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.
#1 Calumet vs #10 Duke
Wednesday at 9:00am
Last Appearance: Calumet (Third consecutive) Duke (Third consecutive)
Calumet’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Covington-Douglas 97-55 in districts, Wins over Lomega 60-50 and Deer Creek-Lamont 68-54 in regionals and Frontier 79-38 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Duke’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Ryan 86-48 in districts, Wins over Big Pasture 52-48 and Granite 61-56 in regionals, Fell to Hammon 48-43 but bounced back over Granite 53-43 to advance to the state tournament.
CALUMET head coach Jacob Mayfield
We are extremely happy to be back at the big house and really hoping we can make some noise up here. I’m really proud of this group. We are extremely youthful and replaced 4 guys from last year’s team.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Celebrating with my team after a big win in the big house locker rooms.
DUKE head coach Nick Gable
This year has been a very unexpected run. We lost all 5 starters from last years state semi-finalist team, so I knew there would be some ups and downs this season. This group is talented, but young. What makes them special is they never quit and just play with such heart. They’re a fun bunch of kids to coach and be around. It feels great getting back to the tournament. This might be the most special trip for me, because it wasn’t expected and both of my boys are starters.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Getting to have both of my sons on a state tournament team with me.
#5 Braggs vs #8 Dover
Wednesday at 10:30am
Last Appearance: Braggs (Second consecutive) Dover (First since 1993)
Braggs road to the gold ball began with wins over Buffalo Valley 89-38 and Schulter 88-25 in districts, Wins over Paden 79-32 and Asher 59-29 in regionals, Fell to Stuart 36-16 but bounced back over Asher 49-39 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Dover’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Strother 69-24, Wins over Carney 61-25 and Wilson Henryetta 36-25 in regionals and Varnum 42-40 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
BRAGGS head coach Scott Hensley
We’ve been looking forward to returning ever since last year. The players have committed themselves to getting better throughout the summer and it paid off with a great season. A 26-2 record is great and getting to play in the fairgrounds in its last year will be something to remember for a lifetime. I’m very proud of my seniors, Jaylen, Trey, and Sam (my son). We also have some great Juniors in Daryl, Hazen, and Burr. They’ve all played so hard this season and made history for Braggs in making the state tournament 2 years in a row. We feel so blessed to be in this position and we’re so excited to have an opportunity to see how far we go.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Being on the floor with my son Sam when the announcer said “Congratulations, you’ve made it to the Big House!” It’s what we had been working for since he was a 6th grader.
DOVER head coach Jared Reese
We are super excited to be in the state tournament. Having to beat last years defending state champ in regionals and then #2 Varnum in area was extremely exciting. As well as all we have been through with one of our starters suffering a cardiac arrest during a game this year. These kids have been resilient and tough this whole season and look forward to continuing that next week. 32 years since last appearance is a long drought we are excited to end.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
So many great memories but probably winning the state championship in 17 the first one or the three times vs Heritage Hall in a row in finals, lots of great memories.
#16 Deer Creek-Lamont vs #3 Stuart
Wednesday at 12:00pm
Last Appearance: Deer Creek-Lamont (First since 1978) Stuart (First since 2020)
Deer Creek-Lamont’s road to the gold began with a win over Medford 66-40 in district, A win over Copan 84-46 but fell to Calumet 68-54 in regionals but won three in a row over Arnett 63-48, Lomega 65-60 and Frontier 49-48 to advance to the state tournament. Stuart’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Milburn 114-38 and Caney 114-38, Wins over Mill Creek 100-49 and Kiowa 78-48 in regionals and Braggs 36-16 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
STUART head coach Jeff Weedn
Couldn’t be more proud of our boys and how well they have performed! We have a hard nosed group that has the ability to play up tempo yet can also grind out a victory.
– Senior Jaxton Weedn (23.4 ppg. 8.5 rebs.) leads the way and is looking forward to his 3rd State Tournament! (2022 Champion (11.6 ppg), 2023 Semifinalist (16.7 ppg)
– Freshman Jaren Weedn (18.3 ppg. 5.7 ast.) is an athletic point that’s having an amazing rookie season!
– Junior Nolan Stewart (14.2 ppg.) is a great shooter and made 11 threes (41 pts) in our District Championship!
– Junior Nolan Lindley (10.4 ppg.) is an outstanding all around player and scored 22 points in our Regional Championship!
– Junior Zack Luker (3.6 ppg. 6.4 reb.) is a powerful forward and an excellent defender! Very exciting to be a part of the Last Dance at the Big House and the opportunity to bring home the first Gold Ball for Stuart High School!!!
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
I have been very fortunate and blessed in my career and have coached and shared many wonderful experiences with amazing young men and women at the Big House, but none compare to Jaken Weedn sinking both one and one free throws to clinch the 2022 Gold Ball!!
Hammon vs Wilson Henryetta
Wednesday at 1:30pm
Last Appearance: Hammon (First since 2020) Wilson Henryetta (Second consecutive)
Hammon’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Sweetwater 91-32 in districts, Ft. Cobb-Broxton 61-55 and Sentinel 59-38 in regionals and Duke 48-43 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Wilson Henryetta’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Midway 99-24 and Haileyville 100-35 in districts, Win over Saskawa 82-49 but fell to Dover 36-25 in regionals but won three straight over Tupelo 64-52, Moyers 78-44 and Varnum 64-41 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
HAMMON head coach Larry Johnston
Reaching the state tournament and having a chance at winning a gold ball is what this group has been on a mission to do since this past summer. We have improved so much in the last two years and these guys are hungry for more. We played a tough schedule against a bunch of ranked teams and multiple state tournament teams. Also, our conference is extremely tough night in and night out with a number of perennial state tournament teams. Our guys are extremely excited about next week. We a have a number of guys on our team that have parents and siblings that played or coached in the state tournament and many of them won State Championships. Going to the state tournament is something you get accustomed to at Hammon and this group is excited to carry that tradition on!
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Man, there’s a bunch but walking down the ramp before you play is pretty special and when they turn on the bright lights on the floor.
WILSON HENRYETTA head coach Grant Proctor
The road leading to the big house has been a tough one. We’ve played a really tough schedule this year as well as being put in a tough area. Our reaction was one of joy although we knew we had a chance to make it again we also realized that if we don’t show up and work anyone can be beat. We’re very thankful to make it back to the state tournament.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
My best memory would be getting to coach on the floor it’s always been a goal of mine. Winning the championship will always hold a special place in my heart but the cherry on top was getting to experience it all with my wife and family.
The OKPreps Rundown 
Leave a comment