Championships for Dale, North Rock Creek

The Dale and North Rock Creek boys teams won tournament championships last week, with Dale taking the crown at the Cashion tournament and North Rock Creek winning the Tri-County Invitational, held at the Cougars’ own gym.

Coach Jeff Edmonson’s Dale squad defeated Class 4A Clinton 65-63 in overtime to claim the title. The Pirates had three players in double figures, freshman Dayton Forsythe scoring 24 points, and seniors Dallen Forsythe and Palmer Jones tallying 11 and 16 respectively.

Dale clipped Fairview 60-45 in its tourney opener, followed by a 75-68 victory over Varnum to reach the finals.

Two weeks earlier, the Pirates captured the Kingston tournament title, defeating Class 4A Broken Bow in the finals. Four players made the All-Tournament team including Dayton Forsythe, Dallen Forysthe, Carter Crowe and Palmer Joners. Dayton Forsythe, a freshman, was the MVP of the tournament.

Edmonson said Tuesday, “I’m really proud of the boys. They are playing well and doing just a great job.” Dale is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.

North Rock Creek, which is now 13-2 and ranked No. 9 in Class 3A, beat Wellston 83-47 in the opening round of the Tri-County, cooled Asher 59-33 and beat Earlsboro 58-51 in the finals.

Other area teams making appearances in tournament finals were the McLoud boys and Prague girls in the 66 Conference; North Rock Creek girls in the Tri-County Invitational and Dale girls at Cashion.

Coach Eric Smith’s Lady Pirates, also ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, fell just short of also winning the Cashion tournament, losing a heartbreaker to Vanoss 49-48 in the finals.

Three Lady Pirates made the All-Tournament team at Kingston, including Brooke Rutland, Faith Wright and Danyn Lang. Lang also was the tourney MVP.