Vian girls win district title one day after starter’s death
Vian senior girls’ basketball starter Whitney Miller died Friday, two days after being taken to the emergency room with the flu.
Doctors discovered that Miller also had pneumonia Friday, and that afternoon her lungs filled with fluid and collapsed, according to a Tulsa World report.
OSSSA executive director Ed Sheakley said postponing Saturday’s district game at Haskell to Monday was considered, but ultimately decided against.
My good friend Kelly Hines of the Tulsa World covered the game Saturday, and wrote a great story off Vian’s emotional 63-52 win.
“Whitney would have been proud of them,” Vian coach John Mays told the World after the game. “She was a fighter. She was a scrapper.
“There never was anything pretty about (how she played), but she was just a hustler and a hard worker. That was kind of what we did tonight.”
Miller’s best friend and cousin, Deidra Smith, wore Miller’s No. 3 jersey and scored 10 points for Vian (10-10) Saturday.
Haskell officials took a collection from the crowd to help Miller’s family with funeral costs.
Vian advances to play a regional on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Morris.
Jason Kerseyjkersey@opubco.com
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