Cyril, Geronimo, Chatty girls eye regional titles

Saturday will be a big night for numerous Southwest Oklahoma basketball teams as they fight regional titles in Class A and B/

Cyril girls have been one of the best Class A girls teams and the Pirates will battle Cheyenne-Reydon at 6 p.m. tonight on their home court. The importance of regional titles is special as the title winners will be one victory away from a State tournament berth.

There are several other area teams in the same position. Empire girls will face Caddo in the title game in the Class A Area III three regional, Geronimo girls face Buffalo Valley in the title game of the Class B Area III regional at Alex, Fort Cobb-Broxton boys face Granite in the finals of the Class A regional at Alex, and in an al-area battle in the Class B Area IV regional at Chattanooga the host Lady Warriors will challenge Mt. View-Gotebo.

While the regional champions have the best shot at making State, even teams that lose in tonight’s regional title games can reach State but they would need three straight wins next weekend to get that prized State berth.

And while much of the spotlight this weekend has been on the smallest two classes, A and B, teams in Class 4A, 3A and 2A launch their playoffs this weekend with some playing Friday and the remainder taking the court tonight.

While the regional championships will be the focus for many fans, there were numerous other area teams competing Friday in consolation bracket games including Chatty boys who beat Mt. View-Gotebo, 47-42, Friday afternoon to get one win away from playing in next week’s Area tournament.

The Warriors had good scoring balance with Jackson Franks scoring 15 and Cooper Loftin 12. Chatty owned a 38-25 lead entering the fourth quarter but the Tigers came roaring back to get within four before the hosts were able to seal the victory. Blake Maxwell led the Tigers with 15 and Trigger Troglin added 11.

Big Pasture appeared on its way to advance to face the Chatty boys but Ryan had other plays, fighting from way behind to pull out a 49-46 victory before a big crowd at the Chatty gym. BP owned a 42-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter but the Cowboys exploded for a 21-4 edge in the final eight minutes to pull out the wild win.