Zinn said on Wednesday that he has been named the girls basketball coach at Cushing, leaving one of the top programs in Class 4A looking for its third coach since 2009.

“I’m kind of anxious,” Zinn said. “I’m ready to go in there and even though they had success last year, they lose all five starters off last year’s team.”

Cushing made the Class 4A semifinals last season before losing to eventual champion Fort Gibson.

Anadarko also made the semifinals one year after winning the state title, which was Zinn’s first season.

The success he had at Anadarko made the decision tough, he said, but it ultimately came down to what was best for his family.

“It’s very hard, not only the relationship with the kids, but also with the kids we have returning and the vast amount of potential with those kids that we have,” Zinn said. “But more than anything it’s not as much of a professional move as it is a family thing.”

At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Class 6A
All games Wednesday, May 1
First Round
Westmoore vs. Southmoore, 10 a.m.
Tulsa Union vs. Muskogee, 10 a.m.
Moore vs. Jenks, 10 a.m.
Broken Arrow vs. Tahlequah, 10 a.m.
Semifinals
Westmoore-Southmoore winner vs. Tulsa Union-Muskogee winner, 12:30 p.m.
Moore-Jenks winner vs. Broken Arrow-Tahlequah winner, 12:30 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 3:15 p.m.

Class 5A
All games Wednesday, May 1
First Round
Cache vs. Seq. Tahlequah, 11:15 a.m.
Holdenville vs. Berryhill, 11:15 a.m.
Purcell vs. Bethel, 1:45 p.m.
Henryetta vs. Valliant, 1:45 p.m.
Semifinals
Purcell-Bethel winner vs. Cache-Seq. Tahlequah, 3:15 p.m.
Henryetta-Valliant winner vs. Holdenville-Berryhill, 3:15 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 6:15 p.m.

Class 4A
All games Wednesday, May 1
First Round
Dale vs. Latta, 11:15 a.m.
Chisholm vs. Washington, 11:15 a.m.
Davis vs. Liberty, 12:30 p.m.
Tushka vs. Mangum, 12:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Dale-Latta winner vs. Davis-Liberty winner, 1:45 p.m.
Tushka-Mangum winner vs. Chisholm-Washington winner, 1:45 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 4:45 p.m.

Class 3A
All games Tuesday, April 30
First Round
Rattan vs. Rock Creek, 10 a.m.
Wayne vs. Fort Towson, 10 a.m.
Mooreland vs. Depew, 10 a.m.
Apache vs. Preston, 10 a.m.
Semifinals
Rattan-Rock Creek winner vs. Wayne-Fort Towson winner, 12:30 p.m.
Mooreland-Depew winner vs. Apache-Preston winner, 12:30 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 3:15 p.m.

Class 2A
All games Tuesday, April 30
First Round
Binger-Oney vs. Dewar, 11:15 a.m.
Okarche vs. Roff, 11:15 a.m.
Turner vs. Barnsdall, 1:45 p.m.
Pond Creek-Hunter vs. Soper, 1:45 p.m.
Semifinals
Binger-Dewar winner vs. Turner-Barnsdall winner, 3:15 p.m.
Pond Creek-Soper winner vs. Okarche-Roff winner, 3:15 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 6:15 p.m.

Class A
All games Tuesday, April 30
First Round
Red Oak vs. Arnett, 11:15 a.m.
Tupelo vs. Asher, 11:15 a.m.
Eagletown vs. Hammon, 12:30 p.m.
Buffalo Valley vs. Leedey, 12:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Red Oak-Arnett winner vs. Eagletown-Hammon winner, 1:45 p.m.
Tupelo-Asher winner vs. Buffalo Valley-Leedey winner, 1:45 p.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 4:45 p.m.

Sanders, who spent the past season at Siloam Springs, Ark., said he signed the contract Friday afternoon to replace former coach Theresa Johnston, but has yet to meet with next season’s team at Newcastle.

A major factor in Sanders deciding to return to Oklahoma is that he felt homesick.

“I got a great team coming back,” Sanders said. “I’ve got all of my starters coming back here at Siloam, but it’s just a deal where I want to get back home. It just didn’t feel right being away from all of my family.

“I’ve always liked the town of Newcastle, the surroundings, where it’s located and I hope that I can stay there. It’s not a place where I want to go and move away. I’m coming hoping I can get a program going and establish something.”

Sanders, 53, last coached at Cache, where he guided the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and Class 4A championship in 2010 and a runner-up finish in 2011. Before that, he coached at Anadarko where he guided the Warriors to a Class 4A title in 2005.

Now, he’s hoping he can bring that success to Newcastle, which lost to Elgin in the Class 4A area tournament.

“I want to win wherever I go — not that I can — but I hope that I do,” Sanders said.

“I want to win this year. I haven’t seen them play or nothing. I hope we can get things going right away.”

Sanders retired when he left Cache following the 2011 season. His wife, Robbin, will also be an assistant principal and counselor at Newcastle.

Class 6A
BOYS
EAST
At Tulsa Rogers
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Owasso vs. Broken Arrow, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Stillwater vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Union vs. Jenks, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Tulsa Washington vs. Bartlesville, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Stillwater/Bixby winner vs. Owasso/Broken Arrow loser, 8 p.m.
Tulsa Washington/Bartlesville winner vs. Tulsa Union/Jenks loser, 6:30 p.m.

WEST
At Choctaw
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Midwest City vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Edmond North vs. Putnam City

At Norman North
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Memorial vs. Putnam City West, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Putnam City North vs. Lawton Eisenhower, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Norman North
Putnam City North/Lawton Eisenhower winner vs. Edmond Memorial/Putnam City West loser, 6:30 p.m.
Edmond North/Putnam City winner vs. Midwest City/Edmond Santa Fe loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Muskogee vs. Tulsa Washington, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Jenks vs. Tulsa Union

At Tulsa Rogers
Loser’s Bracket
Broken Arrow vs. Mustang, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Bartlesville vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Broken Arrow/Mustang winner vs. Bartlesville/Bixby loser, 1:30 p.m.
Jenks/Tulsa Union winner vs. Muskogee/Tulsa Washington loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Choctaw
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Norman vs. Southmoore, 8 p.m.

At Harrah
Loser’s Bracket
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Choctaw, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Norman North vs. Edmond Memorial, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Harrah
Lawton Eisenhower/Choctaw winner vs. Norman North/Edmond Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Norman/Southmoore winner vs. Edmond Santa Fe/Putnam City loser, 3 p.m.

CLASS 5A
BOYS
EAST
Friday
At Bixby
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Memorial vs. Tulsa Kelley, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha vs. Guthrie, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Coweta vs. Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Skiatook vs. Noble, 8 p.m.

At Bixby
Saturday
Skiatook/Noble winner vs. Coweta/Tulsa Edison loser, 6:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Guthrie winner vs. Tulsa Memorial/Tulsa Kelley loser, 8 p.m.

WEST
Friday
At Edmond North
Winner’s Bracket
Bishop McGuinness vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Capitol Hill, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Winner’s Bracket
Carl Albert vs. Southeast, 6:30 p.m.
Western Heights vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond Memorial
Western Heights/Piedmont winner vs. Carl Albert/Southeast loser, 6:30 p.m.
Del City/Capitol Hill winner vs. Bishop McGuinness/Lawton MacArthur loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Bixby
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha at Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa East Central at Collinsville, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Tahlequah vs. Tulsa Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Grove vs. Tulsa Kelley, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Sapulpa
Grove/Tulsa Kelley winner vs. Tahlequah/Tulsa Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Tulsa Edison winner vs. Tulsa East Central/Collinsville loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Edmond North
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Ardmore, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Shawnee vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Loser’s Bracket
El Reno vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Deer Creek, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond North
El Reno/Lawton MacArthur winner vs. Carl Albert/Deer Creek loser, 1:30 p.m.
Del City/Ardmore winner vs. Shawnee/Piedmont loser, 3 p.m.

Pete Papahronis, who coached Guthrie to back-to-back boys state championships in 2008 and 2009, is moving over to coach girls basketball at the school.

Guthrie will start a search for a new boys coach immediately, a release form the school said.

The boys went 17-11 this season, making the semifinals of the 5A tournament.

Papahronis coached Guthrie’s boys for nine seasons, leading the Bluejays to five state tournament appearances.

Papahronis takes over for Terry Carris, who resigned earlier this year after five years in his latest stint at Guthrie.

Carris had taken the Bluejays to the 1985 and 1986 state tournaments during his first stint at Guthrie.

