DUNCAN —
When it comes to the playoffs in Oklahoma High School basketball, nothing is ever for certain.
For the Duncan Demons and Lady Demons, they are hoping this is exactly the case starting this evening.
At 8 p.m. from Piedmont High School, the Duncan Lady Demons (4-19) will begin their playoff journey in the first round of regionals, taking on the No. 5 Lady Wildcats (15-7).
“Piedmont is a very good team, and have been ranked most of the year,” Duncan coach Aaron Minor said. “They have played with and beaten some top-ranked teams as well. They have a girl that is 6’1” who is the focus of their offense. She rebounds well as well as the other guards they have as well.”
All seven of the Lady Wildcats losses have come to ranked opposition this season.
Two of the losses came against No. 2 Deer Creek Edmond, with another coming against the No. 3 team in Class 5A Carl Albert, along with No. 1 Shawnee.
Class 4A’s No. 3 team Cushing has also defeated the Wildcats, with Class 3A power Millwood (No. 3) and top-ranked Okarche out of Class A also claiming victories.
However, despite the Lady Wildcats solid overall record, they have only managed to go 3-3 at home this season, having much better success on the road going 12-4 on the year.
“In a situation like this, we’ve got to hit shots,” Minor said. “That’s what’s fun about basketball is that anything can happen. We’ve been emphasizing to the girls to shoot the ball and hopefully those shots will go down. If that happens then we’ll be in the ball game.”
Should the Lady Demons pull off the upset, they will meet either Lawton MacArthur or Guymon on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Demons (5-18) will also face a tall task in their first round regional game against No. 4 Carl Albert (18-5) on Friday night at 8 p.m. from Carl Albert High School.
“They’re a solid ball club,” Duncan coach Mikel Davison said about the Titans. “The biggest thing is their number 11 player is a really good slashing point guard. He’s chaos on defense as well. They’ve played a tough schedule and have a lot of confidence in themselves. They aren’t invincible though. Nothing is impossible and that’s the blessing of Oklahoma basketball.”
Carl Albert hasn’t lost a home game since Jan. 25 when the Oklahoma Storm claimed a 52-51 victory in the Titan Classic tournament. This was also the last time CAHS lost a game.
Duncan meanwhile has been on a long losing streak, having conceded 15 straight defeats entering the playoffs.
“If I didn’t think we had a chance, I wouldn’t be getting on a bus to go play,” Davison said. “We’ve prepared and scouted and done everything we can do. Our guys don’t feel like lambs to the slaughter and we’re going to go out there and play our game.”
If Duncan wins, it will advance to play either Shawnee or El Reno for the regional championship on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Sports
Related Photos
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Duncan’s Jamie Carberry goes up for a layup during practice Wednesday afternoon at Duncan High School. Evan Grice/The Duncan Banner
Duncan teams ready for playoffs
Lady Demons to tip-off tonight at No. 5 Piedmont
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