Oklahoma high school boys basketball notebook: Moore riding balance during win streak; Sequoyah-Claremore off to record start; defending 2A champion Oklahoma Union regaining form

News and notes from around Oklahoma high school boys basketball

By Buck Ringgold

Moore has already equaled its win total from a season ago.

Now, the Lions are seeking to add to that while continuing a recent run of their winning ways.

Moore posted its sixth straight win on Tuesday, a decisive 76-50 win at Stillwater. The 6A school has beaten fellow 6A schools during this win streak, which also included a first-place finish at the Lions' own John Nobles Tournament on Jan. 20-22.

"Our kids are really defending well and sharing the ball on the offensive end," Moore coach Gregg Hardin said. "Since John Nobles week, we've had different players lead us in scoring.

"Senior Marcus Dockins and sophomore Chiante' Tramble have been consistent scorers. Junior Malachi Lee, senior Lonato Henderson and sophomore Darian Grant have also led us in scoring during this stretch."

Tramble was named the MVP of the John Nobles Tournament, averaging 23 points and 5.8 assists per game. Dockins had a team-high 16 points in Tuesday's win at Stillwater, in which the Lions built a 33-18 halftime lead, building that to 20 points by the end of the third quarter.

With their current win streak, the Lions stand at 14-4. A season ago, they finished 14-10 and reached the area round of the playoffs.

"Our initial goal for this year is the same now, and that's to get to state," Hardin said. "We know it's a tough road to get there in 6A, but I think our kids are ready for the challenge."

And in order to get to state, Hardin reeled off a few to-do items.

"Staying together, sharing the ball, defending well and a little luck," he said.

Moore is scheduled to play Norman North on Friday, weather permitting. Next week, the Lions play at Edmond Memorial on Tuesday and go to Westmoore on Feb. 11.

Sequoyah-Claremore

One of the top surprises in the state this season has been the Eagles.

They have extended their winning streak to 16 games after Tuesday's 52-46 win at home against Inola. At 18-1 overall, Sequoyah is off to its best start in school history.

"We're getting team leadership from my two senior starters, Eli Wood and Cooper Thompson," coach Larry Grigg said. "We're getting balanced scoring from our starters and getting bench play; four to five players come off of our bench.

"Our defense has kept us in games when our offense struggled."

A season ago, the Eagles finished 9-7 and lost nine games due to COVID-19.

"I thought we could win at least 15 regular season games and make a little noise in the playoffs," Grigg said. "We knew we would have to have balance as we do not have a superstar. We may have in coming years, but not now."

Defense has been another reason for the Eagles' resurgence, especially in their current 16-game winning streak, as they have allowed 36 points per game. In six of those games, they have allowed 30 points or less.

It's something Grigg hopes the team can continue to employ as the Eagles go for a run at state.

"(Defense) will keep you in games when you're having trouble scoring," Grigg said. "Also, it will depend on our young players adapting to the playoff atmosphere."

The Eagles will also get a boost with the return of senior Nic Perry, who is coming back from stress fractures in both lower legs and can add more depth to the squad.

Oklahoma Union

Last season's 2A state champions are starting to hit their stride.

The Cougars have reeled off six straight wins, the latest coming on Tuesday as they outlasted Caney Valley in overtime, 58-48. Oklahoma Union also won the recent Pawhuska Tournament, beating highly-ranked 3A squad Alva in the title game.

"We had a lot of questions coming in, and we still haven't fully answered all of them yet," Oklahoma Union coach Lee Ott said. "I think coming in, the guys felt like they had to be last year's team and they were not developing their own identity.

"This group of seniors have just begun to figure out their roles. ... Our toughness and defense has been better than I imagined it would be."

The Cougars returned two starters and one key bench player from last season's title squad.

Their top players include 6-foot-4 Jaiden Kennard, 6-2 Kade Hollingshed and 6-foot Tristan Davis. Hollingshed is a senior who has played in every game since his freshman year.

The Cougars' two other seniors have signed to play in college in different sports. Baylor Nash has signed to play football at Drake University in Iowa as a receiver, and Bryce Gillespie has signed with the baseball team at Labette Community College in Kansas as a pitcher.

With its six-game winning streak, Oklahoma Union stands at 16-3. The Cougars have also had winning streaks of four and five already on the season.

"A lot of things have to go our way and we have to keep grinding it out and not get away from what we do," Ott said. "We aren't explosive and high scoring."