BOYS
Coach: Todd Dickerson
20-21: Record: 11-9
With four starters returning including the conference MVP, the Tigers appear ready to find success this year. Four-year starter Jaxon Blunt (5-11, Jr.) who averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists to grab Verdigris Valley Conference top honors last year will join five other seniors as the foundation of productivity including Jaiden Graves, (6-1, Sr.), Ethan Biggs (6-5, Sr.), Seth Rowan (5-10, Sr.), Jason Glasby (5-10, Sr.) and Xzavion Shepard (6-1, Sr.). Dickerson welcomes the impact play performance of Grant Edwards (5-10, Jr.) who averaged 8.1 points per game and the inside presence of Weston Rouse (6-5, Jr.) while Hunter Branch (6-1, Jr.) solidifies the guard corps strengthened by the promise of added depth including the efforts of Cooper Wicks (6-2, So.) and Karl Garrett (6-2, So.). “This group showed their grit and determination and reached the area tournament last year,” said Dickerson who enters his 19th year with Tiger basketball. “Having four starters returning is an advantage of knowing what to do at the right time,” said Dickerson. “With good health and a little luck, we should be very competitive.”
GIRLS
Coach: Scott Lowe
21-20 Record: 25-3
Pressure is Privilege especially when you talk about Lady Tiger basketball whose run to the Class 4A state finals extended the streak and Oklahoma high school basketball record to 17 consecutive years to reach the state tournament. Despite the loss of four starters and five seniors, Fort Gibson will adjust to a new lineup of playmakers that will once again be very competitive. The lone returning starter is Jenna Whiteley (5-6, Sr.) who earned All-Tournament honors in the 4A championship event last March after averaging 8.2 points while forcing 2.1 steals and dishing out 2.2 assists as a junior. She will be joined by four additional seniors ready to take their turn on the floor including Feather Two Shields (5-6, Sr.), Marianne Parks (5-4, Sr.) Sydney Taylor (5-9, Sr.) and Jordan Hayes (5-7, Sr.). Addy Whiteley (5-5, Fr.) should be an impact player along with Kenzie Snell (5-6, Jr.), Stephanie Hickman (5-6, Jr.), Linzi Foutch (6-1, Jr.), Heaven Frost (5-7, Jr.) and Addy Bracken (5-6, Fr.). “In the past we’ve been a very post-oriented offense but this year we want to be an up-tempo team and use our depth to our advantage,” said Lowe who moves to the lead chair after serving as an assistant the last four seasons. As coach Lowe battles health issues, depth on the bench will be further enhanced as Jerry Walker returns as an assistant coach giving the Lady Tigers program another plus in continuing their winning formula of success.
