Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play where the pros play? Over Thanksgiving break, several Sayre student-athletes found out firsthand. Through a program called Court of Dreams, two schools are invited to play their games inside the Paycom Center—home of the Oklahoma City Thunder—before returning that evening to watch an NBA matchup.
On Friday, November 28th, about 30 players from Sayre Junior High and High School took the court against teams from Gentry, Arkansas. For the high school squad, it marked their first official game of the season.
“They were nervous playing in the big arena, but they got over it and won,” said Coach Thomas. “It’s such a cool experience. When we asked, about 70% of our athletes had never been to a pro game before.”
To participate in the program, teams are required to sell 300 tickets. Sayre athletes exceeded expectations by selling more than 500—another example of strong community backing. The Sayre band and cheerleaders also traveled to support the teams, helping make the day even more memorable.
“Thank you for all the support,” Coach Thomas added. “We can’t wait to see it all season long.”
