State Preview

Whitesboro Bulldogs/Duke Tigers

Whitesboro comes into Day 1 of the state tourney by winning the area consolation championship.  The Lady Bulldogs were able to overcome the curse that is losing the Area Championship game and winning the Consolation matchup by two over McCurtain.  Whitesboro is new to the State Tourney as this is I believe their second appearance.  Their first was in 2020 where they lost in the Quarterfinal matchup to Varnum.  Two years later and the Lady Bulldogs are looking for the first State Tournament win.  Whitesboro is coming off a 20-6 where all 6 of their losses have came to teams ranking in the top 20 of their respective classes.  Whitesboro only has 1 loss to a Class B school this year and that was a 23 point loss to Area 4 champion Pittsburg.  

Duke just sounds like they should be playing in the State Tourney every year.  The Lady Tigers are making another state tourney appearance after beating Lookeba-Sickles in the Area 3 Championship game by 10.  Duke last hoisted the Gold Ball in 1998 where many of you on this board weren't even born yet.  The Lady Tigers lost the 1997 State Championship and the 1980 State Championship.  Duke can't wait for as they look to add a matching Gold Ball of their own to the 2020 Boys State Title.  Duke last was in the State Tournament in 2019 where they lost in the Quarterfinals to Varnum.  Duke is 23-5 and ranked #6 and have not lost to a Class B school all year.  The competition does get a little bit more competitive though and if the Lady Tigers want to be the best there is no better way to prove it than in the State Tournament.

Varnum/Hammon

Varnum is no stranger to the State Tournament.  When doing the little research I have done, I believe Varnum might be the only school that has played against every team in the state tournament at some point and time.  Varnum is looking to win their 3rd Gold ball the last being in 2019 when the seniors of this group were freshmen I believe. The other gold ball came in 2009.  Varnum is no stranger in the state tournament as they have made state in Class A and B.  The only other team I can think of that has made State in multiple classes would be the other Lady Whippets (Okeene)  In order to win this year they will have to beat Hammon who is also trying to win their 3rd Gold Ball.  It won't be easy as the Lady Whippets will have to beat #2 hammon, then #3/#4 in the Semi's and possible the juggernaut that is Lomega.  Make no mistake about it but if you come out in this lower bracket as State Champions you will have earned it.  Varnum is ranked #5 and boast a 9-5 record over top 20 teams this year with a 15-2 record over other Class B squads.

Hammon is once again in the state tournament.  With as many times that the Lady Warriors have been here its hard to think they only have won the gold ball twice (2006, 2018).  Then again Lomega is in Class B and has kept many teams from winning multiple State Championships.  Regardless Hammon is a powerhouse team and the Lady Warriors come to the 2022 State Tourney as the #2 seed, 23-5 record, and an 8-4 record against top 20 teams.  I don't know how many state tournament appearance Hammon has but I can say its a lot but it seems like they are always the Bridesmaid and never the bride.  It's funny because their opponent, Varnum, also seems to be in the State Tournament often but can't quite to seem to put it all together.  These two teams are similar in history when you look at it on paper and may the best Bridesmaid win.

7 trips. That’s it. Seems like it should be more. I mean I was looking at early 2000s and they were there. Seems like they should have more than 7 trips.

I think I agree with illinoissooner on this one. It's hard to say that Varnum is a "Bridesmaid", when they've won the whole thing 2 out of the 7 times they've been there. Hammon on the other hand, has been to the State tournament at least 15 to 20 times (which is still a great accomplishment) and have won two gold balls.

Not trying to be too critical here, I do like the break down of all the teams oldblue. Appreciate the history and research brought into it.

No one is offended. Hard to tell what a joke is on a forum.

I wasn’t trying to attack just correcting mistakes like the Class A comment. Thanks for doing the previews!

Ohhhh to be a bridesmaid....

Varnum lost in the finals in 20 vs Lomega.