Class A and B boys and girls state tournament first-round pairings
Here are the updated brackets for the Class A and B boys and girls state tournaments, which begin Thursday. All Friday and Saturday games will be at State Fair Arena.
Small-school state tournament brackets
Class A Boys
At State Fair Arena
Thursday
Glencoe vs. Weleetka, 2 p.m.
Merritt vs. Velma-Alma, 3:30 p.m.
Cheyenne vs. Sterling, 7 p.m.
Okarche vs. Wright City, 8:30 p.m.
Friday
Cheyenne/Sterling winner vs. Glencoe/Weleetka winner, noon
Okarche/Wright City winner vs. Merritt Velma-Alma winner, 9 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 8:45 p.m.
Class B Boys
Thursday
At Carl Albert
Fargo vs. Arnett, 7 p.m.
Lomega vs. Burlington, 3:30 p.m.
Varnum vs. Kinta, 2 p.m.
Forgan vs. Hammon, 8:30 p.m.
Friday
At State Fair Arena
Forgan/Hammon winner vs. Lomega/Burlington winner, 6 p.m.
Fargo/Arnett winner vs. Varnum/Kinta winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 3:15 p.m.
Class A Girls
Thursday
At Southern Nazarene
Okarche vs. Stonewall, 2 p.m.
Chattanooga vs. Seiling, 3:30 p.m.
Frontier vs. Kiowa, 7 p.m.
Turner vs. Copan, 8:30 p.m.
Friday
At State Fair Arena
Okarche/Stonewall winner vs. Chattanooga/Seiling winner, 10:30 a.m.
Frontier/Kiowa winner vs. Turner/Copan winner, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 1:30 p.m.
Class B Girls
Thursday
At Choctaw
Red Oak vs. Timberlake, 2 p.m.
Hammon vs. Arnett, 3:30 p.m.
Corn Bible vs. Lomega, 7 p.m.
Balko vs. Deer Creek-Lamont, 8:30 p.m.
Friday
At State Fair Arena
Red Oak/Timberlake winner vs. Hammon/Arnett winner, 9 a.m.
Corn Bible/Lomega winner vs. Balko/Deer Creek-Lamont winner, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
Football coach Shannon Watford leaving Hennessey for Purcell
Hennessey coach Shannon Watford hugs running back Ivan Moreno after the Eagles won their second straight Class 2A state championship in December. Watford is leaving Hennessey to become Purcell's coach. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Shannon Watford didn’t have a great day Wednesday, when he told his Hennessey players he was leaving to become Purcell’s football coach.
“It’s been the toughest decision of my career,” Watford said. “Not because I didn’t want to go to Purcell, but because of not wanting to leave Hennessey because of what we’ve been able to do here.
“I’ve had a lot of players hugging and crying in my office today.”
Watford, who led Hennessey to back-to-back Class 2A state championships in 2010 and 2011, will replace Mike Wilson, who retired after 12 seasons as the Dragons’ coach. Wilson was 98-43 during his time at Purcell.
While the decision was tough, Watford knows it was the right one. He is from Tuttle, still lives there and has made the 1 hour, 15-minute drive to Hennessey every day for the past five years.
“It was time to get close to home,” Watford said. “Purcell is a wonderful town in a great location. The program is one that has been successful and will continue to be successful.”
The job also will allow Watford to reunite with Don Schneberger, Purcell High School’s principal and an assistant coach at Tuttle when Watford played there.
Purcell has been to the playoffs the last 11 years, and is coming off a 9-2 season in 2011.
Large-school girls basketball power poll: No changes in the top five; Muskogee up to No. 7
Senior guard Kelsee Grovey and Shawnee look poised for a run at the Class 5A state championship. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Here is the second edition of my large-school girls’ basketball power poll.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.
1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 22-0)
Edmond Santa Fe did nothing to deserve a drop in ranking. The defending 6A champion Wolves’ schedule hasn’t been very tough — their smallest margin of victory this season is 15 — so when they get challenged it will be interesting to see how they respond. But there is no reason to believe Santa Fe would have an off night, and it remains the odds-on favorite to bring home the gold ball again.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
Last week: No. 1
Next up: Regionals vs. U.S. Grant, Thursday, 8 p.m.
2. Shawnee (5A, 23-0)
The Wolves wrapped up a perfect regular season and are Class 5A’s clear No. 1 team. Big wins this season over Edmond Memorial, Carl Albert and Deer Creek allow Shawnee to edge Midwest City again at No. 2 in this power poll.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 2
Next up: Regionals vs. Noble, Thursday, 8 p.m.
