Ezekiel, EOSC finding success in each other

By Derek Hatridge, McAlester News-Capital

Kenzie Ezekiel is still making waves in Wilburton.

The Wilburton High School graduate is helping the Eastern Oklahoma State College women's basketball team write a new chapter in the program's history with a record of 16-11, with an 8-5 record in conference play. And coach Al Davis said he believed that was because of how the team approaches each game.

"I'm just taking everything one day at a time, one game at a time. I have a good group of girls that are playing for me," Davis said. "We are figuring each other out. It's all about them learning their roles."

One of those players is Ezekiel. She transferred to EOSC for this season, and has become a key part of the Lady Mountaineer offense. Davis said that she and another former local have been a great privilege to coach.

"Kenzie is one of my favorites to coach. Jaycee Kitchell was as well too before she got hurt. One thing I like about Kenzie, she had a bad first half one game," Davis recalled. "She had like five points and I got on to her in the locker room. She came out and she responded in the second half with 19 points.

"That's what I love about her. I can get on to her and she responds."

Ezekiel is currently averaging 14.8 points per game while shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc so far this season.

She joined teammate Deja Williams as Ezekiel was chosen as the Region II Player of the Week for Feb. 10-16. Williams received back-to-back honors when she was chosen to receive the same award for Jan. 13-19 and Jan 20-26.

Davis said that he is proud of the way his team has responded to adversity this season. They have doubled their win record, as well as recorded major wins over ranked opponents both at home and on the road.

And Davis attributes all that success to how well this team plays as a cohesive unit.

"I feel like that the vibe in the locker room is good. They know what is at stake," Davis said. "We practice hard all the time, and I feel like that don't happen too often when you have a group of freshman and one sophomore that work that hard."

The program has seen changes under Davis this season, including bringing in local talent from around the area. And that's all by design, because Davis believes that when high school players see Ezekiel's success, they'll want to join the program as well.

"If there's talent around, I want them to come play at Eastern. Local talent is good," Davis said. "We have had great fan support here. I think that will help us in the future as well with local kids."