Long Wait Over for Chieftains

The Graham Chieftains are playing in the Boys' State Tournament for the first time in 50 years.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 6:08 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 3, 2011 8:33 AM CDT

Steve McGehee
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

WELEETKA, Oklahoma -- The buzz around Graham public school is overwhelming.

Basketball is once again a hot topic for the Class B school and Graham's long wait for the Boys' State Tournament is officially over.

John F. Kennedy was the U.S. President the last time Graham made it to the State Tournament, back in 1961.

The Chieftains are three wins shy from winning their first ever state title in boys basketball, which is amazing when you consider they won a total of three games one year ago.

Chad Smith is in his second season as the head coach of the Chieftains.

Smith was the head boys basketball coach at Dustin before arriving at Graham. When Smith left Dustin, five players departed Dustin as well to play for him at Graham.

Four of the five former Dustin players sat out all last season, forgoing one season of eligibility for a chance to be reunited with their former coach.

All four players plan on starting for the Chieftains in the tournament, Kyle Hart, Chase Smith, Brandon Jack and Jeremy Sands.

Graham will face the Duke Tigers Thursday at Southern Nazarene University in the Class B quarterfinals.