Sports

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.

After watching star quarterback Dorian Plumley put up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing and passing seasons, El Reno High School head football coach Chuck Atchison felt it was time to start diversifying the Indians offensive portfolio.

It was a moved based on the potential of the Indians to make a deep run in the Class 5A playoffs with Plumley at the helm.

El Reno High School’s girls basketball program kicked off its preseason work last week with a scrimmage at Jenks Simmons Field House with Lawton Eisenhower, Edmond and Putnam City West.

Union City High School’s girls basketball team jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead over Verden and then held off a feverish fourth-period rally by the Tigers for a 47-40 win to kick off the 2020-21 season.

Verden trailed by 11 points going into the fourth period but outscored Union City 15-9 over the final eight minutes to keep the game close.

Daniel Anderson’s team made only three buckets in the fourth but two of those were 3-pointers from Kailee Jackson and a Kami Leonard bucket before fouling out.

Union City High School’s boys basketball team opened up the 2020-21 season last week with a 59-32 win over Verden.

Brayden Armstrong shoots in the lane.

J.D. Riley is fouled while shooting a layup.

Tyler Ross drives the baseline.

(Tribune photographer/Glen Miller)