By Mike Kays

Phoenix Sports Editor

OKLAHOMA CITY — The third time, unfortunately for top-ranked Fort Gibson, wasn’t a charm.

Leading early in the second half by 11 and owning an eight-point lead late in the third quarter, even holding on midway into the fourth quarter, it looked like it would be.

But third-ranked Star Spencer got hot when it counted and the Lady Tigers went cold when it mattered the most, scoring just two points in the final four minutes and with it, were denied for the third straight time at the threshold of grabbing a Class 4A gold ball, losing 51-43 at State Fair Arena on Saturday night.

Star Spencer’s Sharene Campbell’s short jumper in the lane gave the Lady Bobcats their first lead since the opening quarter, 36-34, but Kendra Dean answered on a drive, came up with a steal at the other end off a Bobcat break and Mikki Stone took the outlet pass and scored on a running layup for a 39-36 advantage and a huge momentum swing.

Or so it seemed.

Miller took a feed from Taylor Wilson for a 41-39 lead, and Star Spencer answered with a 12-2 run, including the last nine points.

Dean sank a pair of free throws for a 43-42 lead with 1:21 to play and it would be Fort Gibson’s last lead. Tajai Rodgers countered with a 3 with 1:13 to play to make it 45-43 and Fort Gibson would come up empty handed on three straight possessions, leaving seniors like Kendra Dean and Terra Mackey facing a combination of tears and shock, as well as others, on the court during the trophy presentations as they received silver for the third consecutive year.

Last year, they led in the final two minutes to Weatherford and lost. After beating the defending champions on Thursday and handing Vinita its first loss on Friday, this didn’t seem like the outcome Saturday would provide.

Asked what went wrong in the final few minutes, Brennan Miller, whose 3-point touch took command earlier for FGHS, just shrugged and walked off the court.

It was just as painful for FGHS coach Jerry Walker, who is still seeking his first gold ball.

“The game turned when we didn’t handle the press well,” Walker said. “We didn’t get enough spacings and had too big of gaps in our press offense.

“The girls that got the shots to get them back, especially the 3s, we just didn’t do a good enough job in recognition on the court. We knew who their shooters were and it also seemed like every single time they needed a big basket, they got it.”