Edmond Santa Fe’s Khari Harding makes huge hit during practice Wednesday
EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe senior-to-be defensive back Khari Harding made this huge hit on teammate Dale Jefferson during spring practice on Wednesday.
Harding has offers from eight NCAA Division I schools (Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Memphis and Wyoming).
Jefferson had to be helped off the field Wednesday but I’m told he’ll be fine.
Harding (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions last season for the Wolves, which were 10-2 and district champions.
Douglass news: DE Deondre Clark offered by Texas Tech; MTV show on Trojans to air in June
Texas Tech offers DE Deondre Clark
Texas Tech became the second Big 12 football program to offer Deondre Clark a scholarship, extending an offer on Wednesday, Douglass coach Willis Alexander said.
Clark, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end, will be a junior in the fall. He has been playing significant minutes for the Trojans since his freshman year, starting at both defensive end and tight end as a sophomore.
He finished the season with 75 tackles, 18 sacks and 16 quarterback hurries, as well as 12 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He also has offers from Oklahoma State and Missouri.
MTV show featuring Stephen Clark and the Trojan basketball team to air in June
The constant lurking of video cameras never derailed Douglass’ charge for a third straight basketball state championship, and now, the players get to find out if it was all worth it to share their locker room and their lives with MTV.
The show, “Nothing but Net,” will air as a two-part series on June 10 and 17, each being televised at noon central time.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
OCA All-State Tennis
The Oklahoma Coaches Association’s All-State Tennis team:
OCA All-State tennis will be played at 5:30 p.m. July 24 at the Michael D. Case Center at the University of Tulsa.
EAST
Boys
Joshua Coleman, Tulsa Union
Anthony Davis, Shawnee
Caleb Gunsch, Tulsa Kelley
Mitchel Knight, Metro Christian
Devon Leone, McAlester
Vivek Patel, Henryetta
Jason Proctor, Metro Christian
Nick Wood, Cascia Hall
Girls
Jodie Blackim, Broken Arrow
Madison Carey, Tahlequah
Gracie Coen, Cascia Hall
Taylor Jordan, Midway
Alli Keel, Ada
Emily Linebarger, Tahlequah
Rebecca Orr, Metro Christian
Stephanie Wei, Jenks
Coach: Doug Hennigan, Broken Arrow
WEST
Boys
Braxton Bates, OCS
Jonathon Borsky, Heritage Hall
Matt Franks, Carl Albert
Luke Howard, Heritage Hall
Jonathon Kraft, McGuinness
Ryan Mullins, Carl Albert
Baylor Spring, Edmond North
Payne Veazey, Clinton
Girls
Sarah Bowen, Heritage Hall
Kelsey Grace, Heritage Hall
Kelsey LeValley, Duncan
Megan Montgomery, Edmond Memorial
Shelby Nicholson, Edmond Memorial
Lexus Reed, Edmond North
Reagan Reed, Edmond North
Britton Scott, Duncan
Coach: Dee Ann Wallar, Edmond North
Douglass PG Stephen Clark considering reclassification to graduate early
Douglass junior basketball standout Stephen Clark, front, is considering the idea of graduating a year early and enrolling in college this fall.
The shock of losing his head coach to another school has shaken Douglass basketball star Stephen Clark to the point that he is considering reclassification to graduate a year early and enter college this fall, his mother told The Oklahoman Friday.
Clark’s mother, Dorshell Clark, said her son has checked with the school to make sure he has the proper credits to graduate early, and the family has been working in accordance with NCAA Clearinghouse guidelines since early in his high school career, when it became clear he would be a Division I recruit. (Clark’s first scholarship offer came at the end of his freshman year.)
Clark is a strong student, and has been doing advanced work in some of his classes, long before this option presented itself.
Dorshell Clark said Stephen hasn’t made an official decision yet, but in addition to making sure his schoolwork is in order, they have contacted some of the more than two dozen college programs recruiting him to see if they would have an opening for him in the class of 2012, instead of 2013.
“We haven’t called all of them, but we’ve called some of them,” she said. “We haven’t been told ‘No’ yet.”
The idea was prompted with news early this week that long-time Douglass coach Terry Long — also a long-time friend of Dorshell Clark – was leaving to become the new head coach at Mustang.
It has been very important to Clark to graduate from Douglass, where his mother and two older brothers each graduated from, but he doesn’t want to play for another coach in his senior year.
“It really breaks my heart. I’m not ready for him to be finished with high school yet,” Dorshell Clark said. “But right now, he sees it as a possible option.”
Stephen Clark, 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, was The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Player of the Year after averaging 25 points and 11 assists as a junior, leading the Trojans to their third consecutive Class 4A state title. Clark has been the leading scorer on all three championship teams.