Large East
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
U’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Jodi Glover, Fort Gibson
Devaughn Gray, Tulsa Washington
Lashanda Green McAlester
Kelsee Grovey, Shawnee
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
Lanesha Middleton, Stillwater
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Miranda Taylor, Claremore
Coaches: Carl Treat, Stillwater; Matt Sweeney, Oologah

Large West
Kylie Boggess, Piedmont
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
Rasheeda Kabba, Westmoore
Toni Smith, Del City
Kati Sullivan, Anadarko
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Te’era Williams, Douglass
Coaches: Jeff Mahoney, Elgin; Dandy Peeler, Edmond Memorial

Small East
Courtney Backward, Salina
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Megan Brown, Howe
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Pete Douglas, Oktaha
Charitee Evans, Red Oak
Shanna Harrison, Adair
Kenzie Solberg, Chandler
Brooke Watkins, Prague
Coaches: Brandon Lindly, Wright City; Mike Buntin, Verdigris

Small West
Jamie Brown, Chattanooga
Lexie Brown, Hammon
Casi Cornell, Thomas
Kori Fast, Fairview
Jordan Garner, Amber-Pocasset
Bailey McBride, Chattanooga
Lacey Paulk, Washington
Katelyn Richardson, Calumet
Jordynn Van Pelt, Snyder
Shayla Williams, Northeast
Coaches: Cherie Myers, Okarche; Kirk Harris, Marlow

OKLAHOMA TENNIS COACHES RANKING
CLASS 6A
Boys
1. Edmond North
2. Jenks
3. Tulsa Union
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Broken Arrow
6. Tulsa Kelley
7. McGuinness
8. Enid
9. Muskogee
10. Edmond Santa Fe

Girls
1. Jenks
2. Edmond North
3. Enid
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Tulsa Kelley
6. Broken Arrow
7. Tulsa Union
8. McGuinness
9. Bixby
10. Owasso

CLASS 5A
Boys
1. Metro Christian
2. Heritage Hall
3. Carl Albert
4. Oklahoma Christian
5. Cascia Hall
6. McAlester
7. Shawnee
8. Durant
9. Duncan
10. Ardmore

Girls
1. Duncan
2. Heritage Hall
3. Cascia Hall
4. Tulsa Washington
5. Tahlequah
6. Ardmore
7. Deer Creek
8. Carl Albert
9. Shawnee
10. Altus

CLASS 4A
Boys
1. Anadarko
2. Ada
3. Henryetta
4. Byng
5. Clinton
6. Elk City
7. Oologah
8. St. Mary
9. Seminole
10. Okmulgee

Girls
1. Ada
2. Metro Christian
3. Elk City
4. Perry
5. Midway  
6. Byng
7. Beaver
8. Seminole
9. Oklahoma Christian
10. Anadarko

The 24 boys and girls selected to participate in the All-American Game will be announced at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 on ESPNU. This year’s games will be held March 28 in Chicago, with the girls game tipping off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 8:30.

Only Texas and Iowa had more nominations on the girls side than Oklahoma’s 26.

Boys
Nino Jackson, Ardmore
Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial
Austin Thrash, Cheyenne
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial

Girls
Kate Andrews, McGuinness
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Quira Demery, Millwood
I’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Mariah Gilliam, Tulsa Washington
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
LaShanda Green, McAlester
Kelsey Grovey, Shawnee
Elyse Hight, McGuinness
Sydney Hill, Edmond Memorial
Shelley Knight, Wayne
Deena Manning, Wayne
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
LaNesha Middleton, Stillwater
Bria Pitts, Tulsa East Central
Caitlyn Ramirez, Shawnee
Toni Smith, Del City
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Jordynn VanPelt, Snyder
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Adriana White, Midwest City

Here are some of the players who are expected to sign this week:
BASEBALL
Blake Estep, Jones (Penn St.)
Isaac Hellbusch, Deer Creek (Arkansas)
Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert (OU)
Ty Hensley, Edmond Santa Fe (Ole Miss)
Chase Stephens, Deer Creek (UCO)
Jordan Watson, Edmond Santa Fe (OSU)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Aaron Anderson, Edmond Santa Fe (Fresno St.)
Blake Blanchard, Deer Creek (Southwestern)
Matt Christiansen, McGuinness (San Francisco)
Joe Edmonds, McGuinness (San Francisco)
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial (Tulsa)
D’Andre Wright, Lawton Eisenhower (Tulsa)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas (Missouri-Kansas City)
Ashley Clark, Midwest City (Tulsa)
Courtney Cowan, Kansas (Northeastern St.)
Ali Decker, Edmond Memorial (Wichita St.)
Toni Smith, Del City (Fresno St.)
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas A&M)

GOLF
Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial (Arkansas)
Abby Thompson, Deer Creek (OCU)

GYMNASTICS
Keara Glover, Putnam North (Auburn)

SOFTBALL
Liz Broyles, Blanchard (Missouri-Kansas City)
Braxton Coil, Edmond North (Missouri St.)
Shalee Cordell, Newcastle (OBU)
Kaylin Hinshaw, Putnam North (Mid-America)
Leslie Miller, Blanchard (OU)
Kady Self, Edmond North (OU)
Caitlin Sill, Tuttle (Tulsa)
Bryana Wade, St. Mary (North Texas)
Brooke Zukerman, Lawton MacArthur (UCO)

TENNIS
Sarah Bowen, Heritage Hall (Hofstra)

VOLLEYBALL
Emily Belz, OCS (Henderson St.)
Sydney Fioretti, Edmond Santa Fe (OBU)
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe (North Carolina St.)
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe (OCU)

WRESTLING
Matt Manley, Perry (Missouri)

Midwest City's Marisha Wallace, left, will play in college at Northern Oklahoma College in Enid. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Midwest City star forward Marisha Wallace will play in college at Northern Oklahoma College in Enid, she said after Wednesday’s large-school girls All-State basketball game.

Wallace had a fantastic high school career that was marred by two major knee injuries. Six games into her junior season at Midwest City, she tore her ACL, MCL and LCL. Then, 15 seconds into last season’s Class 6A semifinals against Edmond Memorial March, Wallace tore her meniscus.

She was part of two state championship teams — her freshman year at Millwood and her junior year at Midwest City.

Wednesday was her first time back on the court since the meniscus tear. She scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in the West’s 73-50 win over the East at the Mabee Center in Tulsa.

Wallace said the knee “felt good” Wednesday and that she’s been working hard to rehab as she prepares to head to Enid for college ball.

Wallace had offers from some smaller NCAA Division I schools, but decided to go to junior college after the menicus tear.

“Coming off two knee injuries, I decided to go to juco because I wanted more options,” Wallace said.

Midwest City’s Richa Jackson was one of 26 players invited to compete for 12 roster spots on the U18 national team this week.

Jackson, a Duke signee, led the Bombers to the Class 6A state championship as a senior, averaging 17.6 points, nearly six rebounds and three steals per game.

She was also was named to the Parade  and McDonald’s All-American teams.

The camp for the hopefuls will be held June 8-11 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The team will compete June 23-27 in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women in Colorado Springs.

The top four in that will qualify for the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in July 2011 in Chile.

Sidney Cook of Southmoore was invited to compete for a spot on the U17 national team. Those trials will be held at the same time as the U18 team trials.

That team will compete at the U17 World Championship on July 16-25 in Rodez and Toulouse, France.

I’m a fish out of water out on the golf course, but you can’t say the same for Chouteau-Mazie’s Tressa Brumley. She entered the final round with a one shot lead but was dynamite in the final round.

A front nine of 34 put her in position to win the title for the second year in a row, which she did by six strokes at Sugar Creek Canyon.

For more on Brumley, here ya go.

Following the win, I caught up with the Central Oklahoma signee to talk about her championship and her future plans.

Chickasha midfielder Kelsey Taylor is having a major impact in Class 5A in her first season. The freshman is among the leaders in goals and assists.

Friday, when No. 11 Chickasha faced No. 8 Durant, Taylor netted the game-winning goal to keep the team in contention for a district title and home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Taylor also collected her first career hat trick against Altus.

With two freshman and a sophomore among the leaders in goals and assists in Class 5A and with a record of 8-2, Chickasha is making waves in the present. Hannah Elrod, just a ninth-grader, leads the team with 14 goals and has added five assists. Sophomore Kylie Williams has eight goals and five helpers, while another freshman, Kelsey Taylor, leads the team in assists with 7 and has five goals.

That trio has accounted for all but four of Chickasha’s goals and all but four of the team’s assists. The threesome accounted for all the team’s goals in a 7-1 win over Altus Friday, including a hat trick by Taylor.

Coach Steve Scott’s club faces its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday, visiting Class 5A No. 5 Carl Albert at 5:30 p.m.

Altus’ Megan Blonein had been in the situation before.

Edmond North’s Carly Yates had not.

Blonein, who won the 5A state title last year as a freshman, parred the first hole of a playoff to beat Yates and win the Fifth Annual Irish Easter Invitational at Quail Creek on Monday.

For Blonein, it was her third playoff. Yates had not been in a playoff in high school.

Blonein’s drive on the playoff hole went left on the par 4 No. 1. But she safely punched her second shot out of the trees to just in front of the green and finished off the tournment win after Yates’ second shot sailed over the green, then wound up a bunker with her third shot.

Yates posted her round of 78 about three hours before the playoff, while Blonein finished not long before the playoff.

Blonein got off to a rough start, shooting a 42 on the back nine where she started. But she quickly bounced back on the front side, with back-to-back birdies on holes three and four to get back in the tournament.

“I’m a late starter,” Blonein said. “It takes me awhile to get started.”

The tournament featured many of the state’s top golfers, playing on a longer course than most the girls play on during the season.

Mustang won the team title, 13 strokes ahead of second-place Altus.

Here are the top 10 individuals:

McGuinness’ girls golf team will host the Irish Easter Invitational on Monday at Quail Creek.

The tournament will feature most of the area’s top high school golfers, including the defending Class 3A champion, Kingfisher’s Bethany Darrough.

