Clarke joins the elite
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
Verdigris guard Rotnei Clarke joined the elite tonight. Clarke surpassed the 3,000-point mark for his career with a 38 point performance in Verdigris’ 78-46 rout of Oklahoma Centennial.
Clarke reached 3,000 when he converted a three-point play early in the third quarter. The game was put on hold as Clarke received the game ball, and an ovation from the crowd.
Clarke is now the fourth Oklahoman in the 3,000-point club. Victory Christian guard Kelenna Azubuike (3,530), Maud’s Ty Harman (3,639) and Grandfield’s Kenneth Johnson (3,191) are the only others to accomplish the feat.
Cordell’s Duggan on roady to recovery
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Cordell running back J.C. Duggan is slowly getting better after sustaining severe head injuries in a Week 9 contest against Snyder.
Duggan suffered a subdural hematoma. Now if you love boxing as much as I do, you know what that is. But for most, let’s just say it involves bleeding in the brain and things of that nature.
Duggan spent a lot of time at the OU Medical Center before being transferred to Integris Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital.
Duggan’s days in the hospital are now done as he is back home and trying to move on and be a normal teenager.
His fight is by no means even close to over, but it’s a step in the right direction. The Duggan family and all the people involved with Cordell High School want to thank everyone for their support.
Finally, some good news with a football injury. Here’s to hoping everything keeps getting better for Duggan and his family.
Foster takes spotlight from Staley
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster scored a season-high 35 points in the Bluejays’ 75-73 double overtime classic victory against Stillwater on Tuesday night.
Foster grabbed 15 rebounds and tallied 11 of the team’s 15 total points in the two overtimes.
The Bluejays jumped out to an early 10-point lead in the first half, but the Pioneers fought back to send the game into overtime.
In the first extra session, Stillwater had a six-point advantage only to see the Bluejays come back.
“That was a great game by both sides,” Guthrie coach Pete Papahronis said. “I have to give a lot of credit to Clayton Smith and Kentrell Brothers (both of Guthrie). They did a great job shutting down Jamell Cormier.”
Cormier was held to 14 points for Stillwater, well below his season average.
Guthrie had defeated the Pioneers earlier this season at Stillwater.
Staley debuts: Guthrie’s Kye Staley, in his first game since helping lead Guthrie to the state football championship, scored six points.
“I thought Kye played extremely well for only having one practice under his belt,” Guthrie coach Pete Papahronis said. “Obviously, he’ll have to work himself back into shape, but he’s got experience and is a tremendous leader.”
Papahronis said he didn’t plan to play Staley, but the game situation dictated his decision.
No matter what sport, if you want excitement, follow the Bluejays, my friend.
Tonight’s big games and big performances
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
Here are a few of tonight’s big games and big performances in boys basketball. Check out NewsOk for Ryan Aber, Brandon Chatmon and Justin Harper’s coverage of tonights games.
Senior guard Sam Norwood scored a game high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Moore over Edmond Memorial, 59-49. Norwood shot 10 of 14 from the field (71 percent) and was 6 of 7 from the free throw line. He also finished with three assists. Junior guard John Clark added 17 points and seven assists. Clark connected on 4 of 7 3-pointers.
Top ranked Putnam City held Yukon under 10 points in all four quarters in an 89-23 rout of the Millers. Putnam City had five players score in double figures, paced by junior Garen Wright’s game high 19. Xavier Henry finished with 17.
Nine third quarter points from senior guard Dennon Mitchell helped No. 5 Putnam North take care of Edmond North, 56-36. Mitchell hit three consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter to extend the lead to 20 and keep Edmond North at bay. Mitchell finished with a game high 17.
US Grant guard Robert Pruitt surpassed the 30-point margin for the fifth time this season in US Grant’s 73-62 loss to Northwest Classen. Pruitt scored a game high 32 after scoring only two in the first quarter. Northwest Classen had five players score in double figures.
Class 6A No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe bounced back from Fridays loss at Putnam City with a 48-42 win over PC West despite being outscored 27-11 in the second half. Senior Nic Combs scored 18 points
Junior James Biscone recorded a game high 20 points, three assists and two steals to lead St. Mary’s over Luther 64-48.
Lady Wolves on the prowl
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
As I’ve said before, I worked at Shawnee before making my way here. And so maybe a 5-4 record isn’t the greatest example of a turnaround. But when you were 1-21 the year before, it more than qualifies in my book.
So for now, my vote goes to the Shawnee Lady Wolves. A new coach, a transfer and maturing sophomores have brought SHS back to respectability.
Bad timing for the blog as this is coming off Shawnee’s worst loss of the season at Carl Albert, but many teams can say their worst loss was at the hands of the Lady Titans.
The biggest change has been at coach where Johnny Vick has taken some raw talent and is slowly developing them into real basketball players.
Another addition has been the transfer of Jordan Clay from Geary. A two-year starter, Clay gives the team some much needed experience. Vick said Clay’s biggest contributions come off the glass where she can easily snag 10 boards per game.
