High School Basketball: Tournament of Champions
BY Staff Reports
Saturday, December 22, 2012
12/22/12 at 5:32 AM
DEC. 27 TO DEC. 29 • MABEE CENTER, ORU
Boys
Verdigris Cardinals
Class/ranking (OKRankings.com): 3A/No. 3
Coach: Randy Upshaw
First-round game: vs. Roland, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 27
Tickets: $7 adults, $7 students
Team sponsor: Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Cantina
PLAYER TO WATCH
Blake Battenfield
The 6-foot-3 senior forward has signed to play baseball at Oklahoma State. Averaged 13.3 points as a junior and is the Cardinals' leading scorer and rebounder this season. Upshaw on Battenfield: "He's picked up where he left off last year. He's had to play out of position and play inside more with (center Caleb) Jones out for the season, but he can hold his own against most guys in there."
girls
Colbert Leopards
Class/ranking (OKRankings.com): 2A/No. 5
Coach: Chris Gillespie
First-round game: vs. Anadarko, 7 p.m. Dec. 27
Tickets: $7 adults, $7 students
Team sponsor: Tulsa Sports Charities
PLAYER TO WATCH
Darian Bradford
The 5-foot-5 senior was named Bryan County MVP last season after helping lead her team to a 26-5 mark and the last playoff rung before the state tournament. Averaged 9.9 points, four assists and three steals. Gillespie on Bradford: "A tireless worker, a really good defender and a really smart player. She's a very important part of our team."
