Whitesboro ends Dover state quest

Dover’s bid to return to the state tournament came up just a few points short.

Ninth-ranked Whitesboro scored the game’s final four points Saturday night to defeat Dover 44-40 in a Class B area consolation championship at Seminole.

The win advanced Whitesboro to the state tournament as Dover’s season ended with a 22-10 record.

“I’m just proud of the girls and the fight they showed all week,” said coach Matt Peck.

Dover lost its regional opener to No. 3 Lookeba- Sickles, but proceeded to win four straight games with its season on the line.

That included a 56-50 win over Wilson (Henryetta) on Friday.

The Lady Longhorns trailed Wilson by five at halftime, but took the lead with an 18-10 advantage in the third quarter.

Rylee Buck scored eight points and then added eight more in the fourth as Dover maintained its lead.

She finished with 21 points.

Ashley Gamez added 13 while Kynli Boeckman and Joi Caldwell scored 11 apiece.

Boeckman went 7 of 8 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

It was free throws, this time by Gamez, that gave Dover a late lead against Whitesboro on Saturday.

Whitesboro took a 35-28 lead into the fourth quarter, but Dover clawed its way back in.

The Lady Longhorns tied it up, then Gamez gave them a 40-38 lead with free throws with 2:06 left.

But those proved to be Dover’s final points.

Whitesboro tied the game with 1:40 to play and Dover’s next possession resulted in two misses and a turnover.

Whitesboro took a 41-40 lead with 41 seconds left.

The next Dover possession came up empty and Whitesboro went back to the foul line, making both with just over 5 seconds to play. The Lady Longhorns then received a five-second call trying to inbounds the pass.

Buck scored 14 for Dover. Boeckman added nine, Caldwell eight and Gamez seven.

All of Dover’s scorers in the game were seniors