Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

So here we are, dear Sofies. Basketball season is upon us and already your Jackets are dominating the competition. The boys have disposed of chizzum, Tuttle and most recently Newcastle (aka Newk). The girls destroyed chizzum and Newk, DOMINATED the Cleveland Tournament (again) and learned a lot against a very good Tuttle team.

I know I said before how excited I was for the season to begin, but that was a huge understatement. I mean, I'm sitting on my sofa (of course) counting the minutes until I have the opportunity to see these teams play again versus Elk City. Watching them on Kingfishersports.tv doesn't compare to being at the game live, although Mr. Swisher and his gang do an outstanding job, being there is just different. Kinda like when people say that the book is better than the movie, it just hits different.

Mya Dewberry and Abbie Myers are incredible additions to more seasoned veterans in Reagan Snider, Emily Myers and Addy Matthews. KJ Daugherty brings the muscle in the paint and Coach Young is flat out one of the best coaches these eyes have seen in some time. Coach Young has brought an aggressive style and attitude to a team that looks to score at will and hold their opponents to single digits. Seriously, I think she gets upset when the other team gets to 10 points. I love it.

Then the boys game, oh my goodness. This was one that both teams were looking forward to with Newk coming to town with a stud recruit and a pretty solid team around him and your Jacket seniors were looking forward to continuing the undefeated streak at home. Everyone at the Hive were on the edges of their seats. Speaking of the Hive, that group continues to show why ESPN has them rated as one of the top student support groups in the nation, but back to the game, according to people in the know.

It was amazing, watching the defense that Coach Reese and his assistants have taught to a savvy group is downright nasty. The Newk stud showed why he is one of the top D1 recruits in the country but he was constantly frustrated with Jacket players defending his every move. Offensively, the Jackets were led by X-man and Kitch but the magic in the way the Jackets play, you really couldn't get a true feel as to who Newk should try to stop. They truly have a five headed monster out on the floor, offensively and defensively.

The fans were going nuts the entire game, it had a playoff atmosphere, and I don't expect anything to change at home games. Which is why I cannot wait for the next game, and then the next home game after that and so on. Sofies, enjoy this season because teams like this don't happen very often. Coaches like Young and Reese with their assistants aren't in schools across the state. They are here in Kingfisher and we are truly fortunate to be able to see them perfect their craft.

We are able to watch a group of kids come into their own early in their careers like Abbie Myers, witness the athleticism of Mya Dewberry and the precision of Addy Matthews. We can watch a group of senior boys take on teams that on paper should be heavy favorites but end up making them walk away from the Hive knowing that they just got their butts kicked.

Mark it down, I'm calling this to be one of the most memorable seasons both boys and girls have in Kingfisher history. I'd advise to get a copy of the schedule and block out every home game and make sure to be there early because there will be nonstop action from the opening tip of the girls game until the final buzzer in the boys. I'd also advise making sure you have your browser set to kingfishersports.tv on away games. You're not going to want to miss a second of the action.