Broken Arrow Expects to Fix February Fortunes

Originally Published: Jan 31, 2010 8:8 PM CDT

Curt Hill
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- Broken Arrow’s 2008-2009 February schedule was arguably the toughest in the state.

“The month of February is always conference play for us and you take into consideration that last year we had Jenks, Union, and Muskogee—three teams that were in the final four,” head coach Rusty Stecker said.

The Tigers faltered in February and finished 1-7 after starting 15-0. But instead of making excuses about last year’s late season troubles, the Tigers are moving on.

“We don't even talk about it,” senior Tyson Reed said. “It was last year and it’s in the past. We're more mature this year, more experienced.”

Broken Arrow’s experience has been the key to a 13-1 start this year, and the Tigers expect experience to change their fortunes this February.

“We played four juniors last year and now those guys our seniors, so we gained a lot of experience,” Stecker said. “We were also small last year. It was something new for us, and we learned how to play small.”

Another key for the Tigers is keeping focused every time they take the court.

“Last year, our season got hard and I think they had a tendency to let down a little bit and think ‘Oh, we're 15-0,’” Stecker said. “I think they learned right there they better be ready to play every single night.”

This year’s February schedule may be just as tough as last year’s slate. In addition to playing teams like Jenks, Union, and Muskogee, Broken Arrow plays four of its final five games on the road. While they know those road games will be difficult, they could be helpful come tournament time.

“I think it’ll be tough, but it'll be good for us. When we go to state, we're not going to be at home,” senior Marnard Grant said.

“We've got those road games and we'll set a goal of winning three out of five,” Stecker said. “We're going to be realistic about it. I think if you set a goal of winning all five and you don't do that, you have a tendency to self-destruct.”

No matter how many games the Tigers win, the team hopes the shortest month of the year won't be quite as long as it was last season.

2010 February Schedule
2/2 Owasso
2/5 Muskogee
2/6 Union
2/9 @Jenks
2/12 Sapulpa
2/16 @Union
2/19 @Lawton
2/20 @Lawton Eisenhower