Oklahoma Bible Academy’s Taylor Gray has a sense of confidence going into Thursday’s Class 2A regional losers bracket quarterfinal against Mooreland.

Gray had a season-high 25 points when the Trojans (5-19) upset the home-standing Bearcats 53-51. It would begin a three-game winning streak for OBA.

“That was my favorite game,’’ he said, “Getting that win over Mooreland really was big for us confidence wise. We have been playing more as a team.’’

OBA had lost 10 games by five points or less before its upset win. The Trojans followed that with wins over Morrison, 53-51 and Ripley, 38-33 in the first round of the district tournament.

“That was really tough,’’ Gray said. “That’s one reason why it was so big ... coach (Alan Ford) says when your back is against the wall, you really have to push harder and get through tough times.’’

Gray went to a higher source to help him through the frustration.

“My spirituality helped a bunch,’’ he said. “I prayed a bunch when we were losing (15 straight at one time) a bunch. It was really bringing us down as a team, but I knew God would help me through what I was doing. I just prayed to him to help bring us a win.’’

Gray felt the pressure of being the team’s lone veteran.

“I’ve been told the team feeds off my energy,’’ Gray said. “I know I have to keep my head up and carry the team at times. But they have done well at that, too.’’

Gray sees himself as a leader by example first.

“I probably need to be more of a vocal leader,’’ he said. “I tried to remember that I have to keep focused.’’

Everyone has felt the energy of the resurgence.

“The last three weeks or so, everyone has felt the fire,’’ Gray said. “We have started to come together. The intensity has picked up the last few weeks because we’re playing with more confidence.’’

Gray has been a steady force for the Trojans, averaging in the 12-13 point range as a senior.

“It has been a good year for me,’’ he said. “I knew I had to come out as a senior and play hard and try to be a leader.’’

He had to adjust to a new coach (Ford) who brought a new system with him. Ford’s offense was more uptempo than predecessor Devin Schafer, who had coached Gray for the past five years.

“With coach Schafer, you had to think a lot more about your passes,’’ he said. “With coach Ford, it’s more run-and-gun. I had never played like this before, and it was a big adjustment. However, it was definitely easier than I thought it was going to be. I really love playing it.’’

The playoff win over Ripley was one of pride for Gray.

“It would have really been discouraging to go out with a loss in the first round,’’ he said. “That was really encouraging because we knew we had at least two games left. If we do lose, I just hope it’s a close game and I know I tried hard.’’

The pride factor will be a big one for Gray against Mooreland.

“I’m nervous about it,’’ Gray said. “We know we have to go out and play hard because it could be our last game. If I don’t play hard and it’s my last game, it would be really disappointing and frustrating to go out like that. You want to have a good last game.’’

He is thinking of talking with NOC Enid coach Greg Shamburg about walking on there. If not NOC Enid, he might try to walk on at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Since the third grade, basketball has been my favorite sport,’’ Gray said. “I don’t know anything else.’’

He is interested in becoming a sports trainer.

“I want to do something with athletics, preferably basketball,’’ Gray said. “I’ll go wherever God leads me.’’

Gray is taking human anatomy and physiology at Autry Technology Center. He is one of approximately 20 OBA students who take classes there.

“It breaks up the day,’’ Gray said. “It’s a little different there. You find things more on your own. My teacher has made it fun.’’