It is that time of season and we have finally reached the State Tournament and congratulations, You have made it to the big house! Follow along as I preview the State Tournament matchups and hear from the coaches as they give their thoughts.
#1 Bethany vs #8 Tuttle
Thursday at 9:00am
Last Appearance: Bethany (Second consecutive) Tuttle (Fourth consecutive since 2020)
Bethany’s road to the big house
Last year was our very first year to make it to State. To say we were nervous would have been an understatement. We didn’t know what to expect! We didn’t know about the grind mentally and physically that it takes to battle through the bracket. We were successful!!! This year we have more experience returning the top 7 girls in our title run from last year. So I feel like they have a better grasp about what it takes to make a deep run. This has been an action packed season for us. We ramped up our schedule because we knew we needed to push ourselves out of our comfort zone. We have learned a lot and have gotten stronger because of it. Playing some of the best teams in the state, region, and nation has prepared us for this run. District Champs was different because Clinton forfeited because they had too many injuries. Regionals we matched up against Elk City, who is a conference foe. We know them and they know us well. We shot the ball lights out that night. Regional Championship vs #16 Purcell. They play fast and make or miss they are pushing the ball up the floor. They provided a little different challange then Elk. I was proud of how Kayten Donley played that game. She really stepped up and showed her heart that game. Area Championship was vs #5 Stilwell. A senior lead team! They have beaten some of the best teams around this year. They get up in you and play great pressure defense. Zya and Keziah hit some big shots to help build our lead. Even though we were up 26 at half we knew Stilwell was not going to lay down. They came out and gave us their best shot. We answered and were able to maintain our lead at the end. Our team is excited about the opportunity at hand. I believe they are tunnel focused on the end goal of winning state. I just hope they don’t forget to enjoy the ride! This does not happen often. It will be only the second time in our schools history!!! said Bethany coach Eric Sailer.
Tuttle’s road to the big house
I would just say that making it to the state tournament was our biggest team goal this year and our girls worked relentlessly to try to achieve it. We played a tough regular season schedule that really battle tested us and prepared us to face top level competition. We played 8 weeks of the season without one of our starters who had been injured, and during that time our team really came together and worked and fought for a lot of good wins. We had some bench players step up to keep our run alive and they gained valuable experience that helped us come playoffs. Then when it came to playoff time, I was proud of our fight against a really tough Lincoln team in area final. After the loss, we could have folded yesterday, but our defense was so locked in, and we just scrapped for 32 minutes and came out on top. To go through all of that and to come out as a state qualifier feels really wonderful. Also the fact that it has been five years in a row is a statement that our program is one of the most competitive 4A programs in the state, and we hope to continue that run in future years! The girls are excited and we are just glad we get to play another week of basketball! said Tuttle coach Jamie Combs. The Lady Tigers began their road to the big house with a 57-28 win over Ada in districts, Defeated Broken Bow 73-45 and Plainview 49-30 to advance to area, Fell to #2 Lincoln Christian 41-31 but bounced back against #10 Kingfisher 44-29 to advance to the state tournament.
#6 Inola vs #16 Douglass
Thursday at 10:30am
Last Appearance: Inola (1996) Douglass (2012)
Inola’s road to the big house
I just felt we needed to take each game one at a time. We felt we didn’t get much respect from other 4A teams throughout the year. So we used that as motivation. For our program, we have expectations of competing each year. It was hard losing our PG mid season to a knee injury. But we found a way and that’s what good teams have to do said Inola coach Travis Wheeler. The Lady Longhorns began their road to the big house with a 68-33 win over Jay in districts, Defeated Vinita 57-35 but fell to #9 Locust Grove 63-56 in regionals, Defeated #14 Verdigris 49-36, Madill 62-44 and #4 Ft. Gibson 57-51 in overtime in area to advance to the state tournament.
Douglass road to the big house
The experience and the road have not all been easy in any fashion. “But God” has his hand around us. I have not taken it easy on the Ladies at DHS, which coming in to a unfamiliar environment on others’ territory with my Coaching style was Supported not just from Admin but others who were hopeful that they could see a positive change In all lanes. We all know that could be dangerous and not accepting. Some made it, and some did not. But the ladies that remain have been working and striving for Greatness! The athletes Road has been nothing short of hard work & dedication. They have been committed to doing whatever it takes to punch their ticket! In the meantime not being ranked the first 4 week and then to come in ranked 20, has given more motivation to not just earn respect that they deserve and have worked for but to continue to write their story. Tunnelvision has been one of the mottos for this season and we as a team and coaching staff will continue to stay level headed, focus on the task in front of us while having continued prayer for God to keep his hand covering our moments of success for this foundation, supporters, and Team said Douglass coach Latesha Woods. The Lady Trojans began their road to the big house with a 93-2 win over Astec Charter in districts, Defeated Tecumseh 79-33 and #3 Glenpool 57-50 to advance to area and defeated #6 Anadarko 49-38 to advance to the state tournament.
