Dayton Forsythe was jubilant when he initially heard the news.

After a previously scheduled game against rival Bethel was canceled, Dale was still determining how soon it would be until they played again. The defending Class 2A champion Pirates began to accept that they'd go three weeks without any game action.

Then, they received word from athletic director Jason Reece that they'd found a team to replace for the Jan. 23 game.

And to the Pirates' surprise, their first action in 14 days would come against a formidable foe: a matchup against reigning Class 3A state champion Millwood.

"We were all excited to get another good game on our schedule," Forsythe said. "We want to play all the good teams we can, so we want to challenge ourselves and be ready to play against the best.

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Away from home on Tuesday in Franklin-Spears Gymnasium, the Pirates attacked their practical pop quiz head-on.

Forsythe led all scorers with 21 points as first-ranked Dale routed Millwood 88-53, helping the Pirates win its fourth consecutive game.

The 6-foot-2 OU signee was unsure how the Pirates would respond to the noisy atmosphere on the road in their first game in two weeks. Due to the recent inclement weather that cast upon Oklahoma City, the Pirates had yet to practice consistently throughout their break in action.

"We had a little layoff after the Tournament of Champions in Tulsa," Forsythe said. "We haven't played in a bit, so we were itching to get back on the court. We just had to take full advantage of the moment playing against a good team like Millwood."

"I feel like we're right where we always are — in a great spot. We always play well together, and we're getting ready for playoff basketball."

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Dale (18-2) has won 14 of its last 15 games and sits atop the Class 2A rankings.

Yet, the Pirates haven't made it all this way due to Forsythe's play. The small-school Pirates squad is loaded with depth and size and has managed to match up equally with stout competition in all classes in Oklahoma and other schools across the country.

Dale has resumed its dominance from a year ago, resulting in commanding wins over Class 5A Crossings Christian and Class 4A Nathan Hale. It also showed its sternness in an overtime loss to Class 6A second-ranked Owasso in the Tournament of Champions.

The Pirates held their own in the biggest test of the year — traveling to Illinois in November to face off against the state's best at the Kevin Brown Memorial tournament, where they went 3-1.

Thanks to the stellar play of junior forward Trayden Chambers, Forsythe and his younger brother, Denton, the Pirates appear to be on their way to another deep state title run in March. Denton Forsythe and Chambers each scored 14 points Tuesday.

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"After we lost in the TOC, we've really been on a mission to make a huge statement," Chambers said.

"We want to let everybody know that we are still the best — if not one of the best teams in Oklahoma right now. A lot of my motivation comes from wanting to get that gold ball in the end again. I like winning a lot, so whatever needs to be done to come out with a W, I'll do it."

Dale has outscored opponents by over 30 points on average in its 18 wins this season. Despite the notion that teams experience championship hangovers after winning titles, the Pirates are far from incoherent.

Game by game, Dale has exhibited its obsession with building further continuity in its quest for a third consecutive Class 2A state championship.

"I truly think I'm the luckiest coach in the state, to be honest," Pirates head coach Jeff Edmonson said. "I say it all the time."

"I coach a bunch of guys who play hard, play together, are used to winning games and truly expect to win. You only sometimes see that with a group of guys at the high school level. They come out ready to lay it all on the line in every game and every practice, and I'm blessed to get to coach these guys every day."

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Dale boys basketball beats Millwood, eyes third straight state title