Edmond North boys top tennis poll
Edmond North boys top poll
With much of its team returning from last season’s state championship squad, Edmond North’s boys are once again at the top of the Class 6A rankings in the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches poll released Tuesday.
The Huskies, with No. 1 singles runner-up Nate Roper and No. 2 singles champion Baylor Spring leading the way, came in ahead of Jenks, Tulsa Union and Edmond Memorial.
Edmond North’s boys are off until March 28 when they compete at the Duncan West event at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center, two days after the girls tournament there.
On the girls side, Jenks came in No. 1, ahead of Edmond North, Enid and Edmond Memorial.
In Class 5A, Metro Christian, Heritage Hall, Carl Albert and OCS are the top four in boys while Duncan, Heritage Hall, Cascia Hall and Tulsa Washington are tops on the girls side.
Anadarko’s boys are No. 1 in Class 4A, followed by Ada, Henryetta and Byng. Ada, Metro Christian, Elk City and Perry are the top four in girls.
OKLAHOMA TENNIS COACHES RANKING
CLASS 6A
Boys
1. Edmond North
2. Jenks
3. Tulsa Union
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Broken Arrow
6. Tulsa Kelley
7. McGuinness
8. Enid
9. Muskogee
10. Edmond Santa Fe
Girls
1. Jenks
2. Edmond North
3. Enid
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Tulsa Kelley
6. Broken Arrow
7. Tulsa Union
8. McGuinness
9. Bixby
10. Owasso
CLASS 5A
Boys
1. Metro Christian
2. Heritage Hall
3. Carl Albert
4. Oklahoma Christian
5. Cascia Hall
6. McAlester
7. Shawnee
8. Durant
9. Duncan
10. Ardmore
Girls
1. Duncan
2. Heritage Hall
3. Cascia Hall
4. Tulsa Washington
5. Tahlequah
6. Ardmore
7. Deer Creek
8. Carl Albert
9. Shawnee
10. Altus
CLASS 4A
Boys
1. Anadarko
2. Ada
3. Henryetta
4. Byng
5. Clinton
6. Elk City
7. Oologah
8. St. Mary
9. Seminole
10. Okmulgee
Girls
1. Ada
2. Metro Christian
3. Elk City
4. Perry
5. Midway
6. Byng
7. Beaver
8. Seminole
9. Oklahoma Christian
10. Anadarko
Geary wrestling championship match results
Still trying to track down full results from the Geary Wrestling Tournament but here are the championship-match results.
106: Markus Simmons (Broken Arrow) defeated Blake Dauphin (Tuttle)
113: Gunnar Woodburn (Claremore) defeated Ladigo Williams (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
120: Jake Goodwin (Bishop Lynch, Texas) defeated Gunner Laffoon (Tuttle)
126: Kyle Garcia (Choctaw) defeated Colby Powers (Lawton Mac)
132: Brian Crutchmer (Tulsa Union) defeated Clay Archer (Broken Arrow)
138: Chase Ferman (Broken Arrow) defeated Dakota Head (Tuttle)
145: Tanner Bailey (Broken Arrow) defeated Daniel Carrillo (Rio Rancho, NM)
152: Keilan Torres (Altus) defeated Kyle Ash (Tulsa Union)
160: Ricky McCarty (Lawton Mac) defeated Donaven Roberts (Randall, Texas)
170: Zachary Beard (Tuttle) defeated Drake Martel (Altus)
182: Kyle Crutchmer (Tulsa Union) defeated Joel Dixon (Edmond North)
195: Andrew Dixon (Edmond North) defeated Seth Calvert (Broken Arrow)
220: John Finn (Westmoore) defeated Josh McNaughton (Del City)
285: Kyle Factor (Westmoore) defeated Jose Chavez Del Real (Mustang)
Brandon Taylor’s injury and other thoughts from Mustang’s Pigskin Preview
Mustang quarterback Brandon Taylor will have X-rays Friday morning on his injured throwing shoulder.
