Boys' 6A State Title Hoops Preview

Originally Published: Feb 24, 2010 8:45 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

OKLAHOMA – The 2010 6A boys’ basketball championship chase could be the state’s most competitive title push. A handful of teams could win the tournament, but no clear-cut headliner has broken away from the pack to establish themselves as the team to beat.

EARLY FAVORITE:
Edmond Santa Fe Wolves – 6A’s #1 ranked team

The top dogs in 6A boys’ hoops are Wolves. The Edmond Santa Fe boys last won a state title in 2005, and finished this year’s regular season 19-3, with convincing wins over other top teams in the state. They finished 14-3 against teams ranked in the top-20 and their three losses were by a combined 9 points. They lost to East Central in the Jenks/Union Invitational championship game by one in overtime, and dropped games to Putnam City West and Putnam City by four points each. Both of those teams are ranked in the top four in 6A.

Suffice to say, ESF will cruise into the quarterfinal round. They lock horns with US Grant in round one, before taking on the winner of Lawton and Del City. The Wolves didn’t lose a game at home all season, and since both of those games will be played in their gym, expect ESF to advance to the area round with little resistance on opening weekend.

TEAM TO WATCH:
Broken Arrow Tigers – 6A’s #4 ranked team

The Tigers have a knack for winning no matter what they face during a game. They win sloppy. They win easily. They win nail-biters. They win blowouts.

Rusty Stecker’s team bounced back from a disastrous 2009 February by posting a strong 5-2 mark in this season’s final month. The Tigers beat three ranked teams over that stretch, including a 68-64 come-from-behind overtime win over the Jenks Trojans. Broken Arrow trailed by 20 in the second quarter on the road in that game before storming back to the, sloppy, nail-biting, win.

The Tigers matchup with the Shawnee Wolves (5-16) in round one and will play the winner of Enid (15-8) and Bixby (13-7) for a chance at moving on the area round.

BEST REGIONAL ROUND MATCHUP:
No. 14 Union Redskins (12-11) at No. 5 Muskogee Roughers (18-4)

Potentially, this could be a dream game. Both squads would have to beat their opening games. Union plays Ponca City (11-11), and Muskogee hosts Bartlesville (11-12) on Friday night. Both matchups seem to be one-sided, and could set up a rematch of their exciting February 19th showdown at the UMAC. Union led their Senior Night game at halftime before the Roughers stormed back to win by 13 on the road. Adrion Webber scored 16 points in that game for Muskogee.

LAST FIVE STATE CHAMPIONS:
2009: Putnam City Pirates
2008: Memorial Chargers
2007: Midwest City Bombers
2006: Putnam City Pirates
2005: Edmond Santa Fe Wolves