Class 5A Area Championships Round Up

Four teams last night punched their tickets' to next Monday Class 5A State Tournament at the Big House. Here's a recap how they accomplished their season long goal of reaching the State Tournament.   Featured Game   El Reno 51   Del City 48   To be the champs, you have to beat the champs. Heading into the fourth quarter, it looked like Del City would do just that. But the hearts of El Reno's seniors were too much. El Reno eliminated a small deficit, then traded buckets before hitting free throws and getting crucial stops in the final minute to punch their ticket to the State Tournament. Where on Monday, they'll continue in their efforts to repeat.    There was a stretch in a recent loss to Mustang where Bugaj went takeover mode. Rattling off points in transition, forcing steals, slashing to the rim, dropping dimes. It was a preview of what was to come for the senior. In El Reno's biggest moment so far this season, she was an unstoppable star. To start the fourth quarter, she had a "give me that" steal. Then was off to the races. She scored at the rim, drilled a corner three and changed the game.   Senior urgency defines playoff runs. With one State Title already on her resume, Bugaj will leave it all on the court in attempting to go back to back. Her defensive tenacity, shiftiness while driving and clutch perimeter shooting will all be key factors in the Lady Indians' title push.     The second game changer for El Reno on Tuesday night was Thomas, who started the game very strongly. She's such a weapon out of the high post and even to the three point line. Play off her, and she'll drain threes. Also a point forward type player, with the way she'll drop dimes to cutting teammates. El Reno built an early lead and it was all through Thomas. She was impactful throughout the night. Including hitting a clutch pair of free throws in the final minute. And battling around the rim. With Thomas and Bugaj, the Indians won't be an easy out next week.     The freshman has made big strides throughout the year, and made a couple eye popping plays on the defensive end. She had a chase down block that made great use of her long arms and athleticism. Also covered smaller guards on the perimeter and even had a nice pick pocket steal. Offensively, she can score around the rim but overall is raw. Still with her physical traits and defensive moments, the upside is very high for Baker.    Hornets' third quarter swarm too much   Durant went blow for blow against the 5A favorites for the first half. But the waves of talent Booker T Washington can throw at teams proved to be too much. The Lady Hornets met expectations and punched their ticket to another State Tournament, they were semifinalists last year. Now they're entering with the weight of expectations, something their talented team will relish. In December they proved they can be a title quality team, with wins over 6A Bixby and Broken Arrow, along with 4A power house Lincoln Christian. The question now, can they match that performance while the lights are brightest in the 405?    The focal point of Booker T Washington's offense, finished with a team high 21 points. Including an 11 point third quarter that helped Booker T Washington gain momentum in putting away a frisky Durant team. It was a preview of what to come, as the nationally ranked prospect is expected to be the best player at the State Tournament. And she'll have every opportunity to finish her high school    Five Straight from Carl Albert   It's not shocking that one of Oklahoma's most successful athletic departments has another team making a deep playoff run. Especially when this will be fifth straight time the Lady Titans have reached the 5A State Tournament. Since a December slip up against a 6A squad, they have been on a tear. Carl Albert is now 27-1, can they reach 30 and claim gold next week?    On any given night, any player can lead the Titans in scoring. To punch their ticket to state, it was the junior scoring specialist who had 15 points. She's been consistent so far this playoff run, with 11 points against rivals Midwest City and 12 points in the opener against John Marshall. She'll be draining threes and slashing to the basket next week at the State Tournament. With hopes of leading the Lady Titans to their first State Title since 2000.      Coweta makes it 23 straight, headed to state   Returning the core of last year's 5A semifinals team, the expectations for Coweta was another trip to the 405. They punched their ticket by grinding out their second win of the season over a very good Shawnee team. While March is often senior focused, and Coweta has plenty of them to lean on. Including 17 from senior Tayen Allen. It could be a boost from a pair of talented sophomores that gives the Tigers a chance at Gold next week.    Dennis is no stranger to making plays in the playoffs, she was a clutch contributor last year at the State Tournament. She had 17 in Tuesday night's win, including a tough score in the fourth quarter. The sophomore is a speedy and tough guard, who will be a handful for opponents next week. But she's not the only sophomore Tiger to keep tabs on. 2027 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1252185' first='Gracie' last='Sanders'] provides extra size and athleticism. Which will be vital when matching up against the tall and physical opponents that will make up the 5A field.

Four teams last night punched their tickets' to next Monday Class 5A State Tournament at the Big House. Here's a recap how they accomplished their season long goal of reaching the State Tournament.