The Irish, playing in their fourth event of the season, feature Caitlin Farris and Hannah Tubbs at the top of their lineup.

Farris, a freshman, has finished third in two of McGuinness’ three tournaments so far, including the tournament in Granbury. Texas.

Tubbs, a senior, has finished in the top five at state each of the past two years.

Monday’s tournament also features plenty of 6A talent as well, including Mustang, last year’s 6A runner-up, all three Edmond schools and Westmoore.

Tuesday
Baseball: Santa Fe South at John Marshall
Soccer: Capitol Hill at McGuinness
Soccer: Southeast vs. U.S. Grant at Speegle
Tennis: Capitol Hill at Millwood
Tennis: Centennial at Northwest
Tennis: Classen at Northeast
Tennis: John Marshall at Douglass
Tennis: Star Spencer at Southeast

Wednesday
Baseball: All-City Tournament at Dolese
Soccer: Classen vs. Harding at Taft Stadium

Thursday
Baseball: All-City Tournament at Dolese
Soccer: Capitol Hill at Edmond North
Tennis: Douglass at Classen
Tennis: John Marshall at Capitol Hill
Tennis: Northeast at Star Spencer
Tennis: Southeast at Northwest
Tennis: US. Grant at Centennial

Friday
Baseball: All-City Tournament at Dolese
Soccer: Capitol Hill boys at Kings of the South Tournament at Speegle Stadium

Saturday
Baseball: Northwest at Mustang
Soccer: Capitol Hill boys at Kings of the South Tournament at Speegle Stadium
Track: John Marshall at Tiger Track Classic at Stroud

Today
CA Baseball: at Noble
CA, MWC Girls Tennis: at Duncan Tournament
Del City Baseball: At Southmoore
MWC Baseball: at Norman North

Tuesday
CA Baseball: vs. Noble (4); vs. Chickasha, 6:30
Del City Baseball: vs. Southmoore
Del City Soccer: at Tulsa Union
MWC Baseball: vs. Norman North

Wednesday
CA, MWC Boys Tennis: at Duncan Tournament
MWC Baseball: at Enid Tournament

Thursday
CA Baseball: at Stillwater
CA, MWC, Del City Boys and Girls Soccer: At Midwest City Tournament
Del City Baseball: at Guthrie
MWC Baseball: at Enid Tournament

Friday
CA Baseball: at Lawton MacArthur
CA, MWC, Del City Boys and Girls Soccer: At Midwest City Tournament
CA Girls Tennis: at Ada Tournament
MWC Baseball: at Enid Tournament
MWC Track: at Tulsa East Central

Saturday
CA, Del City, MWC Boys and Girls Soccer: At Midwest City Tournament
CA Boys Tennis: at Ada Tournament
Del City Baseball: vs. Christian Heritage
Del City Track: at Norman
MWC Baseball: at Enid Tournament

It was tough to find the best player on the McAlester team. Such a balanced bunch, that it’s not really about having a star or putting up big numbers.

But it was about winning.

The Buffs beat No. 1 Carl Albert, No. 2 Tulsa Memorial and No. 3 Tulsa East Central in taking home a 49-45 victory for the title on Saturday.

Crystal Robinson’s one year at McAlester is a memorable one. Good luck to her at Murray State.

For Matt Baker’s (Tulsa World) coverage of the game, go here.

Here is a short video with McAlester sophomore LaShanda Green. Video by Robert Przybylo.

I wanted to believe a team could give the Midwest City girls a run. I wanted to see the greatness come out of Richa Jackson and Kaylon Williams and the rest of the girls.

I didn’t get it. The Bombers were WAY too good for anybody on this weekend and the entire season in rolling to a 46-32 win against Norman.

Jackson ends an outstanding career with the title and passing the 1,500-point mark in her career. Good luck to Jackson at Duke.

For my championship story, go here. For Scott Wright’s take on Norman’s bid for the title, go here. Video by Robert Przybylo.

Here is a short video with Jackson and Williams.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Wait, I’ve given the teams two more pts for some reason. Putnam City 48, Edmond Santa Fe 42 – #OKPreps. Idiot. It was good, got a little caught up in that one. Fun stuff, don’t know why I gave ‘em extra pts, deserve it for the effort though. Too busy shooting video to do the simple thing and look at the scoreboard.

10:31 – Putnam City 50, Santa Fe 44 – OT Final. PC’s Tre Payne steals the ball and scores and the Pirates get a chance to defend their title. Wow, what a way to start.

BPrzybylo

6A boys – Putnam City 44, Santa Fe 42 – 31.8 OT #OKPreps. PC turns it over, Wolves ball

OT – 1:51 left- Santa Fe 40, Putnam City 40 – 6A boys #OKPreps

OT – 6A boys – Santa Fe 40, Putnam City 40 #OKPreps. Raney misses shot in final seconds.

Josh Richardson ties it up. 40-40 with 31.3 left. OKPreps – 6A boys

40-38 PC with 1:10 left.

6A boys: Putnam City 40, Santa Fe 34 – 4:40ish left 4th #OKPreps. Largest lead for PCO

PUTNAM CITY 33, SANTA FE 32 – END 3RD

RonQuis Lewis is showing up today for the Pirates. This should be a fun fourth.

9:46 – With 3:26 left in the third quarter, it’s Santa Fe 30, Putnam City 29. Mahlon Jones continuing to pour it on here, with 16 points. He looks like the most comfortable player on the floor right now.

9:42 – With 4:35 left in the third, Santa Fe 26, PC 25. It’s getting good, fellas. Starting to see crisp execution by the teams, not nearly as tentative as they were in the first half.

9:32 – Halftime with Putnam City leading 20-19 against Edmond Santa Fe. Couple of big outings by Dominique Raney and Mahlon Jones.

Raney has 10 points for the Pirates as does Jones for the Wolves.

Clunky first quarter but things got rolling nicely in the second quarter, leaving me to believe we’re about to have some fun here in the next 16 minutes.

9:05 – Midway through the first quarter of Edmond Santa Fe and Putnam City, tied 4-4. I’m camped out all day here at the Mabee Center (with Scott Wright and eventually Ryan Aber), so we’ll have all the goods on what happens in Class 6A and 5A.

Interesting the way it worked out with 5A being all east side and 6A being all west side.

Class 6A Girls semifinals
Friday
At Mabee Center
Norman vs. Edmond North, 7:30 p.m.
Midwest City vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 9 p.m.

For coverage of MWC’s 44-24 first-round win, go here.

For coverage of Norman’s 40-34 first-round win, go here.

For coverage of Edmond North’s 53-42 first-round win, go here.

For coverage of Edmond Santa Fe’s 58-54 first-round win, go here.

Boneman’s thoughts and observations

- The MWC defense is scary good. The Bombers never looked scared because even though their shots weren’t falling, when you have that type of defense, you’re set.

Nothing too special about it, just imposing size and freakish skill. If you’re going to have any chance against Art Bode’s girls, you’re going to need to be hot from the perimeter because you’re not working the ball down low.

First time I’ve seen Richa Jackson this year, and she lived up to the billing. But I must say that Kaylon Williams is quite the player as well.

- Memorial-Norman was my favorite game of the day. Two teams playing each other for the third time this season. Interesting to see the chess match going on between Matilda Mossman and Shane Coffey.

Bulldogs made a big run in the fourth quarter, but Olivia Meek came up huge. She was not who I was expecting to make the game-changing basket.

Both teams had to adjust to the officials as it was called very tight. I’m looking for Kamra King to come out and have a huge game Friday.

Coffey was generous in defeat and couldn’t say enough about how proud he was of his girls and the way they fought from being 9-9 to making state.

- The Huskies were the best team on this day. The ball movement was crisp, and Anna Kimsey and Elizabeth Donohoe had a field day.

TaNita Dewberry is a tough, tough player and does all the little things. Norman North is no slouch, but Edmond North made it appear that way tonight.

Sets up the rematch from last year with Norman where the Tigers handled them pretty easily.

- Couldn’t believe that run by PCNorth without Joh’Vonna Mitchell. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen Santa Fe so much, but I never thought the Wolves were going to lose but did it ever get interesting.

Coach Paul Bass said it, and I agree 100 percent that was the best game by Sophia Mahmoodjanloo. A senior with no nerves.

Wolves have wanted the big dogs (MWC) all season. Be careful what you wish for? I don’t know, but I’m expecting some late fireworks at the Mabee Center.

- Kamra King vs. Elizabeth Donohoe. Richa Jackson vs. Courtney Walker. Not too shabby.

Back all day Friday and follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo for continuous updates.

10:25 – Santa Fe holds on for a 58-54 win against Putnam North. The Wolves get their wish and a date with Midwest City. Courtney Walker had 18 points for ESF while Sophia Mahmoodjanloo had 16.

Joh’Vonna Mitchell had 18 before injuring her knee. Great run by PCNorth falls just short.

9:11 – Edmond North 53, Norman North 42 was the final. Donohoe ended up with 23 points while Kimsey added 12. The lead got to as big as 20 points there in the fourth quarter.

It was pretty obvious that the Huskies just needed to get their feet under them. And once they did, they looked like the No. 2-ranked team.

