Weatherford and Anadarko high schools played an insane game Tuesday night in Oklahoma, with the Weatherford Eagles jumping out to a 4-2 lead … and holding on to win, 4-2.
Eagles win the offensive shootout against Anadarko. #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/gWqF8FKS0G
— Weatherford Eagle Athletics (@WfordEagles) February 8, 2023
Two obvious questions everyone immediately wanted to know: Is this score real? Also, is there a shot clock in Oklahoma high school basketball? The answers are yes, and no.
Weatherford entered the game 18-1 and ranked as one of the top teams in the state. Anadarko, the visiting team, entered 2-3. Educated fans can guess which team wanted to stall to keep the ball away from the other team.
And it almost worked.
Fans pointed out that this kind of display is ridiculous, and should prompt the immediate adoption of a shot clock.
“Honestly, if this pushes a shot clock in Oklahoma … give them a raise,” tweeted Ethan Murlin.
Honestly, if this pushes a shot clock in Oklahoma.. give them a raise.
— Ethan Murlin (@CoachMurlin) February 8, 2023
“If this is real, there should be some coaches suspended,” tweeted Aaron Hester.
If this is real, there should be some coaches suspended.
— Aaron Hester (@aaroncasehester) February 8, 2023
“The coaches should be fired. This isn’t basketball,” tweeted Mark Maddux.
The coaches should be fired. This isn’t basketball
— Mark Maddux (@markmaddux4) February 8, 2023
Looks like a Big10 football game score. Haha
— Jared Swart (@SwartJared25) February 8, 2023
The game is reminiscent of a classically bad college basketball game. In 1979, the North Carolina Tar Heels faced the heavily favored Duke Blue Devils. UNC decided to hold the ball in the first half to try to shorten the game, but they trailed 7-0 at halftime. Both teams came out playing their regular game in the second half, with Duke prevailing, 47-40. The NCAA adopted the shot clock a few years later.
