The Mustang Broncos came away with a big win to end the first half of the season and to earn a spot in the championship game of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic on Dec. 29.
Mustang defeated the two-time reigning Class A state champion Seiling Wildcats in a close game, winning 74-67 to avenge a five-point loss in last year’s Holiday Classic title game.
Leading the way was senior guard Parker Simonsen, who scored 28 points and grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.
“It was just a good team effort and a good team win,” Simonsen said after the game. “We came out and played together and got it done on both ends of the floor.”
Mustang coach Katie Smith chimed in on Simonsen’s performance.
“Parker was the it-factor for us tonight,” said Smith, who also praised the UCO-signee’s leadership and basketball IQ. “She is a coach on the court. As a head coach, that’s the best feeling to have a senior guard lead your team where you’re not having to do it at all times.”
Sophomore guard Mya Alston also played a big role in the scoring department, notching 21 points and hitting twice from downtown.
Alston made an impact throughout the entire tournament for and was rewarded with an All-Tournament Team selection following the finals on Dec. 30.
Senior Kamryn Bass knocked down two triples to help fuel Mustang’s semifinals win. She finished in double figures with 10 points.
Christal Long (Jr.) and Cherish Haywood (Jr.) combined for 15 points to round out the team’s scoring.
“I think that’s the most points we’ve ever scored as a team in a single game,” said Smith, who was impressed with Mustang’s excellent offensive output.
The Broncos (7-4, 3-2) capped the game with 24 points in the fourth quarter, aided by clutch shooting from the free-throw line to stop any hopes of a Seiling comeback.
Much to the pleasure of Smith, Mustang made 26 of 33 free-throw attempts throughout the game. The veteran coach commented that the team’s ability to hit free throws down the stretch was “very helpful.”
The Broncos outrebounded the top-ranked Wildcats 34-26, highlighted by Simonsen’s double-double but not overshadowed by the efforts of Haywood and Long on the glass.
Long tallied eight rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Haywood snatched seven boards while dealing with slight ankle pain according to Smith.
Tionna Johnson (Jr.) and Riley Trammell (Sr.) also got in on the action, grabbing one rebound apiece.
The Broncos, who also defeated Class 4A Class SAS in the Holiday Classic, look to build off both wins as the return to the court on Tuesday night.
They square off against the Moore Lions (6-3, 3-2) in a District 1 road matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
