The Okmulgee Bulldogs boys and girls basketball teams will be among the field competing in one of northeast Oklahoma’s most storied winter traditions when Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College hosts the 79th Annual NEO High School Basketball Tournament Jan. 22-24 in Miami.
The three-day tournament will feature 32 total teams – 16 boys and 16 girls – representing high schools from Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas, with all games played inside the NEO Fieldhouse Gym and the Student Activity Center on the NEO campus.
“We are thrilled to host the 79th Annual NEO High School Basketball Tournament,” said NEO Athletic Director Joe Renfro. “We are excited to welcome back returning programs and introduce a few new teams this year. Our goal is to provide every athlete, coach, and fan with a great NEO experience.”
— Okmulgee boys open against Afton The Okmulgee boys will open tournament play Thursday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m. in the College Fieldhouse, taking on Afton in first-round action.
A win would advance Okmulgee into a Friday evening semifinal matchup at 7:30 p.m., with a spot in Saturday night’s championship game on the line. The boys championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 9 p.m. in the College Fieldhouse.
If the Bulldogs drop their opener, they will move into the consolation bracket, with opportunities to compete for seventh, fifth or third place as tournament play continues through Saturday.
— Lady Bulldogs face Bartlesville in first round The Okmulgee girls will tip off their tournament run earlier on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m., facing Bartlesville in the Student Activity Center.
With a first-round victory, the Lady Bulldogs would advance to a Friday night semifinal at 6 p.m., keeping championship hopes alive. The girls championship game is slated for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the College Fieldhouse.
As with the boys bracket, the girls tournament features full placement games, ensuring each team will see multiple contests regardless of opening-round results.
— Longstanding Tournament Tradition
Now in its 79th year, the NEO High School Basketball Tournament remains a cornerstone event for Miami and the surrounding region. Each year, visiting teams, families and fans provide a significant boost to local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses, while also giving student-athletes a chance to experience the NEO campus firsthand.
Tournament officials note that the event continues to serve as both a competitive showcase and a recruiting window for prospective NEO students.
Tickets will be available at the door throughout the tournament:
• Single-Day Pass: $10
• All-Tournament Pass: $20 (valid for all three days and both facilities) Tournament brackets will be posted prior to the start of play at neoathletics.com Fans unable to attend in person can also purchase a live-stream subscription, available for $10 per day or $20 for all three days, which includes access to all boys and girls games in both venues, live or on demand, at neoathletics.com/watch.
For additional tournament details, contact NEO Athletics Communications and Compliance Coordinator Shelby Saul at shelby.saul@neo.edu or 918540-6327.
With both Okmulgee squads set to compete on one of the region’s biggest January stages, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will look to make a strong showing as they take part in one of Oklahoma’s most respected high school basketball tournaments.
Please follow the OPS Facebook and social media for any updates about the tournament due to projected inclement weather this weekend.
