HIGH SCHOOL basketball SEASON STARTS THIS WEEK
Dewey High School’s Kooper Crawford (0) and Karson Johnson (4) apply pressure against a Cleveland player at last year’s Caney Valley Invitational Tournament. Dewey opens their season on Friday at Oklahoma Union.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Nov. 16, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Even though the glow of football playoff lights is still shining, the area high school basketball wars start this week.
Bartlesville is scheduled to open up Thursday by hosting Rejoice Christian. The varsity girls play at 6 p.m., followed by the boys.
Other area teams tip off next Friday (November 21).
Following is a closer look at the season openers for several area schools.
BARTLESVILLE
Opener: Thursday (November 20) — host Rejoice Christian, 6:30 p.m. (g), 8 p.m. (b)
BOYS: Coming off a 3-21 record last season, the Bruins go to battle with a new head coach (Jake Christenson) but a lineup made up mostly of last year’s players, now a year older, stronger, faster and more hungry. This next home game won’t be until December 16. Bartlesville didn't meet Rejoice Christian last season.
GIRLS: Led by veteran head coach Justyn Shaw, the Lady Bruins return a strong nucleus — led by senior six-foot guard/forward Sami Scheaffer. They are coming off a 13-12 season last year — the program’s first winning record since 2018-19. Expectations are even higher this year. The Lady Bruins didn't battle Rejoice Christian last season.
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DEWEY, OKLAHOMA UNION
Opener (area rivalry): Friday (November 21) — at Oklahoma Union, 6 p.m. (g), 7:30 p.m. (b)
DEWEY BOYS: Dewey muscled out a 13-13 record and a district championship last season. Veteran coach Lance Knight returns all five starters, including seniors Kooper Crawford, Tra Hicks and Karson Johnson. Dewey swept rival Oklahoma Union, 62-54, and 52-46, last season.
DEWEY GIRLS: The Lady Doggers broke out last season with a winning record (13-11). They swept Oklahoma Union last season, 53-30 and 64-17.
OKLAHOMA UNION BOYS: The Cougars finished the regular season with a break-even record (12-12) and then went 1-2 in the playoffs. They heated up late in the season, finishing 7-4 in their final 11 regular-season games.
OKLAHOMA UNION GIRLS: The rebuilding Lady Cougars checked out with a 2-22 record last season and likely will be looking to build on their growing lessons.
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The Wesleyan Christian School Mustangs bench reacts during a game last year. The Mustangs and Lady Mustangs open their season at Riverton on Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN
Opener: Friday (November 21) — at Riverfield, 6 p.m. (g), 7:30 p.m. (b)
BOYS: Steven Cooks returns as head coach with a few exceptional seasons under his belt, including last year’s 25-5 mark. The Mustangs went seven games deep in the playoffs before falling in the area consolation final, just one win shy of playing in the state tourney.
GIRLS: The Lady Mustangs surged to a 14-10 record last season, but lost in a thriller in the first round of the playoffs, 38-35, to Summit Christian.
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CANEY VALLEY
Opener: Friday (November 21) — host Mounds, 6 p.m. (g), 7:30 p.m. (b)
BOYS: The Trojans finished just 5-17 in the regular season but then played three playoff games to finish at 6-19. Mounds edged Caney Valley last season, 47-42, and 43-42.
GIRLS: Despite a major shortage of experience, the Lady Trojans — who are coached by Deric Longan — finished 15-11 last season, including winning a district title and a regional game. Longan should put a much more battle-honed team on the court this season. Last season, Caney Valley beat Mounds, 44-19, and 57-28.
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COPAN
Opener: December 5 — at South Coffeyville, 6 p.m. (g), 7:30 p.m. (b)
BOYS: The Hornets surged to a 16-8 record — and a district title — last season. They buzzed five rounds deep in the playoffs before being eliminated in the third round of the regionals. Copan outlasted South Coffeyville in both meetings last season, 59-55, and 58-46 (in the district playoffs).
GIRLS: Copan finished the regular season with a 5-2 record in its last seven games and came in 8-12 overall. South Coffeyville downed the Lady Hornets in a lopsided decision last season.
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NOWATA
Opener: December 2 — at Caney Valley, 6 p.m. (g), 7:30 p.m. (b)
BOYS: The Ironmen burst to a 16-10 record last season, won a district title and played three rounds deep into the regionals. They also swept Caney Valley, 47-33, 53-46, and 49-37 (playoffs).
GIRLS: It was a rebuilding year for the Lady Ironmen (2-21). They will look to enjoy more success this coming season. But they face a tough opening foe in Caney Valley, which swept them last season, 55-33, and 45-23 (playoffs).
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NOTE: Information on Barnsdall, Pawhuska, Hominy and South Coffeyville openers will be forthcoming.