By Jeff Johncox
Transcript Sports Writer
It's about that time.
State playoff seedings will be announced today for Classes 6A and 5A, and three of the Norman teams are in the running to host regionals.
How much does hosting a regional matter?
Well, sometimes a lot.
The Norman High girls regularly host regionals, and they regularly go deep into the playoffs, usually to at least the state semifinals.
Sometimes, it doesn't matter much.
The NHS boys hosted their regional four years ago and were knocked out by U.S. Grant.
At least for both Norman North teams, hosting a regional could mean the difference between playing in front of a friendly crowd and a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to the eastern side of the state.
The Timberwolves are one of two west-side teams heading east this year, so there's no doubt they'd like to remain in their home gym for as long as possible.
The North girls have a really nice resume.
The T-Wolves sit at 11-3 and are currently ranked fifth in the state.
They've lost to top-ranked Midwest City twice (and both times played the Bombers well, albeit much better on the road than Friday's meltdown at home) and to then-second-ranked NHS once.
Unfortunately, North had to postpone the second Crosstown Clash and a pretty certain victory over Moore due to inclement weather, but they should still be one of the east side's four hosting sites, especially since Tulsa Union has lost twice recently.
"Considering who we've lost to, I think we should," North coach Jeff Blough said. "Whether we host or don't host, though, we have to get ready for the playoffs and win these next six games."
The North boys' chances to host took a hit Friday with their loss to Midwest City. The T-Wolves are ranked ninth at 12-5, one spot behind the Bombers. Their biggest win was at Midwest City in December, but when they're on, the T-Wolves are one of the better teams in the western half.
But North is a bit bipolar, and it's cost the T-Wolves some games.
Fortunately, they should still host along with other east teams Broken Arrow, Muskogee and Edmond Memorial.
"We would have liked to have had the Moore and Norman games, and I would hope that anyone who knows what's going on around the state would not look negatively upon us for (this loss)," North coach Butch Roberts said after the T-Wolves fell to Midwest City Friday. "I mean, in my opinion, we should still be the No. 4 seed on the east side. But that's still to be decided."
The NHS girls will host again.
That's a no-brainer.
The Tigers are one of the best teams in the state, and if not for ugly losses to Class 5A's top team, Carl Albert (in the Lady Jaguar Classic's championship game) and the top-ranked Bombers, they'd be a one-loss team and still ranked No. 2.
NHS should have no problem securing another hosting spot today, especially after a very convincing win over tenth-ranked Edmond Memorial Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for the NHS boys, they're likely going to be a No. 3 or 4 seed somewhere.
Jeff Johncox
366-3535
jjohncox@normantranscript.com
