By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Had the chance to cover three games on Thursday as the small schools took center stage with their state tournaments in Oklahoma City.
Game one was Cashion against Keota at Carl Albert Fieldhouse, a beautiful facility in Midwest City. Although both teams were really fun to watch, the officials decided they wanted to be the center of attention.
52 foul calls and 73 free throw attempts later, Cashion won 64-59 thanks in large part to hitting 26 of 50 from the charity stripe.
Off to F.E. Sutton Fieldhouse in Midwest City for games two and three. F.E. Sutton Fieldhouse is old, but it could tell some great stories. History and tradition speak volumes at F.E. Sutton.
Fargo won game two 75-53 over Gracemont. The 'Fargo Five' as I call them (we'll see if it sticks) had all five starters score in double figures as the mighty Bearcats raced out a 19-point halftime lead and never looked back.
Game three, Stringtown. Stringtown has an enrollment of 80, and came into state losing four games to schools such as Dallas Skyline, Jenks, Tulsa East Central, and Tulsa Edison. All four schools have at least 1,000 more students than Stringtown.
Much to my dismay, the same officiating crew that called 52 fouls during the Cashion game.
Despite six dunks, including an alley-oop off the backboard, the officials once again would not be outdone. They called a mere 51 fouls in this one as Stringtown won 95-53.
If there were a small school national tournament, it would be hard to imagine anybody beating Stringtown. They go 6-8 and 6-7 on their front line, and have a silky, smooth guard in Orlando Brown.
Yes, 64 minutes of basketball produced 103 fouls from the same officiating crew.
Tomorrow, eight games. Better get some sleep.
Scott Hansen