At some point Friday morning, Mustang quarterback Brandon Taylor will find out just how bad he hurt his left shoulder on Thursday night. It could be as minor as a bruise, or as major as a broken collarbone, but it will be important news either way for the Broncos.
There are a lot of new receivers and some young offensive linemen, so they need Taylor’s leadership and experience to hold the offense together. That’s not to say sophomore Frankie Edwards won’t be a good fill-in. He’s a talented young kid, but he doesn’t have the experience of Taylor.
I’ll have the news on Taylor’s shoulder as soon as I hear something.
As for Thursday’s scrimmages, Mustang had some tackling issues on defense, and the offensive line is still growing up. At receiver, Travis Mitchell showed some impressive skills, and could be valuable at receiver.
Here are some other thoughts from the Pigskin Preview:
-El Reno showed some promise, and looked a lot better on offense than when I saw them at team camp in Yukon back in June. Rashaad Copeland and Ray Little are two very dangerous athletes who each made some big plays. Copeland has been drawing some college attention from OSU, Kansas and North Texas.
-Norman North is still looking for some offensive continuity at quarterback. Bryan Payne is a talented running back, but the two QBs — senior Chad Ehrhart and junior Peyton Gavras — had some ups and downs Thursday. Defensively, the Timberwolves were strong against Altus, and they’ll need to hang their hat on that side of the ball while the offense comes along.
-Justin Jones’ first preseason at McGuinness has been a rough one. He had five starters sidelined Thursday, including most of his linebackers. No major injuries, but still, those guys are missing valuable time under a new coach. QB Camden Tharp has a good skillset, and I’d look for him to have a good year. The Irish got a good performance from the offensive line, and that will be important as they try to develop the run game.
-Lawton MacArthur looks good. Really good. I know Tulsa East Central has a lot of star power. I haven’t seen them or any of the other top teams in 5A, but Mac has a lot of athletes all over the place, not to mention the best kicker in the state, which is always a nice feature. RB Darius Graham is a big, strong runner, and Michael Thomas is a beast at cornerback. When he gets in press coverage, his WR isn’t getting off the line of scrimmage most of the time. Most of Mac’s linemen are playing both ways, so that’s always an issue with stamina, but they’re going to be a dangerous team.
-Lawton Eisenhower looks vastly different with Adrian McDonald on the field. The athletically gifted quarterback sat out Thursday night’s scrimmage after suffering a rib injury last week. Coach Boone Copeland said he didn’t know when McDonald would be back, but he’s hoping to have him next week for the opener.
-Altus is obviously battling through a transition, like a lot of teams, but the Bulldogs have a more positive attitude than just about any team I’ve been around this year. Diquon Woodhouse — who is in my top five favorite names in HS football this year — made some solid plays, including a pick-six for Altus’ only TD. He doesn’t seem to have any lingering effects from the sprained MCL in spring ball, even though he still wore a brace for protection.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Day 2: Stillwater, Deer Creek defenses rise to occasion
As big of an offensive nut as I am, it pains me (sort of) to admit that what stood out on Day 2 of the 15-team camp at Edmond North was the defense.
A couple in particular, Stillwater and Deer Creek, made goalline, last-second stands to preserve scrimmage victories. I guess if you wanna call them victories.
Stillwater vs. Edmond Santa Fe
Never had I anticipated a 20-minute scrimmage between two 1-9 teams more than what I did as the final scrimmage of the day. Santa Fe looked great against Bixby and Pioneers showed a lot against Midwest City.
This one was as good as I hoped. Midwest City and Edmond North was going on at the same time, but the intensity and battle was just a little bit better with the Wolves and Pioneers so that’s who I stuck with.
Big heart showed by Stillwater QB Jerame Littell. He took a nasty shot that led to an interception. On the next drive, aired it out to Jesse Vester for the touchdown.
Wolves bounced back. With big brother Reggie Smith watching, Trevan Smith showed his speed. Trevan is small, but he’s got a lot of wiggle to him and scored.
