Oklahoma 6A boys basketball championship: Dylan Warlick's double-double powers Edmond North past Moore for title

The sophomore was determined after losing in the semifinals as a freshman.

By Nathan Aker I Photo by Carlos Flores

NORMAN - After Dylan Warlick lost in last year’s state semifinal as a freshman, he came back his sophomore year with a chip on his shoulder.

Warlick’s assumed leadership role saw a young Edmond North team rally on Saturday night.

Scrapping for a double-double in every single game of the 6A state tournament, Warlick’s 28 points and 10 rebounds in the title game pushed the Huskies past the Moore Lions, 56-50, capturing a gold ball for the first time since 2017. 

"At first, I was a little bit scared, because I was the only one with varsity experience," Warlick said following Saturday’s championship victory. "But, the more I played with those guys, the more I realized how good they were and how much they could play. And obviously, it showed (Saturday)."

The Lions ran out to an early 8-4 lead behind quick scores from Chiante Tramble and Malachi Lee. But Warlick retaliated, spinning in the post and finishing a tough layup.

Warlick led all scorers after the first quarter with eight. Lee and Tramble trailed for Moore with four apiece.

The Lions’ Darian Grant, who posted 20 points and 11 rebounds against Edmond Santa Fe on Friday, started the second quarter out with a massive block on Warlick. Warlick sought retribution, coming down on the next possession for the lay-in.

Edmond North head coach Scott Norris praised Warlick and his grittiness after the victory, saying, "(Warlick’s) tremendous. I mean, 28 points, 10 rebounds, we just kind of expected, it’s not a surprise."

The Huskies came out of halftime with swarming defense, but seemed to break down later into the Lions’ possessions. Two layups from Lee and Tramble brought them within four early into the third period.

Tramble ended his night with 20 points, four assists and two steals.

"When Tramble is hitting 3’s, he’s really, really tough to guard. I thought a couple times, he really kind of bullied his way to the rim," Norris said on Moore’s sophomore guard.

However, a made jumper from TJ Strong and three points each from Barrett and Warlick saw Edmond North head into the final frame with a 35-27 lead.

To open the fourth quarter, Grant got things rolling for Moore with a 3-pointer, leading to an and-one by Tramble through smothering defense from the Huskies’ T.O. Barrett.

"T.O. is a dog defensively," Norris said. "Tramble earned every single point he got, there wasn’t anything easy for him."

A pair of free throws from Tramble brought the Lions within two just a minute and a half into the period. Back and forth, a 3 from Tramble and a couple layups from Edmond North’s Bryce Potts created an ear-splitting crowd.

Then, Barrett split the defense and flipped it to Warlick for the lay-in, putting the Huskies up 48-40 with 4:26 to go.

Tramble would attempt to claw his team back into the game, but Edmond North was too overwhelming to overcome in the end.

"It feels amazing, cause last year we didn’t get to make it there. So, it feels amazing just being here and winning." Warlick said.