Roland has seen promising seasons come to a close with losses in the area consolation game in each of the past two seasons. This time around, the Rangers need to win three in a row in the Class 4A Area IV losers bracket in order to reach the state tourney.
They'll begin their quest on Thursday night when they put a 22-3 record on the line against unranked Hugo. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at Ada High School.
The Roland girls are in the same situation of needing three wins in three days to reach state. They'll also open play at the Area IV tournament Thursday, taking on Lone Grove at 6:30 p.m. in Ada.
The Hugo boys advanced to the area playoffs by capturing the consolation title of the regional played at Idabel. The Buffaloes defeated Pauls Valley on Friday and then topped Byng 65-48 on Saturday.
If Roland beats Hugo, the Rangers will face the winner of No.6-ranked Broken Bow and Eufaula on Friday afternoon. No. 3 Idabel and No. 8 Fort Gibson will play in the boys final on Friday night with the loser dropping into Saturday's consolation game.
The Lady Rangers will be playing a Lone Grove team that knocked off Broken Bow on Friday and then edged Dickson 52-46 to grab the consolation title at the regional in Idabel.
Should the Roland girls get past Lone Grove, they'll have a Friday afternoon clash with the winner of No. 12-ranked Byng and Eufaula.
Fifth-ranked Idabel (21-4) will play No. 9 Fort Gibson (22-2) in Friday's area championship game with loser dropping into Saturday's consolation final.
Class 4A Area IV Tournament
March 3-5 At Ada High School
Girls Pairings
Game 1: Losers Bracket-Byng vs. Eufaula, 1:30 p.m., Thursday.
Game 2: Losers Bracket-Roland vs. Lone Grove, 6:30 p.m., Thursday.
Game 3: Losers Bracket-Byng/Eufaula winner vs. Roland/Lone Grove winner, 1:30 p.m., Friday.
Game 4: Championship-Idabel vs. Fort Gibson, 6:30 p.m., Friday. (Winner advances to state)
Game 5: Consolation Championship-Game 3 winner vs. Idabel/Fort Gibson loser, 6:30 p.m., Saturday. (Winner advances to state)
Boys Pairings
Game 1: Losers Bracket-Broken Bow vs. Eufaula, 3 p.m., Thursday.
Game 2: Losers Bracket-Roland vs. Hugo, 8 p.m., Thursday.
Game 3: Losers Bracket-Broken Bow/Eufaula winner vs. Roland/Hugo winner, 3 p.m., Friday.
Game 4: Championship-Idabel vs. Fort Gibson, 8 p.m., Friday. (Winner advances to state)
Game 5: Consolation Championship-Game 3 winner vs. Idabel/Fort Gibson loser, 8 p.m., Saturday. (Winner advances to state)
