Oklahoma 5A boys basketball championship: Ty Frierson, Tulsa Memorial avenge loss to Del City with 59-47 win for Chargers' 10th state title

By Nathan Aker

NORMAN - Ty Frierson’s eyes were wide open as he neared the second state title of his career.

He didn’t blink.

The senior standout thrived under the bright lights at the Lloyd Noble Center, posting a 22-point and four-steal performance en route to the Chargers' 59-47 triumph against 2021 6A champion Del City on Saturday afternoon.

"When [Del City] made that run to make it 30-28, Ty said during a timeout, ‘Don’t blink,'" Chargers coach Bobby Allison said following the title game victory. "The two best teams in the state played (Saturday). And we didn’t blink."

This was Frierson’s second opportunity for a gold ball in his four years at Tulsa Memorial. His freshman year in 2019, Frierson was skittish to enter the championship game and contribute against the same foe the Chargers battled against on Saturday, Del City.

But this time, Frierson was prepared and confident as ever.

"It means everything," Frierson said after the Chargers’ title-game victory.

This wasn’t the first matchup of the season between the Chargers and the Eagles.

On Dec. 29 in the Tournament of Champions at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Del City took home the victory, 59-49. This was the only loss for the Chargers (27-1) on the season.

Acting with vindication, Frierson and company entered Saturday’s contest accordingly.

By halftime, Frierson had nine points and three steals, Jarreth Ingram scored seven and Seth Pratt and Killian Spellman added five points each. At the end of the game, Spellman finished with 11, Ingram finished with 11 and Domonic Turner stepped up and posted nine.

"I think Domonic Turner’s worst game of the year was against Del City [on Dec. 29]," Allison said. "And I challenged him after that game. I said, 'For us to win state, you have to get better.' ... He had his best game (Saturday)."

For Del City, Percy Green notched a team-high 13 points, Brandon Garrison followed with 10 and Terry McMorris assisted the Eagles with nine.

Courtesy of Memorial’s victory on Saturday, Allison further cemented his legendary tenure and capped off his fifth state championship win in his term with Tulsa Memorial.

The win over Del City marked the 10th championship overall for the Chargers. But, Allison saw an aberrant determination in this season’s unit, something different than he’s experienced from years prior.

"All of them are special… This team came together in a unique way," Allison said following the 5A title game. "I love this team. … This is arguably the greatest season in the history of [Tulsa] Memorial basketball."

And Allison is presented with a pristine reason to believe so. At 27-1, the Chargers amassed the finest record in the history of Tulsa Memorial basketball as they concluded their exemplary season with a championship victory.

Following the Chargers’ loss against the Eagles on Dec. 29, Spellman said to Allison, "This just makes the movie better."