Regional play tips off on Thursday with full slate of girls action across Oklahoma.
By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Class 6A Boys (opening round games Feb. 22)
Projected winner in bold, projected runner-up in italic
West Regional
At Putnam City:
Mustang (12-10) vs. Lawton Eisenhower (13-9)
Putnam City (22-1) vs. Yukon (3-19)
Rundown
Putnam City is by far the elite of this Region, Area, State… you get the picture. Junior Xavier Henry averages 28 points per game for the Pirates. Lawton Eisenhower made a run to the state final a year ago and has potential.
At Westmoore:
Lawton (19-4) vs. Putnam City West (7-15)
Westmoore (14-9) vs. Choctaw (6-14)
Rundown
Lawton has been sensational since the turn of the year. 6-foot-10 center Will Reinke has the paint locked down, while Chris Porter is a quick scoring threat. Westmoore has been up and down, but has shown flashes of potential.
At Midwest City:
Edmond Santa Fe (14-7) vs. Moore (9-12)
Midwest City (18-4) vs. OKC Grant (7-14)
Rundown
Midwest City are the defending state champions and still have inside threat Chuck Sanders and floor general Jarrod McDaniel on the roster. Santa Fe had a brutal schedule and one of the best players nobody in the state is talking about, 5-11 guard Nic Combs. OKC Grant presents some danger thanks to Robert Pruitt, who averages over 30 a game.
At Putnam City North:
Del City (13-8) vs. Norman (9-12)
Putnam City North (17-5) vs. Norman North (3-18)
Rundown
Don’t necessarily hand the Regional title to the host, Putnam City North. Yes, they have Dennon Mitchell and Brentrell Friday. Both spearheaded the biggest upset in last year’s state tournament, a victory over Jenks. Del City is very athletic, while Norman still has Kyle Hardrick and Austin Allen. This should be the best Regional of them all.
Area Projection:
Santa Fe over Norman
Putnam City over Lawton (PC advances to State)
Lawton over Santa Fe (Lawton advances to State)
Westmoore over Lawton Ike
Midwest City over PC North (MWC advances to State)
PC North over Westmoore (PC North advances to State)
East Regional
At Jenks:
Enid (15-8) vs. Stillwater (11-10)
Jenks (19-4) vs. Sapulpa (5-15)
Rundown
Jenks has another tricky region. Six-foot-six junior shooting guard Bryson Pope and 6-7 center Vince Boncaldo have been excellent, but Enid has been lurking around putting up an impressive record. Stillwater has one of the top scoring threats in the state in guard Jamell Cormier.
At Broken Arrow:
Bartlesville (15-4) vs. Tahlequah (10-12)
Broken Arrow (15-7) vs. Claremore (9-10)
Rundown
Bartlesville should probably be hosting its own Regional, but that is not the case. The Bruins are 15-4 and have Nate Jones and Chris Griffin. Broken Arrow has been impressive, sweeping Tulsa Union this season. Tahlequah has double-double machine Matt Qualls, a junior who averages 26 points and 15 rebounds per game. Qualls has a streak of 25 straight double-doubles dating back to his sophomore season.
At Tulsa Union
Edmond Memorial (13-9) vs. Ponca City (9-13)
Tulsa Union (14-7) vs. Sand Springs (7-14)
Rundown
Tulsa Union is the class of this Regional, led by 6-7 senior Antonio Ross. The Redskins rely on their size with juniors Levi Giese (6-8) and Sterling Ballard (6-6) bolstering the roster. Memorial matches up with Union pretty well, another roster filled with size. Seniors Michael Maxwell, Daniel Romano, Lucas Zhouri, junior Ryan Leath, and 6-9 sophomore Andrew Davis all check in over 6-3.
