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 Weatherford vs #14 Stilwell
Thursday at 4:30pm
Last Appearance: Weatherford (Third consecutive) Stilwell (Second consecutive)
Weatherford’s road to the big house
We are 26-1 heading into the state tournament. We have had a lot of anticipation for this season and getting back to the state tournament after losing in the state finals last year. We return everyone off of last year’s team so we are looking forward to the opportunity this week. It is the first time in school history Weatherford boys have made the state tournament 3 years in a row. It’s a great accomplishment for our program said Weatherford coach Derrick Bull. The Eagles started their road to the big house with a 65-34 win over Woodward in districts, Defeated Mannford 82-33 and #16 Community Christian 63-35 in regionals and #8 Blanchard 69-45 in area to advance to the state tournament.
Stilwell’s road to the big house
The Indians started their road to the big house with a 81-31 win over Sallisaw, Defeated Stigler 61-49 but fell to #3 North Rock Creek 63-49 in regionals, Defeated #7 Bethany 49-42, Bishop McGuiness 56-41 and #20 Newcastle 36-35 to advance to the state tournament.
#5 Anadarko vs #10 Tulsa McLain
Thursday at 6:00pm
Last Appearance: Anadarko (2019) Tulsa McLain (2018)
Anadarko’s road to the big house
Anadarko played Chickasha – District, Marlow and Classen SAS in Regional, Lost to Douglass and defeated Sequoyah-Claremore in Area. Will face an outstanding Tulsa McLain team in State. We are 23-5 on the season. Last time at the State Tournament 2019 said Anadarko coach Doug Schumpert.
Tulsa McLain’s road to the big house
I’ve got a good group of young guys that out of all five starters only one played significant minutes last season, They enjoy playing with each other and well respect each other, KJ Nichols was leading scorer and only returning starter from last season, This group of guys believes they can win it all, Four guys average double figures on the year said Tulsa McLain coach Randy Rutherford. The Titans started their road to the big house with a 44-34 win over Verdigris in districts, Defeated Muldrow 61-52 and Ft. Gibson 53-41 in regionals and #11 Inola 56-51 in area to advance to the state tournament.
#8 Blanchard vs #2 Douglass
Thursday at 7:30pm
Last Appearance: Blanchard (2022) Douglass (Second consecutive)
Blanchard’s road to the big house
Well we went in to districts ranked 8th and beat Kingfisher at their place. We then hosted Regionals where we beat Plainview 20 plus and Tuttle by 11 to win the Regional Championship. Then on to Hennessy where we ran in to #1 Weatherford in the Area Championship game and lost to them 69-45. But bounced back in the Area Consolation Finals to beat Ada 73-44 to punch that glorious ticket!!! It was a gratifying feeling to make it back after losing 7 returning seniors last year on a state tourny team the year before that. Only had two players back this year. So it’s an unbelievable testimony to these kids that had the desire to do what it would take to make it back. Very grateful to be back (Three out of last four years) said Blanchard coach Jeff Word.
Douglass road to the big house
The Trojans began their road to the big house with with a 89-4 win over Astec Charter in districts, Defeated Tecumseh 93-51 and #12 Sequoyah Claremore 84-44 in regionals and #5 Anadarko 67-25 to advance to the state tournament. The Trojans are the defending Class 4A state champions.
#3 North Rock Creek vs #4 Perkins-Tryon
Thursday at 9:00pm
Last Appearance: North Rock Creek (Second consecutive) Perkins-Tryon (First in school history)
North Rock Creek’s road to the big house
We had a goal of getting back to the State Tournament this year and it was at the forefront of our kids minds. At the very beginning of the year SR sharp shooter Devon Haney told me we will be in the State Tournament again coach, and I said I know we can. We’ve played well all year with the exception of three losses. We lost SR David King to a broken wrist in the McLoud game and everyone stepped up and we continued our success. David was released this week to play again and he was a huge part of our win last night in the Area Finals. Caleb Hawkins is a next level athlete with several D1 colleges watching his football career. That athleticism is key to our success on the court. This is only the third year we have had a full high school and we’ve been blessed to make it to the big house twice in our infancy. We just have determined kids that try everyday to do what is right on and off the court in this tough world. I am very proud of their endurance. Sr Seven Cawvey, Jr Cason Coomer, Jr JJ McClain, and Sophomores Memphis Burdine and Jace Plumb were all huge parts of our playoff success as well. Our whole team from bench players to starters have all bought in and know that they are all equally important to our team. We are looking forward to playing in the big house and taking it one game at a time said North Rock Creek coach Evan Smith. The Cougars road to the big house began with a 79-43 win over Bristow in districts, Defeated Wagoner 62-47 and #14 Stilwell 63-49 in regionals and #20 Newcastle 62-57 in area to advance to the state tournament.
Perkins-Tryon’s road to the big house
Our road was tough. Beat Cleveland in the district then had to travel to Ft. Gibson for first round of regionals. Ran into a GREAT team and they beat us. Came back & won five straight – beat Verdigris, Hilldale, Madill, Ft. Gibson, & Inola. We really came together as a team and went on a heck of a run. Anticipation is high. Something we’ve strived to do all year and we got it done. The reaction of our team and community was incredible. It’s a really big deal to be the first time in school history to make it. Our community understood how big of a moment is was and really showed out tonight said Perkins-Tryon coach Dylan Parker.
The OKPreps Rundown 
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