Small school basketball survives despite winter blast

Wednesday, school remained closed as the Bison prepared to open the Class B state tournament Thursday at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City.

Leedey coach Leah Beer's team has been together for virtually the entire week.

When it became apparent how bad the weather was going to get, Beer helped arrange for the team to stay close to the gym.

Beer lives close to the school and Jimmy and Marilyn Harrel, whose grandnieces play on the team, offered to house the team.

“We literally stepped out of the house and we could just go right to the gym,” Beer said. “Fortunately, we did not lose electricity; we were thankful for that and we could continue practice.”

It's been a challenging week for teams in the northwestern part of the state getting in preparation for the state tournament.

Deer Creek-Lamont coach Chad Hutchison did not have power at his house Wednesday, Hutchison and his family had to spend Tuesday night at a nursing center in Enid where his wife works.

After getting their hands on a generator Wednesday, the family was back in their home.

His team has practiced at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa this week.

Fargo's leading scorer, Tyler Foale, was not able to make it to practice until Wednesday.

“I had a kid who didn't have electricity or running water for two days,” Fargo coach Brent Caldwell said. “I have one kid who was finally able to get out of his house (Wednesday) morning. The county showed up and graded his road so he was finally able to get to the main road. I couldn't get my vehicle out for two days.”