The Claremore boys basketball program is too busy winning games and conferences to worry about posting one of the best seasons in school history.

Last Friday, the Zebras wrapped up the Metro Lakes Conference title with their 55-45 win at Tahlequah. Tuesday, they recorded their 20th win in 22 games with a 48-42 victory at No. 7 Collinsville.

Friday night, the Zebras get a playoff warm-up game at Skiatook before hosting them the following Friday in the first round of the Claremore 5A Regional.

Nope...not enough time to pat themselves on the back. They got business to take are of.

Honestly, we really havent got caught up in the records or anything like that, said head coach Tommy Nolan. I think what we try to preach to the kids is we take it a day at a time, a practice at a time, a possession at a time and a game at a time. I told our coaches that when the dust is settled and when the season is over, well start digging down into the record books. We know (this season) is up there. Its been a special season. These kids deserve the recognition. Its definitely got to be one of the best winning percentages Claremore has had.

Talk of records may have not crossed the coaching staffs minds, but they are getting talked about. The Zebras are ranked No. 3 in the state. They will host a regional, which means they are one of the favorites to be one of eight teams at the state tournament.

Conference title check.

Winning a playoff game is next.

We accomplished a goal, Nolan said. We knew it was important. But weve got to maintain that momentum going into the playoffs. We want to make sure the kids enjoy it along the process, but as a coaching staff, weve got to stay focused and keep these guys as focused as we can.

At times this season, fans can tell this is a special team with lofty expectations. The senior-heavy team is full of athletes who have played together for years. Through those years, they have developed a chemistry almost a melding of the minds where they know where each other is going to be on the floor.

Sometimes, its just downright eerie.

The chemistry is there, Nolan said. And the guys who havent played with them as long, you can tell the chemistry has been built throughout the year in practice. These guys love to play. When they get done with practice, they stay around and play. You can tell they have built a chemistry together. They are able to read off one another and get to the right spots. They feed off each other.

And its not just Chemistry 101. There are other reasons why this team is 20-2.

Chemistry is very important, Nolan said. This team has been very unselfish. They relish in the success of the other guys. Its helped with the chemistry on the floor.

Last years early exit in the first round of the playoffs was a tough pill to swallow. Now, the Zebras are a year older and a year wiser. And that first-round game will be on their home floor against Skiatook at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.

The other regional game will be Edison vs. Bishop McGuinness at 6:30 p.m. The winners will play at 7 p.m. Saturday.

If the Zebras hold court and are regional champs, they are just one win away from a trip to state.

Our first goal was to win the MetroLakes. Now it is to win a playoff game, Nolan said. There are a lot of good teams on that board behind you. And weve got a tough region. Weve got a couple of good teams coming in and a really good team from the west side of the state. When you get into the playoffs, anything can happen. We want to worry about winning that first game and then focus on trying to win the regonal and whatever happens from there on happens.

The Zebras wont be looking to rest players for the regular season finale at Skiatook. They may try some different rotations, do a little more substituting, try some new things. But Nolan wants his team to be that snowball rolling down the mountain gaining momentum and growing as it goes.

We will have a week, Nolan said. Theyve got plenty of time of rest after (Fridays) game. We just need to make sure we go out and execute and keep working together.

Nolan says this is a passionate group. They celebrate their wins as a team, celebrate their individual successes with no jealousy. They jump around and sing in the locker room after a game. It has been one of those seasons.

Its a joy to be around, Nolan said.

But when it all eventually comes to an end, either in the regional or area tournaments, or standing on the podium while holding the gold ball, it will be sad for everyone knowing it is over.

Thats the tough part of coaching, Nolan said. You build relationships. Its not just the scoring and the defense and what they do on the floor, in the halls and in the classroom. You build strong bonds and relationships with these guys. You hope when all is said and done, in three years or four years, that theyll come back around and be a part of the program because they are a big piece of the success we had.

Thats what we enjoy is seeing them become young men, and hopefully, some of the things weve instilled in them they can carry on later as they become husbands and fathers themselves.

PLAYOFFS

5A Girls Regional

At Shawnee

Thursday, Feb. 23

6:30 p.m. - Claremore vs. Tulsa Memorial

8 p.m. - Shawnee vs. Durant

Saturday, Feb. 25

1:30 p.m. - Regional championship

5A Boys Regional

At Claremore

Friday, Feb. 24

6:30 p.m. - Edison vs. Bishop McGuinness

8 p.m. - Claremore vs. Skiatook

Saturday, Feb. 25

7 p.m. - Regional championship

4A Districts (Area II)

Friday, Feb. 17

Oologah at Victory Christian (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

Claremore Sequoyah at Rogers (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 18

Inola at Miami (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

4A Districts (Area IV)

Friday, Feb. 17

Muldrow at Catoosa (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

3A Districts (Area II)

Saturday, Feb. 18

Dove Science at Verdigris (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

Kellyville at Chelsea (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

2A Districts (Area II)

Friday, Feb. 17 at Liberty

Foyil vs. Libert (girls 6:30 p.m., boys 8 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 18

Winners play Christian Heritage (girls, 6:30 p.m, boys 8 p.m.)

The rest is here:
Chemistry 101: Claremore boys will talk about school records 'when the dust is settled' - Claremore Daily Progress