Considered a top-100 recruit in the 2013 class by virtually every national recruiting service, Clark has more than 25 scholarship offers, including Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Connecticut, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida State, Marquette, Georgia and Memphis.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Football: Tahlequah Sequoyah quarterback Brayden Scott earns offers from Arkansas State, Kansas
TAHLEQUAH — Tahlequah Sequoyah quarterback Brayden Scott picked up two more NCAA Division I offers — from Arkansas State and Kansas — Friday, when coaches from the schools visited.
Scott is No. 2 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 list, which ranks the state’s top college football prospects. He has offers from more than a dozen schools.
Scott, rated a three-star prospect by Rivals, was receiving interest from Oklahoma, but after Colleyville, Texas, signal caller Cody Thomas committed earlier this week, it is highly unlikely the Sooners will offer the 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback.
Fisher named Mt. St. Mary boys coach
New Mt. St. Mary coach Andy Fisher with the Rockets' seniors-to-be
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
A day after officially getting the job as Mount St. Mary head boys basketball coach, Andy Fisher met with his new team.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Fisher said. “It’s a great opportunity and Lenny (Hatchett) did a great job here.”
Fisher replaces Hatchett, who led the Rockets to three consecutive state tournaments from 2009-2011. Hatchett recently left to take the job at Edmond Santa Fe.
“We had numerous candidates for this position and after visiting with coaches throughout the state of Oklahoma, Andy Fisher’s name came to the forefront,” Mount St. Mary principal Talita DeNegri said in a release announcing the hire Friday. “Once I sat down with him, he had a special presence about him and a distinct insight into who we are and what we are all about at The Mount.
“He has an extreme passion for kids, an incredible knowledge of the game of basketball and he has the leadership skills to continue to enhance the tradition of Rocket basketball.”
Fisher was an assistant for seven years under Tondrell Durham. The Irish won four state titles during his time there including this year’s Class 4A title.
“I’m really going to miss those guys,” Fisher said Thursday. “I had a great time there and learned a lot. It just felt like the time was right.”
OCA Baseball All-State
Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Baseball
The game will be played July 24 at Oral Roberts (Small school 4:30 p.m., large school 7 p.m.)
Large East
Pitchers: Gabe Coldwell (Stilwell), Jacob Evans (Broken Arrow), Alex Hackerott (Sand Springs)
First baseman: Derrick Haworth (Durant)
Infielders: Donovan Walton (Tulsa Kelley), Mason Mantle (Metro Christian), Brenton Washausen (Claremore), Carter Cumbie (McAlester)
Outfielders: Dylan Helms (Eufaula), Corey Hassel (Stillwater), Adam Boyd (McAlester), J.P. Seifried (Claremore)
Catchers: Kylar Robertson (Sand Springs), Josh Whisler (Owasso)
Large West
Pitchers: Ty Hensley (Edmond Santa Fe), Jordan Watson (Edmond Santa Fe), Carson McPherson (Ardmore)
First baseman: Michael Lowe (Jones)
Infielders: Alex Polston (Carl Albert), Colt Pickens (Yukon), Tanner Dearman (Anadarko), Joe Robinson (Edmond North)
Outfielders: Greg Bruno (Midwest City), Luke Davis (Guthrie), Christian Thaxton (Duncan), T.J. Turner (Lawton MacArthur)
Catchers: Taylor Hawkins (Carl Albert), Dakota Shadoan (Norman North)
Small East
Pitchers: Evan Sanders (Hartshorne), Jacob Lux (Wyandotte), Dillon Proctor (Caddo)
First baseman: Jonathon Samuels (Rattan)
Infielders: Dusty Henry (Afton), Kaleb Matthews (Wellston), Landon Coon (Dale), Ty Miller (Caddo)
Outfielders: Caleb Hill (Wister), Brennon Fuser (Afton), Asa Thomas Manship (Dale), Zach Burns (Tushka)
Catchers: Cash Miller (Coleman), Eddia Lomas (Roff)
Small West
Pitchers: Brett McNaughton (Pioneer), Austin Kretchmar (Okarche), Stetson Buller (Timberlake)
First baseman: Clayton Brewster (Cheyenne)
Infielders: Jason Johnson (Arnett), Brady Baugh (Hennessey), Kent Callison (Lookeba-Sickles), Cameron Nix (Carnegie)
Outfielders: Josh Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Dillon Almaguer (Granite), Jeff Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Aaron McCandless (Shattuck)
Catchers: Cody Hunter (Arnett), Landon Larue (Crescent)
Douglass joins the list of intriguing boys basketball job openings
Athletic directors always have something to sell when they pitch a job opening to a candidate.
Maybe it’s a program with “a lot of tradition,” or it’s “heading in the right direction.”
Rarely does and AD find himself with as much ammunition as those looking to fill some of the high-profile boys basketball jobs open right now.
Would you like to take over a program that has won two state titles in the last five years and just went to state with a young team that returns almost every key player? Maybe Guthrie is the place for you.
