Putnam City: Championship video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Don’t worry, Pirate fans. Just because the game ended at nearly 11:30 at night (ridiculous, by the way), that doesn’t mean I didn’t give you the same video treatment.
Putnam City just looked like the better team Saturday night. I don’t know if it was, but that belief and confidence went a long way.
Love watching Dominique Raney play. He didn’t end up with as many points as I thought, but they were a flashy 14 points in a 68-59 win against Midwest City in the championship Saturday night.
You can’t say enough about this team, to lose players like Xavier Henry, Garen Wright and Kyle Hardrick and once again be hoisting up a gold ball. Incredible.
Fun environment with the two teams, just wish it didn’t start at nearly 9:30 and end as late as it did.
For Scott Wright’s championship coverage, go here. For my story reflecting on the Bombers’ season, go here. Video by Robert Przybylo.
Caught up with Hunter Gibson and Willie Lester for a short video.
Booker T.: Championship video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Feel like I’ve grown up with Booker T’s Tharone Chilton, so it was nice to see him and the rest of the Hornets get the title Saturday.
But easily the best moment of a LONG day was all the Booker T. kids singing their song. Even video of it wouldn’t have captured that moment.
However, here is a short video with Chilton and Juwan Parker after the 42-30 upset win against No. 1-ranked Tulsa Memorial. It is BTW’s 14th state championship.
For Barry Lewis’ (Tulsa World) coverage of the game, go here. Video by Robert Przybylo.
Class 4A boys video
Mabee Center: Day 3…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
PUTNAM CITY 68, MIDWEST CITY 59 – FINAL
Back-to-back titles for the Pirates.
MIDWEST CITY 9, PUTNAM CITY 3 – MID-FIRST
Follow Twitter as I’ma be a lil too busy to try to update the blog, sorry.
9:18 – So yeah, that ’8:45′ start isn’t happening with Putnam City and Midwest City.
McALESTER 49, TULSA EAST CENTRAL 45 – FINAL
McAlester pulls it off, beating No. 1 Carl Albert, No. 2 Tulsa Memorial and No. 3 Tulsa East Central to earn its third title.
TULSA EAST CENTRAL 32, McALESTER 32 – END 3RD
8:06 – McAlester and Tulsa East Central are involved in a good one. After a big start by McAlester, TEC has worked its way back into it.
We’re midway through the third and the Buffs hold a slim 27-25 lead. The Cardinals have missed a TON of FTs or else it might be a different story.
6:24 – Ready for the second session to start with 5A girls as McAlester is taking on Tulsa East Central, followed by 6A boys with Midwest City and Putnam City.
When the Lady Bombers were celebrating their title, they started chanting ‘now it’s your turn’ to the boys team We shall see.
MIDWEST CITY 46, NORMAN 32 – FINAL
No repeat of last year, Bombers get the job done. And I got some a-writin’ to do.
MIDWEST CITY 30, NORMAN 15 – HALFTIME
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 42, TULSA MEMORIAL 30 – FINAL
It is the Hornets’ 14th state championship.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 21, TULSA MEMORIAL 15 – HALFTIME
Tharone Chilton is playing fantastic right now for the Hornets. And through the first half, Tulsa Memorial was unable to get star Cameron Downing going. Should make for an interesting second half.
11:43 – It’s championship Saturday, and you’ve made it to The Big Hou–err, the Mabee Center. Not at The Big House this year for the first time. Little over an hour away from the 5A Boys final with Tulsa Memorial against Booker T. Washington.
Following that will be 6A Girls with Midwest City vs. Norman. Break. 7 p.m. – 5A Girls with Tulsa East Central and McAlester. And to cap it off, 6A boys with Midwest City and Putnam City.
6A-5A: Look back and ahead…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Class 6A Boys Championship
Midwest City vs. Putnam City, 8:45 p.m.
For Scott Wright’s coverage of PC’s 48-42 OT win against Edmond Santa Fe, go here. For my coverage from the Santa Fe perspective, go here.
For Scott Wright’s coverage of MWC’s 50-47 win against Putnam West, go here.
