Preseason OkRankings.com 11/8

[Mmgord77]

Here they are:

1. Washington
2. Victory Christ.
3. Centennial
4. Millwood
5. Sequoyah Tahl.
6. Hugo
7. Verdigris
8. Metro Christ.
9. Adair
10. Eufaula
11. Haskell
12. Caney Valley
13. Sperry
14. Stroud
15. Prague

[Mmgord77]

I'm a little surprised to see Sperry that low and Centennial (even though they are defending champs) that high.

[JimPat]

Sounds like Washington will be fun to watch this year.

[Mmgord77]

They will be super fast paced. Good heighth. A few good athletes. Well coached. They'll be playing in the Tournament of Champions over Christmas break. It should be alot of fun!

[JimPat]

Hey, is Booker T. Washington in the TOC? Maybe we could have a Washington vs. Washington matchup. Have they every played each other?

[Mmgord77]

I'll have to see if I can get the full lineup for TOC. I would highly doubt if Washington has ever played BTW. This is really the 2nd good basketball team that I think Washington has fielded. Last time, they ran through the playoffs, losing to the stacked OCS team twice. That was a team with one good basketball player and a handful of athletes that just outworked others. They beat #2, #3, and #4 to get to the Finals that year. Played OCS to single digits in Area final.

[JimPat]

Was that when Blake (the man among boys) was at OCS?

[JimPat]

Hey, Gordo, I saw the schedule and Washington is matched up with Tulsa Washington in the first round. How do you think it will go?

[Mmgord77]

Well... Booker T. is now the #1 6A team. Having went to a 6A school, I kind of know what it takes to be the #1 team. It's not a great matchup for our boys. Our style this year has been to get up and down the court a little faster... which is not what you want to do against BTW.

I will say that if it's called more like a 6A game, it will be to our benefit foul wise. We have a pretty physical team that can get in some foul trouble if the game is called tight. I don't think that will be a problem.

I'm anxious to see how Coach Johnston goes about it with his game plan. The normal (every other year game plan) would be to try to keep the score in the 40's and just grind them to death with effecient offense and hardnose D. This team has been in the 60's almost everygame and in the 70's once or twice, I believe. That would be quite a change of game plan.

If I had to pick an outcome for the tournament, I would not be surprised (and I would be pretty happy) if they Washington was playing for the 3rd place spot on Friday. I think that would be a great showing in the school's first ever trip to TOC.

[Mmgord77]

On another note... I think a team they could be playing in the 3rd place game could be Forgan!

That little school could've won through 2A last year and a shot at 3A. Their two studs are as good as anyone (if not better) through 3A. The other players play their roles perfectly. They are stout! If they can keep their starting 5 on the court through most of the games, I think they can hang with most anyone!

[Mmgord77]

Was that when Blake (the man among boys) was at OCS?

That was when they had Blake, the kid that went up to Tulsa to play TE (just passed away last year), they had the point guard that was a transfer from McGuiness, they had both of the brothers (I believe). So, they had 3 D1 scholarship athletes, a kid who went to play D2 golf (turned down D2 bball schollies), and the PG went NAIA I think.

[JimPat]

As always there are some great teams in the TOC from several different classes. The teams are so good that the team that loses three games could still go on to win state in their class.

[Mmgord77]

Exactly!!! To me, Pawnee and Caddo are the two probably "weakest" teams in it. And we know what Pawnee can do. I saw Caddo go cold in last year's playoffs to get beat by Hydro Eakly, but they looked like a team that could make a run if the shots were falling. I'm excited to go up and watch some. I wish I had off work and could stay for all the guys games. I'm not too excited that they stuck the girls in with the guys, since I have to go up after work. But, I'll of course stay and watch some good girls ball.

[Mmgord77]

TOC is pretty cool.

Booker T. will be BY FAR the best team we will play all year. Parker, their 2 guard, is probably the best player they will play against all year.

I told you Forgan would go in and make some noise. I'm anxious to see if their depth will hurt against Union. I would love to see them knock off a 6A.

Jim... you going to make it up to watch some State Tourney bball this year!?!?! I just requested a little time off today for the small school state (wife's family goes every year since before she was born). If Washington makes it as far as they should, I'll probably take off a day or two the next week!

Would a Cattleman's steak be enough bribe to get you to head north? :thumbsup:

[JimPat]

Sounds good Gordo, but I'm not going to be able to make it this year.

[JimPat]

Looks like all the Wednesday games in the TOC were a little lopsided except for the Forgan/Vinita game.

I see where Washington got back on the right track today against Pawnee.

[Mmgord77]

Yes... The Washingtons' Battle ended up very lopsided. It was a 6 point game with 1 minute left in 1st half. Ended up down 10 at half. BTW went on a 12-0 run to start the 2nd half. We got down 20 and traded baskets the whole 3rd Q. Both teams put subs in at the start of the 4th. Booker T. subs were not much worse than their starters, so that's where the big spread came from.

There was a terrible moment with 3:09 left in 1Q. BTW starting center, Phabian Glasco, compound fractured his right arm, in the forearm area. It was horrific. Broke through skin and all... put about a 30 minute break into the action. My heart broke for him and his family. He's a senior. He'll have a chance to go play somewhere, but it's sad to see that happen.

[JimPat]

Whoa, that is a rough deal for Glasco.

Good luck to your Washington in the consolation final Friday.