Littell led another touchdown drive to set the stage for the final minutes. Justice Hansen threw it in the end zone as time expired, and it was picked off. Big thing that Littell and coach Tucker Barnard stressed was the ability to finish.
When you’re 1-9, at least a few of those games are decided in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. You have to learn how to finish. That’s what the Pioneers are doing so far at Edmond North. Great physical battle.
Deer Creek vs. Bixby
The Antlers had already wrapped up the ‘scrimmage victory.’ Based on rules, Bixby shouldn’t have been allowed one more play. But Deer Creek coach Grant Gower told Bixby to go one more play. He wanted his kids to experience a fourth down-like atmosphere.
Deer Creek stopped the Spartans short of the end zone in a 7-0 victory.
Antlers defense was the star in this one. To go with the last-second stop, Deer Creek stopped Bixby on a fourth-and-one earlier in the scrimmage.
Deer Creek scored on its second play from scrimmage as QB Joel Blumenthal found RB Brennan Miyake cutting across the middle and Miyake did the rest.
Miyake said it was a big boost to be going against Edmond North and Midwest City earlier in the day. It made the Antlers ready for a team like Bixby.
Midwest City vs. Edmond North
Caught glimpses of this. After Christian Peterson picked off a MWC pass, it seemed like the Bombers settled down after that. A lot of stops for losses for Midwest City against Edmond North. Bombers also found the end zone a couple of times. Wish that hadn’t gone head-to-head with Stillwater and Santa Fe.
Norman North vs. Shawnee
Another one that I didn’t get to fully see. A lot of woofin’ in this one. Teams had to separated a couple of times. T’Wolves’ fans, who is No. 3? I’m enjoying watching him work, that’s for sure. I didn’t see either team score in the 10-12 minutes I was able to watch.
Bishop McGuinness vs. Altus
I tried to watch, but what I was really thinking was why was Altus in full pads? Every other team was wearing shorts, but the Bulldogs were padded up. It makes a big difference. The Irish were still able to win, but that was a strange sight to see.
- Got a chance to briefly talk with Little Axe coach Ted Dorrell. I told him I can’t keep track of all 15 teams. He told me ‘try learning your players’ names in an environment like this.’ Dorrell was an assistant at Jones last season.
- Interesting talking with Santa Fe defensive coordinator Kenny Young when Irish were playing. He admits he’s still cheering for McGuinness and always will be. Ten years doesn’t just disappear with a change in jobs.
- Windy as heck out there. Don’t know if videos with Littell and Miyake will be deemed salvageable. If not, just look for some isolated plays from the scrimmages.
- Format change for Friday. Teams will start at 8:30 instead of 8 a.m. Also, more scrimmages. 10-minute scrimmages will begin at 9:40 and go to about 11:30-11:45. Either way, I’ll be out there. My format changes, too. I try to talk with players Wednesday and Thursday. Friday, I’ll be asking coaches what they learned in the three days so probably won’t be any videos.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Day 1: Camden Tharp leads Irish to strong finish
Well, the Edmond North camp is just as fun as I remember. It’s also just as hectic. There is no way I’m going to be able to track down all 15 teams, but I’ll do my best.
The format was the same, too, thankfully. Teams go from station-to-station and then 20-minute scrimmages start at 11 a.m.
The first scrimmage I’m always going to be able to sorta give a better account. After that, it gets sketchy because I’m trying to track down players/coaches from the finished scrimmage and also watch the next set of teams.
Bishop McGuinness vs. Shawnee
Not the best start to this one for either team. In fact, that was kind of the general trend where teams started slow and then picked up the pace.
Irish turned the ball over first time in possession, and the Wolves capitalized. However, in final two possessions, Irish looked a lot better. The first was a sustained (well, as sustained as you can get going 40 yards) drive that ended in a Camden Tharp touchdown rush.
And then in the final minute, Tharp threw the ‘scrimmage-winning’ touchdown pass. He said it’s a lot different environment under coach Justin Jones as opposed to Kenny Young.