6A Girls
Midwest City vs. Norman, 2:45 p.m.
For Robert Przybylo’s coverage of Norman’s 69-50 win against Edmond North, go here. For Ryan Aber’s coverage of MWC’s 45-37 win against Santa Fe, go here.
5A Boys
Booker T. Washington vs. Tulsa Memorial, 1 p.m.
For Scott Wright’s and Ryan Aber’s combined coverage on BTW’s win against Tulsa East Central and Tulsa Memorial’s win against Claremore, go here.
5A Girls
McAlester vs. Tulsa East Central, 7 p.m.
For Robert Przybylo’s coverage of McAlester’s win against Tulsa Memorial and TEC’s win against Booker T., go here.
See ya Saturday and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo for all the updates from the Mabee Center.
Saturday’s Schedule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Splitting us up Saturday. Scott Wright and myself will be camped out at the Mabee Center while Ryan Aber, Justin Harper and Matt Patterson will be livin’ it up at State Fair Arena.
Here’s your schedule:
At Mabee Center
6A Boys (8:45): Midwest City vs. Putnam City
6A Girls (2:45): Midwest City vs. Norman
5A Boys (1 p.m.): Booker T. vs. Tulsa Memorial
5A Girls (7 p.m.): Tulsa East Central vs. McAlester
At State Fair Arena
4A Boys (5:45): Douglass vs. McGuinness
4A Girls (2 p.m.) Harrah vs. Cache
3A Boys (12:15): Millwood vs. Hugo
3A Girls (7:30): Millwood vs. Kansas
2A Boys (9:15): Pawnee vs. Talihina
2A Girls (10:30 a.m.): Dale vs. Pawnee
Day 2 at Mabee Center (night session)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
MIDWEST CITY 45, EDMOND SANTA FE 37 – FINAL
10:18 – Norman’s Kamra King continued to light it up en route to a 69-50 win against Edmond North. Looks like we’re on our way to a fourth showdown between Norman and Midwest City as the Bombers’ size advantage is making Santa Fe look weak.
It is MWC 24-12 at halftime, but it doesn’t even feel that competitive.
Back to NHS-EN, great shootout with King and Donohoe. King scored a career-high 33 points while Donohoe did everything in her power, scoring 28 points.
King was simply sensational, no doubt about it. She said she wanted to make up for her lackluster outing Thursday against Edmond Memorial. Consider that done.
Fantastic outing by Norman.
8:38 – Norman 33, Edmond North 21 – Halftime. The Huskies actually end the half on a 9-0 run to kinda get back into the game.
Kamra King has been outstanding for Norman, scoring 17 points and just using her quickness to frustrate North so far.
After a shaky start, Elizabeth Donohoe has 10 points for the Huskies while Emily Davis has provided a spark with seven.
Norman shot the ball unbelievably well, hitting its first six shots. And right now anytime Edmond North thinks it’s making a run, King has shut it down.
Obviously, if North is going to make a run, it’s going to have to start on defense first.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 51, TULSA EAST CENTRAL 43 – FINAL
I have no idea how the Hornets came back. I was talking with photographer Nate Billings, a BTW alum, and all the sudden the score got closer and closer until BTW was in the lead.
I assume Tharone Chilton because I feel like I’ve watched him grow up. Booker T. vs. Tulsa Memorial for the gold ball Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Mabee Center.
6:46 – TULSA EAST CENTRAL 24, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON 19 – HALFTIME
Enjoying watching TEC’s Damion Hooks play. He’s got size, speed, not too shabby.
6:02 – In the first game of the night session, it was Tulsa Memorial 60, Claremore 51 in a 5A boys semifinal. Up next is the other semi with Booker T. against Tulsa East Central.
First time I’ve seen Memorial’s Cameron Downing…that was impressive. If BTW and TEC are as good as Memorial, should be a fun final. Very impressed by Booker T.
Also on tap are your 6A girls semis with Edmond North vs. Norman and Midwest City vs. Edmond Santa Fe.
Follow Ryan Aber @ryaber and myself @BPrzybylo on Twitter for all your Mabee Center updates.
