LHS boys host regional tonight

Tuesday was the opening night of the playoffs for the local girls teams, tonight the boys take over and the only team hosting a regional is Lawton High School which survived the brutal 6A district and will face Putnam City North this evening at 6 p.m. at the Wolverines’ Gym.

The other game in that regional will match Moore and Northwest Classen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Lawton High.

The Wolverines have been able to use pressure defense to turn the tide in many games but getting the ball inside has been a key for LHS down the stretch utilizing the length of Pene Vasiagote and Tavarious Deans to do much of the damage. Those two along with Madden Padilla have been on target from long range at times but Padilla’s playmaking ability has been important all season.

LHS Coach Chevis Smith played for PCN Coach Mike Jeffries at Millwood and he is expecting a tough challenge from the Panthers.

“PC North is a very skilled team with a couple of dynamic players in (Michael) Luna and (Khai) Brown,” Smith said. “Coach Jeffries likes to be a little more deliberate but his guys like to get out and run and are very similar to us.”

Smith feels his Wolverines are peaking at the right time.

“Earlier in the season I told you we needed to value possessions more and I think that is something our guys have really done,” he said. “In these last few district games we had to win and our guys did a good job making good decisions. Our offensive flow is much better now.”

Smith is counting on local fans to turn out and support his club and local basketball.

“We really need everyone to come out and support this regional,” he said. “I think it’s good for Lawton to host and even if you aren’t a big LHS fan, we’d love to have you come out and support local basketball in general. We would love to have a big, loud crowd which is why hosting is some important.”

MacArthur boys finished third in District 5A-2 and will be on the road for their regional, heading to Guthrie where the Highlanders will face Shawnee at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Ike boys will be competing in a 6A regional at Edmond North facing the hosts at 6 p.m. Thursday, The other game in that regional pits Putnam City West against Mustang at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Elgin boys will be playing John Marshall Thursday at Carl Albert. The host Titans will face Noble in the opener at 6 p.m. and the Owls and John Marshall battle in the second game at 7:30 p.m.