Tahlequah/Coweta notes

As the Tahlequah and Coweta get Metro Lakes Conference action going again, here's a couple of quick-hitters as tip off nears at the TMAC:

• Conference play picks up: With all the regular-season tournaments now behind us, the Metro Lakes Conference kicks it into high-gear until mid-February. As of right now, Claremore is the team to beat for both the boys and the girls. But watch out for Bishop Kelley in both and Coweta on the boys side. Other league sleepers could be: Tahlequah (girls) and Skiatook (girls). The race for the girls crown should be a good one.
• O'Donnell vs. Nowlin: Last time Tahlequah and Coweta hooked up in girls basketball, the game went 15 extra minutes before Coweta prevailed. Nowlin posted 27 points, and THS coach Chad Walker said his team failed to execute its gameplan — fronting Nowlin to prevent her from getting the ball. Watch for double-downs on Nowlin, creating open looks for Katie Kelley. For THS, Randee O'Donnell, a freshman guard, is beginning to break out of her freshman shell. She is Tahlequah's leading scorer, and if she catches fire, she's hard to stop. Should be fun to watch Nowlin and O'Donnell go toe-to-toe.
• Upset necessity: On Monday, Tahlequah boys coach Wes Hayes talked about avoiding the bottom four spots on the east side of the state in Class 5A — basically avoiding an impossible game to win in the opening round of the postseason. If Tahlequah wants to avoid a East Central, a Memorial or a Central in the first round, it needs to pick up a couple of upset victories along the way in MLC play. Beating Coweta would go a long way to help the cause. If not, Tahlequah must sweep Collinsville, Pryor and pick up a win against Skiatook to convince others in the state that the Tigers deserve a shot in the first round.
• Predictions for tonight: In the girls game, Tahlequah gets some revenge, beating Coweta 50-44. In the boys game, Coweta continues its impressive season, coming up with a 58-49 road victory.

Enjoy all the high school basketball games tonight.