#5 Stilwell vs #2 Lincoln Christian
Thursday at 12:00pm
Last Appearance: Stilwell (2022) Lincoln Christian (Third consecutive since 2021)
Stilwell’s road to the gold bal
This group of seniors were sophomores when they went to state last time, so they have had a goal to return to state all season and have worked hard to get there. We played a tough schedule this season, facing many ranked teams, which has prepared our ladies to get in there and battle every game. They are excited to get back to state and get to compete against these top teams in 4A said Stilwell coach Terry Sweeney. The Lady Indians began their road to the big house with a 57-21 win over Sallisaw in districts, Defeated Poteau 70-44 and #11 Wagoner 45-44 to advance to area, Lost to #1 Bethany 72-45 but bounced back against #11 Wagoner 53-32 to advance to the state tournament.
Lincoln Christian’s road to the big house
This year has been very different for our kids. We play a lot of kids first of all and many of them are very young. We could have 3 sophomores and a freshman on the floor at times. We have had a critical piece to our team battling injuries for most of the season. So now that we are healthy and a little more seasoned here towards the end of the year it has been both fun and challenging to find the right combo of kids. I continue to be humbled by the “team first” mentality of this group. They works so hard! They rebound like mad men and scrap to make every 50/50 ball seem more like a 70/30 ball. I cannot be more proud of this group of kids! said Lincoln Christian coach Melody Stewart. The Lady Bulldogs started their road to the big house with a 66-22 win over Harrah in districts, Defeated Skiatook 69-26 and #18 Mannford 48-32 to advance to area and defeated #8 Tuttle 41-31 to advance to the state tournament.
#9 Locust Grove vs #3 Glenpool
Thursday at 1:30pm
Last Appearance: Locust Grove (2017) Glenpool (Second consecutive)
Locust Grove’s road to the big house
Our road to the big house has been such a fun ride. We are a young team with a young coaching staff and we all learned together all year long. The girls have grown in so many ways throughout the season to get here and have really bought in to the program, to themselves, and most importantly to each other. Their passion for the game is something we have worked to pull out of them this year and it’s so fun to watch. Asking freshman, sophomores and juniors with limited court time to be leaders can be difficult, but they stepped up to the challenge and have been great leaders. They are such a fun group of girls to coach and I am so blessed to be apart of their journey! We have prepared for this all year long, but have worked hard to be where our feet are and take it one day at a time, but never be satisfied. It’s a huge accomplishment for us to go to state for the first time since 2017. We have talked about that state tournament team a lot this year, hung up posters of that team in the locker room, and also got together on a weekend to watch their games. Their passion, encouragement, teamwork, every girl knowing & doing their job is something we have wanted to take from that team & use in our program said Locust Grove coach Lexi Gragg. The Lady Pirates began their road to the big house with a 76-48 win over Checotah in districts, Defeated Madill 50-18 and #6 Inola 63-56 to advance to area and defeated #4 Ft. Gibson 52-46 to advance to the state tournament.
Glenpool’s road to the big house
After making the state tournament last year for the first time in school history in 5v5 girls basketball, we came into this year with a different mindset. Last year we were very young, and spent the year getting better each game out. This year we are still young, but after that experience last year we had a new confidence about ourselves. We approached this season believing we are one of the best teams in the state. After hitting a setback in the regional finals, we had a very tough road ahead of us. We had to beat three quality teams in three days to make it. I am so proud of the girls for the grit and determination they showed. But we are not satisfied. We want to be there on championship Saturday this year! said Glenpool coach Bobby Belveal. The Lady Warriors began their road to the big house with a 66-57 win over McLoud in districts, Defeated Berryhill 84-44 but fell to #16 Douglass 57-50 in the regional final, Defeated #13 Duncan 46-22, #12 Classen SAS 52-40 and #6 Anadarko 51-37 to win three in a row and advance to the state tournament.
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