By ECE OZDEMIR
There is a different energy in the air these days at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University campus. Our women’s basketball team, the Lady Rangers, proved what perseverance and team spirit can achieve with their magnificent 71-64 victory over Southeastern.
When we fell behind 5-0 in the first minutes of the match, perhaps some of our hearts skipped a beat; but the girls’ stance on the field said, “We came here to win”. It was a total tactical feast as Kira Bass took responsibility in those critical moments to balance the game, followed by Catyn Graham and Summya Adigun shaking the opponent with outside shots. Specifically, Kira’s performance of 24 points and 11 rebounds—marking her 14th “double-double” of the season—is the most concrete indicator of how great a driving force she is for this team.
However, the true architects of this success were not only those who scored but every player who fought until the final drop of sweat on the field. Madison Denison’s relentless struggle for rebounds and Jaida Shipp’s final points, scored by virtually dominating the paint in the closing minutes of the game, demonstrated that this championship was no coincidence.
Going to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time as GAC (Great American Conference) champions is a historic turning point for the city of Alva and our university. This success is the reward for practices held in the early hours of the morning, the sweat shed and a victory fire that never extinguished.
No matter who their opponents are when they take the court this Friday, the Lady Rangers will have the support of an entire city and a united community behind them. They have already made history; now, it is time to crown this beautiful story on the national stage.
The real adventure is now beginning for the Northwestern Oklahoma State women’s basketball team, which has declared its GAC championship. The NCAA Division II committee made the long-awaited announcement late last night: The Lady Rangers have entered the Central Regional group as the 7th seed.
Our team will face Concordia-St. Paul, the 2nd seed in the region, in the first round of the tournament.
This match will be the first meeting in the history of the two teams. Our opponent, Concordia-St. Paul, is a quite formidable team that arrived here by winning the Northern Sun (NSIC) championship. However, the form of our girls in recent weeks is at a level that would intimidate any “seeded” team.
Bass’s 24-point performance in the Southeastern game proved that she is a player for big games. Her dominance under the basket will be the key to the game in Minnesota. The scoring contributions of names like Jaida Shipp, Summya Adigun and Catyn Graham make it impossible for the opposing defense to focus on just one player.
For the first time in Lady Rangers’ history, they are on this stage. This will reduce the pressure on them, allowing them to enjoy every second and play more courageously.
On Friday at 2:30 p.m., hearts will beat from Alva to Minnesota. This is not just a basketball game; it is the representation of a community’s dreams on a national stage. The Lady Rangers have shown us many times this season that the word “impossible” is not in their dictionary. Why shouldn’t there be one more surprise?
Good luck, girls—all of Alva is proud of you!