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.
Norman vs Union
Tuesday at 9:00am
Last Appearance: Norman (First since 2023) Union (First since 2023)
Norman’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Southmoore 81-33 and Norman North 61-53 in regionals and Edmond Memorial 62-59 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament. Union’s road to the gold ball began with with a win over Enid 47-34, Fell to Edmond North 48-25 in the regional championship but won back to back games over Jenks 56-36 and Owasso 43-41 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament.
Bixby vs Mustang
Tuesday at 10:30am
Last appearance: Bixby (Fifth consecutive) Mustang
Bixby’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Northwest Classen 88-8 and Jenks 54-43 in regionals and Edmond North 38-29 in the Area Tournament. Mustang’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Lawton Eisenhower 73-30 and Choctaw 61-34 in regionals, Fell to Putnam City North 78-59 but bounced back over Norman North 74-51 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament.
Putnam City North vs Sapulpa
Tuesday at 12:00pm
Last appearance:
Putnam City North’s road to the gold ball began with wins over US Grant 89-23 and Deer Creek 94-55 in regionals and Mustang 78-59 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament. Sapulpa’s road to the gold ball began with a win over Stillwater 67-42 but fell to Owasso 55-51 in the regional championship but got back to back wins over Westmoore 44-40 and Edmond North 40-36 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament.
SAPULPA head coach Darleen Calip
Our season hs been a process. All season long we have felt like we had the potential to be a state tournament team. It was just a matter of reps, teaching and experience to get us to this point. The later part of the season we began to see positive s of us heading in the right direction.
He had played a tough schedule which has allowed us to grow from the wins and losses.
I like where we are mentally and excited to see this team continue to grow.
Advancing to the state tourney is a huge accomplishment and goal. Our tradition here at Sapulpa is so rich, we just want to keep it going. No team wants to be the team to not make it, don’t want to disappoint.
Best memory of The Big House
I have never coached at the Big House. I have only coached at the 5A-6A level. However, I grew up in a small town playing 6 on 6 and always dreamed of playing in the Big House one day. So I am looking forward to experiencing the culture and history of the arena. Sapulpa Chieftains girls basketball won championships in 1979, 80. Full circle moment for the Programs tradition.
Broken Arrow vs Edmond Memorial
Tuesday at 1:30pm
Last appearance: Broken Arrow (First since 2023) Edmond Memorial (Fourth consecutive)
Broken Arrow’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Putnam City West 88-18 and Westmoore 48-39 in regionals and Owasso 55-33 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament. Edmond Memorial’s road to the gold ball began with wins over Capitol Hill 103-9 and Putnam City 62-41 in regionals, Fell to Norman 62-59 but bounced back against Choctaw 55-35 in the Area Tournament to advance to the State Tournament.
BROKEN ARROW head coach Shane Coffey
We beat PC West, Westmoore, and Owasso to get to the State Tournament. Our record is 25-2. This senior laden team has been hungry since our season ended a bit shorter than we wanted to losing in the Area Consolation Championship. This team has been on a mission since last April to attain the coveted Gold Ball. They have trusted the process and bought into a team approach to get this done.
Best memory of The Big House
I played as a player in two State Final games.
EDMOND MEMORIAL head coach Rachel Crabaugh
Fourth year in a row heading to state which is a testament to the leadership of our talented senior class. Four out of six of them are going to play college sports. Avery Hjelmstad (Utah), Janiyah Williams (Oregon), Brooklyn Aska (Panhandle State), and Justyce Booker going to play softball at NOC Tonkowa… After getting smacked by Mustang by 16 points our first home game it was huge redemption beating them on their court in OT the second half of the season to help us solidify being district champs for the second year in a row… We have come very far since our outing at TOC where we were struggling to figure out the role each player would take on this season, but I think we are now playing much better team basketball and working hard on both ends of the floor. We were regional champs again this season and then we lost by 3 to a very talented Norman team in the Area Championship, and fortunately were able to show some resilience and beat Choctaw by 20 in the Area Consolation game to punch our ticket.
-Janiyah Williams has 1,670 career points (492 from her 9th grade year at Stillwater and 1,178 at EMHS) – most career points. And
Avery Hjelmstad has 1,553 at EMHS making her the All Time Leading Scorer in an EMHS jersey.. They have both grown tremendously as leaders for this team through the years and a big reason why is bc they embrace what it means to be a part of a TEAM, from the top to the bottom they bring people together. Looking forward to seeing what we do at State!
Best memory of The Big House
I’m an Edmond north grad, so I’ve never been able to experience the big house as an athlete or coach. But the history is not lost on me because I know how special and historic of a place it is… My assistant coach, Bailey White is from Pond-Creek Hunter and her team made it to the big house all four years and her favorite memory is winning state so she made sure to express to our girls how cool and unique of an atmosphere it is.
The OKPreps Rundown 
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