Nowata vs. Dewey hoops rivalry always fun, tense
On Friday, the Dewey High vs. Nowata High boys basketball tradition will rev up again.
There might be longer on-going rivalries in the state. There likely are more well-known or highly-publicizaed annual clashes on the hardwood.
But, few can match the series for parity — at least during the last 29 games — for which scores were available after an exhaustive search — dating back to the 2005-06 season.
During that stretch, Dewey owns a slim series, lead, 15-14.
Significantly, the longest-winning streak by either club was four games (Noway, 2019-20 through 2020-21) — which can be unusual in long series.
The teams are 6-6 when the games have been decided by a single digit.
But, here’s the most significant related number — through those 29 games, only 14 points separate the team’s scoring totals — Nowata 1,623 points, Dewey 1,609 points.
The next chapter of the ongoing slobberknocker epic is Friday when Nowata plays host to Dewey in a varsity doubleheader — the girls at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys.
The Dewey vs. Nowata boys hardwood odyssey has some interesting components.
For several years, in the latter 1990s and early 2000s Mark Smith coached the Nowata side — and great success there.
But, around 2004, Smith switched jobs and became the Dewey head coach. In addition, his son Andy, who had been an up-and-coming standout guard for Nowata transferred to Dewey. I believe he was a junior.
Those changes certainly spiced up the rivalry during the succeeding words.
Smith guided Dewey to multiple deep playoff runs until he stepped away following to 2008-09 season and his chief assistant Lance Knight took charge of Dewey boys basketball.
Beating Nowata is a priority for Knight, who is 9-11 vs. the Ironmen going into Friday’s showdown.
“I’m from Dewey,” Knight said. “I remember even in grade school and junior high it’s always been a rivalry. I think it’s been a rivalry from the dawn of time.”
The rivalry also extends to football and baseball, Knight said.
“They’re always been good games,” he continued. “It seems like many years coach Hollingshed (former Nowata head coach Chad Hollingshed) and me would split during the season. It was always a good environment. I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Smith (current Nowata head coach Nate Smith.).”
Based on summer basketball, “They look good,” Knight said about Nowata. “It should be a tough game. I know my guys and myself are very excited.”
Last year’s meeting at Dewey proved to be prototypical.
Nowata exploded to a huge lead — blowing Dewey away like autumn leaves swirling helter-skelter in stiff autumn breeze.
By halftime, Nowata led by 20 points, 30-10. By the end of the quarter, Dewey trailed at 16, 39-23.
So, guess what?
Dewey won.
The Doggers’ offense sizzled like a a barrage of lightning strikes to outscore Nowata by 17 in the fourth quarter, 22-5.
The game came down to a mad and furious scramble for a loose ball under the Dewey bucket and a remarkable turn of events in the final 1.7 seconds.
An official awarded the ball to Nowata. All the Ironmen had to do was successfully inbounds the ball and hold it for a heartbeat. Instead, Dewey managed to deflect the inbounds pass off a Dewey player out of bounds.
But, there was only 0.7 seconds left — with a thousand heartbeats in the gym as still as a frozen apple.
On the inbounds play, Jake LaSpisa threw a lob to around the free throw line and Jacob Mouser — who was falling backwards — managed to basically push the ball toward the basket. And through the rim.
Dewey came away with the 45-44 win.
But, as has been the pattern during several years, the series was split when Nowata won on its floor, 50-34.
No one knows what to expect in Friday’s encounter.
But, chances are there will be a sprinkle of magic somewhere in the scrap that will create another wonderful memory in this amazing series.
Following is a look at the last 29 games, whose results were available, in the rivalry.
2005-06
Dewey 75, Nowata 26
2006-07
Dewey 74, Nowata 46
Dewey 73, Nowata 55
2007-08
Nowata 72, Dewey 68
Dewey 47, Nowata 39
2008-09
Nowata 62, Dewey 56
Dewey 68, Nowata 63
2009-10
Nowata 58, Dewey 47
2010-11
Nowata 50, Dewey 44
2011-12
Dewey 60, Nowata 59
Nowata 50, Dewey 48
2012-13
Dewey 53, Nowata 46
Dewey 70, Nowata 49
2013-14
Dewey 62, Nowata 26
2014-15
Nowata 72, Dewey 48
Nowata 54, Dewey 53
2015-16
Dewey 68, Nowata 53
2016-17
Nowata 87, Dewey 49
Dewey 57, Nowata 53
2017-18
Dewey 64, Nowata 51
Dewey 86, Nowata 74
2018-19
Nowata 65, Dewey 52
Dewey 46, Nowata 31
2019-20
Nowata 68, Dewey 59
Nowata 75, Dewey 41
2020-21
Nowata 68, Dewey 31
Nowata 70, Dewey 31
2021-22
Dewey 45, Nowata 44
Nowata 50, Dewey 34
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Dewey and Nowata hoops rivalry resumes Friday