At Tulsa Memorial
Owasso (12-10) vs. Muskogee (11-11)
Tulsa Memorial (19-4) vs. Edmond North (9-13)
Rundown
Aside from the favorites, this is a balanced Regional. Memorial has been the story of the season in Class 6A, coming from out of nowhere to be one of the top teams in Oklahoma. Six-foot-six senior Blaise Voskul-Stabb and 6-7 sophomore Cameron Downing have outstanding for the Chargers. Six-foot-four junior Dominick Cornelius has also stepped up for Memorial at the right time. Owasso juniors Brandon Webb and Gavin Howard are dangerous, while Muskogee junior Micah Smith is capable of getting hot.
Area Projection:
Owasso over Edmond Memorial
Jenks over Bartlesville (Jenks advances to State)
Owasso over Bartlesville (Owasso advances to State)
Broken Arrow over Stillwater
Tulsa Memorial over Tulsa Union (Memorial advances to State)
Broken Arrow over Tulsa Union (BA advances to State)
Projected State Tournament Pairings
Tulsa Memorial vs. Lawton
Midwest City vs. Broken Arrow
Jenks vs. Putnam City North
Putnam City vs. Owasso
Class 6A Girls (opening round games Feb. 21)
Projected Winner in bold, projected runner-up in italic
West Regional
At Midwest City
Putnam West (9-12) vs. Westmoore (8-15)
Midwest City (21-1) vs. OKC Grant (0-19)
Rundown
Midwest City slipped up late with its first loss of the season to Norman. Still have sophomore Richa Jackson. Sophomore Tarrington Oakes gives the Bombers a much-needed second option. Westmoore is balanced and likes to keep the score low.
At Putnam City
Mustang (15-7) vs. Lawton (12-11)
Putnam City (19-4) vs. Putnam City North (6-17)
Rundown
Putnam City is loaded with guard and love to shoot the three. For the Lady Pirates, sophomore Porsche Young and senior Alyssa Hankins lead the way. Mustang is missing 6-1 senior Jordan Pyle, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
At Norman
Choctaw (8-13) vs. Yukon (8-14)
Norman (16-5) vs. Norman North (5-15)
Rundown
Norman has Ashley Bruner, Lacy Ramon, and freshman Jeannie Ramon to contend with. Norman handed Midwest City its first loss of the campaign recently in emphatic fashion.
At Del City
Edmond Santa Fe (12-9) vs. Lawton Eisenhower (14-8)
Del City (18-3) vs. Moore (9-12)
Rundown
Del City is dangerous, led by Desiree and Porschea Jeffries, Tiffany Goldwire, and Toni Young. The Eagles might even have enough talent to seriously push Sapulpa at state now that Porschea has returned from an injury. Santa Fe is led by junior Blessing Uba.
Area Projection:
Edmond Santa Fe over Yukon
Del City over Norman (Del City advances to State)
Norman over Santa Fe (Norman advances to State)
Mustang over Westmoore
Midwest City over Putnam City (MWC advances to State)
Mustang over Putnam City (Mustang advances to State)
East Regional
At Sapulpa
Sand Springs (14-7) vs. Bartlesville (10-10)
Sapulpa (22-1) vs. Tahlequah (5-16)
Rundown
Sapulpa and McDonald’s All-American Alyssia Brewer are poised and ready for another run at the gold ball in Class 6A. The Chieftains are unbeaten against in-state competition this season. Sand Springs look to be the one with the best chance to hang with Sapulpa.
At Claremore
Tulsa Memorial (18-4) vs. Broken Arrow (7-12)
Claremore (19-1) vs. Ponca City (8-13)
Rundown
Claremore has the great record playing against a Class 5A schedule, but it is Memorial with the best shot in the Regional. Sarah Green has taken the role of the go-to player for the Lady Chargers. Claremore, with only one loss on the season, is a good team. The Lady Zebras won three straight in 5A between 2003 and 2005 and are led by senior Audra Skimbo.
At Owasso
Edmond Memorial (13-9) vs. Muskogee (10-12)
Owasso (18-4) vs. Enid (10-12)
Rundown
Owasso likes to keep the scoring tally significantly down, even into the 30’s for some victories. Edmond Memorial has compiled a nice record throughout the season and looks to claim second.
