Norman High’s girls basketball team hosted a super scrimmage at the NHS Gym Saturday, a six-hour event that featured some of the top teams in the state.
Besides the Tigers, perennial state title contenders themselves, the scrimmage field included other Class 6A contenders Midwest City, Del City, Tulsa Union and Enid.
The largest class in the state wasn’t the only one represented at the scrimmage, though. Washington, Woodward, Claremore-Sequoyah and Bishop McGuinness rounded out the field.
“It was a day of great competition,” NHS coach Matilda Mossman said. “There were some great athletes here today. We had great parent involvement, them running things. Our kids were great helping out.”
The regular season begins Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Lawton. But the Tigers have been on the court for a while now.
Saturday’s scrimmage let them know a little more about themselves and where they’re at as the regular season approaches.
“Every scrimmage was competitive, so hopefully our kids learned that when they practice every day you need to create the right habits,” Mossman said. “When you play good teams, they can exploit your weaknesses. And if you haven’t made it urgent to correct those things in practice, they show up in games.”
Mossman was happy with the level of competition Saturday. Having her squad match up against some of the better teams in the state gives NHS players and coaches a better idea of what to work on.
“When you play teams that you just blow out, it doesn’t teach you much,” Mossman said. “But when you play teams that hurt you when you make a mistake, you learn a lot. I’ll take quality competition any day.”
The Tigers were one win short of advancing to the state tournament last season. They made it to the state semifinals in 2005-2006 and won the state championship in 2004-2005.
This year they bring back two major scoring threats — senior guard Sasha King and junior forward Ashley Bruner.
But Saturday’s scrimmage allowed Mossman to see some other people contribute. Namely, senior Lacy Ramon, as well as Ramon and King’s younger sisters.
“Our two freshmen, Kamra King and Jeannie Ramon, were outstanding today,” Mossman said. “We know we have seven or eight players that are going to contribute on a nightly basis, and it’s just a matter of matchups to decide who’s going to play more.”
Jeff Johncox
366-3535
jjohncox@normantranscript.com
Local Sports
November 18, 2007
Good early work for NHS girls
- Local Sports
-
-
Shambaugh proves he is one to watch
It was hot, humid and the bugs were flocking to the lighted field at Tiger Stadium on Wednesday night. No one seemed to notice any of it by the sixth inning, though. Everyone was watching Jay pitcher Cale Shambaugh pitch a gem....
-
This one's for Papa
Wednesday was big for Nathan Thornhill for a couple of reasons. He led Team Texas to a convincing 9-1 victory over Team Arizona in the Heartland Baseball Classic. His 11 strikeouts in seven innings have been one of the highlights of the ...
-
Heart on the Diamond
The first Heartland Classic began Monday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park....
-
Soccer teams brave weather
Under gale-force wind conditions, the Norman High girls continued their soccer resurgence Thursday night at the NHS Soccer Complex, taking care of Yukon 1-0.
-
T-Wolves take third at invitational
Norman North coach Dennis Etter likes his team this season. Tuesday, he got his first real look at just how good it can be.
- SaberCats come out in force Julian Wilson was the first Southmoore player to commit last summer. And he was pleased at everything that has happened since then.
- Clash seating arrangements
-
Cats tame Tigers
MOORE — Coach Wes Clark didn’t want the game to turn into a track meet. He believed Norman High had a shot to knock off Southmoore if he could slow the game down to a crawl.
The strategy worked … for a quarter. But after Southmoore’s athletes were unleashed, they cruised past the Tigers 59-36 Tuesday. -
Bombers too much for North girls
MIDWEST CITY — Do the Norman North girls belong near the top of the Class 6A rankings?
Tuesday night, at least until the last six minutes, the Timberwolves certainly made their case.
Then it all fell apart. -
NHS battles, but North rules mat
Norman North, as expected, claimed Tuesday night’s mat edition of the Crosstown Clash.
Yet, getting past the Tigers by the slim margin of 42-31, it might have been Norman High coach Bo Maynes who exited the NHS Gym with the bigger bounce in his step. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
