After all extracurricular activities were suspended for two days due to a possible COVID-19 situation at El Reno High School, athletics were allowed to resume practices last week.
The boys hosted Bishop McGuinness for a scrimmage under precautions.
No fans were allowed to attend and everyone in Jenks Simmons Field House had to wear a mask when not on the court.
Traditionally, a month into the basketball season would mean most small schools in Canadian County would have a month’s worth of practice time and up to six games under their belts.
However, there has been nothing traditional about 2020 heading into the Thanksgiving break.
Between lost power from a freak October ice storm and outbreaks of the coronavirus, Calumet has played just twice, while Okarche has had just one game.
El Reno's youth football recently won the 6-and-under, 9-and-under and 11-and under Central Oklahoma Football League titles with strong running.
MUSTANG – Three of the six age group championships awarded during the Central Oklahoma Football League's Super Bowl Saturday made their way back to El Reno.
El Reno’s 6-and-under, 9-and-under and 11-and-under football teams all defeated squads from Mustang. The city’s Little League program had the most titles by one over Mustang.
“I think that’s the first time we have won three titles,” said El Reno’s Mark Vincent.
While getting off to a slow start, the progression of El Reno High School’s defense over the course of District 5A-1 play proved that the switch to the 3-3 stacked formation was the right choice.
“I’m not sure it was a gamble but it was different. I thought at the start of the year it fit our personnel better,” said El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison.
Atchison admits the first three games were tough for the defense as Cache, Piedmont and Weatherford had offensive attacks that did not bode well for the 3-3 stacked alignment.
El Reno High School’s boys basketball team kicked off preseason work recently with a home scrimmage against Minco and Cashion.
The UC girls dropped to 1-1 on the season with a 50-21 loss to Calumet in a game which was called late in the fourth period due to a power outage. The Tigers also dropped to 1-1 on the season with an 81-38 setback to the Chieftains. Union City was slated to return to action Friday at Lookeba-Sickles in Washita Valley Conference play.
One week into the 2020-21 season, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced a Canadian County school to cancel basketball games.
Less than an hour before the scheduled tipoff of the girls game with cross-county rival Okarche, Calumet High School officials canceled the contest and the subsequent boys outing due to concerns over the virus.
“We had two girls on our team show signs and we were trying to do what was best to keep everyone safe,” said Calumet girls coach Kyle Axton.
Okarche was already at Calumet’s gym when the games were called off.
Facing a bye week during what is now termed the play-in round of the Class 5A playoffs, El Reno High School’s football team needed a stellar performance in its regular-season finale to keep the momentum running high.
“It was important that we keep our competitive edge going. It’s playoffs starting next week and that’s when it all matters. Our game plan was to come out here and take care of business and get some players that don’t get to play much some reps before playoff time,” said running back Darius Moore.
