With the Lawton High boys hosting a regional this year, the Wolverines find themselves in a good position to make their first state tournament since 2010.
Seven years ago, LHS was led by point guard Craig Foster. Foster -- the former Cameron University standout who was named a Division II NABC All-American as well as the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year during his junior season in 2013 -- was back at his high school alma mater on Tuesday, when he gave the No. 13 LHS boys (14-6) a motivational speech as they gear up for a big weekend of playoff basketball.
LHS kicks off with Choctaw (7-15) on Friday at 8 p.m. at Wolverine Gym. If the Wolverines take care of business in the first round, they will likely be the favorite on their home floor in the regional final against either No. 11 Edmond Santa Fe or Southmoore.
While the winding road through the playoffs to the state tournament won't be easy, Foster's speech helped remind this year's Wolverine squad the golden opportunity that lies in front of them.
"This is a typical high school team. They only live for the moment so they don't miss last year's tough playoff loss," LHS coach Eric Wiley said. "These guys don't always realize what they have. So I had Craig come in and talk to the guys about some of the things that he went through while he was here and how important it is to practice hard and play hard right now."
Foster led the Wolverines to a regional and area championship. Now, the Wolverines are hoping to get back to the big stage just like they did when Foster was the floor general.
Enter Tre Vaughn, another dominant senior point guard who is ready to help deliver his team back to the promised land.
"I think we're ready for a deep playoff run," Vaughn said. "We just have to stick with what we've got and not slip up. We've got a good group of guys so I think we can make a good push. I'm just so glad I'm finally on this stage. So it's time to show everybody what I've got and what our team has got."
Wiley is confident his veteran leader is ready to lead his team on the big stage.
"He's been with me for four years so he knows the ins and outs of what it takes on this level and on this stage," Wiley said. "He says it's important to him. It should hit home because he wants to play on the next level so I told him, 'It always starts in the playoffs.'"
Heading into the playoffs, the Wolverines are playing and feeling confident, as they should be.
Although LHS knows it must play better this time against Choctaw, there are positive vibes after squeezing out two narrow victories earlier this season against the Yellowjackets.
LHS won the first go-around in December 56-51 before winning the second a month later on the road, 53-51.
"We don't want it to even get close this time," Vaughn said. "The last two games against them we took our foot off the gas in the fourth quarter. We need to keep that intensity all game long."
Beating the same team three times in a season is never an easy task, but if LHS can play defense and keep the game relatively low scoring, it should come out on top.
"They're always a challenge. They're no cupcake," Wiley said of drawing Choctaw. "In the first round, that's not an easy draw, especially because of matchup issues. But we just need to play defense. Our main thing is being able to stop someone. If we keep the game within the 40s and 50s, we can win easily."
Matchup problems may not be as big of an issue this time around. Senior guard DD Michael did not play last meeting. With him back and his quickness, Wiley said that should help the Wolverines. While the Yellowjackets may be "more seasoned inside" as Wiley put it with a senior post, Lawton's freshman post Ashawnti Hunter has dramatically improved over the course of the season and has had a big impact in the paint.
Last year, LHS lost a heartbreaker in the area tournament when Southmoore beat them on a last second shot. Ironically, Southmoore could be Lawton's opponent in the regional championship game on Saturday, should they beat Edmond Santa Fe in Friday's earlier semifinal, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
This year, the Wolverines get a treat with some sweet home cookin', much to Vaughn's delight.
"It's cool that we finally get to host a regional. I've never gotten to do that. I'm just blessed to be a part of this program that we've got going now.
Where the Wolverines are headed is still to be determined, but if the opening weekend goes well, 2010 could repeat itself with a reappearance in the state tournament.
"This may not be the same caliber team we had several years ago when we went to state, but this team has so much potential because the core is so young," Wiley said. "If we can get out there and play some good Lawton High basketball, I believe that this team has a good shot."