It is that time of season and we have finally reached the State Tournament and congratulations to all the teams that have made it back to the state tournament. Follow along as I preview the State Tournament matchups and hear from the coaches as they give their thoughts. The quarterfinals, semifinals and the state championship will be at Shawnee High School
#1 Oktaha vs Sallisaw Central
Thursday at 11:00am
Last Appearance: Oktaha (Eighth consecutive since 2016) Sallisaw Central (First since 2008)
Oktaha’s road to state
Oktaha’s playoffs began with wins over Hennessey 22-3 and Morrison 12-0 and 16-1 to advance to the state tournament
Our philosophy is to play as tough of a schedule throughout the year as we can to prepare us for this upcoming week. We never take getting to the state tournament for granted, it is always such a grind throughout the year. There is so much to it… from staying healthy, to finding the right combination for success throughout the year. These guys have been so selfless, doing whatever is needed for the team to succeed. We have a really good family vibe as a team right now. Nobody cares who gets the credit as long as we win! said Oktaha coach Kevin Rodden.
Sallisaw Central’s road to state
Sallisaw Central’s playoffs began with a loss to Warner 2-1 but back to back wins 6-4 and 12-7 in districts, Defeated Calera 7-2, Coalgate 4-3 in extra innings and Calera again 2-1 to advance to the state tournament
Honestly, We prepped all season for a regional run. We played a 3&4A schedule & 5 tournaments. We played our Districts on the road at Warner which was an extremely tough draw. We have not had an easy journey and we anticipate playing the #1 or #2 team in the state 1st rd of the state tournament. We feel very blessed to make the state tournament for the 6th time in our programs history & are actually wearing the 2008 teams jerseys. It’s part of our team living up to the logo at Central. We’re very proud to represent the history & tradition of Central Public Schools said Sallisaw Central coach Wes Green.
#5 Preston vs #4 Wister
Thursday at 1:30pm
Last Appearance: Preston (Second consecutive) Wister (Third consecutive since 2021)
Preston’s road to state
Preston’s playoffs began with wins over Chelsea 13-1 and 10-2 in districts, Defeated Wyandotte 15-4 and Chouteau-Mazie 16-0 and 10-0 to advance to state
The road to the state tournament is always tough, especially with our basketball team’s success of being in the state tournament and getting kids back to baseball much later than most schools. This group had the expectations of making its 3rd straight state tournament appearance dating back to last spring but not to just get there but give themselves a chance to be playing on Saturday. We all know who the two favorites are but after this past weekends class A state tournament we are reminded that anything can happen. This team has had to make some major adjustments since the fall, but they’ve done just that and I’m most proud of them for that. We’ve got an excellent core of young players and a great group of seniors as well. These guys have turned it on at the right time and are ready to go make a run said Preston coach Ryan Hudson.
Wister’s road to state
Wister’s playoffs began with wins over Wewoka 16-1 and 13-1 in districts, Defeated Pocola 5-2, Wilburton 6-0 and Walters 19-0 to advance to the state tournament.
#3 Cashion vs #6 Latta
Thursday at 4:00pm
Last Appearance: Cashion (Fourth consecutive since 2021) Latta (First since 2022)
Cashion’s road to state
Cashion’s playoffs began with wins over Hobart 16-0 and 13-0 in districts, Defeated Merritt 10-0 and Hartshorne 10-0 and 9-0 to advance to the state tournament.
We knew we were going to be good this year after last years semi final run. We only lost 1 senior from last year and brought back all our pitching. To be honest this is the first year I haven’t really been worried about making the state tournament. We knew would would be here. This year has been fun. A lot of fun guys who like to compete. The biggest problem was that we can only get 9 guys on the field. We have a lot of young talented kids and the future is bright for cashion baseball. Our pitching has been excellent this year along with our defense. We struggled a little offensively early. Couldn’t get some timely hits or half of the lineup would be hot and the other half cold. But I like we’re we are at right now and feel good about our offense, pitching and defense. Everyone in the state tournament is good or they wouldn’t be there. I think we have as good as shot as anybody. I love our guys and I know they are going to show up and compete. Excited about this state tournament said Cashion coach Blake Mounce.
