Young, Eagles soar at Big All-City…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again. The All-Star games are some of the more enjoyable moments with the high school kids.
Everyone is so laid back and just having a good time. You get to see their real personalities come through.
It was more of the same Thursday for the Big All-City basketball games at Putnam West.
For the record, the East team dominated both games. Wasn’t shocked that a Del City, Norman, Midwest City-led girls team would reign supreme. But a little shocked that a boys West team with Donte’ Foster (Guthrie), Kyle Hardrick (Putnam City), Fayzon Richey (El Reno) as well as other studs took it on the chin.
Anyway, the highlight of the night was the skills competition. Or in other words: The Del City awards banquet.
It started during halftime of the girls game with a 3-point shooting contest that pitted Del City’s Bobbie Marshall vs. Putnam North’s Shilalie Jones.
I’ve seen Marshall play a couple of times, so “the smart money” was on her.
The contest was whoever could make the most 3s in one minute. Marshall got on a roll early and drained about six in a row before settling for 10.
Jones was comfortable in the initial spot for the shots and never got on track.
Winner: Marshall, DC.
The boys was a real battle between Ismail Calhoun of DC and Keaton Callins of Guthrie.
Calhoun also got on a little roll himself and ended up making 14 attempts. What was impressive for Calhoun was his quick release.
Callins wasn’t too far off at 13. Nobody knew what the score was until after it was over, so there wasn’t that much drama in those final shots.
Winner: Calhoun, DC.
And then during halftime was the slam dunk contest.
El Reno’s Fayzon Richey got it started off right with a nice one-handed dunk that was more about where he took from than anything else.
Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had Callins sit on the floor and throw it up to him for a nice finish.
Putnam North’s Joy Williamson had some nice finishes as well.
But the star was Del City’s Toni Young. She looked a little gassed, but the crowd got her into it.
Her first dunk I felt was her best. But her final dunk was something she’s never done before: an alley-oop.
The crowd, the judges loved it, making her the easy winner.
So in a clean sweep of all the skills competitions and in the games themselves, it was a good night for Del City.
Here is video of Young and her night of dunks taken by photographer Sarah Phipps.
Young, Eagles soar at Big All-City…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again. The All-Star games are some of the more enjoyable moments with the high school kids.
Everyone is so laid back and just having a good time. You get to see their real personalities come through.
It was more of the same Thursday for the Big All-City basketball games at Putnam West.
For the record, the East team dominated both games. Wasn’t shocked that a Del City, Norman, Midwest City-led girls team would reign supreme. But a little shocked that a boys West team with Donte’ Foster (Guthrie), Kyle Hardrick (Putnam City), Fayzon Richey (El Reno) as well as other studs took it on the chin.
Anyway, the highlight of the night was the skills competition. Or in other words: The Del City awards banquet.
It started during halftime of the girls game with a 3-point shooting contest that pitted Del City’s Bobbie Marshall vs. Putnam North’s Shilalie Jones.
I’ve seen Marshall play a couple of times, so “the smart money” was on her.
The contest was whoever could make the most 3s in one minute. Marshall got on a roll early and drained about six in a row before settling for 10.
Jones was comfortable in the initial spot for the shots and never got on track.
Winner: Marshall, DC.
The boys was a real battle between Ismail Calhoun of DC and Keaton Callins of Guthrie.
Calhoun also got on a little roll himself and ended up making 14 attempts. What was impressive for Calhoun was his quick release.
Callins wasn’t too far off at 13. Nobody knew what the score was until after it was over, so there wasn’t that much drama in those final shots.
Winner: Calhoun, DC.
And then during halftime was the slam dunk contest.
El Reno’s Fayzon Richey got it started off right with a nice one-handed dunk that was more about where he took from than anything else.
Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had Callins sit on the floor and throw it up to him for a nice finish.
Putnam North’s Joy Williamson had some nice finishes as well.