People are normally quick to say that’s bashing the former coach, but it’s not, if you ask me. Different doesn’t imply anything except that things are ‘different.’
Young was an in-your-face, no nonsense type of guy. Jones is a little more hands on, Tharp said. Tharp admitted it was tough initially in the scrimmage because the Irish were playing a lot of JV. To go from that to Shawnee is a leap, for sure. Gonna have to pick me up a Wolves roster for the next two days. Saying No. 2 and No. 12 had good days doesn’t amount to much, my fault.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Bixby
This started the trend of things getting chippy. The Wolves are playing with a real chip on their shoulder, for the lack of a better term. The last two years have been tough to endure, and they’re looking to show things are going to be different right from the get go.
Leading that charge is wide receiver Tre Kelley. He was a-woofin’ and hollerin’ all scrimmage. He also backed it up. QB Justice Hansen looked good on a touchdown carry. Really excited to see what Phillip Sumpter and Trevan Smith can do in the open field.
But more than the offense, great day by the defense. Kenny Young has the team playing in a different tempo, swagger, and it showed in Day 1. I wanna say it was Santa Fe 14, Bixby 0 but don’t quote me on that one.
Midwest City vs. Stillwater
Ooh, pumped to see what is happening with the Pioneers right now. Cleaned house with the coaching staff, and the kids just look a little happier to go to work.
Obviously when you talk about Stillwater, it starts with QB Jerame Littell and WR Jesse Vester. Wednesday was no different as Vester made some outstanding plays, and Littell got to showcase his arm.
Stillwater made a nice late charge in this one. Not gonna judge the Midwest City offense too much because a lot of key players to replace. And this was a scrimmage that I was really scrambling to see. Hope to get a better look at the Bombers on Thursday or Friday.
Deer Creek vs. Altus
Deer Creek coach Grant Gower said he was really pleased with the team’s effort. Antlers scored on all three of their possessions.
When you’re talking about DC, Altus and the Irish, you’re looking at 5A teams that are going against 6A teams the entire time until this scrimmage portion. You get to see how much it helps to go against the speed of MWC, Edmond North, etc., when get back down to 5A.
- Look for videos with Tharp, Kelley and Vester on NewsOK. I’ll be keeping tabs on the health of Edmond North RB Jarion Tudman. He landed knee-first on the track on a tackle and had to ice his knee. Goal is to catch a better glimpse of Norman North, MWC, OCS and a couple of others on Day 2.
- And for the record, the 15 teams: Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Midwest City, Bixby, Norman North, Stillwater, Deer Creek, McGuinness, Shawnee, Altus, OCS, Meeker, McLoud, Tecumseh, Little Axe.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Bill Tipton VII Baseball Bracket
Bill Tipton VII
Wednesday
At Carl Albert
McAlester vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
Carl Albert vs. Weatherford, 1:30
Blanchard vs. Duncan, 4 p.m.
Blanchard vs. Clinton, 6:30
At Shawnee
Yukon vs. Lawton Mac, 11 a.m.
Yukon vs. Bishop McGuinness, 1:30
Shawnee vs. McGuinness, 4 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Ada, 6:30
Thursday
At Carl Albert
Duncan vs. Carl Albert, 11 a.m.
Clinton vs. Carl Albert, 1:30
Altus vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.
Altus vs. Weatherford, 6:30
At Shawnee
McGuinness vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
McGuinness vs. Ada, 1:30
Yukon vs. McAlester, 4 p.m.
Lawton Mac vs. McAlester, 6:30
Friday
At Carl Albert
Blanchard vs. Altus, 9:30 a.m.
Blanchard vs. Weatherford, noon (I’ll be there)
Duncan vs. Weatherford, 2:30
Duncan vs. Clinton, 5 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Altus, 7:30
At Shawnee
McAlester vs. Ada, 9:30 a.m.