Norman North was led by Payge Wilson (13 pts), Madison Marquardt (11) and Mariah Turner (10).

We’re at halftime of our final game with Santa Fe up 29-21 against Putnam North. Courtney Walker has been her usual self, leading all scorers with 13. Joh’Vonna Mitchell has eight points for PCNorth.

Walker drilled a 3 at the buzzer to really deflate what had been a nice comeback by the Panthers. See how they respond in the third.

7:38 – Halftime with Edmond North 30, Norman North 20. Elizabeth Donohoe went off in the second quarter, scoring all 13 of her points. Anna Kimsey has pitched in with 10 points for the Huskies.

Norman North has received a big contribution from Payge Wilson, who has 10 points off the bench for the Timberwolves.

Huskies look like a team possessed right now and have a tremendous fan following for this one. Not going to count NNorth out just yet as Mariah Turner only has four points. Turner and Donohoe each have two fouls. Me thinks whoever picks up their third first is going to be in trouble.

6:11 – Less than an hour away from all the goodies starting once again at Catoosa High School. Big kudos to the Catoosa personnel, who are doing a phenomenal job so far.

Here in the nightcap we have upstart Norman North vs. Edmond North and Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City North.

I’ll do my best to update here, but your best bet is Twitter @BPrzybylo.

In the first session, it was Midwest City 44, Tulsa Union 24 and Norman 40, Edmond Memorial 34.

6:42 – For the full story on Norman’s win, go here. For the full story on Midwest City’s win, go here.

6:09 – Wrapped up session one with Norman winning 40-34 against Edmond Memorial. Absolute slugfest would be the best way to describe this one.

Olivia Meek came up huge for the Tigers, scoring 11 points. Alie Decker came alive in the fourth for Memorial, scoring nine of her 11 points in the quarter as Memorial rallied from an eight-point deficit.

But the Tigers never panicked, not once.

4:14 – The Bombers defense was incredible in the second half and the girls cruised to a 44-24 win. Kaylon Williams had 16 points while Richa Jackson had 11 for MWC.

Jackson was also named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday, so congrats to her on that.

Even though the shots weren’t falling, just had a feeling that defense was going to be too much for Jim Stacy’s girls.

Here at halftime with Norman up 15-14 on Edmond Memorial, another low-scoring affair so far. Norman’s Kim Hayes hit a 3 at the buzzer to give the Tigers the lead.

2:42 – Midwest City 13, Tulsa Union 13 – Halftime. Union isn’t going to dazzle you, but right now, it is the team that wants it more.

Larrielle Giles has seven points for the Redskins, and they’ve done a great job containing the potent Bombers attack.

The same can be said for MWC as its suffocating defense has been sensational as well. Really like what I’m seeing from Ashley Clark and Kaylon Williams to go with Richa Jackson.

MWC missed a lot of shots it probably hits on other nights. Interesting to see what coach Bode says at halftime and how the girls come out and respond.

1:35 – Less than a half hour away from the start of the 6A girls quarterfinals here at Catoosa. Nice gym, never been here before.

Up first will be the heavily favored Midwest City Bombers against Tulsa Union. As great as MWC is and as much girls basketball I’ve seen this year, this will be the first time I’ve seen Art Bode’s girls.

I’ll try to update here, but I’ll definitely be updating all day on Twitter @BPrzybylo. Ready for the fun to begin.

The Memorial girls were smiling after area. Will they still be after Thursday's showdown with Norman. Photo courtesy of Jana Hill.

Class 6A Boys
Edmond Memorial vs. Midwest City
Prediction: MWC. The Bombers are the scariest team playing right now. Tough draw to get MWC in the quarterfinals. One thing working in Memorial’s favor is having played the Bombers twice already. Always tough to beat a team three times in one season.

Edmond Santa Fe vs. Norman North
Prediction: Santa Fe. It’s a great story what the Timberwolves have done, but this is the year for Santa Fe if ever there has been a year. Too much toughness and a game-changer like Josh Richardson keeps the Wolves bid for a title alive.

Class 6A Girls
Edmond North vs. Norman North
Prediction: Edmond North. The Huskies remember all too well what happened last year against Norman. This team is mentally tougher than most give ‘em credit for, and they’ll show it with a victory here.

Edmond Memorial vs. Norman
Prediction: Memorial. I might have blinders on for this one, but I’ve seen how far the Bulldogs have progressed in the last month. You can wipe out Memorial’s win vs. Norman because it was early in the season and Norman’s win because it was during a brutal stretch. This should be the best first-round game of the tournament.

Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City North
Prediction: Santa Fe. Bankin’ on Courtney Walker to put this team on her shoulders and carry them as far as she can. Getting this first one will be huge. PCN is an extremely dangerous squad right now and again, beating a team three times in one season is not an easy thing to do.

Class 5A Girls
Deer Creek vs. Booker T.
Prediction: BTW. You can’t game plan for championship experience and the two-time defending champions certainly have that on their side. The XFactor if Deer Creek is going to win this game: sophomore Jalyn Jackson, she’ll have to be a force in the post.

Class 4A Boys
Bishop McGuinness vs. Cache
Prediction: Irish. Cache is a great story for reaching this point, but coach Tondrell Durham has been here too many times to be spooked by the moment. Can’t reiterate it enough, but the balance of Kevin Caruthers, Jameel Whitney, Joe Edmonds and Matt Christiansen is going to be tough to take out.

Class 3A Boys
Mt. St. Mary’s vs. Hugo
Prediction: Rockets. Any doubts I had about Lenny Hatchett’s club went right out the window with that statement-making win against Bridge Creek. Vincent Mason and Dalton Newsome can carry this team a long way, and they’re battle-tested.

Class 2A Girls
Christian Heritage vs. Washington
Prediction: Washington. Any other team (just about), and I would pick CHA to earn its first win. But with the tournament experience that Washington has, it is such a tough chore to come out with the victory. Think it helps that it’s the 2 p.m. game, though. No time to think and get nervous.

I’ll be at 6A girls Thursday, and you can follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo. If I’m wrong on the picks, you know I’ll be the first person to make fun of myself for it.

Class 5A Girls quarterfinal
Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
At Sapulpa HS
Deer Creek vs. Booker T.

Gotta admit, never thought coach Annette Kennedy and the Booker T. girls were going to make a return trip to state.

The two-time defending champions just lost so much from last year’s club that I didn’t plan on seeing the Hornets back at state.

But the way they’ve played, they’re a dangerous group, and it’s a tough way for Deer Creek to start its march to a state title.

Said it all year, and it’s been proven time and time again that the strength of the Antlers is how on any given night, a different girl can step up.

But what I’m starting to wonder is if there is a No. 1 option on this team? And can you win without having a No. 1 option?

Senior A.J. Miller is the best scorer, I think. Kelsey Glover does a great job of running the team. The Jackson sisters (Jasey and Jalyn) provide a lot of toughness and freshman Ashley Gibson might end up being the best out of all of them.

Deer Creek has played Harrah twice and Carl Albert and played ‘em tight in all three games despite coming out with an 0-3 record in the contests.

Feels like this should be a semifinal matchup, but alas, it isn’t. Should be a fun one.

Maddie Johnson will need to play a big role if Memorial is going to make a run this week. Photo courtesy of Jana Hill.

Class 6A girls
Thursday, 3:30 p.m.
At Catoosa HS (I’ll be there)
Edmond Memorial vs. Norman

Was doing a little research on the Edmond Memorial girls team and couldn’t believe it’s been six years since their last trip to state.

But after double and triple checking the facts, yeah, it has been that long since Shane Coffey’s girls punched their ticket.

And even after losing five of seven games in a brutal two-week stretch in January, Coffey never doubted that this could be the team to bring ‘em back to state.

A trip out east helped matters, but the Bulldogs are playing so well that I don’t think it really would have mattered where they were sent.

As I said in Monday’s POW post, think senior Maddie Johnson is the key to this team. She’s starting to really play like the way she did before her injury late last year.

It’s a nice blend of good post players and solid guard play and youth and experience.

Very interested to see how Alie Decker handles the state situation. Granted, it’s the first trip for all of ‘em, but Decker is expected to be the No. 1 option for the team.

Memorial beat Norman early in the season while Norman whipped the Bulldogs good during that tough spell for Memorial.

Class 6A girls
Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
At Catoosa HS (I’ll be there)
Santa Fe vs. Putnam City North

Had a chance to visit with coach Paul Bass on Monday afternoon. Doing a big story on Josh Richardson for Thursday’s paper but had time to kill.

Could sense from talking to him and watching the demeanor of the girls, they don’t care that they ‘survived’ last weekend. All they care about is they’re playing Thursday.

- Bass is more and more impressed with freshman Cameerah Graves and her ability to not shy away from the moment. She hit two big 3s in the win against Yukon.

- Don’t worry about sophomore Courtney Walker. “She’s like the Energizer Bunny” Bass said. And even though she missed a couple of free throws down the stretch, she hit THE two that mattered most.

- Though the box isn’t really showing it in terms of production, Bass said the post players are doing a great job on the boards. Players like Sophia Mahmoodjanloo, Arielle Cooper, Tori Lanier and Raven Gonzaque are giving good minutes and producing on the glass.

- Santa Fe would love to be able to play a team it hasn’t seen before. The area battles were against North and Yukon, and the Wolves are now 2-1 vs. North and 3-0 against Yukon.

