Thanks for the past 60 years of memories, ‘Big House’

Last weekend was the end of an era for Oklahoma high school basketball.

After 60 years of service as the site for high school state tournament title games, Oklahoma City’s Jim Norick State Fair Arena, also known as “The Big House,” saw its final state tournament finals take place over the last two weekends.

I got to be a part of this historic but sad moment on March 13 when I got to see both Roland basketball teams play in the Class 3A State Tournament quarterfinals.

If my brain is functioning properly, I told people that the last time I was at “The Big House” was in March 2011 when, as sports editor of The Poteau Daily News, I covered the Talihina Golden Tigers, which featured two All-Staters in Taggart Lockhart and Jordan EagleRoad, beating Preston to win the Class 2A State Tournament.

For my previous visit to “The Big House,” you have to go back to my days at my hometown newspaper, The Enid News and Eagle.

It was March 1992, and the Lomega Raiderettes coached by Bruce Hobgood faced Arapaho for the Class B State Tournament title. Lomega — which is a consolidated school of Loyal and Omega in Kingfisher County — led by two points at 36-34. At the final buzzer, a Lomega player fouled a player from Arapaho. The Lady Indian went to the free-throw line, where no one was along the lane for rebounding — and hundreds of fans looked on. She might as well of had the huge spotlight shining on her.

The young Arapaho player hit the first free throw, but she missed the second attempt — meaning Lomega won the state finals 36-35 to claim the Class B state championship, and the young Arapaho player’s head just bowed in disgust.

For the record, the Lady Indians avenged that loss with back-to-back state Class B State Tournament wins over Lomega — 30-25 victory in 1993 and a 48-30 win in 1994.

For those who went to see the Roland teams play at state as I did or for anyone who just went as a pure fan, you saw “The New Big House” being built right next door. It’s going to be called the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Arena, and it will be used next February and March for state wrestling and basketball tournaments. I did hear that it’s going to be 400 less seats than in “The Big House,” which will get imploded later this spring after its last event takes place — the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

Thanks for all the memories, “Big House.” You will be missed.

OTHER ALL-CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TEAMS NEEDED

As you noticed in Wednesday’s edition, the 2024-25 All-NOAA Conference Basketball Teams were announced.

I will do likewise if the All-Big 8 Conference Teams and All-Riverside Conference Teams’ lists will be sent to me. My contact information is at the bottom of this column.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

Now that the high school basketball season is complete, just a reminder to you coaches that if you are going to have any players signing letters of intent to play college basketball, give me at least a 24-hour, but preferably a 48-hour, notice so that I can plan on trying to be there for the big moment for Your TIMES.

WEEK 13 HIGHLIGHTS

I guess it’s ironic that Week 13 action of this basketball season came to an end on March 13 with the Roland basketball teams playing their one and only Class 3A State Tournament games at “The Big House.”

So, I just want to highlight both the Runnin’ Rangers and the Lady Rangers for making it to state. It was the second time in the last three seasons and the sixth of the last 11 years the Roland boys made it, while the Lady Rangers made it for the second straight season.

IN CLOSING

As I close out this season’s Cage Notes columns for the 2024-25 basketball season, it’s my sincere wish that you enjoyed our coverage of high school basketball this past season. It is always my desire to make sure that no one gets “uncovered” as far as stories about how their teams are doing.

The 2025-26 version of Cage Notes will return in December, and now it’s off to the spring sports.

Here’s to hoping all your shots hit the mark in the off-season, and we’ll see you December 5th with the 2025 Basketball Preview Section.

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David Seeley is sports editor for Your TIMES. He can be reached by telephone at (918) 7754433, Ext. 139 or by email at davids@cookson.news.