AREA HOOPS: Key games lined up for Friday

(Note: The results of Tuesday’s games don’t figure into this report because of the article deadline.)

With all the tournaments out of the way, prep basketball teams can focus on a normal pattern of games — and the hopes to build momentum as the playoffs begin in about three weeks.

Here’s a look at key area games Friday. Times are 6:30 p.m. for the girls and 8 p.m. for the boys, barring last minute changes or Homecomings.

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BARTLESVILLE AT OWASSO

These are vital contests for both teams as they try to position themselves for favorable playoff seeds.

Coming into this week, the Bartlesville Bruins are 4-10 overall and 2-4 in the Frontier Valley Conference, while Owasso is 8-6, 3-3.

By beating Owasso, the Bruins would get a boost going into next week’s showdown against unranked Sand Springs.

The Bartlesville Lady Bruins (6-9, 0-6) face a telling test against Owasso (8-7, 1-6), which is ranked No. 15 in the state.

Bartlesville already has surpassed last year’s win total by two and is in the chase for double-digit wins and an improved playoff seeding.

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CANEY VALLEY AT AFTON

Coming off consecutive winnings seasons, the Caney Valley Trojans (6-10) still have time to finish above .500 prior to the playoffs.

Chelsea (8-7) has won four-of-its-last seven games. This will be the first meeting between the rivals.

The Caney Valley girls (12-4) are ranked in the Top 20 in Class 2A. Chelsea is 7-6 and unranked.

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COMMERCE AT NOWATA

Nowata (6-10) is coming off a 1-2 showing in last weekend’s NEO tourney. The Lady Ironmen are looking for a U-turn after recording a 1-5 record in their last six games.

Commerce girls are 8-9 and also finished 1-2 at the NEO tourney. This will be second season meeting between Commerce and Nowata. Commerce won by three back on Dec. 16

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WCS AT COPAN

This will be the second meeting between the Washington County rival boys teams. WCS won back on Dec. 13, 78-27.

Copan has put together a 7-9 record with a very young team that includes several freshmen or sophomores in major roles.

WCS opened the season with an 8-0 record and then a 12-1 record. But, the Mustangs (12-5) have dropped four straight — while going against a grueling schedule.

WCS is part of Class B, but during its stay at the Washington Tournament if took on the No. 12 ranked team in Class 4A (North Rock Creek), and two other 4 A teams (Tecumseh and Chickasha). It’s kind of Oklahoma Wesleyan University taking on teams from the Mountain West Conference. WCS lost its last two games by margins of only 11 points.

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OKLAHOMA UNION AT CHELSEA

Oklahoma Union (9-9) has been to state the past two seasons, but the Cougars need to begin an upward push in order to make it three times.

The Cougars finished 1-2 at last weekend’s Pawhuska tourney.

Chelsea is 8-7 and coming off second place at the Mounds tourney.

The Oklahoma Union girls are 4-14 and came in sixth at the Pawhuska tourney. This will be the second meeting against Chelsea (7-6), which won the first meeting, 49-36.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: A look at upcoming area prep basketball games