The Varnum Whippet boys traveled to Prague for their Area Playoffs and the very end of February.

The Whippets faced the Binger-Oney Bobcats in their first round. Varnum took control and beat the Bobcats 62-48 to advance to the Area Championship game against Crossover. Prep. The Whippet boys had a little tougher time with Crossover but pulled out the win with a final score of 53-47 to win the Area Championship and advanced to State.

The next game for the Whippets was played in the new OG&E Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds as they faced the Glencoe Panthers on Thursday.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead and went on a 16-9 run in the first quarter.

The Whippets answered right back in the second frame and closed the gap by two points before the break.

Varnum stepped up their defense in the third quarter as the offense carried their momentum from the second quarter into the second half. Varnum took the lead by going on an 18-6 run in the frame.

The Panthers were down by 10 points heading into the final quarter. Glencoe rallied back and scored 24 points to Varnum’s 17, but it wasn’t enough as time ran out on Glencoe. The Whippet boys won their first round 61-58.

Leading the way for the Whippets was Jon Madkins with 25 points, one assist, seven rebounds, one block, two steals and was five of nine from the free throw line. Daison Hadley scored 18 points, three treys, two assists, five rebounds, three blocks, two steals and was five of eight from the line.

Devyn Fullbright scored 10 points, two treys, six assists, ten rebounds, two blocks, one steal and was two of two from the line.

Round two for the Whippets was Friday against the Calumet Chieftains.

The Chieftains took the early lead and went on a 22—11 run in the first quarter. Varnum was fighting from behind again but continued to battle in the first half.

Varnum tried to close the gap with 14 points scored but the offense of the Chieftains kept the pressure on and still had the lead at halftime.

The Whippets were down by 18 points heading into the third. The offense struggled in the second half and were held by Calumet’s defense to just five points scored. Calumet continued to roll in the second half.

Varnum could not find their momentum in the fourth to try and make a rally and fell 36-80.

“This game didn’t go like we planned,” stated Head Coach Jon Hadley.

“Calumet came out and shot it really well and had an extremely hot start to the game. That created an uphill battle for us from the beginning and while we made a few runs at them, we ultimately could not get enough stops and find enough buckets to get back in this one. But I’m extremely proud of the season this group had. They were a really fun bunch to coach and a group of high character young men. It took a really good basketball team to beat us this season and as we reflect on our overall season and our wins and losses this season that is very apparent. I’m proud of this group for everything we achieved this season and happy for this group that were able to make our way back into the State Tournament, with the opportunity to play in the Coliseum the first year it is open.” – Coach Hadley.

Leading the way for the Whippets in the game was Daison Hadley with 14 points, two treys, two rebounds, one steal and was two of two from the line.

Jon Madkins scored 9 points, one assist, six rebounds, two blocks and was one of two from the line.

Isaac Wind scored 8 points, three rebounds and two blocks.