3. Midwest City (6A, 23-0)
Midwest City got impressive back-to-back wins over Westmoore and Del City last week. The Bombers are peaking at the right time and are Edmond Santa Fe’s chief competition in Class 6A. No reason at this point to expect anything other than a Santa Fe-Midwest City rematch in the Class 6A tournament championship game.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 3
Next up: Regionals vs. Moore, Thursday, 8 p.m.
4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 22-3)
The Cardinals wrapped up their season with an impressive 14-point win at Tulsa Washington. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 4
Next up: Regionals vs. Tulsa Central, Thursday, 8 p.m.
5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 17-5)
All five of Edmond Memorial’s losses are to teams ranked higher than it in this power poll (Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City, once to Shawnee). Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
Last week: No. 5
Next up: Regionals vs. Putnam City West, Thursday, 8 p.m.
6. Deer Creek (5A, 20-3)
The Antlers bring a 10-game winning streak into the playoffs. Deer Creek seems to be peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
Last week: No. 7
Next up: Regionals vs. Ardmore, Thursday, 8 p.m.
7. Muskogee (6A, 17-6)
The Roughers’ two-spot jump is the biggest of the week. Muskogee finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, including an overtime win over Jenks last week. Muskogee also has wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 9
Next up: Regionals vs. Westmoore (at Bixby), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
8. Carl Albert (5A, 18-5)
The Titans had to rally from a halftime deficit to beat Western Heights in their regular-season finale. Carl Albert often goes through shooting dry spells, which cost it in home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. The Titans got a break in their playoff position, though, and are still expected to be a state tournament team.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 8
Next up: Regionals vs. Capitol Hill, Thursday, 8 p.m.
9. Jenks (6A, 18-5)
The Trojans finished their regular-season with a dud — a 22-point loss at Broken Arrow. Jessica Washington still isn’t 100 percent healthy, and Jenks brings a two-game skid into its playoff opener. Record vs. this poll: 2-3
Last week: No. 6
Next up: Regionals vs. Sand Springs, Thursday, 8 p.m.
10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
The Irish has lost just twice since Dec. 17 and finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. The defending 5A champs got off to a rough start this season with several new starters and a new coach, but looks like a strong contender to return to the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 10
Next up: Regionals vs. Guymon, Thursday, 8 p.m.
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Okarche wins wild regional title game, advances to area tournament
Sophomore Morgan Vogt hit two free throws with no time left on the clock Saturday to give Okarche’s girls a 43-42 Class A regional championship win over Dewar at Agra.
Okarche was down by nine points at halftime and gradually chipped away at Dewar’s lead.
The Warriors trailed by one with under a minute to go and went for a last shot, which missed. But Vogt grabbed the rebound, attempting a putback and was fouled. She sunk both free throws and Okarche (22-6) won its 11th straight game.
Vogt led Okarche with 18 points Saturday.
Both teams now advance to the area tournament at Sand Springs. Okarche plays Copan on Friday at 6:30, and the winner of that game advances to the Class A state tournament.
If Okarche loses Friday, it still has one more shot at state Saturday in a 6:30 game Saturday.
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Vian girls win district title one day after starter’s death
Vian senior girls’ basketball starter Whitney Miller died Friday, two days after being taken to the emergency room with the flu.
Doctors discovered that Miller also had pneumonia Friday, and that afternoon her lungs filled with fluid and collapsed, according to a Tulsa World report.
OSSSA executive director Ed Sheakley said postponing Saturday’s district game at Haskell to Monday was considered, but ultimately decided against.
My good friend Kelly Hines of the Tulsa World covered the game Saturday, and wrote a great story off Vian’s emotional 63-52 win.
“Whitney would have been proud of them,” Vian coach John Mays told the World after the game. “She was a fighter. She was a scrapper.
“There never was anything pretty about (how she played), but she was just a hustler and a hard worker. That was kind of what we did tonight.”
Miller’s best friend and cousin, Deidra Smith, wore Miller’s No. 3 jersey and scored 10 points for Vian (10-10) Saturday.
Haskell officials took a collection from the crowd to help Miller’s family with funeral costs.
Vian advances to play a regional on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Morris.
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Del City starting point guard Brett Cannon breaks wrist after pregame dunk attempt
Del City point guard Brett Cannon broke his wrist after attempting a slam dunk in pregame warmups before Saturday's loss to Midwest City.
DEL CITY — Just minutes before Del City’s regular-season finale against rival Midwest City — and days before the team’s playoff opener — the Eagles lost their floor general.
Eagles’ starting point guard Brett Cannon, a sophomore, went up for a slam dunk during pregame warm-ups, missed and fell backward.
Cannon tried using his hands to break the fall, but broke his wrist on impact. He was taken to this hospital and didn’t play in the Eagles’ 68-55 loss to Midwest City.
