Softball conundrums…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
All-City and All-State teams are some of the most rewarding, if not stressful, times of the year. Who am I to say who deserves what, especially when it comes to subjective results? Swimming, track, wrestling, it’s kind of simple. Where you finished at state is a pretty good indicator of where you belong on a postseason team. But what about, say for this instance, slowpitch softball? And then when you’re trying to combine both Big and Little All-City, how do you not sway from having too many Big or too many Little? Inevitably, people are going to be left out. But that’s the beauty of a blog. So yeah, we know about the Chelsea Garcias and Samantha Childers of the softball world, but what about some of the others?
Here are some of the girls who deserve some sort of recognition (in no particular order): Blaike Boles, Wayne, P: Played against tough competition. Only a sophomore, she’ll be back. Jossie Grubbs, Wellston, OF: A three-year starter with a .481 average, quick on the basepaths. Taran Threet, Wellston, IF: A gaudy .670 average, only downside was trying to compare level of competition. Just a sophomore, man, if she can continue what’s she doing, no debate. Kayla Miller, Wellston, IF: 11 triples is what stands out her, has signed with Bacone.
Samara Stewart, Bridge Creek, IF: The slugger for the Bobcats with 35 RBIs. Christina Boghetich, Heritage Hall, IF: School record for most doubles in a career and fifth most RBIs. Vicena Carson, Norman North, IF: A tough leave-out, did just about everything for NNorth, signed with Rose State. Kim Dixon, Wayne, OF: .600 average on a team that lost 14 games to 5A & 6A teams, not bad. Jessie Miller, Little Axe, IF: Another one on the fence, a .556 average and 45 runs highlight this Oklahoma Baptist-signee. Blair Brooks, Blanchard, IF: A fine season for a fine team, headed to Butler Comm. College in KS. Cara Walker, Harrah, OF: Solid leadoff hitter with 39 runs and a .518 average.
And then a special shoutout must go to Moore and Washington. Unless Moore’s Robert Wakefield and Washington’s Mike Lawless fudged up some stats, both teams had seven players hit over .400. Believe me when I say it is not easy trying to differentiate b/w stats like those. Some of it was based purely on position need. If I had to go strictly on the real position, SS would have been loaded, scary loaded. It would be nice to get the top 10 players period, but you do need to field a real team. It’s always a tough chore. One more special mention to Lexington’s Heather Bennett. The pitcher was not in coach Brian Snow’s nominations, but Bennett’s name appeared a couple of times in other people’s noms.
For me, one down, one to go. Softball is done, bring on the tennis. And things can get real complicated in a hurry.
Three things to watch for…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Well, girls are done, time for the boys. Here are some of the things I’ll be looking for.
3A
Storyline: Can OCS catch up to Cascia Hall? The Saints are the only team within striking distance of the Commandos. Cascia has won six straight team titles and for the second year in a row has someone gunning to be a four-time state champion.
Team: McGuinness. How do you possibly follow up a girls team that went 122-0 and didn’t lose a set at the state tournament? That’s what the Irish boys are facing. A solid regional outing coupled with the addition of some basketball players has added depth to the squad.
Player: Chris Gordon, Cascia Hall. Last year, Patrick Collins of Cascia won to become a four-time state champion. Gordon is following in his footsteps. The senior has already won three titles at No. 2 singles.
4A
Storyline: Who can challenge Tulsa Kelley? The Comets aren’t invincible, but the defending champions are solid from top to bottom. Comets received good wake up call from
Team: Carl Albert. The Titans have quietly gone about their business and nearly swept their regional Monday. The addition of point guard Steven Johnson to the club has made a good team into a state-contending squad.
Player: Reider Hunt,
5A
Storyline: Will Jenks finally overtake Tulsa Union? The two teams shared for the state title last year, and it’s been a two-team race this year. The Redskins have dominated, but Jenks has slowly been creeping up. No better time to make a statement.
Team:
Player(s): Eric West,
And some predictions. Cascia Hall will win 3A. Tulsa Kelley will win 4A. Jenks will upset
Irish girls better than advertised
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
If it appears I’ve gone gaga over the McGuinness girls tennis team, umm, I’m sorry?? There’s a fine line between admiring greatness and becoming a cheerleader. I don’t think I crossed it while others seem to differ.
Anyway, it was a great way to close out the girls tennis season. McGuinness ends at 122-0 and losing 14 games in 16 matches without losing a set.
Other random thoughts…
Man, I really felt for Edmond North’s Rachel Mitcham. The sophomore was on the court at 11 a.m. Saturday. She got off the court for good at just past 7 p.m. Two matches that took more than six hours. Add in another hour and a half for lunch and warming up, but it’s still a marathon day.
In the end, she lost to Putnam North’s Cassie Carver in three sets. The Panthers senior has admittedly lost focus and appeared to have thrown away her shot. Up 3-0 in the first set, she lost 6-4. She bounced back and won 6-4 in the next two sets for the title.
That brings me to my biggest dilemma for the All-City team. Peta Lancaster of McGuinness is a lock, but who is the second No. 1 singles player, Carver or Heritage Hall’s Julie Labarthe??
Labarthe lost to