- Thursday’s battle is against PC North, a team Santa Fe has beaten twice. Qualifying statement on that, of course, is the Panthers didn’t have Joh’Vonna Mitchell in those two games.

- Santa Fe really wants a shot at Midwest City. The teams could potentially meet up Friday night at 9 p.m., if both make the semifinals.

Third time was the charm. Wow, that has got to be one of the oldest cliches in the book. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact it was the charm for the Edmond North girls team.

After being out-muscled, out-worked by Edmond Santa Fe in two prior meetings, it was the Huskies flexing their muscle Thursday.

Leading that charge was junior Elizabeth Donohoe. In a classic shootout against Santa Fe’s Courtney Walker, Donohoe scored 32 points in the win.

North has been labeled ‘mentally weak’ at times the last couple of year, and that’s why I think this win was so huge for the team. This team can’t be in a better mental state of mind than it is right now.

Team has the tools to make a run and last year’s disappointment against Norman is all the motivation the team needs.

North begins play in the state tournament Thursday against Norman North at 7 p.m. at Catoosa HS (I’ll be there for all 6A girls games).

Other contenders

Courtney Walker, Santa Fe, Basketball: Pushed to the brink by Yukon but Wolves survived. Might be the most dynamic player in the state. Santa Fe/Putnam North at 8:30.

Maddie Johnson, Memorial, Basketball: She’s the XFactor for the ‘Dogs. When she is on her game, Memorial is easily one of the best teams in the state. Memorial vs. Norman for the third time at 3:30.

A.J. Miller, Deer Creek, Basketball: Totsy Manning’s girls are headed back to state and if you forced me to pick a go-to girl, it’s Miller. Antlers vs. two-time champs, Booker T., at 8:30 at Sapulpa.

Drew Hall, Santa Fe, Basketball: Not known for his scoring, he came up huge against Mustang and his leadership was vital, coach Shawn Schenk said. Santa Fe vs. Norman North at 2 p.m. at Skiatook.

Jordan Thomas, Memorial, Basketball: Facing an incredible scorer in Enid’s Chris Fitzpatrick, Thomas shut him down as Bulldogs advanced to state. Memorial vs. Midwest City at 8:30 at Skiatook.

Boneman’s note: Because of all the basketball coverage (B-6A), I admit to not having much knowledge at all at how the first week of spring sports went. If you have someone you would like to nominate for a POW from the spring sports, send it along. Appreciate the assistance.

You never know sometimes about undefeated teams. Are they that good, or were they a product of their schedule? And after the Christian Heritage girls lost in regionals, hmm, became skeptical.

But they fought and fought and fought some more. The girls worked their way through the losers’ bracket, a thrilling OT battle with Central Sallisaw and qualified for the state tournament.

The biggest reason is the play of senior Meagan Henson, who has been phenomenal all season. The TCU signee just finds a way to make the big plays.

She was the leading scorer in all three games this week and just has that certain ‘it’ factor that can’t be described or put in a box score.

CHA’s reward for all the battling is a date with perennial power Washington on Thursday at 2 p.m. at State Fair Arena.

Other contenders

Kevin Caruthers, Bishop McGuinness, Basketball: The senior guard was HUGE in the OT win against Woodward. Sometimes he’s a little too unselfish, but he definitely makes this team go. Irish play Cache at 2 p.m. at Oklahoma Christian University.

Elyse Hight, Irish, Basketball: You could argue the girls squad is the best team not playing this, but Hight did everything she could. A 10-point loss to Anadarko and a three-point loss to Clinton ended their season.

Vincent Mason, Mt. St. Mary’s, Basketball: A tough loss against Millwood put the Rockets up against a solid Bridge Creek club that had already beaten ‘em once. Led by Mason and Dalton Newsome, MSM won by 31 points. Rockets take on Hugo at 3:30 p.m. at Moore.

Boneman’s note: Because of all the basketball coverage (B-6A), I admit to not having much knowledge at all at how the first week of spring sports went. If you have someone you would like to nominate for a POW from the spring sports, send it along. Appreciate the assistance.

Class A Girls Championship: Okarche 52, Chattanooga 46

For Robert Przybylo’s championship story, go here.

Video by Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright.

Class B Girls Championship: Boynton 54, Cyril 48

For Jenni Carlson’s piece from Friday, go here.

For Berry Tramel’s piece for Sunday, go here.

For Ryan Aber’s championship story, go here.

Video by Robert Przybylo.

The Boneman’s prediction of six Edmond teams making state has happened. Santa Fe gave everyone a scare as the girls won by one point and the boys needed a huge fourth quarter to put away Mustang. Edmond squads, I’ll see you in Tulsa. Memorial boys didn’t leave any doubt.

Advanced to State
Memorial girls
North girls
Deer Creek girls

Santa Fe
Boys: Wolves def. Mustang (60-50). Advanced to state. Josh Richardson had 16 points as Wolves outscored Broncos by 10 points in fourth quarter to make sure they weren’t a No. 1-ranked team that didn’t make it.
Girls: Wolves def. Yukon (48-47). Advanced to state. Big comeback by Millerettes in fourth quarter, but Courtney Walker and co. survive and that’s the right word.

Memorial
Boys: Bulldogs def. Enid (66-38). Advanced to state. Holding Enid to 38 points, especially with a stud like Chris Fitzpatrick, tells me all I need to know about this Memorial squad.

From one extreme to another if you follow the private school clubs. You’re jumping up and down for Christian Heritage as the girls worked their way back to state. You sigh in disappointment as the Bishop McGuinness girls were knocked off by Clinton. And you do a double-take on the 31-point win for Mt. St. Mary’s over Bridge Creek.

Advanced to State
Bishop McGuinness boys

Bishop McGuinness
Girls: Irish lost to Clinton (56-53). It’s the end of the road for McGuinness in one of the biggest shockers (in my opinion). This team will be back, but it’s a tough way to go out for those seniors.

Mt. St. Mary’s
Boys: Rockets def. Bridge Creek (64-33). Advance to state. In an absolute shocker (not really), it was Vincent Mason (18 pts) and Dalton Newsome (16 pts) leading the charge.

CHA
Girls: Crusaders def. Savanna (65-51). Huge second half has CHA in state tournament. Meagan Henson had 17 points to lead the way.

The only success story Friday was Memorial girls coach Shane Coffey, who got to see the Okarche boys and girls reach the state championship. Santa Fe and Memorial will have to shake off the disappointment if they’re going to make state.

Advanced to state:
Memorial girls
North girls
Deer Creek girls

Santa Fe
Boys: Wolves lost to Midwest City (59-53). Play Mustang at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Choctaw, winner advances to state. Josh Richardson and Mahlon Jones put up the numbers, but the Bombers came up big in the fourth and showed their toughness.
Girls: Play Yukon at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Harrah, winner advances to state.

Memorial
Boys: Bulldogs lost to Muskogee (57-53). Play Enid at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Sapulpa, winner advances to state. Plainsmen are always dangerous as long as Chris Fitzpatrick is around.

Maybe we all found out just how good the Woodward boys are, pushing the Irish to the limit before McGuinness won in overtime. Bids fell short for Irish girls and Mt. St. Mary’s boys.

Bishop McGuinness
Boys: Irish def. Woodward (57-51 OT). Advance to state. Senior guard Kevin Caruthers stepped up in this one, scoring 21 points. Irish were down six entering fourth quarter but found a way.
Girls: Irish lost to Anadarko (64-54). Play Clinton at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Midwest City. Winner advances to state. Theresa Nash and Elyse Hight played well, but Anadarko is dang good team.

Mt. St. Mary’s
Boys: Rockets lost to Millwood (45-42). Play Bridge Creek at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Moore HS. Winner advances to state. Two teams have split fist two meetings this season, each winning by three. As said all week, tough draw for 3A Area I boys.

CHA
Boys: Crusaders lost to Davis (65-56). It’s the end of the road for CHA, but this year was a good learning experience.
Girls: Crusaders def. Crowder (53-17). Play Savanna at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at SE Expo in McAlester, winner advances to state. Good balance for CHA, led by Meagan Henson’s 12 points. Need one more.

Class A girls championship: No. 2 Chattanooga vs. No. 5 Okarche, Saturday at 7 p.m. at State Fair Arena.

A little too busy to continue the blogging we did on the first two days, but here are your scores as we get ready for the Class A girls championship between Chattanooga and Okarche.

Class A Boys: Garber 58, Okarche 33
Class A Girls: Okarche 52, Chattanooga 46
Class B Boys: Roff 51, Red Oak 44
Class B Girls: Boynton 54, Cyril 48

What a day. Fun stuff. Look for videos of all championship games on NewsOK either now or Sunday. A couple are up already.

For full coverage of Chattanooga’s 60-50 win against Calumet, go here.

For full coverage of Okarche’s 47-40 OT win against Seiling, go here.

Class A girls final: No. 2 Chattanooga vs. No. 5 Okarche, 7 p.m., State Fair Arena (I’ll be there).

Really like what I see from the Chatty squad. Right now, senior Ali Brown is the favorite for MVP of the tournament. She’s been outstanding with 47 points in the two games.

Also impressed with how Chatty responded after getting a run for its money by Calumet. Passed that test, too.