But the star was Del City’s Toni Young. She looked a little gassed, but the crowd got her into it.
Her first dunk I felt was her best. But her final dunk was something she’s never done before: an alley-oop.
The crowd, the judges loved it, making her the easy winner.
So in a clean sweep of all the skills competitions and in the games themselves, it was a good night for Del City.
Here is video of Young and her night of dunks taken by photographer Sarah Phipps.
Final tennis rankings (boys and girls)
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The tennis season is over and so too is the speculation about all the rankings. Duncan coach Phil Barnes has passed along to me both the final boys and girls rankings as decided by the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association.
Girls
1. Bishop McGuinness: No surprise here. The Irish won their 11th straight title and totally deserve the honor. If this was an AP football/basketball poll, girls would receive all first-place votes.
2. Bishop Kelley: Won three straight titles before McGuinness came along in 5A and denied it. Andrea Lewis and Meredith Burns don’t have to take a back seat to anybody, and it was a joy to watch them play.
3. Duncan: Yep, when I said 5A was top-heavy all season, wasn’t kidding. First three teams are from the class. Melanie Barnes will anchor the crew next season.
4. Heritage Hall: Three and four are tough. Only because I’ve seen Heritage more would I flip ‘em. The 4A champs will have Julie Labarthe back, Carissa Villaflor grew tremendously as a player this season while Sarah Bowen might end up being one of the most athletic players the state has seen.
5. Edmond North: And here is your 6A champ. Rachel Mitcham will return at No. 1 singles and Huskies should be knockin’ on the door again.
6. Jenks
7. Edmond Memorial
8. Broken Arrow
9. Cascia Hall
10. Shawnee
Only change in my rankings would be Chargers at No. 3 and Duncan at No. 4. That’s it, pretty fair assessment of the season by the rankings committee.
Boys
1. Putnam North: 6A was the cream of the crop in the boys and no team was better when it mattered most than David Diefenderfer’s Panthers. Chris Haworth’s goal: back-to-back-to-back undefeated seasons.
2. Union: Almost as dominating as Haworth, No. 2 singles player Trevor Horstmann couldn’t be touched. Add in some great drama in the doubles play, and Union didn’t relinquish its four-year reign without a fight.
3. Bishop Kelley: Cruised to third straight 5A championship. One more year of Cale Hammond means good times for tennis fans and bad news for the rest of 5A.
4. Cascia Hall: Getting to be as dominant as McGuinness girls. Commandos are a well-oiled machine and Chase Tomlins will be going for that rarity of being a four-time champion next season.
5. Edmond Memorial: A sentimental favorite as I feel no team progressed from the beginning of the year to the end like Bulldogs. Randy Mays will still have a lot of weapons at his disposal next season.
6. Edmond North
7. Metro Christian
8. Ada
9. McGuinness
10. Heritage Hall
Based on familiarity again, would switch McGuinness and Ada. Already looking forward to next season as so many teams were so young this season that next year can’t help but provide even more drama.
Speaking of drama, time for the All-City Team. A little more research, but like I said, pretty confident with the selections.
Comets still scorchin’…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When it came to Class 5A in the boys state tennis tournament, my only question like I said was whether or not Bishop Kelley would sweep in earning its third straight title.
The Comets were denied at No. 2 singles by Jonathan Kraft of Bishop McGuinness, but that’s it.
Because of time constraints and everything going on at once, didn’t really get a chance to watch the No. 1 final of Cale Hammond vs. Evan McElwain of Booker T. Hammond won easier than I thought he would, too. Hammond is a special talent, for sure.
Tulsa Kelley winning wasn’t a shock, but I’ma say McGuinness tying for second was.
There are those that think Vicki Connelly isn’t that great of a coach because of the talent the girls have (think the Phil Jackson comparison in the NBA), but Connelly did a fantastic job this weekend with that boys team.
They played better than I’ve seen from them all year, and she kept Kraft’s head in the game after losing the second-set tie-breaker to Brennan Fox of Bishop Kelley.