Del City coach Tim Stogsdill said hours after the game that Cannon might need surgery, but that won’t be clear until the swelling goes down.
Ball handling duties were split between seniors A.J. Holland and Jamal Moseley, who aren’t used to playing point guard, and Del City found itself down 21-10 after the first quarter.
“It threw a little wrinkle in it,” Del City coach Tim Stogsdill said of his offense. “Especially when you’re playing a team like Midwest City that wants to pressure and trap. … With the way they play, they expose that. Brett does a good job handling the ball for us.”
Del City found its rhythm in the second quarter and was down by just four points at halftime.
But the Bombers came out with intensity to start the second half and retook control.
Sophomore Kesean Brown led Midwest City (18-5) with 18 points, and junior Cornell Neal added 16. Holland led Del City (17-6) with 16.
Midwest City hosts Norman North on Friday at 8 p.m. in a regional to open the Class 6A playoffs.
Bombers coach DeWayne Bradley said he’s happy his team won and, more importantly, didn’t suffer any injuries itself.
“Winning against your rival at their place is always big,” Bradley said. “But I’m really grateful we got out of here and everybody’s OK.”
Del City (17-6) wasn’t so fortunate. Stogsdill said point guard duties will continue to be split between Holland and Moseley as the No. 2 Eagles begin the Class 5A playoffs by hosting Durant in a regional on Friday at 8 p.m.
“The team is very confident we will make a run,” Stogsdill said. “Don’t count us out yet.”
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Midwest City girls wrap up perfect regular season with 56-33 win over Del City
DEL CITY — Midwest City’s girls played back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, and won both of them to wrap up a perfect regular season.
Now, after Saturday’s 56-33 win over rival Del City, the Bombers (23-0) are looking towards another state tournament run.
Midwest City, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, opens regional play at home Thursday at 8 p.m. against Moore.
“You’ve got to play back to back in the state tournament, so this was a really good experience for us,” said Bombers coach Art Bode.
Midwest City won the state championship in 2010, and took an undefeated record into last season’s title game before losing to Edmond Santa Fe.
“At this rate, I think it’s very likely that we’ll go (to state),” said senior Ashley Clark, who led all scorers Saturday with 12 points.
“But we’ll have to continue to play well as a team and improve each game.”
Del City (15-8) opens Class 5A regionals Thursday at home against Southeast.
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Classes 4A-3A-2A girls’ basketball power poll: Anadarko, Fort Gibson on top
Caitlyn Spurgeon, left, puts up a shot over Anadarko's Lakota Beatty in the first round of last year's Class 4A state tournament. Vinita has beaten Anadarko out of the state tourney in four straight seasons. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Yesterday, I posted my large-school girls’ basketball power poll. Today, I present my poll for Classes 4A, 3A and 2A.
This one was obviously much harder to narrow down to 10 teams because of the added class.
I try to take the coaches’ rankings, strength of schedule and my own judgment to determine my poll. Much of this poll, you’ll find, is quite different from the coaches’ rankings. I try my best to explain why I ranked the teams the way I did.
As always, please leave comments or shoot me an e-mail with your thoughts.
1. Anadarko (4A, 21-1)
The Warriors’ only loss came to 5A No. 1 Shawnee. Lakota Beatty will be one of the top recruits in the state as a senior next season, and she’s been fantastic as a junior. Anadarko has been beaten out of the state tournament in the first round by Vinita (ranked fourth in this poll) in four straight seasons.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
2. Fort Gibson (4A, 22-1)
The defending 4A state champions will enter the playoffs as a strong contender to return to state and bring home the gold ball. The Tigers’ only loss was to 5A No. 2 Tulsa East Central.
Record vs. this poll: 1-0
3. Northeast Academy (2A, 19-2)
Northeast is ranked No. 5 in the 2A coaches’ poll, and I can’t understand that for the life of me. A seven-point loss to 6A No. 2 Midwest City and a close loss to Holland Hall in the Stroud Tournament are the team’s only two setbacks over the course of a brutal schedule. Northeast’s resume includes a win over 5A No. 4 Carl Albert.
