Ike looks to bounce back against PC North

Although both Eisenhower basketball teams are placed high atop their respective rankings, they are out to prove themselves against Putnam City North tonight.

The Eagles were swept by Choctaw on Tuesday, putting them in a peculiar situation. After looking seemingly invincible for most of the season, Ike is in danger of suffering not only consecutive series. Another sweep would be the fifth loss, collectively, for Eagles basketball in the span of six days.

The current losing streak of three games started Saturday night when the short-handed Ike boys fell to Class 5A No. 1 Memorial, 75-68, in the 'Prep Hoops Oklahoma' East vs. West Showcase. The boys then fell three days later to Choctaw, 62-61, and the girls experienced a humbling 60-37 defeat to the Yellowjackets.

Ike girls eager to atone for mistakes

For the Eagles, it is all about getting back to basics.

Ike failed to execute the fundamentals earlier this week against Choctaw, leading to the team's 24-point loss. Although it was the Eagles' worst loss of the season, they didn't reach No. 1 in the 5A polls by giving up when things don't go their way.

Ike coach Daniel Wall said the girls are energetic at practice, and they are eager to right their wrongs to get back into the win column.

"I think (the loss) was an eye-opener for us, but as the same time, it was simple," Wall said. "We didn't rebound or shoot the ball really well, and mixed with some turnovers, that's a bad combination. Moving forward, I think they understand that those are things we have to do to win. We seem pretty focused, but I guess we'll find out (tonight)."

Of course, it won't be easy. PC North (7-11) hold the homecourt advantage, and having lost four of its last seven, the Panthers are looking to garner some momentum of their own. Ike (11-4) defeated the Oklahoma City school, 70-51, on Dec. 7.

"PC North is athletic and playing pretty well right now, so we're just going to roll with what we've got, go up there and give it what we've got and hopefully we come out on top," Wall said. The Panthers won their early-week game against Enid, 75-50.

Ike boys short-handed again for big matchup

Bad luck has befallen the Ike boys lately.

The Eagles were without star point guard RJ Fisher in the loss to Memorial, four starters fouled out late against Choctaw and they will once again be missing two key players in tonight's contest with 6A No. 3 PC North.

Fisher received two technical fouls against the Yellowjackets, automatically disqualifying himself for the next game. It is a tough blow for Ike (12-3), which is fighting for a chance to host a regional.

To make matters worse, Kenneth Graham will be absent as well, opting to go on a college football recruiting visit.

Mark Berry will start in place of Fisher, while Graham's brother, Eric, moves into a starting role.

Eagles coach Todd Millwee said his team must be up to the challenge if it wants a chance to upset the Panthers (15-4).

"We'll have to have a couple of guys starts who aren't used to it," Millwee said. "That's part of the game, though, and this is the last game before regional seedings, so I'm excited for our guys to step into some roles.

PC North enters the contest on a two-game win streak, defeating Enid, 94-59, Tuesday.

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