Choctaw 51, Sand Springs 38

TULSA — Choctaw sophomore Mackenzie Crusoe has state tournament experience, yet she was still nervous Thursday afternoon.

Tulsa Memorial’s gym was full and loud.

But she didn’t show her nerves. Instead, she hit the clutch shots and had big steals in the fourth quarter to keep No. 6 Choctaw on its title defense.

The Yellowjackets started and ended on fire, topping No. 13 Sand Springs 51-38 in a Class 6A girls basketball state quarterfinal.

“All of the people here made me get the chills,” Crusoe said. “After we got going, I got into the game. You’ve got to do your job.”

Choctaw (23-5) awaits the winner of rival Putnam West and Bixby for Friday’s noon game at the Mabee Center.

The Yellowjackets jumped to a 22-9 lead after one quarter, but Sand Springs’ star junior Holly Kersgieter went to work and willed her team back into the game. A Kansas commitment, she scored 18 points and had Sand Springs within two in the third.

Crusoe then hit a baseline runner to start a quick spurt to regain control. In the fourth, she had a basket with 3:35 remaining to put Choctaw ahead six.

“That’s a girl that’s continued to develop all year,” Choctaw coach Ryan Maloney said. “She earned it. She deserves it.

“We’re going to have to have that. That’s one thing about our team is we have some balance. We’re dangerous and are going to be a tough out.”