It is that time of season and we have finally reached the State Tournament and congratulations, You have made it to the big house! This is the last year at the big house before the new arena is open so let’s make this the best one yet! Follow along as I preview the State Tournament matchups and hear from the coaches as they give their thoughts.
Class B Girls
#2 Hammon vs #11 Leedey
Wednesday at 4:30pm
Last Appearance: Hammon (Fifth consecutive) Leedey (First since 2023)
Hammon’s road to the gold ball started with a win over Taloga 91-20 in districts, Wins over Ft. Cobb-Broxton 53-27 and Canton 51-18 to clinch regionals and defeated Chattanooga 44-17 in the area finals to advance to state. Leedey’s road to the gold ball started with a win over Kremlin-Hillsdale 59-19 in districts, A win over Timberlake 55-27 but fell to Arnett 53-47 in the regional championship but won three straight over Shidler 61-40, Frontier 55-35 and Lomega 40-39 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
HAMMON head coach Clay Conley
It’s been an exciting year for us, we’ve had the privilege of playing in the TOC and playing other really tough teams all year and I think that’s really helped us get to where we are right now! We played Taloga in districts defeating them 91-20, then played a well coached Ft. Cobb squad defeating them 52-27, Regional Finals was Canton and that’s when I feel like we really turned it on defensively we defeated them 51-18 advancing to the area finals vs. another really well coached team in chatty defeating them 44-17. The anticipation of the state tournament is always exciting, but this year we were anxious to get back so we had a chance to redeem ourselves from a year ago! I think the reaction to making state for the fourth consecutive was just as it would have been making it for the first time it’s a huge accomplishment, and super exciting! Happy for my girls, and excited for next week!
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
As a player: being apart of the 2013 Roland team that played Douglass in the state finals, I was a sophomore that year it was unbelievable to witness first hand! My best memory is hard to say, but as a coach it was getting to coach there for the first time and experiencing that was unreal! Every year is so special!
LEEDEY head coach Leah Beer
Honestly this has been such an incredible journey to the Big House this year!! So many great teams in our region and area and just to come thru victorious is nothing short of a miracle and we give all credit and glory to GOD🙏🏻 my team is so excited and they have come some far this season improving each and every game. The OSSAA is honoring the Leedey High School Girls State Basketball Championship team of 1955 this year at the Big House.. 70 years and with us punching our ticket they will be recognized during our game on Wednesday and I think that is an amazing historical thing.
#9 Whitesboro vs #7 Kiowa
Wednesday at 6:00pm
Last Appearance: Whitesboro (First since 2022) Kiowa (Second consecutive)
Whitesboro’s road to the gold ball started with wins over Graham-Dustin 71-16 and Kinta 77-35 in districts, Wins over Moyers 77-35 and Varnum 66-25 in regionals, Fell to Lookeba-Sickles 40-35 but bounced back over Dover 44-40 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Kiowa’s road to the gold ball started with wins over Springer 72-34 and Soper 63-22 in districts, Wins over Maysville 59-38 and Stringtown 52-30 in regionals and Smithville 56-22 in area to advance to the state tournament.
WHITESBORO head coach Shane Putman
Losses to Smithville, Lookeba , Two 2A schools and one 3A, Madison is only girl left over from 4 years ago. Girls have really improved and fought adversity the whole season. Playing our best basketball.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Well. I have been there as a player, asst coach, and girls coach. Also coached boys to state tourney but didn’t get to play in the big house. I’d say my best memory is the just the fact that when you you run, walk or trot on that floor your hair stands up on on the back of your neck!
KIOWA head coach Keith Quaid
We have played well in the playoffs especially on defense holding our opponents to 29.1 points per game. We have won every game by 20 plus points on our playoff run. Most of my players are returning from last season and have our eye on a state championship.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Just that we were able to play in the arena. Thankful that my kids were able to experience that atmosphere.
#3 Lookeba-Sickles vs #5 Chattanooga
Wednesday at 7:30pm
Last Appearance: Lookeba-Sickles (Sixth consecutive) Smithville (First since 2019)
Lookeba-Sickles began their road to the gold ball with wins over Carney 76-11 and Geary 68-18 in districts, Wins over Dover 65-31 and Wilson Henryetta 62-41 in regionals and Whitesboro 40-35 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Chattanooga began their road to the gold ball with a win over Grandfield 70-21 in districts, Wins over Geronimo 46-38 and Mt. View-Gotebo 49-34, Fell to Hammon 44-17 but bounced back with an overtime win over Geronimo 50-43 to advance to the state tournament.
LOOKEBA-SICKLES head coach Lance Scales
Really like our team, we’ve got a good blend of athleticism, quickness, shooting and we defend well. Got pretty good balance with this group. Gave AmPo their only loss of the season and lost to Cyril, the only team to beat us.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
It’s always fun getting there and playing with so many fans and memories. Getting to finals last year gave us confidence and hopefully we can get back.
CHATTANOOGA head coach Billy Karr
The community is very excited to be back in OKC!! 10 years seems to long for a place like chatty!! So we are excited to be back!!! We have had a great year only losing to 2A Walters and to Hammon in the Area championship. But we found a way to come back and get the win against a tough Geronimo team Saturday night to punch our ticket!!
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Oh man I have had so many it would be hard to narrow it down to one. This will actually be my first time to coach in the big house as a head coach though!! Better late than never!!
Arnett vs Smithville
Wednesday at 9:00pm
Last Appearance: Arnett (Second consecutive) Smithville (First since 2019)
Arnett’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Felt/Yarbrough 91-10 and Beaver 67-31 in districts, Wins over Frontier 60-50 and Leedey 53-47 in regionals and Lomega 61-46 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Smithville’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Leflore 74-37 in districts, Wins over Asher 58-35 and Buffalo Valley 55-53 in regionals, Fell to Kiowa 56-22 but bounced back against Stringtown 53-50 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
ARNETT head coach Allen Tune
We traveled to Beaver for district and then had to play a tough Frontier team 1st round and had to play a really good Leedey team again for the 4th time in reg. Ch. game. Then had to go play well against #1 Lomega. When playoffs started we knew we had a tough road. But we knew we had a shot if we played together. The girls were all in on the game plans and executed them really well.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Getting our team there that none of them had ever got to play in the big house. And we’re back again!
SMITHVILLE head coach Ashten Williams
Our road to the big house has been exciting and our goal from day 1. We started the season on a mission to get there and to point others to Jesus! After our loss on Friday night, we regrouped to win in OT and punch our ticket! We’re looking forward to getting the last opportunity to play at the BIG HOUSE and being the next Lady Braves basketball team to make an appearance since 2019.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
As with every year, my favorite memory is watching players and coaches celebrate after winning the gold ball!
The OKPreps Rundown 
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