For Okarche, it was Brittany Pfaff on Thursday and a combo of Kristen Meyer and Megan Schaefer on Friday.

The Warriors fell in love with their outside shooting early, but it was the work of Schaefer (13 pts) and Meyer (10 pts) in the post that led the way to the victory.

Meyer scored eight of her 10 points in overtime.

Chatty is looking for its first state title EVER while Okarche is looking for its first title since 1982. Should be fun.

Chattanooga will get its shot at a title.

The Lady Warriors sealed their place in the Class A girls state championship game Friday morning, beating Calumet 60-50 at State Fair Arena.

Chattanooga (26-3) will take on the winner of this afternoon’s game between Okarche and Seiling at 7 p.m. Saturday.

If the Lady Warriors win, it would be the first basketball title for Chattanooga.

“It means a lot to have a chance to win a title and it’s even more special that it could be the first,” Chattanooga’s Ali Brown said. “We want this so bad. We’ve been dreaming about it for so long.”

Chattanooga was ranked No. 1 in Class A for much of the season until Calumet jumped ahead in the final poll of the year.

“That motivated us,” Brown said. “We wanted to play them to show who the real No. 1 was.”

The Lady Warriors jumped out to an 18-point lead by early in the second quarter before Calumet settled in.

Calumet’s fans regularly chanted, “We believe,” even with the Lady Chieftains chances appearing very slim.

But Calumet steadily cut into the lead until a 9-0 run midway through the second quarter not only pulled the Lady Chieftains to within single figures for the first time since early on, but pushed Calumet to within four, 52-48.

Chattanooga proved too much, though, hitting its free throws late to keep Calumet from pulling closer.

Brown, who scored 22 in Chattanooga’s first-round win over Copan, had another outstanding performance in the semifinals.

Brown led the Lady Warriors with 25 and added 10 rebounds

Ashley Baughman added 13 for Chattanooga, with seven in the first quarter.

Calumet’s deficit in the first half could’ve been much worse without the emergence of junior Mariah Miles. Miles, who scored just five points in the Lady Chieftains first-round win over Fort Cobb-Broxton, scored 11 in the second quarter alone. She finished with a team-high 20.

“They’re just so quick,” Brown said. “They were tough. But we always believed.”

Katelyn Richardson added 10 for the Lady Chieftains.

Megan Snyder led Calumet with 12 rebounds.

Calumet figures to be a contender for a title next season as well. The Lady Chieftains started three juniors and two sophomores Friday and had just one senior on their roster.

11:05 – Garber wins 74-52, plays Okarche in the finals Saturday at 3 p.m. at State Fair Arena.

10:15 – Garber looking good, leading 34-15 at halftime. The Wolverines had a 23-point lead at one point in the second quarter.

9:20 – Cyril 43, Forgan 26 – Final. Cyril takes on Boynton in the championship at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at State Fair Arena.

Ryan is going to head home, but I’ma stay here for this Garber and Fort Towson battle that is oh, about 10 minutes away.

9:04 – From Robert Przybylo: We’ve hit The Wall here at State Fair Arena. Ryan and myself are still constantly updating Twitter, though.

Boynton used its run-n-gun style of offense to an 81-64 win against Frontier to advance to the Class B girls championship.

Following that was the Okarche boys joining the girls in the Class A championship. Jabe Karr had 25 points in a 65-54 win against Caddo.

And here with less than three minutes left in the fourth, Cyril looks like it will meet Boynton, up 36-26.

Final game of the night Fort Towson vs. Garber, set for 9. Oh wait, it’s already past 9. Told ya, been a long day.

5:12: That was an exciting half of basketball. Boynton is up 50-22 at the break. Branna Hutchinson has 18 and Sherri Lang has 15 (and 5 steals and 5 rebounds).

4:57: This thing’s getting abusrd already. Boynton up 33-12 with 5:33 left in the first half.

4:48: Boynton leads 26-10 after one. Sherri Lang has 11.

4:44: The Cardinals are keeping it up. Boynton up 22-8 with 1:58 left in the first still. This reminds me of the Boynton boys teams in the days of David Belton and David Haynes. Breanna Hutchinson has 9 for Boynton.

4:37: Boynton gets off to a good start. The Lady Cardinals are up 10-5 with 4:45 remaining in the first.

4:30: We’re going to be a little late but not much. Next up: Boynton vs. Frontier

3:21: Roff wins 49-26. Brendan McCurry leads the way with 14.

3:19: Roff now up 49-20, just playing out the string.

3:05: Roff now has 7 3-pointers (4 from Brendan McCurry). The Tigers lead 43-15 two minutes into the fourth.

3:02: Senior R.T. Stoup hit s a 3-pointer right before the buzzer to extend Roff’s lead to 37-15 with eight minutes left.

3:01: Roff now leads 34-15. Looks like Roff-Red Oak for the championship at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. Those two teams met in the area finals, with Roff winning handily.

2:50: Brendon McCurry starts the second half with his third 3-pointer of the game. Roff is up 30-11 now.

2:38: Roff up 25-9 at half. Brenon Barr leads Roff with seven points.

2:21: Roff up 17-6 after one quarter.

2:19: Aaron Cornell hits a 3-pointer and is fouled for Roff. The Tigers are up 17-4 after Cornell’s free throw. Less than a minute left.

2:16: Late in the first quarter of the fourth game of the day, with Roff beating Binger-Oney 11-4 with 1:46 remaining.

1:56: Updated on Twitter but forgot to update here. Okarche wins 47-40 and advances to play Chattanooga tomorrow at 7 p.m.

1:43: Classy move by Seiling’s Kari Trammell. She fouls out with 14 but makes it a point to come over and shake the official’s hand. Okarche up 45-39

1:38: Meyer continues to pile on. She hits another two FTs. Okarche up 45-38 with 1:30 remaining.

1:37: Meyer scored just two points in regulation but has all sixOkarche points in overtime, as she hits a pair from the line to put Okarche up 43-38.

1:36: Kristen Meyer hits another jumper, then Okarche gets the ball right back. Okarche up 41-38 with about 2:20 left in OT.

1:35: Seiling’s Kari Trammell heads to the line for a pair of free throws and a chance to tie it up, but misses the first. Trammell makes the second. 39-38 Okarche with 3:06  left

1:33: Okarche strikes first on Kristen Meyer’s short jumper, 39-37.

1:31 (2): Heading to overtime. 37-37

1:31: Wow. Seiling tunrover. 4.2

1:30: Seiling has the ball, 7.2 seconds left.

1:28: Okarche’s holding for a last shot. Ticking under 30 seconds before a foul call still not in the bonus. 24 seconds left.

1:25: Traded buckets. 37-37 nearing a minute.

1:23: We’re still tied up here, 35-35, with 1:57 to go.

1:13: Okarche has its first lead in awhile as Kristen Meyer hits a layup to put the Lady Warriors up 31-29. But just as quickly, Seiling answers to tie it once more. 7:06 left.

1:11: Great game so far. Okarche 29, Seiling 29 after 3.

12:53 Seiling leads 22-18 at halftime.

12:41: Brooke Edwards’ 3-pointer ties the score 18-18. 2:36 remaining in the first half.

12:37: Seiling taking control in the second, outscoring Okarche 9-2 so far. Seiling leads 18-15, midway through.

12:31: Okarche up 13-9 after one quarter. Macy Kunneman hits three 3-pointers in the quarter and has nine points. As a team, Okarche has four 3-pointers.

12:27: We’re tied 6-6 with 220 left in the first. Macy Kunneman has all six Okarche points.

12:19: We’re underway in the third game of the day. It’s early but Okarche leads Seiling 3-2.

12:05: Sorry for the long delay. Calumet makes a valiant effort but comes up short, as Chattanooga wins 60-50 after cutting it as close as four.

11:12: Chattanooga up 33-20 at the break but Calumet’s Mariah Miles made an impact in the second, scoring 11 points in the frame. Miles had just five points yesterday, four in the fourth quarter.

11:05: Chattanooga up 27-14 with 3:13 left in the half.

10:59: Chattanooga up 23-7 with 6:32 left in the half. Ashley Baughman has 10 already for the Lady Warriors.

10:56: Chattanooga leads 18-7 after one quarter.

10:50: Chattanooga off to a 12-5 lead early in a Class A girls semifinal. 2:41 remaining in the first.

10:22: Red Oak wins 47-46.

10:21: Red Oak’s Dwight Camp hits a jumper to put Red Oak up 47-46. Timeout with 9.4 seconds left.

10:20: Salyer Roebuck hits one to put Hammon up 46-45.

10:19: Hammon misses the front of a 1 and 1, RO gets the rebound but the Eagles quickly turn it over. Now 24.7 seconds left and Hammon going to the line.

10:15: Red Oak’s Jordan Booth ties it at 45 with a pair of FTs. 1:45 remaining. Booth got possession after a Hammon turnover. The Warriors were trying to stall and one of their players stepped out of bounds.

10:11: Red Oak’s Dwight Camp hit s a 3-pointer to pull the Eagles within two at 45-43 with 3:02 remaining. Camp has 18 now.

10:09: Red Oak’s Jordan Booth was just called for an intentional foul on Hammon’s Clay Walker. Booth hooked him around the neck. Walker seems to be OK and hits both free throws to put the Warriors up 45-40 with 3:51 left.

