Allen is so proud of its Lady Mustangs. They competed in the State Basketball Tournament this morning, Thursday, February 29th. Some of these nine girls are following in the footsteps of their mothers and grandmothers.

The 2023-24 season started with just seven girls and expanded to nine mid-season. The “Salty Seven” team consisted of Addison Prentice, Cherish Woodward, Stoney Cully, Ava Laden, Kaylee Davis, Kryslyn Stephens and Kayla Nickell; they were joined by Tresley Mowdy and Dextry Bowerman.

It was in 1966 that Coach Bob Somerhalder took a team of Lady Mustangs to State.

After defeating the Roff Tigers in the Regional contest held at Byng, upping their season record to 242, they earned a berth in the coveted state playoffs in Oklahoma City This was Allen’s first trip to the state tournament and they squared off against Oologah on March 10th, with the support of many Allen fans who made the trip to watch the local girls.

On that 1966 team, which at that time were playing sixon- six games, were Paula “Susie” Hogue (now Snider), Brenda Hughes, Noweta Case, Linda Robinson, Jennye Sue Triplett, Pam Cozad, Rita Hughes (now Nix), Elissa Hughes (now Butcher) Sharon Matthews, Janice Stinson and Janice Jones (now Stinson).

Unfortunately, that game didn’t end as hoped. The Allen team lost that game 60-46. Team forwards Rita Hughes had put in 22 points, Janice Jones and Sharon Matthews each added 12.

Coach Somerhalder said it was a good experience for the team which will be losing only three members, seniors Rita Hughes, Noweta Case and Linda Robertson.

In 2003 the Lady Mustangs made another trip to the State Tournament. This time the state berth was cinched with a 60-52 win over Boswell in Talihina, giving them the Area championship title with a 23-4 record.

Their state trip took them to the Carl Albert High school gym in Midwest City for a March 6th game against the Tushka Tigers. The nail-biter had the Lady Mustangs up by one, a 38-37 lead with 27 seconds left on the clock. The frantic finish saw Tushka drive and miss a jumper. Jennifer Rowsey claimed the rebound with 8-seconds remaining. She was fouled with 1.5 on the clock. She made one of two shots giving Allen their final 2-point lead. Tushka rebounded but couldn’t get a shot off before the buzzer.

“As usual, our defense was the strongest part of our game and luckily that was enough to bring us the win,” said Coach Greg Mills. “It was a good feeling getting that fist state playoff win under our belt.”

While that first game was a high for the girls, Friday night was the reverse. The honor comes in making it to a semi-final game and losing to the 2003 State Champions. The final score, Allen 57 to Frontier 57.

Coach Mills said the 2002-03 season has been a memorable one. “It was tough to lose but we can’t complain. We had a great run and it was an honor to be playing in Oklahoma City. Not only am I proud of these girls, but the whole town was behind the 100%.”

Team members were Stacie MacCollister, Rochelle Hopper, Jennifer Rowsey, Kelsey Gee (Flores), Brittnea Nemecek (Lewis), Hillary Haines (Treat), Terra Griffith (Wainscott), Maegan Russell (Davis), Nicole Turpin (McElroy), Andrea McKerley (Dowell), Dana Nemecek (Sanford), Lacey Skelton (Wofford), Meagen Cooley, Sissy Stephens (Woodward), Brooke Prentice (Baber), LeRhonda Thompson (Jessop), and Britney Gibson.

So, the footsteps . . . this year’s Ava Laden is following her grandmother, Rita Nix, to State; It is said Ava is a little faster than Rita. Cherish Woodward mother Latisha was a member of the 2003 Tournament team. Cherish, like her mom is an offensive powerhouse.