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.
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