The Oklahoma Bible Academy (OBA) Lady Trojans etched their names into history on Saturday, March 8, 2025, claiming a 65-61 victory over Hartshorne in the Class 2A State Championship at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City. It marked OBA’s first girls basketball state title since 1971—a triumph decades in the making.
“When the final buzzer went up, I thought I had maybe counted the time wrong,” said OBA head coach Randy Roth. “To see the joy on their faces, it makes it worth it. That’s what it’s all about.”
For seniors Conley Cayot, Karson Jenkins, Lilyan Walden, and Brianna Colby, the win was the perfect send-off, a moment that capped years of dedication and grit.
“What a journey from their freshman year to now,” Roth said. “They’ve done all the hard work. They’re in the gym shooting, they’re in the weight room and all the work. They did what it took to get here.”
Cayot led the charge in her final game, dropping 23 points, including a crucial six three-pointers that kept OBA in control.
“I knew I had to step up,” Cayot said. “They’re a good team. We had to be shooting well, and I just thank God. All the hard work paid off.”
But Cayot’s impact extended beyond just scoring.
“She’s been willing to do other things all weekend,” Roth said. “Assists, rebounds, and defense. (Saturday) she did those things and more. That’s what great players do.”
Junior Kami Jenkins also delivered in a big way, adding 14 points while shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the field.
“Our only junior in the starting lineup, but she didn’t play like it, that’s for sure,” Roth said. “She played like a seasoned veteran. She’s a big-game player, and she gets it done.”
Walden and Colby combined for 25 points, with Walden contributing 15 of those. Their steady presence was crucial in holding off Hartshorne’s late rally.
Hartshorne came out strong, hitting three three-pointers in the first quarter. But Cayot’s response with two triples of her own kept OBA level, tying the game 16-16 after one.
A 7-0 run in the second quarter swung momentum OBA’s way, sending them into halftime with a narrow 33-32 lead. Cayot and Jenkins led the charge with a combined 22 points in the first half.
OBA then outscored Hartshorne 16-11 in the third, pushing the lead to 49-43 heading into the final period.
The Lady Miners weren’t done yet. With under two minutes to play, Hartshorne cut the lead to two, but the Lady Trojans kept their composure. Big free throws and tight defense sealed the win, securing the gold ball and a moment the program has waited over 50 years to celebrate.
“It’s a great way to finish off our senior year,” Cayot said. “It’s been a struggle. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, and it’s had times where it was really, really hard. But, you know, we did it.”
A long-awaited victory, a gold ball, and a legacy sealed in OBA history.