Latta’s road to state
Latta’s playoffs began with wins over Meeker 10-0 and 5-2 in districts, Defeated Oklahoma Union 14-6 and Ketchum 9-1 and 13-1 to advance to the state tournament.
Anytime you make the state tournament it’s special. It’s a testament to our players, their parents, our support from the administration, and our entire school. There are a lot of great programs and great coaches in our class, so to be in the final 8 isn’t easy. Last spring, we were 1 run away. The entire team remembered this whole year how that felt, being so close and not making it. I believe it played a big role in keeping our guys focused and motivated throughout the ups and downs that any baseball season inevitably brings. This spring, we started kind of slow, then played really well in the middle of the season before getting bit by the injury bug. We have dealt with more than our fair share of injuries this spring but the guys never batted an eye, they picked each other up and never stopped competing for one another. We are playing our best baseball at the right time which is something we as coaches try to instill. We play a tough schedule to give us the best opportunity for success come playoff time. We feel it’s necessary to put ourselves in tough games/environments during the season so that when playoffs roll around, we can stay calm. We have 6 seniors: Kaleb Goodwin, Holden Lee, Andrew Morrow, Hunter Price, Zeagan Stewart, and Landon Wolfe. They are an incredible group of young men who are intentional about how they lead and the legacy they want to leave behind. I’m excited for them that they get to end their career at Latta in the state tournament. Cashion is a great team led by a great coach in Blake Mounce. We are excited for the challenge and excited for the opportunity to be playing the last week of the season said Latta coach Dillon Atkinson.
#2 Dale vs #7 Panama
Thursday at 6:30pm
Last Appearance: Dale (31nd consecutive since 1993) Panama (First since 2018)
Dale’s road to state
Dale’s playoffs began with wins over Pawnee 11-1 and 11-4 in districts, Defeated Quapaw 32-3 and Davis 12-2 and 21-8 to advance to the state tournament.
Our road to the state tournament was to play a tough schedule to help prepare us this upcoming week. We started out 0-3, and the boys continued to improve and get better each game. Since going 0-3, we have won 26 out of 27 games. We played 11-12 teams that made or will make their state tournament, this has prepared us for what’ss ahead. We are very excited about the opportunity ahead, We believe hard work and winning are Expectations at Dale. So advancing to the State Tournament 31 consecutive times is a privilege of the tradition here at Dale said Dale coach Jimmy Harris.’We started out 0-3, and the boys continued to improve and get better each game. Since going 0-3, we have won 26 out of 27 games. We played 11-12 teams that made or will make their state tournament, this has prepared us for whats ahead. We are very excited about the opportunity ahead, We believe hard work and winning are Expectations at Dale. So advancing to the State Tournament 31 consecutive times is a privilege of the tradition here at Dale said Dale coach Jimmy Harris.
Panama’s road to state
Panama’s playoffs began with wins over Okemah 17-0 and 10-0 in districts, Defeated Fairview 10-2, Tonkawa 10-0, Lost to Dibble 12-10 but bounced back in the if game 12-2 to advance to the state tournament.
Our goal to start the year was to compete for a state title, we won the LeFlore county tournament for the 2nd time in school history, we also did in 2018. Smithville tournament champions, beat Fairview, Tonkawa, and Dibble to win regionals. Beat Okemah to win districts. Current record is 26-5. All coaches, players, parents, and fans are very excited to be in the state tournament for the 3rd time in school history.(2001,2018,2024). Our reaction was of course excitement, lots of hugs and congratulations for all the players. Very good group of young men that are very deserving and will be ready to compete for the title said Panama coach Chris Gollihare.
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