Varnum just came off a district win over Wetumka Friday night and moved on to host the regional playoffs Tuesday night against Union City.

Varnum protected their home court in both games in front of a packed Whippet gymnasium.

The Lady Whippets had a tough battle in front of them as the Lady Tigers who have a record of 18-7 entering the match, were looking for an upset on the road.

The first quarter was a slugfest as both teams traded leads in the game.

Lady Whippet Ashlyn White found her threepoint range and knocked down two treys to fire up the home crowd, but the Lady Tigers found their three-point range also with three and just edged out Varnum by three points at the end of the quarter.

The defenses of both teams stepped up their game plan in the second as the Lady Whippets were held to just 8 points scored. Union City battled hard but were also held to just 9 points scored.

The Lady Whippets were looking at a fourpoint deficit heading into the third quarter.

The quarter proved to be the lowest scoring quarter in the game, but the defense of the Lady Whippets held the Lady Tigers to just 3 points scored while the offense took advantage and tied the game up by the end of the quarter.

Both teams were exhausted but put it all on the line in the final quarter.

Varnum was plagued with fouls and the Lady Tigers spent most of their time at the free throw line in the fourth, but the Lady Whippets made the shots that counted from threepoint range by Ashlyn White and Miley Wildcat to come back in the second half and win the game by one point 38-37.

Leading the way for the Lady Whippets was Ashlyn White-Richards with 10 points, three treys, three rebounds and was one of two from the free throw line.

Alyviah Lena and Makiyah Coker each scored 8 points in the game.

The No. 5 Varnum Whippets were ready to take to the court to face the Union City Tigers next.

Union City started out quick to took the lead in the first but halfway through the quarter, the Whippets settled down and fired back.

Whippet Devyn Fullbright scored 10 points in the first to help Varnum keep the game tied at 18 apiece at the end of the quarter.

Varnum found their three-point range in the second with Fullbright, Daison Hadley, Kamell Stewart and Brenden Poull knocking down a trey as the Whippets went on a 21-14 run in the frame.

Varnum had a seven- point lead heading into the third quarter.

The Whippets kept their foot on the gas and continued to roll in the third with Hadley scoring four three-point shots to help Varnum extend their lead.

The Tigers were facing a 16-point deficit heading into the final frame.

The Whippets slowly let off the gas and the Tigers tried to take advantage with a late rally. The try was not enough as the home team, Varnum Whippets won 78-67.

Leading the way for the Whippets was Daison Hadley with 32 points, six treys, seven assists, three rebounds, three steals and was four of six from the free throw line.

Devyn Fullbright scored 15 points, three treys, five assists, six rebounds, three steals and was four of four from the line.

Jon Madkins scored 10 points, two assists, eight rebounds, two blocks and was two of two from the line.

Varnum will play for the Regional Championship this Saturday at home.

The Lady Whippets will play Crowder Saturday at 6 p.m. and the Whippets will play Crossover Prep Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Other Games This Weekend

Sasakwa Vikings will play at 6 p.m. Friday at Geronimo against the winner of Ringling and Granfield.

Strother Lady Yellowjackets will play at 6 p.m. Friday at Indianola against the winner between Stuart and Keota.

Strother Yellowjackets will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Indianola against the winner between Indianola and Cave Springs.

Maud Tigers will play at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Maud the winner between New Lima and Graham-Dustin.

Bowlegs Lady Bison will play at 1 p.m. at Maud Friday against the winner between Graham-Dustin and Mill Creek.

New Lima Falconetttes will play at 6 p.m. at Maud Friday against the winner of Schulter and Oklahoma School for the Deaf.

Seminole Lady Chieftains will play at 6 p.m. at North Rock Creek Saturday against North Rock Creek.

Seminole Chieftains will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at North Rock Creek against North Rock Creek.

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