By Jeff Johncox
The Norman Transcript
Norman — Matilda Mossman wasn’t biting.
The Norman High girls coach wasn’t looking past today’s 3:30 p.m. quarterfinal with Edmond Memorial at a possible third Crosstown Clash of the season, this one in the Class 6A state tournament.
But it’s easy to think how much fun an NHS-Norman North meeting might be on such a large stage, in the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts, in Friday’s semifinal round.
“We’re only concerned right now with one game,” Mossman said. “We’re just looking at what we need to do against Edmond Memorial.”
The North girls were more than a little excited to reach state, but their thoughts immediately went to today, following last Saturday’s area consolation final.
They have a tough meeting with Edmond North tonight at 7 and can’t look forward to a possible semifinal Clash, either.
It’s the first North state berth since 2002, but the Timberwolves aren’t looking to make a quick exit.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Carly Young said after Saturday’s win over Owasso.
West side rules
It’s the opposite of football season, really, when the East is usually considered the dominant side of the state in Class 6A.
As far as hoops season is concerned, the West has owned the season.
Of the eight boys teams, six (Norman North, Edmond Santa Fe, Putnam City, Putnam City West, Midwest City and Edmond Memorial) hail from the western half.
Of the eight girls teams, seven (NHS, North, Memorial, Edmond North, Putnam City North, Santa Fe and Midwest City) are from the West.
The North boys are just looking to play their game, not worry about today’s quarterfinal opponent, Edmond Santa Fe (the team they beat to reach state the last time they were here, in 2006). They haven’t faced the top-ranked Wolves yet this season, but they’re playing tough, hard-nosed basketball right now.
How many in a row?
Sure, the NHS girls’ seven straight state tournament appearances are certainly something to celebrate.
But down in Washington, the girls team, and coach Rocky Clarke, have an even bigger state streak going.
The Warriors are making their 11th-straight state tournament appearance at 2 p.m. today when they take on Christian Heritage at the fairgrounds’ Big House in Oklahoma City.
Clarke, who coached at Dale and Velma-Alma before taking over in Washington, has been to state 15 of the last 16 years, making the Big House a regular haunt.
“I like the Big House,” he said. “It’s my plan to be there every year.”
And he’s not boasting.
High expectations have led to big results in Washington, just take a look at the banners hanging in the gym.
Toughing it out
The good news for both North squads is everyone will be healthy for today’s games.
Dalton Mitchell, the boys’ point guard, has been fighting a nagging ankle injury for weeks, and he was on crutches during Wednesday’s practice.
He was adamant it was just precautionary, though, and that he’d be ready to play at state.
For the girls, senior post Payge Wilson’s broken toe won’t keep her off the court any longer. She tried to play through the pain in the regional round, but wasn’t able to put in significant minutes. Last week, in the area round, she watched from the stands as North won both games.
She was practicing full speed Wednesday.
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