10:01: Red Oak’s Jordan Booth just hit a driving layup (and was fouled), pointed at Dwight Camp, then the scoreboard and said, “We’re coming back, OK?” Hammon up 41-38 with 7:24 remaining.

9:46: Hammon continues its run, with a Salyer Roebuck 3-pointer early in the third. Warriors up 29-25.

9:34: The complaining has died down now, as Hammon has made a nice run, pulling within one on Seyth Roebuck’s 3-pointer, then taking the lead into halftime with a pair of Clay Walker free throws right before the break. Hammon leads 26-25.

9:30: Hammon’s fans are now chanting “Fair game, Fair game.” The officiating has been pretty even on both sides, at least from this viewpoint a few feet in front of them. They disagree. Red Oak up 25-17 now.

9:29: Red Oak’s up 23-17 with 2:17 remaining in the half. Camp hasn’t scored yet this quarter. Colby Walker of Hammon is up to 9 rebounds.

9:22: An observation on the improvements at State Fair Arena. They’re great. But they should’ve left the scoreboards at the ends of the arena. Sure, the overhead board is great, but for fans on the floor (and those of us on press row), the overhead scoreboard isn’t at a great angle.

9:18: Red Oak takes a 17-8 lead heading into the second quarter. Dwight Camp has 10 for the Eagles.

9:13: Well, we’ve heard our first chant of “Call it both ways.” If you had 2:10 of the first quarter in that pool, you’re a winner. Red Oak is up 13-8 but Hammon’s Colby Walker is taking control on the boards, with 7 already.

9:10: We’re here at State Fair Arena bright and early, starting out with Class B boys between Red Oak and Hammon. Red Oak is off to an 8-5 lead midway through the first.

When we were discussing who should go to Tulsa for the 5A-6A tournaments, I chimed in with this: “I’ma nominate myself because six of the Edmond teams should make it.”

Half made it Thursday night as North, Memorial and Deer Creek will all be in Tulsa next week. Santa Fe gets a second crack at it.

Santa Fe
Boys: Wolves plays Midwest City on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Choctaw. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Wolves lost to North (57-50). Second chance at state against Yukon on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Harrah. Wolves didn’t lose this game because of because of Courtney Walker as the sophomore had 31 points in what looks like was an epic showdown against Elizabeth Donohoe.

Memorial
Boys: Bulldogs play Muskogee on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Owasso. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Bulldogs def. Owasso (41-29). Advance to state. Sophomore star Alie Decker and senior Madison Johnson each had 12 points. Coach Shane Coffey gets his wish, and we’ll be able to watch his alma mater, Okarche, in the Class A semifinals.

North
Girls: Huskies def. Santa Fe (57-50). Advance to state. Elizabeth Donohoe was incredible in this game, scoring 32 points. That’s more than what she had in the two games combined against the Wolves earlier this season.

Deer Creek
Girls: Antlers def. El Reno (42-24). Advance to state. Another balanced game by DC as Ashley Gibson and A.J. Miller each had 12 points.

Only one team was in action Thursday in the private school realm, but both Christian Heritage squads have lived to see another day. Girls game sounds like a classic.

Bishop McGuinness
Boys: Irish play Woodward on Friday at 8 p.m. at Midwest City. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Irish play Anadarko on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Midwest City. Winner advances to state.

Mt. St. Mary’s
Boys: Rockets play Millwood on Friday at 8 p.m. at Moore HS. Winner advances to state.

CHA
Boys: Crusaders def. Silo (52-46). Play Davis in an elimination game at SE Expo in McAlester on Friday at 3 p.m.
Girls: Crusaders def. Central Sallisaw (54-51, 3OT). Play Crowder in an elimination game at SE Expo in McAlester on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

For full coverage of Seiling’s 47-37 win against Merritt, go here.

For full coverage of Okarche’s 69-48 win against Howe, go here.

Okarche battles Seiling in a Class A semifinal Friday at noon at State Fair Arena (I’ll be there).

For full coverage of Calumet’s 42-34 win against Fort Cobb-Broxton, go here.

For full coverage of Chattanooga’s 63-46 win against Copan, go here.

No. 1-ranked Calumet takes on No. 2-ranked Chattanooga at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at State Fair Arena.

10:38 - Okarche drains just about every FT it takes en route to a 69-48 win against Howe. Warriors were 31-36 from the line and Brittany Pfaff (25 points) was 13-14 and hit huge ones down the stretch.

9:11 – It was that senior leadership of Seiling that has them moving on as Kari Trammell and Aubrey Colvard were outstanding at different points of the game.

Merritt was feisty but could never make that one big shot to really get Seiling a little nervous.

Here at halftime of the final game, it’s a good one: Okarche 26, Howe 26.

8:43 – Gotta keep it short, but Seiling 47, Merritt 37 is your final.

7:27 – Seiling looked like it was going to run Merritt out of the gym, but the Oilerettes go on a 7-0 run to close first half and trail 24-18.

Seiling has a nice balance right now with Aubrey Colvard making three 3s and Kari Trammell dominating the post with 12 points.

For Merritt, Paige Martindale might be the best talent I’ve seen today. She has 7 points and has missed some bunnies.

Merritt really stepped up the defensive intensity late in the second quarter to make a game of this. Not sure if it can pull off the upset, but Seiling is going to have to fight for it in the second half.

6:07 – Less than an hour away from the second session starting here at State Fair Arena for the Class A girls.

At 7, it’s Seiling vs. Merritt and at 8:30, we have Howe vs. Okarche. For constant updates, follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo.

For full coverage of Calumet’s and Chatty’s win, go here.

5:32 – Chattanooga rolls into the semifinals with a 63-46 victory against Copan.

Chatty senior Ali Brown led all scorers with 22 points while Jaime Brown added 14 for the Warriors.

Copan trailed 36-20 at halftime and got to within 11 in the third but could never get a surge going for a comeback. Ashley Bonham had 14 points for Copan while Kristen Chinn had 13.

4:08 – Twitter is a better option, if you’re looking for updates. Calumet ends game on 9-0 run for 42-34 win against Fort Cobb-Broxton. Focused on Emily Eaton, who had 12 points.

Here at halftime with Chattanooga making a statement with a 36-20 lead against Copan. Chatty actually went on a 20-0 run in this game. You don’t see that too much at the state tournament.

Chatty is impressing me a lot, with great size and solid ball handlers. Great way to start for the Warriors.

2:32 – We’re at halftime with Calumet leading 26-19 against Fort Cobb-Broxton. FCB looked stunned early, trailing 9-0, but the Mustangs are hanging in there.

Calumet is being paced by junior Emily Eaton, who has nine points. Katelyn Richardson and Megan Snyder each for seven points for the Chieftains as well.

A lot of turnovers (sure there are some nerves) in the first half, see if the girls can relax in the second half.

1:20 – Here for Day One of the state basketball tournament. Today camped out for four Class A girls games, starting with Calumet and Fort Cobb-Broxton.

I’ll try to keep ya posted all day here on the blog. And if not here, follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo. We’re less than 40 minutes away.

Alright, I’m asking on my Edmond friends to keep me posted this weekend. I’ll be camped out at State Fair Arena for Class A & B state games, so I’ma miss out on the fun. Six Edmond teams are one win away from state.

Santa Fe
Boys: Wolves plays Midwest City on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Choctaw. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Wolves play Edmond North on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Edmond Memorial. Winner advances to state.

Memorial
Boys: Bulldogs play Muskogee on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Owasso. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Bulldogs plays Owasso on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Tulsa Webster. Winner advances to state.

North
Girls: Huskies play Santa Fe on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial. Winner advances to state.

Deer Creek
Girls: Antlers play El Reno on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Edmond North. Winner advances to state.

Missing out on all the area goodness this weekend as I’ll be at State Fair Arena for Class A and B state tournament games. But I’ll definitely be keepin’ tabs on what is going.

Bishop McGuinness
Boys: Irish play Woodward on Friday at 8 p.m. at Midwest City. Winner advances to state.
Girls: Irish play Anadarko on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Midwest City. Winner advances to state.

Mt. St. Mary’s
Boys: Rockets play Millwood on Friday at 8 p.m. at Moore HS. Winner advances to state.

CHA
Boys: Crusaders play Silo on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the SE Expo in McAlester in an elimination game.
Girls: Crusaders play Central Sallisaw on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the SE Expo in McAlester in an elimination game.

It’s a bad excuse, but until I find a way to be in two places at once, I’ma miss out on some really great moments and games.

That will be the case Thursday night when Santa Fe and Edmond North lock up for the third time this season. And even sweeter is the game will be at Memorial.

It’s a celebration of all things Edmond, no?

Santa Fe has gotten the best of North in the two games this season (I was able to see both of those). The key? Limiting North star Elizabeth Donohoe. Donohoe has still ended up averaging 14 points per game in the two contests (I think), but it hasn’t been pretty.

We all now I’ve harped on how great Santa Fe sophomore Courtney Walker is, but she is taking her game to a place I wasn’t sure she was capable of yet. I’m worried (and have expressed this with coach Paul Bass) that maybe Walker is simply going to burn herself out.

