Last season, the Roland Runnin’ Rangers returned to their quite frequent season-ending destination, the Class 3A State Tournament.

The Runnin’ Rangers, who were 25-3 last season, made it to the Class 3A State Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. Roland lost 78-45 to the eventual Class 3A state champion Oklahoma City Millwood Falcons.

The Runnin’ Rangers, who started their season Tuesday night with a home game with the Sequoyah-Tahlequah Indians at the Ranger Dome, only lost two seniors from last year, meaning 11 players are back for this season for veteran coach Eddie Lewis, who enters his 43rd season coaching the team.

Seniors back are Cason Perryman, Paul Johnson and Mason Kemp, who will be joined by newcomer senior Raidyn Knight.

Kade Shook, Hunter Burris, Kayden Hartt, Josh Bower, Derrick Allen and Nathan Cheek are juniors returning.

Damonte “Bubba” Owens spearheads the group of sophomores returning. Landon Fowler is the other returning sophomore, who will be joined by Daxton Owens, Bryson Myers and Austin Benham. Bentham did not play much his freshman season due to suffering an injury during the 2024 football season playing quarterback for the Rangers.

Shook and Damonte Owens were named to “VYPE” Magazine’s Top 100 High School Boys Basketball Players to Watch this season.

Freshmen Tae Smith rounds out the roster.

Last season’s statetournament run was highlighted by Lewis getting his 800th coaching victory.