Bound for state!

Ike Shirey gets a hug from coach Jeff Edmondson after his buzzer-beater three-pointer on Friday put the Dale Pirates into the state tournament. Photo/Rick Hester

State tournament starts on Thursday

The Dale High School basketball teams for the second consecutive year are headed to the Class 2A state tournament that opens play today (Thursday). The teams play at different venues and at different times. Coach Eric Smith’s Lady Pirates square off against Latta at 2 p.m.

Playoff basketball

At right, Meeker’s Kaitlyn Culp (22) defends against a shot in the lane by Prague’s Taylor Hodges (10) in district action Saturday night. Photo/Brian Blansett Below, Trae Thompson puts in a bucket against Dibble in the Dale Pirates’ win in the district finals. Photo/Rick Hester.

JUCO tournament returns to Shawnee

This year’s 2020 Region II National Junior College Athletic Association tournament scheduled for March 4-7 at Oklahoma Baptist University marks a milestone. It’s the 25th consecutive year for the tournament to be played in Shawnee.

Districts are done - on to regionals

Dale’s Sicily Shirey (0) grabs a rebound late in the Lady Pirates’ win ovver North Rock Creek in the district finals Saturday. Emily Abbott (21) and Madi Conley (13) contend for North Rock Creek. Both Dale teams advanced to the regional tournament, with the girls playing Wright City at 6:30 p.m.