Updated: Dec 18, 2020 4:26 PM
Nowata Shooting Up in Rankings Ahead of Winter Break
Max Gross Despite the cancellation of three games due to opponent’s COVID-19 cases the start of the basketball season has still been considered a success for the Nowata boys’ team. The Ironmen have climbed up to the No. 14 spot in the latest 2A rankings. Nowata started the at No. 19 in the polls. Nowata is 4-1 after Friday’s game with Vinita was called off. The Ironmen have made at least 12 three pointers in all four of their victories. Mark Price and Gabe Velasco have been the top marksmen for the Ironmen so far. Nowata cruised to 60+ point victories against Afton and Barnsdall this week. Nowata’s schedule will ramp up with several Northeast Valley Conference games after the New Year. The Ironmen have only played one NEVC team, Oklahoma Union so far.
Updated: Dec 15, 2020 7:56 PM
Ironmen Drain School Record 21 Three s in Win at Barnsdall
Max Gross Nowata went on the road for the first time this season and dismantled Barnsdall, 92-30. The Ironmen knocked down a school record 21 three-pointers in the dominant victory. The Panthers briefly led 5-3 in the opening minutes. The Ironmen struggled to hit outside shots but their persistence was rewarded. Nowata led 22-10 after one period. The second quarter was when the Ironmen really turned it on as they outscored the Panthers 33-3. Velasco was one of six Ironmen players in double figures. He led the team with 18 points. Nowata’s bench would play the entirety of the second half. Junior Cole Atkisson emerged for the first time at the varsity level with 15 points on five three-pointers.
Nate Collier and Dillon Ellis combined for 25 points in the win. The Cougars move to 5-0 and win the Hewitt tournament for the second consecutive year. Nowata relied on Mark Price who scored 18 points. The Ironmen take a tough loss to fall to 2-1. (
Oklahoma Union s Chesnie Hewitt showing off her MVP trophy.) The Lady Cougars gutted out a tough victory to hoist a trophy as well beating Mannford 56-50. OKU girl’s take home their second title in this event since 2017. The Lady Cougars played solid basketball as they took an early lead. Chesnie Hewitt had eight points in the first quarter to give OKU a 17-9 lead.
Updated: Dec 11, 2020 9:30 AM
Nowata Tops Mannford in Hewitt Semis
Max Gross Nowata will be in the finals of its own tournament for the first time since 2017. The Ironmen knocked off a shorthanded Mannford team on Thursday night, 56-41. An 11-2 run in the third quarter separated Nowata in what was a close contest. The Ironmen trailed 24-22 at halftime in a defensive battle. Sharpshooter Mark Price was held to just six points in the first half but would turn it around to finish with 29 points on then night. Price single-handedly outscored the Pirates in the second half.