HOOPS TSUNAMI: Prep basketball to swamp sports scene
Bartlesville boys drop opener Saturday
t wasn’t the way the Bartlesville High Bruins wanted to start their varsity boys basketball season.
Who would?
But, despite a 53-39 loss Saturday to South Oak Cliff (Dallas, Texas) High in the campaign opener, the Bruins’ foot is off the brake and the journey has begun.
So, it was rough out of the gate. Taking on South Oak Cliff probably was akin to using Goliath as a sparring partner.
The Dallas-based squad is one of the highest ranked Class 5A teams in Texas and a contender for the state title.
Plus, the game took place in Duncanville, Texas, at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
Bartlesville is breaking in two new starters and a different mix of main rotation players.
Bartlesville basketball fans will have the opportunity Tuesday evening of meeting both the boys and girls’ basketballers at the Bruin Fieldhouse.
On Friday, Bartlesville teams host their home openers, with Sapulpa High providing the opposition. The girls’ varsity contest is set for 6:30 p.m.,, following by the guys at 8 p.m.
The junior varsity teams play during the late afternoon prior to the varsity contests.
It’s not only Bartlesville gets going into full gear this week.
Following is a look at the busy hoops opening week for most area teams.
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AREA HOOPS WEEK
DEWEY: The Doggers and Lady Doggers are revving up for Friday’s season opener at Nowata High, with the girls competing at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys. These are always hard-fought games. Dewey is coached by Lance Knight, who is starting his 14th season in charge. Knight lost a handful of key seniors from last year, but believes his crew could be more athletic this year. Michael Sanders becomes the fourth Dewey girls basketball coach in six or seven seasons. He is putting into battle almost an entirely difference squad from last year.
WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN: The varsity teams eyed two games coming into this week. On Monday evening, they played at Barnsdall, in the season debuts for all the teams. (The games were played after today’s deadline.) On Friday, WCS will travel to South Coffeyville. At last report, the WCS girls had only five girls on their roster, so the squad eyes a learning curve. The WCS boys are coming off a 20-win season and returning several veterans.
CANEY VALLEY: This program might have the two most veteran boys and girls coaches in tandem from any area team. Deric Longan has guided the girls for well more than a decade, while Tug Brinker has navigated the guys since the mid-2010s. The Trojans and Lady Trojans open the campaign on Tuesday at Barnsdall. They will be home on Saturday to take on perhaps their most intense rival in Oklahoma Union. Longan brings back three veteran starters and a mix of promising talent behind them. Brinker has had to do some notable reloading but boasts some promising talent.
COPAN: The Hornets and Lady Hornets already have played two games. They will be back in action Tuesday at home against South Coffeyville. Copan girls, who are coached by Kristy Bryan, are 0-2, including an overtime loss. The Copan boys are off to a 1-1 beginning, posting their win in overtime. Kolton Stacy is Copan’s new head coach.
OKLAHOMA UNION: The Cougars and Lady Cougars eye three games this week, starting with Tuesday’s home debut against Chelsea. On Friday, they travel to Preston and end the opening week with a Saturday clash at Caney Valley. David Lampton returns as the dean of local head coaches in guiding the Lady Cougars. Brad Hall comes out of retirement to coach the boys in preparation for a new mentor to take charge next season.
BARNSDALL: The Panthers and Lady Panthers will experience a blast of action this week. They hosted Wesleyan Christian on Monday, will Caney Valley on Tuesday and will host Bluejacket on Friday.
NOWATA: The Nowata teams will play host Friday to Dewey. Thad Hewitt is the new head coach for the Lady Ironmen while Nate Smith is back for his second season leading the Ironmen.
CANEY VALLEY (Kan.): The Pups and Lady Pups travel Friday at Independence (Kan.).
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: A look at the first busy week of area prep basketball
