CPHS Basketball: John Nobles Tournament Preview

The Class 6A No. 5 ranked Charles Page High School girls’ basketball team is headed to the three-day John Nobles Tournament in Moore, Oklahoma this Thursday and is one of five ranked teams at the event. Four of those teams are top-ten, and No. 2 Norman North (13-1) is the favorite to win.

The Sandites are 12-2 overall, riding a nine-game wining streak, and haven’t lost since early December against No. 3 undefeated Shawnee. Most recently they won 74-56 over No. 19 Jenks (7-6). They have the second-highest scoring offense in Class 6A and the sixteenth-ranked defense, winning by an average margin of 15.1 points. Their average game is a 64-48 victory.

At their first tournament of the year Sand Springs placed third, falling to Shawnee in the Bishop Kelley Invitational semifinals and defeating No. 19 Jenks in overtime. They are led by first-year Head Coach Tobey Nightingale.

On Thursday the Sandites will play Southmoore at 7:00 p.m. The Sabercats are 5-9 with an offense ranked 27th in 6A and a defense ranked 21st. They placed third at the Bartlesville Invitational and are coming off a 52-41 win over Stillwater (4-11). Their average game is a 50-42 loss.

On Friday Sand Springs will play either Norman North or Durant (1-13). Durant is riding a seven-game losing streak and their only win was 58-39 over Nathan Hale (5-6). The Lions average 36 points and give up 60.

Norman North has battled through a loaded schedule recently, falling 50-48 to No. 6 Edmond North (11-4) and needing overtime in back-to-back games to beat No. 4 Edmond Memorial (11-4) and No. 8 Moore (11-3). Most recently they won convincingly 60-39 over No. 11 Mustang (14-2).

The Timberwolves hold the sixteenth-best offense and third-best defense in 6A, winning by an average score of 54-40. They won the Enid Holiday Classic last month and made it to the finals of the Bishop Kelley Invitational, but didn’t play the final game due to severe weather.

On the other side of the bracket is Moore vs. Douglass (9-6) and No. 12 Choctaw (11-3) vs. 3A No. 10 Millwood (13-2).

Moore rebounded from their 55-54 overtime loss to Norman North with a 51-41 upset of Edmond Memorial. They have the No. 7 offense and No. 6 defense in 6A, winning by an average score of 61-43, and won the Byng Tournament. Douglass is on a three-game winning streak but they haven’t upset a single ranked opponent this season. They win by an average score of 48-43, but already dropped a game 68-38 to Moore earlier this month. They placed fourth at both Ardmore and Byng.

Choctaw made it to the finals of the Harrah Tournament and won the Lady Jag Classic 53-37 over Midwest City. They then fell 67-60 to Midwest City in their very next game, and have won their last two over unranked opponents. The Yellowjackets hold the No. 5 offense and No. 7 defense in 6A, winning by an average score of 62-43.

Millwood placed fifth at the Hays City Shootout and second at the Christian Heritage Tournament. They are riding a seven-game win streak and win by an average score of 57-36.

The tournament will be held at Moore High School at 300 North Eastern Avenue, Moore, OK 73160. The gym is located on the south side of the school campus, facing south.

Tournament Schedule
Thursday - 10:00 a.m. Choctaw vs. Millwood.
Thursday - 1:00 p.m. Moore vs. Douglass.
Thursday - 4:00 p.m. Norman North vs. Durant.
Thursday - 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs vs. Southmoore.
Friday - 10:00 a.m. Loser of (Moore/Douglas) vs. Loser of (Choctaw/Millwood).
Friday - 1:00 p.m. Loser of (Norman North/Durant) vs. Loser of (Sand Springs/Southmoore).
Friday - 4:00 p.m. Winner of (Norman North/Durant) vs. Winner of (Sand Springs vs. Southmoore).
Friday - 7:00 p.m. Winner of (Moore/Douglas) vs. Winner of (Choctaw/Millwood).
Saturday - 10:00 a.m. 7th Place Match.
Saturday - 1:00 p.m. 5th Place Consolation Finals.
Saturday - 4:00 p.m. 3rd Place Match.
Saturday - 7:00 p.m. 1st Place Championship Finals.