Mabee Center: Day 2 (first session)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
5A girls: Tulsa East Central 53, Tulsa Washington 38 – final. TEC vs. McAlester for the gold ball.
6A BOYS: MIDWEST CITY 50, PUTNAM WEST 47 – FINAL. Putnam City vs. Midwest City for the gold ball.
6A boys: Midwest City 48, Putnam West 45 – 17 secs #OKPreps
6A boys: Midwest City 46, Putnam West 43 – 1:08 4th #OKPreps. MWC ball after PCW turnover
MIDWEST CITY 44, PUTNAM WEST 42 – 2:16 LEFT.
6A boys: Midwest City 40, Putnam West 37 – 4:46 left 4th #OKPreps
MIDWEST CITY 36, PUTNAM WEST 32 – END 3RD
Love watching Xavier McClish play.
1:23 – Patriots come out smokin’ and have taken a 32-30 lead on the Bombers midway through the third. Amric Fields is playing a heckuva game so far.
MIDWEST CITY 30, PUTNAM WEST 24 – HALFTIME
Right now, MWC looks like it’s just a smidge better than the Patriots at just about everything. I’m way behind on stats (because Scott Wright is covering it) so I have no idea who is doing what, sorry.
12:50 – The Bombers ‘bombing’ away with a 21-13 lead early in the second. Raining 3s right now for MWC, impressive display.
12:49 – OK, I can start paying attention now. Midwest City 16, PCWest 13 at the end of the 1st.
12:43 – Back here for another 6A boys game as Midwest City is up 11-8 here with 2:31 left in the first quarter against Putnam West. Be keepin’ ya posted here and on Twitter.
5A girls: McAlester 42, Tulsa Memorial 39 – Final.
PUTNAM CITY 48, EDMOND SANTA FE 42 – OT FINAL
Class 6A Boys Day 1 Roundup
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Here’s a quick look at a wild day 1 at the Class 6A state boys basketball tournament in Skiatook.
First, the scores/stories (click the scores to read the full stories):
Edmond Santa Fe 52, Norman North 48
Putnam City 59, Jenks 41
Putnam West 53, Muskogee 41
Midwest City 60, Edmond Memorial 55 OT
And tomorrow’s schedule:
Mabee Center
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City, 9 a.m.
Midwest City vs. Putnam West, noon
Putnam City advances to semis
BY RYAN ABER
Staff Writer
raber@opubco.com
SKIATOOK— Putnam City is doing just fine in the post-Xavier Henry era.
Class 6A’s defending champions advanced to the semifinals Thursday with a 59-41 win over Jenks at Skiatook’s Gary Johnson Activity Center.
Putnam City (23-4) will face Edmond Santa Fe at 9 a.m. today at the Mabee Center.
The teams have met twice this season, splitting with the home teams winning both games. Santa Fe won the first meeting 56-52 on Jan. 19 while the Pirates beat the Wolves 60-54 in the regular-season finale Feb. 19.
“We had a much better understanding of them the second time,” Putnam City’s Dominique Raney said. “I thought that first game was a bit of a fluke. We have our game plan already set for that one. As long as we play our game, we’ll be fine.”
A win Friday would send Putnam City to the championship game for the seventh time in its last eight appearances.
“Every year we come out, we’re playing for a state title,” Raney said. “We’re not playing for anything else.”
The teams traded the lead on six consecutive trips down the floor early in the first period before Putnam City settled in and pulled away.
“We’re a team that prides ourselves on our defense and we weren’t executing on that end,” Raney said. “We were beating ourselves. We just started executing better and things got better for us.”
The Pirates led by 10 points late in the second quarter and steadily stretched that lead until they were up 22 after Raney’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter.
Raney had 20 to lead all scorers. Brian Brown added 12 and Hunter Gibson 11 for the Pirates.
C.J. Sidorakis led the Trojans with 11.
Jenks was one of just two teams from the East side of the state in the 6A boys field. Only Muskogee, which plays Putnam City West at 7 p.m., remains from the East.
The game was a rematch of last season’s 6A title game, where the Henry-led Pirates beat Jenks 72-48.