The epic Union-Norman North doubles match just concluded, and I went right over to watch the third set of Kraft-Fox.
I’ll tell ya, you look at Kraft and think there is no way he is going to do anything to you. The No. 2 doubles team of Ryan Randolph and Jake Brown could almost step on the kid (maybe that’s too far), but Kraft showed the mental toughness of a senior in his freshman frame.
That third set was a thing of beauty (6-0), and his teammates were loving every minute of it.
Kraft and teammate John Byrne will definitely be on my radar all next season.
There’ll be a lot of votes for Donte’ Foster of Guthrie for being the best athlete in the state (deservedly so), but don’t overlook Randolph.
Quarterback for the football team, forward on the basketball team and a better-than-you-think tennis player. Wasn’t able to grab any more gold balls this year but placed second in all three team sports and placed third with Brown at No. 2 doubles.
Also really impressed by the mental toughness of Carl Albert. The Titans had every right to wither away and mope around after losing Austin Manger to a broken arm.
They fought hard every step of the way.
And Ada, the team the Boneman forgot. Skip Griese did an outstanding job this season of getting the best from his group of kids. Three thirds and a fourth was a best-case scenario for the Cougars.
Predicted Bishop Kelley, Booker T and McGuinness. Actual finish: 1. Bishop Kelley; 2. (tie) McGuinness, Ada; 4. Booker T. Didn’t realize the Hornets weren’t going to have a No. 1 doubles squad.
Academic achievement award goes to Tahlequah…again. This is the fifth year in a row and the fifth year of the GPA being 4.0.
Boys Tennis Preview (what to watch for)
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Once again, we put our fate in the hands of Mother Nature and hope to conclude the boys state tennis tournament this weekend. We’ll see.
It’s been an exciting season so far with several teams/players really stepping up. You can be the best all season, but this is the weekend you need to bring it.
Class 6A
Oh boy, what a three-team race this should be between Putnam North, Edmond Memorial and Union.
I’ve seen Putnam North and Edmond Memorial several times and know how strong they are. Only saw Union once, but coach Kevin Gannon is one of the best in the state.
Player to watch: Chris Haworth, Putnam North. Really, I’m not his PR agent, but it does feel like I’ve written a lot about the sophomore throughout this season.
He’s made a lot of strides since being that freshman that lost a three-set classic to Omar Aly (formerly of Jenks) last year in the quarterfinals.
He’s grown six inches and more than that, he’s dealt with nerves and adversity and has been coming out on top time after time.
What will be interesting is to see if any of the other teams (Edmond North, Norman North, Jenks) upset some of the favorites.
I would not be shocked to see Edmond North, spurred by the girls title, perform better than it has all season.
Some names to watch: EM: Duncan Fugitt (No. 1 S), Omar Karim (No. 2 S). EN: Nick Jordan (No. 2 S), Eric Olson and Baylor Spring (No. 2 D). Norman North: Kevin Boyd and Sam Geurkink (No. 1 D). PCN: Wil Rodwell (No. 2 S). Muskogee: Brandon Finerty (No. 1 S).
Predicted order of finish: 1. Union; 2. Putnam North; 3. Edmond Memorial.
Class 5A
Not as much drama here as Bishop Kelley won’t be playing second-fiddle to anybody in this class.
Cale Hammond, at No. 1 S, leads the most loaded team in the field and the question will be if the Comets can sweep the field.
Player to watch: John Byrne, No. 1 singles, Bishop McGuinness: Don’t the boys have to become better players going against the girls in practice? Seriously, though, the boys are a lot deeper than last year.
I expect to see Byrne playing in at least the semifinals and depending on his draw, if he can upset Hammond or Evan McElwain (Booker T.), might have a real story.
Also fun to watch the Irish doubles team of Ryan Randolph and Jake Brown. The basketball players are athletes first but have learned a lot about tennis in their few years together.
