Oklahoma high school basketball: Class 6A-2A state tournament brackets released
The Oklahoma high school basketball state tournament brackets for Classes 6A-2A were announced Sunday afternoon. With 10 defending champions returning to protect their crowns, it may seem like a replay of last year.
However, what makes this year different than the past is that the coaches in each class met up Sunday to rank the eight remaining teams that are headed to the state tournament. Each coach had to seed the teams in their bracket, but they could not vote for their squad.
While most of the top seeds on both the girls' and boys' sides were easy choices, the 6A girls were a little less clear.
Two-time defending champion Edmond North (24-1) has only one loss on the season and that was to Putnam City West (24-1). However, the Lady Patriots also dropped a game to Edmond Santa Fe, which did not make the tournament field.
With both Edmond North and PC West voting for the other, that left the six remaining coaches to ponder the question of whether head-to-head trumps a better loss.
In the end, the Lady Patriots and the Lady Huskies split the votes 3-3. But PCW was given the top-seed due to the head-to-head victory. Edmond North slid down to the other side of the bracket as the second seed.
Edmond Memorial was a near consensus as the No. 3 seed. The rest of the 6A field includes Mustang, Owasso, PC North, Westmoore and Bixby.
In 5A, El Reno (25-0) will take the only undefeated record in the state tourney where they hope to bring home the program’s first state title.
However, lurking on the other side of the bracket is Midwest City (23-3), the home of three Gold Balls. The rest of the 5A field includes Booker T. Washington, defending champion Sapulpa, Carl Albert, Will Rogers, Coweta and Del City.
The top seed for 2A is defending champion Dale. At 28-1, their only loss this season came against Millwood (3A) in late January. They are followed by Vanoss, Pocola, Howe, KIPP, Merritt, Riverside and then Okemah.
The 3A girls are led by No. 1 Washington (23-3). Their last defeat came against Riverside (2A) on Jan. 30.
The 3A girls’ bracket is made up of Adair, Jones, Community Christian, Roland, Alva, Idabel and Bethel.
Defending champion Bethany (23-4) leads the 4A charge. The Broncos have played a diverse schedule that includes the Tournament of Champions in Arkansas, Mustang’s Holiday Classic, a trip to Washington D.C. and the Heart of Oklahoma Tournament in Purcell. With that, their only loss to a team from Oklahoma came when they faced off with Edmond North.
Allison Heathcock is a Creighton signee leading Edmond North's three-peat efforts.
SBLive file photo
The rest of the bracket includes Stillwell, Locust Grove, Inola, Douglass, Glenpool, Lincoln Christian and Tuttle.
On the boys’ side of the bracket, Dale (27-2) heads into the tournament as an overwhelming favorite to hold onto their crown. However, Hobart, Preston, Hennessey, Merritt, Hooker, Pocola and Warner will all be looking to mount an upset bid.
The top seed in the 4A boys' boys’ brackets also could have gone to a couple of teams. While Weatherford (26-1) took the No. 1 spot, defending champion Douglass (17-4), who has yet to lose to a team in Oklahoma since Dec. 8, 2022, could also lay a claim to the position.
While the two teams seem destined to meet again in a replay of the 2023 finals, don’t count out the likes of Anadarko, Blanchard, North Rock-Creek, Perkins-Tryon, Stillwell and McClain.
Oklahoma Christian School (23-2) earned the No. 1 seed in 3A with an impressive regular season run that saw them drop only two games to Dale (2A) and Crossing’s Christian (5A). They are likely eyeing a matchup with defending champion Millwood (18-8) in the championship.
Mount Saint Mary’s, Idabel, Victory Christian, Cascia Hall, Kellyville and Metro Christian will be looking to spoil the party and snatch a spot in the finals.
Two-time defending champion Edmond North (22-3) will start their path for a 3-peat as the top seed in 6A. They have suffered one defeat to a team from Oklahoma this season when they fell to Moore last month.
Despite finishing second in their district, Tulsa Union (24-2) takes the second seed.
Norman, Owasso, Edmond Memorial, Deer Creek, Westmoore and Broken Arrow round out the rest of what could be a competitive field.
In 5A it is Midwest City (23-3) sitting atop the seedings with Crossing’s Christian (19-6) slotted into the second seed.
Along with the Bombers, Carl Albert and Del City also made the final eight. All three are from the Mid-Del School District. The rest of the bracket is comprised of Collinsville, Edison Prep, Booker T. Washington and Holland Hall.
First-round action at the Big House will begin Tuesday will both the 3A boys and girls. Class 2A will take the floor Wednesday and 4A will jump into action Thursday.
Down the highway at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, the 6A will tip off tournament action on Wednesday, while the 5A plays its quarterfinal games Thursday.
-- Michael Kinney | @sbliveok
