Big House Dreaming: Stretch Run Players to Watch

It's the final year for Jim Norick Arena at the State Fairgrounds, aka "The Big House". All seven classifications will be playing at the iconic arena in a stretch of 11 days of basketball in a 12 day span. But the Big House will always be associated with small school basketball excellence. From the southeastern Oklahoma squads, to the northwestern Oklahoma panhandle teams, players dream of hearing the iconic "Welcome to the Big House".   From players who have reached that dream, and even claimed Gold, to players looking to blaze a new path, here's a group of Oklahomans to keep an eye on as we begin the stretch run.    Gibson is lighting it up for the 5th ranked Class 3A Eagles. In a contest earlier this month against Adair, Gibson was unstoppable from deep. He dropped nice dimes and carved up the defense. He has good handles and wiggle for a stronger frame guard. Which allow him to get the step needed on drives or stop and pop over defenders. He closed out the first half of that win with a nasty crossover, stepback three where he crossed the defender twice. He definitely he has some "sauce" to his game. Claremore Sequoyah made the State Tournament for the first time in school history in 2023. But Gibson and company are still looking for their first State Tournament victory.     Last season, Hislop made the jump from homeschool ball to Victory Christian and was a key part of their 3A quarterfinals run. Now, he's asked to be the man in a rugged Class 4A. He's responded by being the go to man for VCS. He has has one of the best step back jumpers in Oklahoma and hitting game winners as well. He has a tight handle which is good for creating space, but with his quick trigger release he doesn't need much space to pull from deep with efficiency. A couple tough losses to two tough eastern Oklahoma squads could make the path tougher for Victory. But odds are, Hislop will rise to the occasion with explosive scoring games next month.     Chambers has already been to the Big House, three times in fact. Leaving with Gold all three times. He's looking to become a rare four time State Champion with his prestigious Dale senior class. The big man has always been important, providing rebounding, interior scoring and a dash of perimeter threat for a loaded Dale squad. But he's shouldered new responsibilities this year as a senior and has flourished. Has been a reliable outside threat in games against Crossings and Marlow. While also giving it to teams in the post. Appears to be a little more agile and mobile this year as well And should be a bruiser with a college level weight program.     One of Oklahoma's best scorers, Benard has Varnum ranked second in Class B, ready for a return trip to the Big House. Last time in the Class B quarterfinals they lost, but he poured in 26 points. He has next level size and athleticism, with powerful dunks in transition and acrobatic finishes in traffic. Add in his ability to catch fire from three and the central Oklahoma standout is sure to rack up the points and highlights in another run to the state tournament. Has the type of game that thrives at an up and down JuCo for a year or two, before settling in as an impact player at a good four year program.     The athletic senior showed out in a recent win over potential 2A playoff foe Cashion. He poured in 29 points and nabbed four steals. The springy guard had it going with deep threes, and along with the steals got some solid hangtime for a block. Definitely has the twitch and burst to be a problem during these upcoming playoffs. Riverside are currently 17-3 and looking for their first State Tournament appearance since 2016.       After leading the Warriors to a Class 3A State Tournament appearance last year, Threadgil is hoping to repeat the trick up in rugged Class 4A. The explosive scorer has them well positioned to do that, as Idabel is 16-3 and ranked 5th in 4A. In a battle against Broken Bow and another of the best scorers in Oklahoma Threadgil poured in 43 points. He takes pull up threes like they're 15 footers. Along with a crafty and bullyball type handle to attack downhill. Few players in Oklahoma will put on as big of a show as Threadgil will during these upcoming weeks.     If coaches or basketball fans want to see points and a show during the run to the Big House, check out a Catoosa game. They've been flying up and down the floor. And Phillips in his first year at Catoosa, is thriving for the Class 4A top 10 Indians. He's filling up the stat sheet and also filling it up from deep. Highlights indicate he's also willing to make the right pass when driving to the rim and covered. Surely a key factor in the success for the 15-4 Indians. While they have key seniors, the future will need to be now for sophomore Phillips as they search for their first State Tournament appearance since 2021.     Roland is playing some of the best ball in Eastern Oklahoma and are 15-1 and ranked 6th in 3A. Triplett II combines with freshman Owens to form a skilled Ranger backcourt. Which has good size around them, making for a balance squad. His contributions are key in keeping the offense flowing. He's a reliable threat from distance, and has a good hesitation moves to his handle on drives. Triplett has been a contributor since his freshman year, which also was the last time the Rangers made a State Tournament run.

It's the final year for Jim Norick Arena at the State Fairgrounds, aka "The Big House". All seven classifications will be playing at the iconic arena in a stretch of 11 days of basketball in a 12 day span. But the Big House will always be associated with small school basketball excellence. From the southeastern Oklahoma squads, to the northwestern Oklahoma panhandle teams, players dream of hearing the iconic "Welcome to the Big House".