District play tips off at home this weekend for the Oologah Mustangs and Lady Mustangs as they welcome Miami to town, because nothing says postseason intensity like a double-elimination bracket where you can survive one bad night, but you’d really rather not test that theory. Both squads are looking to extend their year, with the girls entering the district round at 14–8 and the boys closing the regular season at 10–12. It’s the part of the schedule where every possession matters and the margin for error suddenly feels a lot smaller.
Lady Mustangs head coach Clif Warford says he’s happy to open district play on his home floor and likes his team’s chances on Saturday, but he knows the road ahead won’t be gentle. Warford pointed to a challenging regional field that includes defending state champion Lincoln Christian and conference champion Verdigris, along with several other strong teams. Still, he says if his group plays the way it’s capable of, he believes they can push through regionals and reach the area round.
Saturday’s doubleheader gets underway with the girls game at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 7:30. It’s the kind of night where the gym gets loud, the stakes get real, and even with a double-elimination safety net, nobody wants to find out what that second game feels like.
