Johnny McMahan
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. — This probably isn’t the best day to try and find someone in Vici.
Same goes for Seiling, Hammon and numerous other smaller communities throughout Oklahoma.
Today marks the start of the Class A and B state basketball tournaments in the Oklahoma City metro area, where folks from near and far gather to watch their hometown heroes compete for the state’s top honor.
After day one, everything moves to the grand old “Big House” or officially the State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City’s State Fair Park. First-round games, though, are scattered at off sites.
This year, the Vici boys and girls teams will play in Midwest City (Carl Albert High School) and Choctaw. Seiling’s girls will start in the State Fair Arena while Class A boys begin at Norman High School.
Here’s a look at the various divisions
Class B girls
Vici made a stirring five-game run through the elimination bracket to earn a third consecutive state tournament trip.
The Indians largest margin of victory in the stretch was 7 points and the final two victories came by one point.
Their reward? A matchup with top-ranked Cyril.
The Pirates have been pretty much at the top of the rankings since the season started with their losses coming to larger schools.
Size is the Pirates strength with their front line going 5-11, 5-11 and 6-0. Cassidy Boggs averages 11 points a game.
Vici counters with one of the top players in the tournament in 6-0 senior Jonna Gregory, who averages 16 points and is also in double figures in rebounds. Freshman Amelia Tyree averages 10 points and provides an additional threat from the three-point line. Chesney Watkins provides leadership and stability in the backcourt.
Forgan, the Area 1 champion, takes on once-beaten Caney in the first round.
Caney is a high-powered team on offense and has been held under 40 points just once - in its only loss to Tupelo in the regional tournament
Forgan features experience at the guard position in Miranda Lopez and Jaci McGill. Freshman Kenzi Taylor is a factor inside.
Hammon, 28-2 and ranked 2nd, opens its bid against Frontier, which is in state for the first time since the Jenna Plumley era.
Class B boys
Vici knocked off No. 2 Forgan to get to state and now the Indians get a chance at the No. 1 Roff Tigers.
Roff lost three games in the Tournament of Champions and once to Garber. Otherwise, the Tigers have won impressively. Dayne Parker, Dylan Lamley and Brendon McCurry lead a high-powered offense.
Vici is equally capable on the offensive end with Brandon Gregory averaging 17 points and Neil Salisbury 11.
The Indians do not have a senior on the roster and they’ve displayed the ability to play their best games against the top opponents.
Timberlake, which also stunned Forgan in the area tournament, takes on defending champion Red Oak.
The Tigers are trying to add a basketball championship to their gold football from earlier in the school year. Stetson Buller and Drew Fisher lead the Tigers.
Hammon, 25-7, opens up against Glencoe. The Warriors are in their 16th state tournament and are led by sophomore Clay Walker’s 17 points a game.
Class A girls
Seiling is back in the state tournament after a one-year absence.
And they’re coming in as one of the favorites.
Coach Brady Hamar has a veteran crew that has won 20 of its last 21 games.
The Wildcats can score and defend as they have held opponents under 30 points in 10 games this season.
Chelsea Tate, Kari Trammell and Aubrey Colvard are among the leaders, but Seiling has balance throughout the lineup with 3 or 4 players in double figures most games.
Merritt edged Thomas to earn its first state trip since 1982.
Class A boys
Turpin last played in the state tournament 38 years ago and made it back by beating rival Texhoma 39-36 in the area finals, the Cardinals second win over the Red Devils in the post season.
They face an Okarche team that was in the semifinals a year ago.
before losing to Texhoma in overtime.
Top-ranked Garber, the overwhelming favorite in the Class, opens against a Thomas team built around defense. The Terriers allow just 37.2 points a game and won three tough defensive games in the area tournament.
Cheyenne is in state for the first time since 2001 and the Bears are one of the top offensive teams in the tournament led by senior Dane Thrash and junior Pete Drouhard, both capable of 20 points a night.
The Bears face a young Caddo team also capable of putting up some big numbers.
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Pairings for the Class A and B state basketball tournaments.
Class A Boys
First Round (Thursday at Norman High School)
Fort Towson vs. Porter, 2 p.m.
Okarche vs. Turpin, 3:30
Garber vs. Thomas, 7 p.m.
Cheyenne vs. Caddo, 8:30
Semifinals (Friday at State Fair Arena)
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 9 p.m.
Championship (At State Fair Arena)
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Class A Girls
First Round (Thursday at State Fair Arena)
Fort Cobb vs. Calumet, 2 p.m.
Chattanooga vs. Copan, 3:30
Seiling vs. Merritt, 7 p.m.
Okarche vs. Howe, 8:30
Semifinals (Friday at State Fair Arena)
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 10:30 a.m.
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, Noon
Championship (At State Fair Arena)
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Class B Boys
First Round (Thursday at Carl Albert)
Glencoe vs. Hammon, 2 p.m.
Timberlake vs. Red Oak, 3:30
Indiahoma vs. Binger-Oney, 7 p.m.
Roff vs. Vici, 8:30
Semifinals (Friday at State Fair Arena)
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 a.m.
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 1:30
Championship (At State Fair Arena)
Saturday, 8:30
Class B Girls
First Round (Thursday at Choctaw)
Moss vs. Boynton, 2 p.m.
Cyril vs. Vici, 3:30
Forgan vs. Caney, 7 p.m.
Frontier vs. Hammon, 8:30
Semifinals (Friday at State Fair Arena)
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 4:30
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 7:30
Championship (At State Fair Arena)
Saturday, 1:30
