Wolverines fall in district finals to Talihina

The 2025 postseason did not get underway as desired for the Vian High School basketball teams as they both lost to host Talihina in the Class 2A District Tournament finals on Saturday night on Chris Gillespie Court at Ray Henson Gymnasium at Talihina High School.

In the district finals on Saturday night in Talihina, the Lady Wolverines lost 5236 to the Lady Golden Tigers, then the Tigers clawed the Wolverines 67-44.

The Lady Wolverines (4-20) and the Wolverines (8-13), whose Monday games against Eufaula were canceled, will face elimination on Thursday at the Class 2A Regional Tournament at Talihina, where they will meet the Warner teams at 1 p.m. (girls) and 2:30 p.m. (boys) in the consolation quarterfinals.

If the Lady Wolverines win, they will meet the Ketchum-Panama loser in the consolation semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday in Colcord, with the winner playing for the consolation championship — and a trip to the Class 2A Area Tournament in Okmulgee next week — at 1 p.m. Saturday in Colcord.

If the Wolverines win, they will meet the Ketchum-Panama loser in the consolation semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Colcord, with the winner playing for the consolation championship — and a trip to the area tournament next week — at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Colcord.

A loss by either or both Vian teams will end their respective seasons.

In the girls’ district title game loss to Talihina, after the game was tied at 10-all after a quarter, the Lady Wolverines took a 20-17 lead on Halli Russell’s 3-point basket with 2:28 left before halftime. That proved to be Vian’s last lead of the game.

A free throw by Shelbie Glass knotted the game at 21-all with 1:17 remaining in the first half, and it proved to be the closest the Lady Wolverines got as the Lady Golden Tigers ended the first half with a 7-0 run to take a 28-21 lead at halftime.

In fact, the Lady Wolverines went 4:39 of game time scoreless. After Glass’ free throw tied the game at 21-all, Vian did not score again until another 3-point basket by Russell to cut the Talihina lead to 34-24 with 4:38 left in the third quarter. Talihina led 4030 going into the final period.

Talihina doubled up Vian 12-6 in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

In defeat, Glass led Vian with 11 points, followed by Russell with nine points, Rebel Simon with seven points, Avery Wright with five points and Eden Girty and Rayleigh Terrill with two points apiece.

In the boys’ district championship loss to Talihina, the Golden Tigers raced out to a 10-2 lead with 4:32 left in the opening period as Talihina enjoyed a 17-8 lead after the first quarter.

A basket by Vian’s Caden Brannick cut the Talihina lead to 17-10 with 7:45 left before halftime. That proved to be as close as the Wolverines would get as the Golden Tigers took a 39-18 halftime lead, which became a 56-32 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

In defeat, Masyn Wright led Vian with a game-high 22 points, followed by Trace Sanders with eight points, Jeremiah Marshall with five points, Jacob Brannick and Cash Trammel with three points each, Caden Brannick with two points and Michael Polecat with a free throw.