Big blow to Carl Albert, who will be without No. 1 singles star Austin Manger because of injury.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Bishop Kelley; 2. Booker T.; 3. McGuinness.
Class 4A
Another no-brainer here as Cascia Hall should coast to another team title. Chase Tomlins leads the solid Commando group.
Dick Villaflor lost almost his entire team from last year, but you know Heritage Hall will be among the top and competing in championships. That team is about a year away.
OCS, led by Austin Bell, will also be in the mix of things as the battle for second will be very interesting.
Also be keeping my eyes on Classen. Sparked by freshman Melissa Dang last week, the boys are pumped to equal her success.
Player to watch: Chris Chan, Classen. I remember being impressed with him as a freshman last year at No. 2 singles. He’s made the jump up to No. 1, and it’s a tough field. Don’t know how far he’ll go, but I know the team will be out there in full force to give him support.
For much more on Classen, read Friday’s Oklahoman.
Predicted order of finish: 1. Cascia Hall; 2. Heritage Hall; 3. OCS.
See ya out on the courts.
In case you missed it (softball)…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Mix in an early rain delay with some long games, and quickly an eight hour day turns into a 12-hour marathon at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
That was the story for me yesterday with the Class 6A-3A state slowpitch championships. By the time Muskogee, Bethel, Washington and Wilson had claimed their championships, several notable early outings became mere footnotes.
But here are some memorable moments from the first two rounds:
- Moore entered as the top team in 6A and had run-ruled Harrah in two meetings this season. But in the first round, Harrah had an 8-1 lead.
However, Moore charged back to win 12-9. Brandi Burna had a three-run HR while Leslie Martini pitched in with a two-run shot in the rally.
- Most entertaining game of the first round (maybe tournament) was Sequoyah-Tahlequah and Antlers in 5A.
The two teams traded one big inning after another big inning. Finally, Shayla Martin hit a two-run walkoff home run to give Antlers a 17-15 victory.
- In beating Union, Westmoore freshman Alysa Phillips had a good game, I guess. She has two home runs and five RBIs. Unfortunately for Westmoore and its followers, the bats were silenced against Muskogee in a 12-2 loss in the semis.
- A lot of drama in the first round game between Dewar and Merritt. Dewar was ranked No. 1 entering the tournament but was down 13-9 entering the bottom of the seventh.
The Dragons notched two and had the game-winning run up at the plate but lost 13-11.
- And Moore was involved in another wild one against Jenks in the semifinals. After taking a 3-0 lead, Jenks stormed back to take a 7-3 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, trailing 7-4, Moore’s Holly Genzer hit a three-run home run into the wind to tie it up. The Moore side was going nuts. Seemed like it was meant to be for another Moore title.
However, Jenks regrouped and scored in the bottom half of the inning to advance to the championship vs. Muskogee.
I’m parked here at ASA again for 2A and A action. It’s hot, it’s windy, so expecting some crazy scores.
The Boneman Tennis Invitational…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This will never happen, but it’s been itchin’ at me lately how some of the best tennis players are in the wrong class, and we don’t get to see the epic showdowns we deserve to see at the state tournament.
Since I have so much “power,” I have devised my eight-girl singles tournament with the right to be called “The Boneman’s Champion.” It’s an extremely prestigious honor that would rank right up there with a state title. No, seriously, it would.
No. 1 seed Whitney Ritchie, McGuinness, vs. No. 8 seed Jennifer Buntz, Jenks
The Class 5A champ (Ritchie) vs. the 6A runner-up (Buntz). Because of weather and scheduling, McGuinness and Jenks never met this season, oddly enough.
No. 4 seed Mia Lancaster, McGuinness vs. No. 5 seed Meredith Burns, Bishop Kelley
A match so great at the state tournament (Lancaster won) that we get to see it again. Like and appreciate the game of both girls immensely.
