Byron Lady Tigers advance to Sectional

By Doug Schroder

Editor

OREGON – Byron’s Lady Tigers used a couple to 20 point-plus runs to take the Oregon Regional on Thursday, Feb. 11. They started the game with a 23-0 run, and then they put together a 24-2 surge to start the second half. The Lady Tigers let up after those runs, but Fulton still saw its season come to an end.

In Byron’s first run, the Steamers had 10 turnovers. By the time the third quarter ended, the Steamers had 25 turnovers, mostly on steals by the Byron defense.

Whitney Wynkoop, who finished with eight points, scored Fulton’s first basket with 1:45 left in the first quarter. In Byron’s 23-0 run, Fulton only managed to get off four shots.

Byron had 29 boards to 17 for Fulton. Efficient passing was also a strong aspect of Byron’s game.

DeVries led all scorers with 20 points, followed by Hopkins with 17, Holloway with 13, and Burrows 10. It was the second game in row those four juniors scored in double figures each.

For Byron (28-3), it was their fifteenth regional title in the last 22 years. The next goal for the Lady Tigers will be to win the sectional taking place on their home court. If they win it, it will be their second in four years.

With regional wins by 31 and 38 points, the Lady Tigers stand a good chance of taking the Sectional. The Lady Tigers took on Bishop McNamara on Monday, Feb. 15 and handily beat them to advance to the Sectional Final.

Lexi DeVries drives to the basket past Oregon’s Alli Henson during the first quarter of the Oregon Girls Regional playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 9. Byron won the Regional title to advance to Sectionals. Randy Stuckenberg photo