She’s had to carry more of the load because of the loss of Jimi Blagowsky. Cameerah Graves has done an admirable job, but Walker is the focal point of this team in just about every way imaginable.

I think both of these teams will find a way to state, but this game is big for the Huskies’ psyche. It would be tough to be 0-3 against your rival heading into state. Should be yet another fantastic battle.

From talking to coach Jennifer Frakes and a number of the girls on the team, I can sense the excitement. Bishop McGuinness is one win away from earning that berth.

It is not going to be even close to easy with a battle with Anadarko on Friday night. This is a great test for the Irish club as Anadarko is ranked fifth and McGuinness is sixth.

Since that unbelievably great weekend at the Edmond Open in December, McGuinness hasn’t clicked like that since. Frakes said the team has turned it around, thanks in large part to a big win at Union a couple of weeks ago.

The news is just as good for Tondrell Durham’s club. But just like Anadarko is a great test for the girls, where in the world did Woodward come from? That was a statement-making win against John Marshall.

McGuinness seems like it is starting to learn how to make sure everybody gets theirs. That’s not an ego thing, that’s just how the team is going to have to win.

If the Irish have a chance against Star Spencer or Douglass, it has to be because of Kevin Caruthers, Joe Edmonds, Matt Christiansen and Jameel Whitney. Not two or three of the four, need ALL four.

I admit I didn’t really know Memorial girls coach Shane Coffey that well until this season. And now I also admit that I look forward to talking to him as much as possible.

It’s something in the way he delivers his words. You know he believes what he’s saying, and you know how much he loves his kids.

But when his girls lost five of seven games earlier this season, I thought maybe Coffey had blinders on. Nope, turns out he knew exactly what his team is made of.

The Bulldogs have won five in a row, including a great OT win at Union on Saturday. If Memorial can beat Owasso on Thursday, it has punched its ticket to state.

Coffey said it depends from year to year when it comes to going east. He said the different environments help out the kids, and they’re definitely mentally prepared.

Owasso is led by New Mexico signee Morgan Toben. At 6-3, she’s quite the force. Can the trio of Katy Allen, Paige Locke and Alie Decker hold Toben down? When we know Thursday’s result, think we’ll have our answer on that one.

Coffey is also an Okarche graduate, and he said he’ll be keepin’ tabs on the Okarche boys and girls clubs. Ideally, ‘we can take care of business Thursday, and then I could come back and watch them Friday.’

Coffey said he’s proud of the way his girls stayed strong during the struggles, but I think a lot of that comes from him never losing his confidence in those girls. This is a team that is really coming together at the right time. You love seeing a team find its rhythm at this time of year.

WEST

At Carl Albert
Lawton MacArthur vs. Northwest
Carl Albert vs. Capitol Hill

At Western Heights
Ada vs. Ardmore
Western Heights vs. Guthrie

At El Reno
Altus vs. Duncan
El Reno vs. Chickasha

At Deer Creek
Southeast vs. Durant
Deer Creek vs. Noble

EAST

At Tulsa East Central
Skiatook vs. Tulsa Kelley
Tulsa East Central vs. Tulsa Hale

At Tulsa Edison
Claremore vs. Tulsa Rogers
Tulsa Edison vs. Pryor

At Tulsa Memorial
Coweta vs. Collinsville
Tulsa Memorial vs. Tahlequah

At Tulsa Washington
Grove vs. McAlester
Tulsa Washington vs. Tulsa Central

EDIT: I’ve got to get this in above the jump: I messed up in my Class 2A rankings this week. I initially (and in Sunday’s paper) had Washington above Lindsay. Lindsay beat Washington comfortably during the regular season in a win that started the Leopards on a 7-1 run that has them going to Heritage Hall for a second-round playoff game.

Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#11-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#10-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#9-2
4. Southmoore (4)#10-1
5. Midwest City (5)#9-2
6. Bartlesville (6)#9-2
7. Lawton (8)#9-2
8. Edmond Memorial (9)#8-3
9. Putnam North (10)#7-4
10. Mustang (7)#7-4

The top six teams here all win and remain the same. I seriously considered switching Southmoore and Midwest City and would’ve if the Bombers would’ve been more convincing in their win. Mustang drops from No. 7 to 10 after a 38-7 loss to Edmond Memorial. Lawton and Edmond Memorial each moved up a spot. Putnam North, despite the loss, moved up a spot to No. 9.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#11-0
2. El Reno (2)#11-0
3. Shawnee (3)#11-0
4. Carl Albert (5)#9-2
5. Tulsa East Central (6)#10-1
6. McAlester (7)#10-1
7. Tulsa Washington (4)#5-5*
8. Bixby (9)#7-4
9. Tulsa Central (8)#8-3
10. Guthrie (NR)#7-4
*Three games forfeited.

I said last week that Tulsa Washington would’ve move up and after Carl Albert put it to Lawton MacArthur tonight, the Titans make the jump over the Hornets, as do Tulsa East Central and McAlester. I think that’s about as low as the Hornets are going to fall, though, unless Bixby or Guthrie goes on to win the title. Bixby moves up a spot while Tulsa Central falls one spot to No. 9. Guthrie makes its first appearance in the rankings since early in the season after a 20-12 win over Duncan. I still think Tulsa Central’s overall resume is a bit better than Guthrie’s, so for right now, the Braves stay ahead. But a strong performance next week could change that, even in a lott.

Class 4A
1. Weatherford (1)#11-0
2. McGuinness (2)#9-2
3. Douglass (3)#8-3
4. Star Spencer (4)#9-2
5. Sallisaw (6)#10-1
6. Glenpool (5)#9-2
7. Broken Bow (7)#8-3
8. Wagoner (8)#8-3
9. Oologah (10)#8-3
10. Poteau (9)#8-3

The top four star the same as the three 4A-1 teams at the top all win. Sallisaw leaps Glenpool, though I don’t drop the Warriors much after they lose a second consecutive game because they did hold Douglass to 14 points. The reasoning there is the same I used not to drop Star, Douglass and McGuinness much after their losses during the season. Poteau hangs onto a top 10 spot despite a 35-7 loss to Oologah. Considered moving Collinsville in after its loss to Sallisaw but Collinsville did lost five games.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#10-0
2. Tuttle (2)#11-0
3. Berryhill (5)#9-2
4. Clinton (6)#8-3
5. Sequoyah Claremore (7)#9-2
6. Purcell (9)#9-2
7. Blanchard (10)#8-3
8. Madill (3)#10-1
9. Metro Christian (4)#10-1
10. Dewey (NR)#7-4

Some shakeup here as Madill and Metro Christian were both upset. Both fall six spots, while Berryhill, Clinton and Sequoyah Claremore move up two each. Purcell and Blanchard jump three each while Dewey’s win over Metro puts it in the rankings for the first time. But Dewey’s four losses keep it behind Metro in the overall picture.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#10-1
2. Davis (2)#11-0
3. Millwood (4)#10-1*
4. Kingfisher (6)#9-2
5. Bridge Creek (7)#10-1
6. John Marshall (8)#9-2
7. Heritage Hall (10)#7-4
8. Pawhuska (NR)#9-2
9. Lindsay (NR)#7-4**
10. Washington (NR)#7-4**

*Includes forfeit win over Jones
**Rankings changed after published in the paper. Lindsay and Washington switched.

A lot of shakeup here after Sequoyah Tahlequah’s perfect regular season ends and Vian and Plainview unexpectedly lose in the first round. Millwood jumps up a spot, Kingisher, Bridge Creek and John Marshall up two, Heritage Hall up three. Pawhuska, Washington and Lindsay all enter the rankings after impressive first-round wins.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#11-0
2. Ringling (2)#10-0
3. Hennessey (3)#11-0
4. Stroud (4)#11-0
5. Talihina (5)#11-0
6. Cashion (6)#11-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (7)#10-1
8. Central Sallisaw (8)#10-1
9. Watonga (9)#9-2
10. Velma-Alma (NR)#9-2

Easy top nine here as they all won. OCS drops out after its 7-0 loss to Oklahoma Bible but it wasn’t an easy decision. In the Saints’ place got Velma-Alma, which won its sixth consecutive game with a 48-0 win over Hollis. That’s also six consecutive games of 46 points or more for the Comets.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#11-0
2. Canton (2)#10-1
3. Porter (3)#11-0
4. Ryan (4)#11-0
5. Davenport (5)#10-1
6. Depew (6)#9-2
7. Laverne (10)#7-4
8. Kiefer (NR)#9-2
9. Caddo (7)#8-3
10. Weleetka (9)#6-5

Laverne moves up three spots with a 50-48 win over Caddo. Kiefer moves back in with a bounceback 43-6 blowout win over Gans. Caddo falls two spots and Weleetka one with their losses.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#11-0
2. Timberlake (2)#11-0
3. Seiling (4)#10-1
4. Deer Creek-Lamont (6)#9-2
5. Tipton (7)#9-2
6. Waynoka (8)#8-2
7. Covington-Douglas (9)#7-4
8. Forgan (NR)#7-4
9. Temple (3)#9-2
10. Maud (5)#10-1

Some big shuffling here as Temple’s loss to Waynoka drops it way down while Maud also drops heavily after losing to Covington-Douglas. Forgan moves into the rankings after a win over Victory Life.

By Ryan Aber