnson 5, Taber 4, Burris 3, Kersgieter 2, Regalado 2, Padilla 1.

(Ponca Scoring): Ashlynn Fincher 16, Baylee Fincher 13,Beard 7, Badley 6, Birnbaum 5.