CHERRYVALE, KS – Fans at Cherryvale High School were treated to an instant classic Tuesday night as the Cherryvale Lady Chargers outlasted the Caney Valley Bullpups in a thrilling overtime showdown, pulling off a 70-64 victory. The game had everything a basketball fan could hope for—momentum swings, clutch shooting, and last-second heroics that sent the contest into overtime.
Cherryvale’s Star Duo Shines
The Lady Chargers were led by a dominant performance from #23 Harmony John, who poured in 26 points, attacking the defense with relentless drives and timely buckets. #32 Kadynce Forman provided a strong secondary scoring presence, finishing with 16 points, keeping Cherryvale’s offense rolling in key moments.
However, the biggest shot of the night belonged to #13 Tatum Marchant, who had a stellar outing with 14 points, including four three-pointers. With Cherryvale trailing in the final moments of regulation, Marchant buried a clutch three in the 4th quarter to send the game into overtime, igniting the home crowd.
“After Tatum made the shot, I let them enjoy the excitement,” said Cherryvale head coach Kelsey Overacker. “They were locked in, and I told them they earned this moment. Let’s go get it and finish strong.”
Caney Valley’s Post Presence Keeps It Close
Caney Valley fought hard behind an impressive performance in the paint by #35 Sarah Martinez, who led the Bullpups with 25 points, showcasing her dominance in the post. #30 Molleigh Kamiska added 11 points, providing additional interior scoring for Caney Valley.
The Bullpups also found scoring from the perimeter with #11 Elyn Washburn, who tallied 16 points, knocking down multiple shots, and some beyond the arc to keep the pressure on Cherryvale’s defense.
“Give Caney credit, they played their butts off and gave us a huge run,” Overacker added. “Those posts know how to use their body and get position. We made a couple of adjustments on them in the second half and were able to help more from our guards. The kids followed the game plan, gave themselves a chance, and battled through another tough game.”
Overtime Belongs to the Chargers
After Marchant’s game-tying three forced overtime, Cherryvale carried the momentum into the extra period. The Lady Chargers executed down the stretch, with John and Forman making key plays to secure the win. Cherryvale’s defense also stepped up, forcing turnovers and limiting Caney Valley’s opportunities to complete the upset.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Cherryvale builds confidence heading into the rest of their schedule, while Caney Valley will look to bounce back in their next matchup.
Final Score: Cherryvale 70, Caney Valley 64 (OT)