But make no bones about it, the strength of this team is in the backcourt. Sophomores Brittany Stevenson and Meagan Mahtushquah were mere freshmen last year and suffered their fair share of lumps and bruises.
This year, Stevenson is leading the team in scoring while Mahtushquah is taking great care of the ball and limiting her turnovers, Vick said. And despite her small size, Mahtushquah was short two points from a double-double as she pulled down 10 rebounds at Carl Albert.
Erin France continues to be the best 3-point shooter on the team while Shenekwa Roth and Tia Price also provide some more spark to SHS.
The road gets tougher as Shawnee plays Harrah on Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers will look to bounce back from an agonizing two-point defeat to those same Lady Titans of Carl Albert on Friday night.
Side note: being a native of Ohio, you better believe I’m pulling for The Ohio State tonight. I don’t trust Todd Boeckman at QB, but Chris “Beanie” Wells at RB and LB James Laurinaitis have visions of 2003’s (technically, 2002) championship dancing in my head again. Go Bucks!
Look out for El Reno
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Some teams were just waiting for their experience to catch up with them. As young pups, they were blown out and suffered severe growing pains. Now? Look out because they’re coming. For the boys, let’s look to Rodney Haydon and his El Reno boys basketball team.
The Indians were a mere 7-21 last year. This season? Well, the seven has been match but the 21 is just a deuce. And in both losses, El Reno lost it at the buzzer.
The breakout win was Saturday night at Deer Creek. Taylor Wedman tallied 26 points while Fayzon Richey was good for 25 in a 72-55 upset victory. The night before, Wedman busted out for 31 in a three-point win at Western Heights.
Haydon credits the turnaround to nothing in particular, just you know, the kids growing up.
Wedman missed his whole sophomore campaign and half of his junior seasons for personal reasons. The senior post player has the ability to stretch the defense, draining 11 3-pointers in the two wins last weekend.
The other glaring note is that the Indians are doing their biz on the road. And the road warriors will continue their jaunt with a road affair Tuesday and then heading to the Anadarko Tournament this weekend.
“Winning on the road means a whole lot to us,” Haydon said. “That’s where the confidence grows.”
The girls vote for turnaround of the year at this point? Find out Monday night.
Orton brings the house down
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton shattered the backboard last night on a dunk attempt in McGuinness’ newly renovated gym. McGuinness led Tulsa Union by 10 with less than one minute remaining, when Orton grabbed a rebound, went coast-to-coast, and brought the house down.
See Ryan Aber’s coverage here, and Brandom Chatmon’s video footage here.
Henry and Putnam City: Bad news for Class 6A
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
I watched Putnam City take care of previously undefeated Edmond Santa Fe 67-50 tonight.
PC guard Xavier Henry had a quiet night (by his standards). The 6 foot 6 junior scored 26 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field, and 2 of 9 from behind the three-point arc.
Henry was not overly impressive statistically, but I felt like he could have scored as many points as he wanted to. He made sure each of the other four playeres were involved, and played defense better than any other player I have seen this year. He rejected two of Santa Fe guard Nic Comb’s shots in the first half. One of the blocks was a rocket off of the backboard that landed near halfcourt and resulted in two quick points on the other end.
Henry had a monster dunk with just more than three minutes remaining in that put PC up by 31.
After watching tonight’s game, I am sure of this: PC is the state’s best team, hands down. I watched the tournament of champions last week, and none of the eight teams in the field would beat PC nine times out of ten. Santa Fe had an off night, and could have made it closer than 17 points, but the Wolves would have to play their best game, and then some, to upset PC.
There is no doubt Henry has much to do with this. He is the best player in the state for sure; however, PC has five other guys who can shoot, rebound, block shots and play defense. It’s the total package.
After PC won the Bay Ball Invitational Classic last week by knocking off the top team in Delaware, as well as the top team in Pennsyvania, the Oklahoma 6A state tournament should be a walk in the park for the Pirates.
Santa Fe and PC to play Friday
By Ray Martin
rmartin@oklahoman.com
Two of the state’s elite teams will square off Friday night. Putnam City, 6A No. 1 will host Edmond Santa Fe, 6A No. 7 at 7:30 in a make-up game that was originally scheduled for December 11, but was postponed because of inclament weather.
The Dec. 11 match up was originally set to be played at Santa Fe, but Santa Fe coach Shawn Schenk said since Santa Fe remains on Christmas break until next Monday, he elected to play the game at PC. The Feb. 1 match up will now be played at Santa Fe.
Santa Fe has not played since it escaped Yukon on on Dec. 22, and in that game the Wolves appeared to have their minds on something other than beating the Millers. Were they looking ahead to their match up with PC? Perhaps, but regardless, I think the lengthy break plays into their hands. More time to prepare for someone like Xavier Henry is never a bad thing.
The game features the states top player in Henry, and Santa Fe guard Nic Combs, who I consider one of the top five guards in Oklahoma (behind Keaton Page and Rotnei Clarke). Combs scorched Yukon in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points including five in the final 40 seconds.
I look for the Wolves to give PC all they want on Friday.
