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Turner coach Shane Hill figured it was his team’s first regular season loss in more than 50 games.
It was actually the first loss in 53. And it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“We won a bunch of games in a row; after each one, everyone just kinda got to where they expected it,” Hill said of the Falcons’ regular-season unbeaten run, which dated back to 2009. “We got away from some of the fundamental things that win basketball for you. Maybe this loss will spark us a little.”
Turner (24-1) lost its first game of the season Monday against Bray-Doyle 68-51. In the game, sophomore point guard Andi McGill sprained her ankle in the third quarter and had to leave, but Hill didn’t use that as a excuse for the Falcons’ loss.
The Falcons, ranked ninth in Class A, just didn’t play well enough to win. Hill said this week was one where Turner worked on those fundamentals needed entering the postseason.
Turner will play the winner of Fox and Velma-Alma in Saturday’s Area II, District 3 championship game at Turner. The Falcons beat Fox 52-27 in their first meeting, and haven’t played Velma-Alma yet this season.
Win or loss, Turner will advance to the regional tournament next week. If Turner wins on Saturday, it will likely play Cyril in the first round of regionals in Velma.
“If we bring the team that won the Plainview and Healdton tournaments, we’ll be a tough team to beat,” Hill said. “We came in (to the postseason) last year and we didn’t know how to play from behind.
“(Losing) was probably the best thing that could have happened to us.”
Wilson boys
The Wilson boys (15-8) will enter the postseason without their lone senior starter, Hector Rodriguez, who is out for the season with a sports hernia.
“It forces some of our sophomores and freshmen to grow up really fast,” Wilson coach David McGuire said of Rodriguez being out. “I told the boys that Hector was averaging about 13 points a game and that we need about 18-20 points a game from somebody on the court.”
In this weekend’s Class A district tournament, the Eagles received a bye and will play the winner of Friday’s Bray-Doyle vs. Big Pasture game in the district championship on Saturday.
Wilson hasn’t played Big Pasture yet this season, but is 2-0 against Bray-Doyle with an average winning margin of 32 points.
Turner coach Shane Hill figured it was his team’s first regular season loss in more than 50 games.
It was actually the first loss in 53. And it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“We won a bunch of games in a row; after each one, everyone just kinda got to where they expected it,” Hill said of the Falcons’ regular-season unbeaten run, which dated back to 2009. “We got away from some of the fundamental things that win basketball for you. Maybe this loss will spark us a little.”
Turner (24-1) lost its first game of the season Monday against Bray-Doyle 68-51. In the game, sophomore point guard Andi McGill sprained her ankle in the third quarter and had to leave, but Hill didn’t use that as a excuse for the Falcons’ loss.
The Falcons, ranked ninth in Class A, just didn’t play well enough to win. Hill said this week was one where Turner worked on those fundamentals needed entering the postseason.
Turner will play the winner of Fox and Velma-Alma in Saturday’s Area II, District 3 championship game at Turner. The Falcons beat Fox 52-27 in their first meeting, and haven’t played Velma-Alma yet this season.
Win or loss, Turner will advance to the regional tournament next week. If Turner wins on Saturday, it will likely play Cyril in the first round of regionals in Velma.
“If we bring the team that won the Plainview and Healdton tournaments, we’ll be a tough team to beat,” Hill said. “We came in (to the postseason) last year and we didn’t know how to play from behind.
“(Losing) was probably the best thing that could have happened to us.”
Wilson boys
The Wilson boys (15-8) will enter the postseason without their lone senior starter, Hector Rodriguez, who is out for the season with a sports hernia.
“It forces some of our sophomores and freshmen to grow up really fast,” Wilson coach David McGuire said of Rodriguez being out. “I told the boys that Hector was averaging about 13 points a game and that we need about 18-20 points a game from somebody on the court.”
In this weekend’s Class A district tournament, the Eagles received a bye and will play the winner of Friday’s Bray-Doyle vs. Big Pasture game in the district championship on Saturday.
Wilson hasn’t played Big Pasture yet this season, but is 2-0 against Bray-Doyle with an average winning margin of 32 points.
“Big Pasture is young and they play a fast-paced game,” McGuire said. “Bray has three or four wins under their bet, but they’re aggressive.
“We’re gonna have to come to play or we’ll find ourselves in the losers’ bracket or going home real fast.”
The Eagles advance to the regional tournament no matter the outcome. McGuire said that with a district win Saturday, Wilson likely lines up to play Class A No. 9 Sterling.
“It’s a tough region,” McGuire said. “You have No. 4 Velma (Alma) who’s undefeated and the defending champions Fort Cobb-Broxton. But we’re OK with that. If we step up our game, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win.”
Erik K. Horne
221-6522
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District tournament games
Class A
Area II, District 3
At Turner HS, Burneyville
BOYS
Today
Fox at Turner, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Fox/Turner winner vs. Velma-Alma, 8 p.m.
GIRLS
Today
Fox vs. Velma-Alma, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Fox/Velma-Alma winner vs. Turner, 6:30 p.m.
Area II, District 6
At Big Pasture HS
BOYS
Today
Bray-Doyle vs. Big Pasture, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday
Bray-Doyle/Big Pasture winner vs. Wilson, 7:45 p.m.
GIRLS
Today
Wilson vs. Bray-Doyle, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Wilson/Bray-Doyle winner vs. Big Pasture, 6:30 p.m.
Class B
Area II, District 2
At Milburn HS
BOYS
Today
Mill Creek vs. Thackerville, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Mill Creek/Thackerville winner vs. Milburn, 8 p.m.
GIRLS
Today
Mill Creek vs. Thackerville, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Mill Creek/Thackerville winner vs. Milburn, 6:30 p.m.
Area II, District 7
At Ryan HS
BOYS
Saturday
Springer at Ryan, 8 p.m.
GIRLS
Springer at Ryan, 6:30 p.m.
