MANNFORD — The thermometer fell so hard Friday night you could hear it from Altus to Miami — Idabel to Guymon. By the time the deep-freeze snowstorm settled across the state, gyms from one end to the other went dark. Schedules froze. Tournaments stalled. But before winter shut everything down, the Mannford Lady Pirates squeezed in a week that showed both, how far they’ve come, and how much tougher the season gets at January winds down.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Lady Pirates were 9-4 and on a four-game win streak when they walked into the Perkins-Tryon gym — a tough road environment for any team, but when conference standings are at stake it can be downright mean.
Mannford played exactly the way they needed to in order to get out of there with a win: by defending everything in sight.
Head Coach Nathan Reed’s girls immediately took the air out of the building. The game was methodical, almost surgical. Mannford led 9-6 after a slow opening quarter, stretched it to 24-10 by halftime, and by the time the fourth quarter arrived, the outcome was no longer in doubt. The final read Mannford 49, Perkins 30.
Junior Addison Pehrson anchored the night on both ends of the floor. She poured in 18 points and 3 assists that kept the offense flowing, while altering the game defensively with 4 blocks and 3 steals.
Junior Adley Elliott owned the paint, providing steady balance with 11 points and 6 rebounds, weilding her confident strength inside and finishing through plenty of contact.
Freshman Ashlyn Elliott chipped in 7 points, 3 assists and 3 steals, consistently turning defense into transition opportunities.
Ella Maxville matched physical play with 5 points and 5 rebounds, while Marin Chapman added 5 points to keep the scoring spread out. Lexi Lovekamp battled on the glass for 5 rebounds and added 2 points. Jayden Caruthers made her mark defensively with 3 steals and a point, and Emma McCrackin helped clean the boards with 4 rebounds.
Afterward, head coach Nathan Reed pointed directly to the edge that his team delivers on every night they compete.
“I thought that we came ready to play tonight, especially on the defensive end. Defense always travels, and going into a hostile environment on the road, it carried us to a good conference win. Totaling 20 deflections and 14 steals as a team.”
That defensive identity would be tested just two nights later under tournament lights in Pryor.
Thursday’s opening round of the Pryor Tournament never found a comfortable rhythm for Mannford. Wagoner jumped out early, holding the Lady Pirates to 7 firstquarter points while building a 12-7 lead. Mannford steadied briefly in the second quarter but went to halftime trailing 2720. The third quarter proved decisive as Wagoner extended the margin, and the final settled at 52-34.
Pehrson again led Mannford with 14 points, adding 4 assists and 4 blocks, continuing to impact the game on both ends, even as shots were harder to come by.
Adley Elliott fought inside for 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Ashlyn Elliott added 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Marin Chapman contributed 3 points. Emma McCrackin pulled down 5 rebounds, Jaydne Caruthers added 4 boards, and Lexi Lovekamp chipped in 3 rebounds as Mannford tried to manufacture second chances in a physical matchup.
Reed didn’t sugarcoat the night. “Our focus from the jump was just not there. That is on me, i have to do a much better job as a coach. Throughout the game we just could not get the momentum we needed to sustain a lead and control the ballgame. Wagoner played well. They hit shots and we didn't. They won 50/50 plays and we didn't. We have to learn from this and get better as a team.”
Then winter stepped in. The remainder of the Pryor Tournament was postponed as the storm shut down travel and high school sports statewide, leaving Mannford with unfinished business and time to reflect. The Lady Pirates are scheduled to return to the bracket on Wednesday, Jan. 28, facing Vinita in the second round, with the third round planned for Monday, Feb. 2.
At 10-5, the Lady Pirates enter the heart of the season, knowing exactly who they are is when things are right — a defensive team that can take offensive fans, as well as offenses, out of the game. And, just as clearly, what slips when focus wavers.