We’re less than 24 hours into regional-tournament play, and already some surprises have been delivered.
Let’s delve deeper into what happened on Thursday for area teams.
• Tahlequah girls
The Class 5A No. 8 Lady Tigers faced little resistance from a Hale team that lacks any offensive punch. Tahlequah weathered a second-quarter run from Hale and had its regional-final ticket punched by halftime.
Randee O’Donnell was masterful on the offensive end for Tahlequah. The sophomore guard tallied 28 points, thanks to several open looks from deep in the second quarter, which she promptly drained — barely drawing iron on any if them.
O’Donnell had plenty of help, though. Marissa Girdner (12), Casey Beaston (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Jhonette Cookson all had solid offensive games while the Lady Tigers continue to wait on Desiree Phipps to heal up from an ankle injury.
If Tahlequah can get another balanced scoring effort — with assistance from Alissa Hadley from beyond the 3-point arc, the Lady Tigers could be a tough out for anyone in the 5A playoffs. And if Phipps can return, Tahlequah should be the equivalent of a 7- to 10-point favorite against 5A No. 11 Bishop Kelley on Saturday.
In Bishop Kelley, Tahlequah draws a team that struggled when Chelsea McKenzie wasn’t scoring in a win over Memorial on Thursday.
The key for Tahlequah will be to force Bishop Kelley to earn every point and make outside shots — something they’ve struggled with in two games at the TMAC this season.
• Sequoyah boys
Where to begin with the mess that 3A No. 4 Sequoyah has created for itself?
I’ll start by mentioning that the Indians failed to adjust accordingly in Thursday night’s loss to Coalgate. Sequoyah finished the game with 40 team fouls - yes, 40 - which allowed Coalgate to score a season high 71 points. Forty-three of Coalgate’s points came via Colby Lackey, who did most of his damage at the foul line — of course.
The troubling aspect — other than adjusting to the volume of fouls being called — of Sequoyah’s second regional semifinal loss in three years is the unwillingness to try and score inside. The Indians made only five 3s, and if I had to guess, I’d say they probably hoisted up 30-something attempts from deep.
Guys like Caisen Green, Stuart Polk and Reilly Sevenstar can get to the rim but get caught up in Sequoyah’s long-range assault at times. If Sequoyah is going to win five straight games — like they did in 2010 — and make the state tournament, it will have to use a responsible pressure defense and a disciplined offensive attack.
Ps, I’ve been told by people who were at the game in Wilburton, the fouls called on Sequoyah were legit, for the most part. There were a few questionable blocking calls, but every game has that.
• Sequoyah girls
If you’re looking for 3A’s coach of the year, you might not need to stray too far from Sequoyah’s Bill Nobles. While, at times, putting on a show on the sidelines, Nobles has done a heck of a job this year, squeezing every bit of talent and effort out of a club that features only 2 legitimate scorers (Courtney Jones and Baylee Ratliff). Loren Young has her moments, too.
Jones was at it again Thursday night, scoring 23 points to sew up a date with No. 1 Kansas in the regional finals on Saturday.
And at this rate, Sequoyah could be well-equipped for an upset of Kansas, after narrowly losing to Kansas in the regional semifinals last year.
• Keys boys
Another Duane Jones team was at it again last night. The Cougars continue to be masters of regional-tournament play, this time beating Spiro on the Bulldogs’ home court.
Now, it’s off to Poteau for Keys’ opportunity at a third straight regional title. The Cougars will get a rematch against 3A No. 4 Victory Christian, a team Keys beat in the regional semifinals last year only to fall to the Conquerors in the area consolation title game.
Despite being unranked now, Keys has the right ingredients for a deep playoff run — a trio of solid forwards inside and a pair of guards (Trevor Eubanks and Preston Releford) who can score at will. Eubanks has been on a roll offensively, scoring 29 points in his regional debut this season.
Beating Victory Christian will be a tall order, but VC will be making its second long trip — at Muldrow Thursday and in Poteau Saturday — in three days. The Cougars could benefit from that, but first they have to limit L.J. Ross’ production inside for VC.
• Keys girls
I thought the Keys girls were a virtual lock to at least get to the area tournament, a place they’ve been the last two years with lesser talent. But Cougars have their work cut out for them now.
A loss to Spiro in the regional semifinals means that Keys will have to overcome Victory Christian (Friday) and almost certainly Eufaula (Saturday) to earn a spot in Fort Gibson.
Keys lives and dies by jump shooting and it cost the Cougars dearly on Thursday night. LeeKelli Kennedy, Ashtin Dudley and Jessie Bliss need to start making shots if Keys is going to make it any further in the playoffs.
• Hulbert girls
I had high hopes for Hulbert going into the playoffs. The Riders didn’t disappoint with a district title over Sallisaw Central, and I liked Hulbert’s chances against a Talihina team that hadn’t played many tough teams this year.
But Hulbert faltered in the rebounding department and now has a long road to travel to try and get back into the 2A state-tournament picture. The Riders need a win Friday before they earn a spot against either Savanna or Sallisaw Central in the regional conso finals.
Claim the conso bracket, and Hulbert will likely draw Howe in the area tournament.
Like I said, tough road ahead, but I’d like to see Hulbert at least make it to area.
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