Record vs. this poll: 1-0
4. Vinita (4A, 20-3)
Hornets have won 12 straight since losing to Tulsa Washington and Jenks in a tournament over the holiday break. Senior Caitlyn Spurgeon, an Arkansas Tech signee, is one of the state’s top scorers.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0
5. Snyder (2A, 18-2)
The defending 2A champs’ two losses are both to No. 1 teams — 4A No. 1 Anadarko and A No. 1 Chattanooga. However, Snyder has beaten Chattanooga twice this year.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1
6. Kansas (3A, 19-2)
Only losses are to Fort Gibson and Class 6A Jenks, and both came during the Tournament of Champions in late December. The Comets have played a tough schedule.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1
7. Prague (3A, 21-1)
Red Devils’ only loss came to Jenks in the Tournament of Champions. Schedule includes impressive wins over Skiatook, Chandler and Perkins-Tryon.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0
8. Sulphur (3A, 21-1)
Only loss came to Anadarko, and wins over Mount St. Mary and Caddo are impressive. The Bulldogs haven’t played too tough a schedule on the whole, though.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1
9. Millwood (3A, 17-5)
Arnelia Spears’ team has played a tough schedule that includes losses to Carl Albert, Northeast, Bishop McGuinness and Dallas Skyline. Wins over Piedmont and Mustang give the Falcons credibility, plus, Millwood suffered through injuries early in the season.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1
10. Oktaha (2A, 25-0)
Oktaha and Amber-Pocasset are both unbeaten and ranked second and third, respectively, in Class 2A by the coaches behind Snyder. I give the slight edge to Oktaha right now, but neither school has played a tough schedule.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0
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Large-school girls basketball power poll: Edmond Santa Fe, Shawnee top rankings
Courtney Walker, left, and Edmond Santa Fe are the best girls' basketball team in the state. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Here is my first girls’ basketball power poll. This one just covers the large schools (6A and 5A). Tomorrow, I’ll have one for 2A-3A-4A.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.
1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 21-0)
No brainer at No. 1. Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and company are the clear favorites to win their second straight 6A title. The Wolves’ smallest margin of victory is 15. The biggest question mark surrounding this team is its strength of schedule. The Wolves haven’t really been tested this season.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
2. Shawnee (5A, 21-0)
The Wolves lost Tulsa signee Caitlyn Ramirez to an ACL tear before the season, but it hasn’t seemed to affect them much at all. Move-ins Taylor and McKenzie Cooper obviously helped ease the blow, and guard Kelsee Grovey, another Tulsa signee, has shown herself to be one of the best players in the state.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
3. Midwest City (6A, 21-0)
Two and three were tough to choose, because I think Midwest City has a terrific team and, I think, is the only team right now in 6A with a legitimate shot at beating Santa Fe. I watched the Bombers and Shawnee scrimmage in the preseason and it was a good matchup. After watching both teams play, I like the Wolves just a little better right now.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 21-3)
Shawnee’s chief competition in Class 5A. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 16-5)
The Bulldogs five losses are: Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to Shawnee. Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
6. Jenks (6A, 18-4)
Jessica Washington has returned from an injury but isn’t 100 percent. The Trojans lost in overtime to Muskogee on Tuesday.
Record vs. this poll: 2-3
7. Deer Creek (5A, 19-3)
Since a one-point loss to 4A Piedmont on Jan. 13, the Antlers have reeled off nine straight wins, including a big win at Carl Albert. Deer Creek is peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
8. Carl Albert (5A, 17-5)
The Titans go through rough shooting stretches, which cost them in recent home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. CA got a break in their playoff position and should be considered a lock for the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
9. Muskogee (6A, 16-6)
Since losing to Stillwater in the finals of the John Nobles Tournament in Moore on Jan. 21, the Rougers have reeled off seven straight wins, including Tuesday’s overtime upset of Jenks. Muskogee also has impressive wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
Irish got off to a rocky start to the season after losing several starters, and adjusting to a new head coach, Shawn Clark. But the team has been on a roll, losing just twice since Dec. 17. Both of those losses — three points to Cascia Hall and in overtime to PC North — came with top scorer and rebounder Elyse Hight hurt.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
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Video: Kelly Gregg talks about his NFL career, overcoming doubters
Kelly Gregg, center, talks to Edmond North football coach Jeremy Dombek, left, after Gregg's jersey was retired Tuesday. PHOTO BY JASON KERSEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
EDMOND — Kelly Gregg was back in his hometown Tuesday night to be honored at a halftime ceremony during Edmond North’s boys’ basketball game.
Gregg’s Jersey No. 71 was retired by the school.
The longtime NFL veteran and former Oklahoma Sooner said he hasn’t officially announced it yet, but will likely retire after spending the 2011-12 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the vast majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
After Tuesday’s ceremony, he talked about his high school career, his pro career and using his doubters as motivation in a video.
A note about the video: During the ceremony, it was announced that Gregg had the longest NFL career of any former Sooner, and I asked him about it on the video. After doing some research, that isn’t exactly correct. The length of time from when his career began to when it ended is the longest, but he spent a couple years on Baltimore’s practice squad and wasn’t an active-roster player. Tony Casillas played more seasons on an active NFL roster.
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