Private schools: Irish eyes smilin’…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Took a look at the Edmond schools, now let’s do the same with the private schools and where they’re at heading down the stretch.
Bishop McGuinness
Tough to make a dent into Douglass, but the Irish are a solid bunch. Love the senior leadership of Jameel Whitney and Kevin Caruthers while sophomores Joe Edmonds and Matt Christiansen are going to be players to watch in the future for Tondrell Durham.
Chances of making state: High. The theory is everyone is playing for second, but if you can there, all it takes is one game.
The girls might overshadow the boys this year as Jennifer Frakes has a great team, led by senior Cara Pugh. Big wins against Star Spencer and Union in last two games say a lot about the club. So much depth, and it’s been needed with all the injuries team has suffered.
Chances of making state: High. 4A is crazy-good this year, but the Irish should be one of the eight teams making it.
Heritage Hall
Excited to see this team Monday against OCS. Coach Mike Walker said it’s a different look than what I’ve seen earlier this season. Collin Groves is a stud, and it sounds like everyone else is finding their role.
Chances of making state: Low-Medium. Two weeks ago would have said low but want to see how this new approach does with my own eyes.
The girls have been paced by D Brown and Murphy Burns. Like what I see in glimpses of Carter Cloud and BreAuna Gaddis but not sure if it is going to be enough in the long run.
Chances of making state: Low. Not in this loaded 4A group, would have had a better chance in 3A.
Casady
The early season was dominated by Ryan Shelley, but the Cyclones are receiving big-time contributions (and consistent ones) from Bentley Williams and Preston Sullivan that is bringing balance to Josh Bottomly’s club.
It’s an uphill battle for the girls team, a big learning experience. But from the times I’ve seen ‘em, they don’t quit and keep pluggin’ away.
Mt. St. Mary’s
Ah, the only team I haven’t seen in person that I still really want to see. Want to see the stars like Dalton Newsome and Vincent Mason and want to see how Lenny Hatchett runs his ship. Not sure when, but I’ll see the Rockets sometime soon.
Chances of making state: High. Sounds like a fun team to watch that should be making a run.
The girls team lost eight of nine during one stretch but has now won four of its last six to improve to 6-10. Coach Rory Hamilton has the team playing better.
Chances of making state: Low. Team is improving, but it’s a little too much to ask.
OCS
Writing a big story on the Saints boys for Monday’s paper. Believe in this team. Juniors T.J. Holland Jack Warren are great scorers while Jake Cranfield and David Coury are playing bigger roles. Most of all, believe in coach Trent Toler.
Chances of making state: Medium. Next couple of weeks will be crucial in trying to see what the future holds for the Saints.
The girls team with Jordan Gooch is formidable, but it’s been rough without Gooch. Dani Childress can score and Mackenize Barnes is a strong leader for Elizabeth Clower’s squad.
Chances of making state: Low. Going to be a tough, tough road to get there and just don’t see it happening.
Edmond: Santa Fe leading the charge…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
With the teams given an unexpected break this weekend, thought it might be a good chance for a short synopsis of where the teams are right now. Let’s start with the Edmond quartet.
Santa Fe
The boys are so exciting to watch right now. Senior Mahlon Jones impresses me more and more with each viewing, and you can’t really say enough about junior Josh Richardson. A.J. Anderson has shown flashes and I believe Michael Onuoha is going to be a star in the making.
Chances of making state: High. This team has it all, and coach Shawn Schenk knows what to do in these situations.
Don’t know if there is a better backcourt in the state than Courtney Walker, Jimi Blagowsky and Daisha Gonzaque. The key is going to be the post play. Sophia Mahmoodjanloo is providing huge minutes off the bench while it will be interesting to see how sophomore Arielle Cooper builds off her crazy 3 to tie Memorial last week.
Chances of making state: High. Santa Fe has best combo of boys and girls basketball teams in the state.
Memorial
A scrappy bunch that play hard for coach Shane Cowherd. Obviously, Obi Emegano has dominated the headlines, but I’ve been impressed with Jared Jobe and James Woodard. Gave Santa Fe a good run for its money at Santa Fe.
Chances of making state: Medium. But they just got better with Memorial going out east.