At Tulsa Union
Jenks (11-11) vs. Edmond North (11-11)
Tulsa Union (21-0) vs. Stillwater (7-13)
Rundown
Union and Jenks in the same Regional? With Union rolling to an unbeaten mark and Jenks struggling at times this season, it was made possible. Union’s Lindsay Palmer has been her usual self. Jenks senior Tia McGee will need to have a huge Regional for the Trojans to be their usual selves. Watch out for Edmond North freshman Elizabeth Donahoe in the future.
Area Projection:
Jenks over Owasso
Sapulpa over Claremore (Sapulpa advances to State)
Jenks over Claremore (Jenks advances to State)
Tulsa Memorial over Sand Springs
Tulsa Union over Edmond Memorial (Union advances to State)
Edmond Memorial over Tulsa Memorial (Edmond Memorial advances to State)
Projected State Tournament Pairings
Sapulpa vs. Mustang
Del City vs. Edmond Memorial
Tulsa Union vs. Norman
Midwest City vs. Jenks
Class 5A Boys (opening round Feb. 22)
Projected Winner in bold, projected runner-up in italic
West Regional
At Capitol Hill
Altus (13-9) vs. Northwest Classen (13-10)
OKC Capitol Hill (20-1) vs. Noble (1-20)
Rundown: Capitol Hill has been skating by lately by the skin of its teeth. Northwest Classen is the polar opposite to the slow-tempo of Capitol Hill.
At El Reno
Carl Albert (15-7) vs. Durant (10-11)
El Reno (16-6) vs. Shawnee (7-15)
Rundown: Carl Albert is the defending state champion and has been improved as of late. El Reno has put together a respectable campaign.
At Guthrie
Ardmore (14-7) vs. Edmond Deer Creek (12-10)
Guthrie (17-4) vs. Duncan (7-14)
Rundown: Guthrie was rolling right along until the last month of the regular season. Ardmore is capable of stealing this Regional from the Bluejays. Deer Creek is also very dangerous.
At Harrah
Lawton MacArthur (12-9) vs. Chickasha (12-9)
Harrah (22-1) vs. Western Heights (3-14)
Rundown: Harrah came out of nowhere this season and lost only one game. MacArthur has guard Geo Brewer and his explosive scoring.
Area Projection:
Ardmore over Lawton Mac
Capitol Hill over Carl Albert (Capitol Hill advances to State)
Ardmore over Carl Albert (Ardmore advances to State)
Northwest Classen over El Reno
Harrah over Guthrie (Harrah advances to State)
Guthrie over Northwest Classen (Guthrie advances to State)
East Regional
At Tulsa East Central
Stilwell (15-7) vs. Bixby (8-13)
Tulsa East Central (18-3) vs. Catoosa (0-20)
Rundown: East Central and guard Ken Holdman has been the class of 5A this season. Stilwell carries the factor of the unknown into its Regional.
At Tulsa Edison
Ada (17-3) vs. Tulsa Hale (3-15)
Tulsa Edison (16-6) vs. Tulsa Rogers (3-16)
Rundown: Ada has the great record, but Edison has 6-4 senior Mark Rutledge and home court advantage.
At Bishop Kelley
Coweta (13-8) vs. Miami (12-8)
Tulsa Bishop Kelley (20-2) vs. Skiatook (5-17)
Rundown: Kelley’s two losses this season were to 4A power McGuinness. Coweta likes to push the ball up the floor.
At Tulsa Washington
Pryor (14-7) vs. Tulsa Central (5-16)
Tulsa Washington (15-4) vs. McAlester (1-21)
Rundown: Washington has limped towards the end of the season- literally. The Hornets have been decimated with injuries. Pryor nearly snuck into state last year.
