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 Dale vs #7 Merritt
Thursday at 4:30pm
Last Appearance: Dale (Seventh straight) Merritt (Second consecutive)
Dale’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Mounds 101-16 in districts, Wins over Pawnee 90-16 and Oktaha 77-50 in regionals and Howe 45-41 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Merritt’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Frederick 57-37 in districts, A win over Hinton 80-35 but fell to Riverside 40-37 in regionals but won three state in the area tournament over Wilson 64-30, Walters 39-29 and Riverside 45-39 to advance to the state tournament.
MERRITT head coach Jeff Daugherty
We are excited to be back after losing three seniors. We are a young team with only one senior so the experience that we gain will be valuable for us moving forward.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Being state champions.
#5 OK Bible Academy vs #6 Latta
Thursday at 6:00pm
Last Appearance: OK Bible Academy (Third consecutive) Latta (First since 2022)
OK Bible Academy’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Morrison 45-23 in districts, A win over Fairview 61-53 but fell to Hooker 34-33 in regionals but won three straight in area over Fairland 59-39, Fairview 56-38 and Hooker 42-21 to advance to the state tournament. Latta’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Wewoka 79-18 in districts, Wins over Stratford 51-31 and Cashion 37-26 in regionals and Pocola 52-50 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
OK BIBLE ACADEMY head coach Randy Roth
When the brackets came out, quite frankly, we were a little surprised that we would have to go play a ranked team on their home court. Luckily, we were able to beat Fairview at Fairview. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of a letdown and we did not play well in the regional championship against Hooker.
That was our first loss of the season, and it motivated the girls great greatly.
They came into the area tournament with something to prove, and with dominating wins over three ranked teams (Fairland, Fairview and Hooker) the girls made a strong statement.
After being forced to move up to Class 2A and competing against schools two and three times our size, we are super proud and excited to get to go back to the Big House.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Looking across at our school community and seeing all of them together in support of our kids, and seeing the joy on our players faces
LATTA head coach Clay Plunk
Our girls have put together a great season this year. We have played one of the toughest schedules in our class and we feel like that is prepared us to make this run. We only have one player on our team who is on the last state tournament team. This is brand new, and really exciting for our squad. We have had some big wins this year that has built a lot of confidence in our girls and we are excited to get to be a part of the last year at the big house.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
I grew up watching my dad coach at the big house, then I was lucky enough to be as assistant for four straight trips to the state tournament. My favorite memories are always how a big empty arena turns into the most exciting place in the world during the state tournament. With this being my first trip as a head coach, I’m really thankful that we get a chance to play in the big house and do something that my favorite coach, my dad, did so many times.
#8 Howe vs #3 Hartshorne
Thursday at 7:30pm
Last Appearance: Howe (10th consecutive) Hartshorne (First since 2023)
Howe’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Wilburton 84-26 in districts, Wins over Rejoice Christian 69-31 and Calera 67-39 in regionals, Fell to Dale 45-41 but bounced back over Calera 53-28 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Hartshorne’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Coalgate 61-19, Wins over Tushka 70-33 and Vanoss 60-42 in regionals and Riverside 76-60 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
HOWE head coach Chris Brown
We have played really well leading up to this Week’s State Tournament… We played Wilburton in Districts, Then Rejoice Christian in the first round of Regionals.. We played Calera in the Regional final… Both Rejoice and Calera have good teams.. We shot really well against both of those teams.. We then played Dale in the Area Final in a great game.. They beat us in a hard fought game.. We bounced back and played really good defense last night and punched our ticket.. One of the things that helps us is that we have played the top 3 teams.. They have beaten us but we at least won’t have to scout the unknown. 2A is loaded so whoever wins this year will have earned the trophy for sure.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
I would have to say that being Mic’d up at the Big House for my Championship game in 2008 was pretty special. https://youtu.be/kdcmSKmkh-U
HARTSHORNE head coach Dalante Redway
Our road has been great. The ups and downs throughout have really shaped us into a solid team as We’ve continued to learn and grow together throughout the season. We suffered a loss to Pocola back in early January which really opened our eyes to how much harder we need to work if we expected to make it to the Big House. Coming in we knew we had the talent we just new we had to bring it all together and get on the same page. The girls have responded well to adversity and going into the state our focus was the next opponent is the only opponent that matters. Complete focus on who’s in front of us. I am lucky to have a player lead team man and they really fight for each other on and off the court. We are extremely grateful and excited to be part of the upcoming state tournament. It’s all we’ve talked about all season and now our focus will be on whoever’s next and hopefully we will have the opportunity to play for a gold ball but we’re all focused and ready to go moving forward!
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Watching the Stevie Clark and Seth Youngblood matchup has been one of the best guard matchups I’ve ever watched. Also my little cousin winning it with the Sulphur girls in 2013 as well as Stringtown’s back to back in 07 and 08 that had some of my family on those teams
#4 Okemah vs #2 Pocola
Thursday at 9:00pm
Last Appearance: Okemah (Second consecutive) Pocola (Second consecutive)
Okemah’s road to the gold ball started with a win over Haskell 72-28, Wins over Caney Valley 54-18 and Pawhuska 55-44 in regionals and Hooker 41-28 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament. Pocola’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Warner 51-27, Wins over Talihina 66-23 and Chelsea 67-26 in regionals, Fell to Latta 52-50 but bounced back against Cashion 47-44 in the area tournament to advance to the state tournament.
OKEMAH head coach Gary Kennemer
It has been a ride. Being undefeated adds a little weight but the girls have embraced that and used it for more motivation. It’s been a challenge with the weather and us having to travel since we didn’t get to host as a top ranked team. Girls were more determined than ever to win an area championship – we didn’t shoot it as well as we can but found other ways to get it done. Played very well defensively all the way through regionals and Area and used that to fuel us. Girls were excited to get in for 2nd time in a row but this year was a little different for us, they expected to be there.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
Was the first time Okemah girls had been there in the 5v5 era. Was fun being a part of that and seeing how our kids and town got so excited about it. Breathed some much needed life into our school and community!
POCOLA head coach Mark McKenzie
Allyssa hit her 2500th point last night that was special. It means a little more to get there this year with it being the last year at the big house. Our 2008 championship is one of those special moments in that building and I told the kids we have a shot at creating their own special moment magic happens in that building but you have to be there for it to happen I have taken teams to state 9 out of 13 years and our teams are 6-1 in that building so we are very excited to back in the big house. When I came back to coaching two years ago I felt bad that I had to quit after these seniors freshman year that we won state. I’m glad to see them through and they get to finish their senior year at the big house.
Best Memory of Being at The Big House
My daughter Hannah after we won the championship in 08 with tears in her eyes and red hands from clapping so hard it was as I was walking off the court by the bleachers on the baseline.
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