Message from Coach MAC
One of the toughest things about being an Administrator is making the call to cancel or postpone school, practices, or games because of weather. It is tough if you are in a smaller local district, but it is especially challenging with the metro footprint of The ACADEMY. You cannot just look outside and see what the weather is doing, you have to consider how the weather and roads are from Stillwater to Purcell! It is one thing to hold a practice on a snow day when student-athletes are driving 5-10 minutes; it is another thing when those athletes or parents are driving 30+ minutes. Now mix in a once in a lifetime weather event the same week that the playoffs start across the state! It is definitely a crazy time! But the games will go on as the roads clear. After what happened last season with the rightful cancellation of the OSSAA State Tournaments no one wants to see this season not finish the right way. Good luck to all our teams these last few weekends in February as they aim to finish as champions! Go Griffins Go!
Weekly Sports Recap
We had a great evening last Friday celebrating our 3 senior boys during the last high school home games. The JV Girls started off the action with a rematch against future conference-rival Cristo Rey. It was a back-and-forth game but the Griffins eventually pulled away in the second half for the season sweep. The boys played well in what ended up being the regular season finale but could not overcome the talented roster of Casady who had multiple college-bound players. The Griffins finished the regular season 17-4 in what could have easily been a 20-win season if not for Covid and weather cancellations (the season finale at MidMoore scheduled for this past Tuesday was cancelled). Despite a tough loss for the boys, the last home game reminded us of a time pre-pandemic when our community was able to be together. A small, select group of Rhetoric student fans were able to sign up and came to the game to honor and cheer on the seniors and their teammates. They went crazy every time the Griffins scored a basket! Families and friends came out for the last game in their “family pods” and then stuck around for thirty to forty minutes after the game, not wanting it to end. Both schools’ fans lingered long after the game as their seniors were closing out careers.
HCAA Playoff Schedule Updated
The High School Boys will compete in the class 3A Regional and State basketball tournament starting this weekend. The start was pushed back a day to allow the weather to subside a bit. The boys secured the 5-seed and open up Regionals at #4 Wright Christian on Saturday at 3pm, then play at #1 Destiny on Monday at 7:30. The State Quarterfinals begin next Tuesday at Wright Christian. Game time will either be 5:30 or 8:30 pending Regional results.
3X3 End of Season and COVID Protocol Reminders
3X3 Basketball finishes strong! The last full slate of games is tomorrow, Saturday, March 6th. The remaining game schedule has been sent to coaches for review to make sure there are not any last-minute adjustments that need to be made. Check with you coaches for game schedules and possible Flex make up dates.
Don’t forget that you will need the athletic door code for Midtown when you come to play your games!
Reminder that we are adhering to a “2-family member” attendance rule and that MASKS ARE REQUIRED when you visit our campuses. Please remind your students to wear their masks as they arrive and leave practice. Parents must also wear masks, especially if they remain in the practice location. When at Midtown, please sit in the bleachers or at the baseline tables by family to practice social distancing. Please do not sit behind the benches unless you are part of the coaching staff.
Upcoming Athletic Events