Area Projection:
Coweta over Pryor
East Central over Tulsa Edison (East Central advances to State)
Tulsa Edison over Coweta (Edison advances to State)
Ada over Stilwell
Bishop Kelley over Tulsa Washington (Kelley advances to State)
Tulsa Washington over Ada (Tulsa Washington advances to State)
Projected State Tournament Pairings
Tulsa Bishop Kelley vs. Ardmore
Harrah vs. Tulsa Edison
Tulsa East Central vs. Guthrie
OKC Capitol Hill vs. Tulsa Washington
Class 5A Girls (opening round games Feb. 21)
Projected Winner in bold, projected runner-up in italic
West Regional
At Carl Albert
Edmond Deer Creek (9-13) vs. Altus (10-11)
Carl Albert (20-2) -bye
(Note: OKC Capitol Hill did not have enough players to field a team)
Rundown: Carl Albert has the most talent in 5A and is looking to repeat. Deer Creek have played better recently heading into the postseason.
At Durant
Lawton MacArthur (12-9) vs. Ardmore (5-16)
Durant (15-6) vs. Northwest Classen (6-16)
Rundown: Durant’s 6-1 junior Katy O’Steen has been too tough to handle for her opposition this season. MacArthur is looking for another way to sneak into the Area tournament.
At El Reno
Guthrie (11-10) vs. Duncan (4-17)
El Reno (15-7) vs. Western Heights (4-16)
Rundown: El Reno qualified for the state tournament last season much to the surprise of almost everybody. Guthrie’s Emily Davis is a fun player to watch for the improved Lady Bluejays.
At Harrah
Shawnee (10-12) vs. Chickasha (8-13)
Harrah (18-5) vs. Noble (0-21)
Rundown: Harrah is looking for another run to the state tournament led by Courtney Allen and Holly Jennings. Shawnee’s Jordan Clay could lead the Lady Wolves to an upset.
Area Projection:
Guthrie over Shawnee
Carl Albert over Durant (CA advances to State)
Durant over Guthrie (Durant advances to State)
Lawton Mac over Deer Creek
Harrah over El Reno (Harrah advances to State)
El Reno over Lawton Mac (El Reno advances to State)
East Regional
At Tulsa Washington
Pryor (5-15) vs. Ada (12-8)
Tulsa Washington (20-3) vs. Tulsa Rogers (1-18)
Rundown: Washington has a very good chance at winning 5A. Taleya Mayberry (daughter of former Arkansas star Lee Mayberry), Christiana Shorter, and Haliegh Lankster are a great trio. Ada has the long bus ride that its hopes translate into an Area berth.
At Tulsa Edison
Bixby (10-11) vs. Tulsa Hale (7-11)
Tulsa Edison (15-7) vs. Tulsa Central (7-12)
Rundown: Senior Brittany Johnson is the leader for Edison with her 15 points per game. Bixby and 6-2 senior Virginia DeWare might have something to say about that.
At East Central
McAlester (16-6) vs. Skiatook (11-11)
Tulsa East Central (13-8) vs. Miami (5-15)
Rundown: McAlester got the unlucky draw of not hosting a Regional. Jaci Bigham scored over 40 last week and looks to continue her torrid shooting form. Ashley Holdman is hoping to propel the Lady Cardinals past Bigham and McAlester.
At Coweta
Tulsa Bishop Kelley (10-10) vs. Stilwell (16-6)
Coweta (17-4) vs. Catoosa (1-19)
Rundown: 6-3 senior Brittani Smith and 5-9 sophomore Jenni Bryan have led Coweta to another solid season. Last season, the Lady Tigers made it to the state semifinals. Stilwell’s Kim Doyle is hoping to lead her team past Coweta.
Area Projection:
Tulsa East Central over Stilwell
Tulsa Washington over Tulsa Edison (BTW advances to State)
Tulsa East Central over Tulsa Edison (East Central advances to State)
Bixby over Ada
McAlester over Coweta (McAlester advances to State)
Coweta over Bixby (Coweta advances to State)
Projected State Tournament Pairings
Tulsa Washington vs. Durant
Harrah vs. Coweta
McAlester vs. El Reno
Carl Albert vs. Tulsa East Central
