Pocola teams to play in Cherokee Invitational Tournament in Talihina

The Pocola Lady Indians and Indians will both be in action on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, playing three games each in the Choctaw National Invitational Tournament featuring seven other boys and girls squads from across the state of Oklahoma.

Hot off a 38-27 win on the road Tuesday night at Stigler, the Lady Indians move into the three-day event sporting a record of 4-1 overall and will take on Luther in the opening round of the tournament at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday. Head Coach Johnny Vick will bring the 16th ranked 2A team in the state to take on Pocola, who is currently ranked 13th in Class 3A.

The remainder of the girls bracket pits Roland against Antlers, host Talihina takies on Rattan and Broken Bow battles Panama. The tournament will play out to a seventh, fifth and third place consolation game as well as the tournament championship contest, guaranteeing all participants three games in three days.

The young and inexperienced Indians, coached by Jason Henry, come into the tournament with an 0-6 record after losing two games last week in a tournament at Quinton and falling to Stigler by 40 on the road Tuesday night. The boys squad team faces an uphill battle as they draw Class 4A Broken Bow, whose only loss against four wins came against Class 3A fifth-ranked Hugo in the opening game of the season.

Broken Bow defeated Classen, Okemah and Wewoka last week to win the Okemah Invitational Tournament. The Savages scored 102 points in their win over Wewoka.

The Indians and Savages tip-off at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Panama faces Luther, Rattan draws Talihina and Roland meets Antlers in the other first round games.

All of the Pocola games in the tournament will be broadcast live on Today in Fort Smith.