The girls team needed that break after an emotional three-game skid to Norman North, Edmond North and Santa Fe. Good balance on this team with Alie Decker and Paige Locke inside to go with Madison Johnson, Brooklyn Bell and Bridgette Young on the perimeter.
Chances of making state: Medium. As long as there is no emotional hangover, believe what coach Shane Coffey believes about this team.
North
Jeff Tompkins’ kids have the goods but just can’t put it together yet. Love watching Daniel Emesiani fight for everything while Mike Menzal is solid with the ball. If the Huskies are making their 3s, look out.
Chances of making state: Low. So many talented teams that unless they go on another big run like last year, tough to see them punching a ticket.
Written a lot about junior Elizabeth Donohoe (and will continue to), but TaNita Dewberry is the X factor on this team. She’s becoming almost as dominant and putting up solid double-double numbers.
Chances of making state: High. Guard play will be key down the stretch and will determine just how far this team goes.
Deer Creek
One of the most fun teams (if not frustrating) to watch this season. Coach Matt Bailey has brought a new energy and with that nucleus of Garrett Hermanski, Hayden Wagner, Jurrell Calloway and Jalen Burnett, this is a solid bunch.
Chances of making state: Medium. For all the talent, been a lot of inconsistency. Get third shot at Western Heights on Tuesday for homecoming (I’ll be there).
Wrote a lot about the girls last week and nothing’s changed. Good mix of inside-outside, youth-experience, should make a deep run.
Chances of making state: High.
Irish: T-Fred meets Sam Presti…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The feel-good story continues for Bishop McGuinness basketball manager Tyler Frederickson, ‘T-Fred.’
Following last week’s story, the Oklahoma City Thunder got in touch with McGuinness about general manager Sam Presti wanting to meet with TFred.
T-Fred braved the elements and went to the Thunder’s win against the Denver Nuggets on Friday and got to have his meeting with Presti.
Said T-Fred:
He was really nice to me, and I wasn’t nervous at all. He thanked me for being a Thunder supporter.”
It’s been a whirlwind for T-Fred lately, who said he could barely make it out of church with so many people wanting to talk to him. He also sent Kentucky freshman Daniel Orton a signed article.
T-Fred also got floor seats Friday night. And sometimes the most obvious things are funny: “Kevin Durant is really tall.”
Area basketball pairings…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Here ya go.
Area Basketball Assignments
Class 6A
East (boys and girls)
Bartlesville, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Edmond Memorial, Enid, Jenks, Muskogee, Norman North, Owasso, Ponca City, Putnam North, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Shawnee, Stillwater, Tulsa Union.
West
Choctaw, Del City, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Lawton Eisenhower, Lawton, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Norman, Putnam City, Putnam West, Southmoore, US Grant, Westmoore, Yukon.
Class 5A (boys and girls)
East
Tulsa Kelley, Tulsa Washington, Tulsa Central, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Tulsa East Central, Grove, McAlester, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Hale, Pryor, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Rogers.
West
Ada, Altus, Ardmore, Capitol Hill, Carl Albert, Chickasha, Deer Creek, Duncan, Durant, El Reno, Guthrie, Lawton MacArthur, Noble, Northwest, Southeast, Western Heights.
OCS vs. Heritage on Monday…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I was all set to head to OCS and Heritage Hall on Friday when Mother Nature intervened. However, I won’t have to wait long as the Saints and Chargers will meet Monday.
Looking forward to this one as Heritage is coming in on a big time roll. Coach Mike Walker and the boys struggled to find their identity early. Now they have it.
As for the Saints, upsetting No. 1-ranked and previously unbeaten Bethel was a heckuva way to start the week. Junior Jack Warren said that game was all about pride.
I’m doing a big piece on OCS for Monday’s paper, looking at their strange season so far.
Norman North ready to play anyone — No. 1 and No. 4 are coming up soon
Granted, most every team wanted to play its scheduled game Friday night, but no team was more anxious to get on the floor than Norman North’s girls team.
The T-Wolves had already been on a 10-day layoff since their last game when its showdown with rival Norman was snowed out. Now the T-Wolves are looking at a full two weeks between games.
