Lomega cruises into area final

Kevin Lewallen’s last day as a 45-year-old was spent coaching Lomega to another championship.

This one was a regional title as the No. 1 Lady Raiders dominated Dover 93-33 Saturday in a Class B-II matchup in Dover.

It puts the program with the most state championships in Oklahoma high school girls history within one win of getting back to state. They get the opportunity at 6 p.m. Friday in Henryetta when they battle No. 6 Smithville for the area championship.

Smithville beat No. 18 Moyers 62-30 for a regional title.

Dover entered the playoffs with just six wins, but knocked off No. 17 Gracemont in the district and then avenged a loss to Mulhall-Orlando to reach the regional championship.

But there wasn’t another upset brewing as they were outmatched by Lomega, which scored 65 points in the first half.

Emerson Belt scored 16 for the Lady Longhorns, who play Coleman at 1 p.m. Thursday in Henryetta in an area consolation quarterfi nal. Dover will need three wins at area to get to the state tournament.

Lomega just needs one and will get two shots at it… if it’s needed.

The Lady Raiders were in the same situation a year ago, but lost back-to-back games in the area tournament to fall short of a return trip to state.

They played that area tournament with a hobbled Reagan Snowden, who appears to be much healthier this year. She poured in 17 against Dover, 13 of them in the first half.

Paige Wheeler led the way with 18, including 9 in the second quarter when Lomega notched 35 points.

Those were just two of three Lady Raiders to reach double digits.

Aliana Lawson scored all 14 of her points in the first half.

Jackie Penaran added 11 points and Kinsley Fisher scored 10.

Lomega is 26-1 and has won 14 consecutive games.