At Duncan High School Tuesday afternoon, not a creature was stirring, not even a basketball.

It’s the holiday break for the area schools, marking the unofficial halfway point for our area basketball teams’ regular season. And, as expected, it’s been an up-and-down season for the teams.

The Duncan boys’ team started the season against several highly ranked teams, dropping its first two against Northwest Classen and Star Spencer. The guys bounced back in the next two, beating Blanchard 63-43 and Northeast 59-56. Dropping its next game to Douglass 72-49, Duncan then won two straight against Harrah and Cache. The game against Cache was the first and only home game the Demons have played so far. With a 4-3 record going into its last game before break, Duncan lost 77-66 at Altus.

Head coach Scott Smith said his team came ready to play, but wasn’t able to hold onto a 31-15 lead two minutes into the second quarter.

“We were aggressive and attacked them,” he said. “But you have to give Altus credit. They could’ve folded their tent and they didn’t.”

Duncan heads into the break 4-4 and will open back up at Lawton MacArthur on Jan. 6.

The Duncan Lady Demons have matched the boys’ team, also heading into the break with a 4-4 record. The girls were 4-1 heading into the championship game of the Duncan All-Girls First Bank & Trust Tournament before losing to El Reno 46-40.

Head coach Karen Berninger said during the tournament she was really happy with her team and that even though a lot of people were surprised with the success, she and her girls have expected to be where they are.

“All year, people have been asking how we’re going to replace some of our scoring from last year,” she said. “I’ve told my girls from the start that if we just play our game, we’re going to be fine. And so far, we have.”

After their hot start, the girls head into the break with a three-game losing streak after losing to El Reno, Cache and Altus.

The girls will face Lawton Mac on Jan. 6.

The Lady Outlaws of Marlow have been one of the bright spots for the area’s basketball teams, winning four of their five games thus far. Dropping their only game to Elgin, the girls have won games over Lone Grove, Comanche, Plainview and Blanchard. Marlow will face Washington on Jan. 6.

The Marlow boys have not had as much success, dropping all of their games thus far. The Outlaws were smoked last week at Blanchard, losing 85-35. Still, head coach Jason Wilkerson said his team is going to keep working hard over the break, hoping to reset its frame of mind and not worry about the win and loss record. Wilkerson said he will have open gym available for his kids on the days they’re not practicing.

Moving to Bray-Doyle, the boys’ team goes into the break with an 8-2 record, winning its first seven games of the season. After losing two back-to-back games against Rock Creek and Verden, the boys got back on track with an 85-71 win over Empire.

Freshmen Hayden Dickson and Cory Byford have been solid additions to the team thus far, helping balance the leadership and experience of its older players.

The girls’ team hasn’t matched the boys’ team in terms of wins, but goes into the break with a 5-4 record, winning several big games early in the season. The girls go into the break with a two-game winning streak, having beaten Rock Creek 45-31 and Empire 58-26.

The Comanche boys head into January with a perfect 4-0 record with wins over Frederick, Waurika, Marlow and Healdton. Senior Jacob Dunlap has been a part of the Indians’ success, scoring 26 points in the win over Waurika. The boys will compete in the Marietta Tournament Jan. 8 when they are back from break.

The Lady Indians take a 2-2 record into the break, losing their last two games to Marlow and Healdton. The girls will also play in the Marietta tourney on Jan. 8.

At Empire, it’s been an interesting season thus far for the boys. With scores nearing 100 points on each side, the Bulldogs have certainly let their shots fly this year. With a 3-3 record, the boys have wins over Geronimo, Grandfield and Maysville. They’ve lost to Bray-Doyle, Velma-Alma and Elmore City-Pernell. The Badgers beat Empire 108-48. The boys will take on Healdton Jan. 6.

The Lady Bulldogs go into the break with a 2-5 record, winning their last game at Maysville 41-36. The girls will take on Healdton Jan. 6.

At Velma-Alma, the Lady Comets have gone back and forth between the win and loss column all season long. With a 4-3 record heading into the break, the girls are looking to gear up for the Black Diamond Tournament once school resumes. The girls won their last game before break 43-31 over Wilson.

The boys’ team heads into the holiday break with an identical record as the girls, winning its last two games over Rush Springs and Wilson. Two of the boys’ losses have been by a total of five points with losses to Healdton 37-36 and Walters 52-48. The boys will also compete in the Black Diamond Tournament Jan. 5.

The Waurika boys go into the break 2-5 with wins over Ryan and Duke. The Eagles will compete in the Black Diamond Tournament Jan. 5.

The Lady Eagles are headed into the break 3-4, winning their last game against Geronimo 59-42.

School resumes Jan. 5 for all area schools.