The sixth-ranked Timberwolves will make up for some lost time as they will play five games in 10 days beginning with Tuesday’s game at Moore and ending with a Feb. 12 matchup with Westmoore. The layoff came at a bad time for Jeff Blough’s squad, though, which had reeled off six straight wins and is 11-2 on the season.
As standout junior Hayley Scott said Friday afternoon, she just wants to play anyone, scrimmage anyone — just anything similar to a game.
Practice, no doubt is growing old.
But with No. 1 Midwest City and No. 4 Norman coming up in the next two weeks, North will get to get back in the flow in a hurry.
Crosstown Clash re-sceduled for Feb. 11
The Crosstown Clash basketball game between Norman and Norman North, which was cancelled today because of weather, has already been re-scheduled.
Norman will play at Norman North on Thursday, Feb. 11. This will add a third game to both school’s slate in the week of Feb. 9-12. The girls game will begin ta 6:15 p.m. and the boys will start at 7:30 p.m.
In the first Crosstown Clash of the season, Norman’s girls won, while the Norman North boys triumphed.
Ed Memorial: Kameron Doolittle not rushing into anything…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
After being outside for the first time since 11 a.m. Thursday, guess that was quite the little storm we got hit with, huh?
Anyway, had a chance to catch up with Edmond Memorial star Kameron Doolittle to talk about football and basketball and how the recruiting game is going.
Doolittle actually hasn’t done that much when it comes to recruiting. He already has the offer from Tulsa, and he took part in Oklahoma’s Junior Day recently.
He’s just enjoying the ride at this point. His favorite things about the day were getting to meet and get to know some of the other big prospects and getting a tour of the campus.
It’s interesting sometimes to see what people find the most interesting. It’s often the littlest things that you would never think of.
Doolittle doesn’t have a top 3 or a top 5 or a top anything at this point. He said it’s too early to be playing favorites, but he’s enjoying the ride.
As for what Doolittle is up to right now, he’s playing basketball for the solid Memorial club. Just like in football, the Memorial boys basketball team is quietly have a banner season. We’ll see if they can duplicate the success the football team had.
Either way, with Doolittle and Connor Myers (and others), spring practice can’t come soon enough for Memorial.
Ed North: Xavier Smith ready for next step…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
With everybody (yours truly included) iced in right about now, it’s actually been a good time to catch up with some top recruiting prospects.
Had a chance to talk with Edmond North’s Xavier Smith, who is primed and ready to head to Missouri.
Sometimes even after someone has committed, he’ll go on other visits just for fun. Not Smith. He said since the season has started, he hasn’t visited anywhere else and has been in constant communication with the Mizzou staff.
We didn’t get to see how good Smith could be this year as he was avoided pretty heavily like most good high school cornerbacks.
What impressed me more than his cover ability was his willingness to lay a hit on somebody. This isn’t somebody who is going to go to the ground and throw a shoulder – X tries to take ya out.
That’s all he’s really been working on – gaining weight and hitting the gym. He wants to be in his best shape possible because he knows it’s possible that freshmen can play for the Tigers.
Smith isn’t the lone North DB heading elsewhere as Rickey Lawyer will go to NEO and Brandon Downing his headed to Wasburn (Kansas).
Smith didn’t receive one letter from Missouri until after he had committed. His visit was crucial to his decision, and you know he doesn’t regret it. Almost every time I’ve seen him since, he’s been sportin’ some Mizzou gear.
Except for Tuesday. Funny little anecdote, and I’m out. Memorial beat North in basketball last Friday and started chanting ‘just like football.’
So Smith and several other Huskies dressed in green and went to Santa Fe-Memorial on Tuesday. I saw it and wondered what the North kids were doing.
Smith said they were so fired up that they just wanted to see Memorial lose, so they put on their green and went to the game. Love that competitive spirit in the Edlam schools.
Recruit video: Dominque Jones, Midwest City
One in a series of videos on some of the state’s top recruits. This one on Midwest City defensive lineman Dominque Jones. A quick note on the spelling of Jones’ name, there’s never been a second “i” in his first name but most people automatically add it in there. And Jones hasn’t corrected people. At the All-State photo shoot in December, we noticed the way he spelled his name and asked him about it.