No. 3 seed Andrea Lewis, Bishop Kelley vs. No. 6 seed Rachel Mitcham, Edmond North
Here we have the 5A runner-up (Lewis) vs. the 6A champion (Mitcham). How would Lewis respond to the constant high-ball game of Mitcham and how would Mitcham respond to the power of Lewis?
No. 2 seed Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall vs. No. 7 seed Melanie Barnes, Duncan
And finally the 4A champ (Labarthe) vs. the third-place winner in 5A (Barnes). Since it’s my tournament, Barnes’ wrist is completely healthy, and we get to see her at her best. Labarthe’s arsenal is on full display every match, doesn’t matter who the opponent is. That makes her one of the favorites, easily.
One qualifying statement: the girls had to play singles this season at the state tournament. So as much as I would like to see Katelyn Connelly (McGuinness), Sarah Bowen (Heritage Hall) and Gaby Siegler (Jenks) compete in this “all-star tournament,” it wouldn’t happen.
Irish eyes still smilin’…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Don’t think there was ever a question about whether or not McGuinness could make it title No. 11 in a row. Absolutely loaded at each spot that it really wasn’t possible for another team to make a dent in 5A.
However, there were some real tense moments in the McGuinness singles championship matches with Whitney Ritchie vs. Andrea Lewis (Bishop Kelley) and Mia Lancaster vs. Meredith Burns (Bishop Kelley).
A selfish part of me was hoping that Lancaster/Burns match would have went three sets because that would have easily been the match of the tournament.
Lancaster smoked Burns in the first set, 6-1, but Burns found her footing and waged a great duel in the second set and even led 5-2 at one point before losing in a tie-breaker. I believe it was 7-5 in the breaker.
Ritchie had beaten Lewis, 6-0, 6-0, in their only official meeting before Saturday. She was up 6-2, 5-2, at the Cascia Hall Tournament before it was called off because of rain.
Lewis came out and made a strong statement (and not just because she was my Player to Watch). She was up 4-1, and Ritchie was in real trouble with the hard-hitting Lewis.
That’s why I talked about Ritchie’s heart because she hadn’t been tested all season and came through in spades when she finally was.
It might be pure coincidence, but both Ritchie and Lancaster played extremely better once their teammates came around.
The No. 1 doubles team of Katelyn Connelly and Emily Conrad took care of business and quickly went over to watch Ritchie. That’s when Ritchie took over.
Then all three of those girls and the No. 2 doubles team of Ashleigh Chiaf and Trinian O’Neil ran over to watch Lancaster in that tight second set.
Their whole team unity is a lot more than just a cute thing to say. It’s real. McGuinness finished 102-0 in their respective positions this season.
I picked Duncan to edge Bishop Kelley, and I was two points off as the Comets held off the Demons for second place. To say 5A was top-heavy would be the understatement of the tournament.
And tough break about Booker T. Washington’s Lili Johnson. She had split the first two sets with Lewis in the semifinals before cramping up and having to default that match and her third-place match with Duncan’s Melanie Barnes. Hate to see that happen at the state tournament.
Academic achievement award: Duncan, 4.0 GPA.
Huskies reclaim 6A crown…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
You enter the state tournament with some pre-conceived notions. As much as you try not to, you just do. That was the case for me last weekend at the state tennis tournament.
Everything I’ve read, everything I’ve heard had me pointing the Class 6A girls championship to Jenks. The Trojans were ranked No. 1 all season, and it wasn’t without reason.
But on the biggest stage and the most important weekend of the season, it was Edmond North that ended up going 15-1 as a team, winning three individual state titles and its first team title since 2006.
Why was I wrong?
Two spots: No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles.
You look at Claire Atkinson, and you don’t figure her to cause that many problems for some of the bigger hitters in the game.
Calling her tiny isn’t meant to be disrespectful because she is. But boy oh boy does she pack a punch in that little frame.
