Clay Horning

Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears (0) shoots over georgia Tech forward Baye Ndongo (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Kyle Phillips - freelancer, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Let’s face it. Mike Gundy is entertaining. He wears a great suit. There’s the mullet. Sometimes.

It is easy to forget just how strong Oklahoma basketball has been over the years.

The Community Christian girls finished a win short of the state title game a year ago and four games into the season there’s no reason to believe they can’t give themselves the same opportunity again.

Tim Price, Community Christian boys basketball coach, surely would have preferred his team open with a victory Thursday afternoon at the fifth annual Community Christian Classic.

CCS’s Laney Venables shoots during the Royals’ game against Oklahoma Christian, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Community Christian School. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript)

Jackson Arnold, failed Sooner quarterback, has some power in his hands. Not necessarily for his own benefit, though it might work out that way.

CCS’s Preslee Hartsock looks for an opening during the Royals’ game Friday against Oklahoma Christian at Community Christian School. Kyle Phillips | The Transcript

“It never disappoints.” So said Norman schools athletics director T.D. O’Hara on his way out of the North Gym Friday night and he couldn’t have been the only one.

It’s not about the best 12 teams. Or, if it is, it’s the wrong system and who wants that?