The Skiatook Lady Bulldogs matchup against the Lady Cardinals of Collinsville was one of the most anticipated matchups going into the basketball season. Although Collinsville won by 19 points, it was a deceptive blowout—meaning that Skiatook’s shots were simply not falling, yet Collinsville did not pull away until late in the game.

The storyline of the game was shooting percentage. Skiatook, as a team, shot about 28 percent from the field and 60 percent from the free throw line, while the Lady Cardinals shot a shade over 60 percent from the field and 82 percent from the stripe (13 of 15).

Skiatook has had a very good season, and the Cardinals had been superlative thus far into the year, ranked #1 in the 5A State by the OSSAA. Skiatook came into the game ranked #10.

With the inside presence of 6’5” senior Mallory Vaughn, most high school girls basketball teams are at a size disadvantage. That being said, most WNBA teams would be too.

However, despite the size and power of Vaughn, it was Skiatook’s smallest—Amber Bearden—that jumpstarted the Bulldogs offense. She opened the game by drilling a gutsy step-back three pointer on the opening possession, then slashing to the basket and dishing off for an assist on the following possession.

Skiatook got up 5-0, but Vaughn scored five by herself. 

Bearden got a steal and assist to Kendall Schulte for 3 to put Skiatook back on top, and an exchange of baskets ensued. Skiatook led 11-9 at the end of the first. Kendall Schulte led Skiatook with 5; Vaughn had all 9 for the Cardinals.

Kendall Schulte hit a crafty jump shot to open the second, and Vaughn answered. In fact, Vaughn was almost the only source of points for the Cardinals. At half, the Cardinals led 22-16 and she had 18 points for them.

In the second half, Collinsville began to pull away after a few empty possessions left the Lady Bulldogs vulnerable. Anna Bonham was the only one who could score for Skiatook—making a very athletic layup and free throw despite hammering her face into the court after taking a hard foul.

While Skiatook only scored 3 points in the third, the Cardinals had 9—none of which came from Vaughn. 

Although it wasn’t a high scoring quarter from the Cardinals, just putting up 3 was a backbreaker for the Lady Bulldogs. Especially following a quarter where Skiatook only posted 5 points.

In the fourth quarter, Collinsville continued to put the hammer down. The lead spread to 15 before Kendall Schulte made a three pointer in transition, but it was too little, too late. Collinsville ended up winning 44-25, but the Lady Bulldogs proved to be a team that could contend with the Cardinals later in the season.

The Skiatook boys did not fare much better, though. The Collinsville Cardinals (7-3) were ranked #7 coming into the game, and they proved their worth against an unranked Skiatook squad, winning 72-37. Skiatook fought hard but could not keep up with the on-court experience of the Cardinals in their own gym.