Maybe you’re looking for a team with two state championships in the last three years and state appearances in five of the last six, with a nationally recruited senior-to-be on the roster? Perhaps Tulsa Washington is your next gig.
If that still isn’t enough, would you be interested a job opening at a school that has won three straight gold balls, led by the best player in the state, who will be a senior next year? Douglass, the latest big-time job to come open, is on your short list.
When you add in the fact that Edmond Santa Fe and Mount St. Mary (eight combined state tournament appearances in the last five years) have both been filled in the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to imagine a more fertile ground for coaches looking for new jobs at established programs. Or ADs looking to lure a great coach to a new location. These aren’t the only jobs open, but they’re certainly the most attractive.
With summer leagues and team camps not far off, these jobs are certain to be filled promptly. But as hires are made for these jobs, more dominoes will fall. And since these positions will draw top coaches, we’re getting ready to see another layer of really good jobs open up — at least a couple of them.
The carousel is spinning, and it isn’t slowing down yet.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
All-State golf teams announced
Edmond Memorial’s Taylor Moore, El Reno’s Logan Gray and a pair of girls from Mustang highlighted the All-State golf team announced by the Oklahoma Coaches Association Tuesday.
Moore, a two-time state champion, Gray, the Class 5A runner-up last week, and Class 4A champion Trent Mewbourn of Heritage Hall will lead the West boys team that includes Edmond North’s Michael Hampton, Oklahoma Christian’s Rustin Purser, Luther’s Ryan Stults and Heritage Hall’s Michael Helton.
Mustang girls June Tigert and Charter Lawson will represent the West, a team that includes Guthrie’s McCandren Lewis, Deer Creek’s Abby Thompson, Purcell’s Megan Gowens and Washington’s Kelsey Stuever.
They’ll compete against an East squad that includes Shawnee’s Kurstyn Mills and Bethel’s Jordan Humphrey.
The All-State match will be played at Cherokee Hills Golf Club in Catoosa on July 23.
Here are the full rosters for the match-play event:
West girls: Kelsey Stuever, Washington; Taryn Smith, Hinton; Ashton Gores, Plainview; Megan Gowens, Purcell; Sarah DeLong, Elgin; Madison Ward, Cache; Megan Blonien, Altus; McCandren Lewis, Guthrie; Charter Lawson, Mustang; June Tigert, Mustang; Amanda Johnson, Duncan; Abby Thompson, Deer Creek.
East girls: Catrina Pearson, Muskogee; Erica Carangalan, Tulsa Union; Kurstyn Mills, Shawnee; Tiffany Thompson, Coweta; Kayla Schroeder, Bristow; Addie Guthrie, Poteau; Hanna Voise, Perry; Jordan Humphrey, Bethel; Jasmine Vasquez, Tishomingo; Haley Day, New Lima; Mikayla Rosser, Broken Arrow; Kaylee Crawford, Henryetta.
West boys: Michael Hampton, Edmond North; Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial; Jacob Oaks, Ardmore, Logan Gray, El Reno; Trent Mewbourn, Heritage Hall; Michael Helton, Heritage Hall; Will Roberts, Plainview; Rustin Purser, Oklahoma Christian School; Ryan Stults, Luther; Hayden George, Hinton; Cash Campbell, Ardmore; Blake Rhodes, Lawton MacArthur.
East boys: Eric Kline, Ponca City; Jason Goben, Tulsa Union; Seth Wheeler, Durant; Cameron Holder, Tulsa Memorial; Gabe Rogers, Cascia Hall; Blade Knox, Seminole; Jackson Hess, Okmulgee; Zach Oliver, Checotah; Austin Welch, Lincoln Christian; Tyler Martindale, Central Sallisaw; Will McDonald, Jenks; Jackson Stuteville, Durant.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Boys hoops: Terry Long leaving Douglass to become new coach at Mustang
Terry Long is leaving his alma mater, where he has coached the Douglass Trojans to three straight Class 4A state championships, to become the new boys coach at Mustang, according to athletic director Chuck Bailey.
The Mustang Board of Education approved the move at its regular meeting late Monday night.
Long will fill the void created when Alan Green moved into a full-time role as the school’s compliance officer, which was announced last month.
Long was also considered a candidate for the head job at Edmond Santa Fe, which went to former Mount St. Mary coach Lenny Hatchett last month.
Mustang, which is the largest school on the west side of the state, was riddled by injuries last season and struggled to a .500 record. But in the 2010-11 season, the Broncos were a top-five team, despite falling one win short of the state tournament.
Over the last three seasons at Douglass, Long’s teams lost seven games — six of those to out-of-state competition. The Trojans were led by point guard Stephen Clark, a nationally recruited prospect who will be a senior next season.
Douglass will be a highly sought-after coaching position, along with current vacancies at Guthrie and Mount St. Mary.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