Taking on Rachel Scroggs of Jenks in the championship, I would have bet (and lost) a lot on picking Scroggs. The junior was 28-2 at the time while Atkinson was solid at 32-6.
Atkinson winning wasn’t that big of a stretch but to do so by scores of 6-1, 6-3, was.
And then the No. 2 doubles team of Natalie Price and Reagan Reed. They were paired up late by head coach Dee Ann Wallar and only had 10 matches together entering state.
They still don’t know defeat as they took out two Jenks seniors in the championship, only losing a game in each of the two sets.
And my Player to Watch (Rachel Mitcham) came through to win the No. 1 singles crown in three sets. By the time her match concluded, her battle with Jenks’ Jennifer Buntz decided the team race. If Buntz won, the teams would have tied.
My prediction: Jenks, Edmond Memorial, Edmond North. Actual result: EN, Jenks, EM.
Academic achievement award: Edmond Memorial and Norman, 4.0 GPA.
Girls Tennis Preview (what to watch for)
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Biggest thing to watch for is the weather. Here’s to hoping we get everything in this weekend.
As much as I love tennis, it’s the first sport that has to be called off with even the smidgest amount of rain.
Ever played on a slippery court? You like having healthy legs? Don’t play on a slippery court unless you want to mess up your knees, or ankles or hamstrings. It’s brutal.
But with that said, what should you be watching for this weekend at the state tournament?
Class 6A
Biggest question: Can anyone pose a real threat to Jenks? I don’t think so. Admittedly, haven’t seen the Trojan girls this season. Just been looking at the numbers and remember how strong they were last year.
Edmond Memorial has the best chance while Edmond North is solid, too. If you combined the schools, they’d be dynamite.
But as is, see it being Jenks-EM-EN finish.
Player to watch: Rachel Mitcham, Edmond North. The No. 1 singles field is about as open as can be.
With Jennifer Buntz of Jenks, Mackenzie Zaloudek of Enid and Lindsay Choi of Edmond Memorial, it’ll be a real battle for the crown.
When Mitcham is on her game, she’s the best. She’ll have to bring it this weekend.
Class 5A
Biggest question: Will McGuinness sweep? I’m not trying to be a jerk, but that is the drama for me. Whitney Ritchie and Mia Lancaster are some of the best juniors in the country (not just state) and the No. 1 doubles team of Katelyn Connelly and Emily Conrad would be singles players just about anywhere else.
This is a loaded field, though. Andrea Lewis of Bishop Kelley, Melanie Barnes of Duncan, Meredith Burns of BK immediately come to mind as real threats who could pull off an upset or two.
The real battle will be for second b/w Duncan and Bishop Kelley. And based on what I’ve seen, I’m going to go for a minor upset and say Duncan places second with BK closely behind.
Player to watch: I’ma say Andrea Lewis of Bishop Kelley. She’s a two-time state champion. When she played Whitney Ritchie earlier this year, she lost 6-0, 6-0. There were extenuating circumstances, but still, think Lewis will have a lot of pride if the two meet in the championship.
Class 4A
Biggest question: Will Heritage Hall’s new line-up prove dividends? Dick Villalfor changed up his crew late in the game, moving No. 2 singles player Sarah Bowen to No. 1 doubles and moving No. 1 doubles player Carissa Villaflor to the No. 2 singles spot.
He said it will give him the best chance at state in both positions but definitely an interesting move. Tough to question someone who has won as many championships as Villaflor.
Heritage Hall and Cascia Hall were pretty dominant at their regionals and have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 throughout the season, and that order shouldn’t change here. Chargers come out on top.
Player to watch: Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall. Was a little too young for Peta Maree Lancaster of McGuinness last year in the final. But I would have loved to have seen a Labarthe-Ritchie singles championship this year.
Oh well. Labarthe has been as good as advertised and is routinely posting at least one 6-0 set in just about every match she’s had lately.
Should be a fun weekend. See ya on the courts.