OKC Broncos vs. Ada, noon
OKC Broncos vs. Lawton Mac, 2:30
Lawton Mac vs. Shawnee, 5 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Yukon, 7:30
Saturday
Games at both sites at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. Championship game is at Carl Albert at 4 p.m.
Scrimmage roundup: Mustang Pigskin Preview
There was a ton of good action on the field at Bronco Stadium in Mustang Thursday night at the annual Pigskin Preview, with seven teams — including some of the best in 5A and 6A — on hand for the scrimmage and mini-games.
If you look at the scores, it might not sound too impressive. Lawton MacArthur’s 9-6 win over Mustang was the night’s high-scoring affair. But it was good, nonetheless, with too much good stuff to get all of it in the paper with all of our scrimmage coverage from Thursday. I’ve got some more items of note below, but first, for all the stuff that made it in the paper, here are the links to…
- As for everything else, I’d have to say the team that created the most buzz was Lawton MacArthur. QB Dylan Warner is a talented player with four D-I offers so far, either as a QB or safety. He was throwing the ball well on Thursday, and he has some weapons to work with, both at receiver and running back. There’s a lot of strong teams atop 5A, but look for the Highlanders to make some noise.
And on Thursday, they were without their top WR, Rashaud Foreman, who has a sprained ankle. He’s expected back in time for the opener, or at the latest, the Lawton High game in Weed 2.
- Norman North’s trio of running backs is a scary group, with Emilio Gatewood, Raymond Demby and Brian Payne. I haven’t seen enough of Payne, just a sophomore, to know, but Gatewood or Demby would make a strong featured back. However, both start on defense — Gatewood at corner and Demby at outside linebacker, so having the running back committee really benefits the team pretty well.
There was a close call on Norman North’s near-touchdown against Altus, when it was ruled that QB Brad Valentino’s knee hit the ground before he got in on a sneak on fourth-and-goal from the 1 yard line. I’ve got a video interview with Valentino that should be available for viewing soon.
- Mustang QB Brandon Taylor had a hot-and-cold night, but it wasn’t all his fault. His top WR, David Glidden, was sidelined with a sore knee, and his biggest and best offensive lineman, Caleb Schompert, was held out as well. And the Broncos’ No. 2 receiver, Jon Luckey, didn’t play any offense in the mini-games, which gave some other young receivers a chance to work.
Taylor was intercepted once and led two TD drives. He’s athletic enough to make some plays on the move, and the timing of the QB-WR relationship will improve with Glidden and Luckey in the mix. Still, some of the other guys made nice catches. Derek Garvin pulled down a TD catch on a fade route, barely getting his feet down inbounds. And just like last year, Taylor and Garvin were in tune on the short out routes along the boundary.
I mentioned buzz with Lawton Mac. Well, No. 2 on the buzz scale would have been Mustang linebacker Tucker Calmus. The nephew of former Jenks, OU and NFL player Rocky Calmus, Tucker is a beast of a sophomore who laid a few good hits on people Thursday night. I haven’t seen a roster, so I don’t know how big he is, but I’d guess about 6-foot-2 and at least 200 pounds or more.
- With some experienced players returning at running back and receiver, Lawton Eisenhower has the freedom to utilize running back Louis Durant in a number of ways. On Thursday, Durant got the ball on handoffs and caught passes both out of the backfield and as a slot receiver. He was one of the Eagles’ most productive players last year, rushing for 681 yards and eight touchdowns. He is back this year along with quarterback Adrian McDonald, now a junior.
“He’s a solid running back,” coach Boone Copeland said. “We feel good. Offensively, we’ve done well. (McDonald) is an exciting player and our team has a lot of confidence in him.”
- Altus graduated more than 20 seniors off last year’s football team, but this year’s Bulldogs are hoping to fill the holes and keep moving forward.
“We have 17 returning seniors and a few new seniors that didn’t play last year,” senior receiver/cornerback Bob Laub said. “We’re still a young group. They’ve got to fill in the slots.
“Even though we lost a lot of starters, the defense and the offense are both holding together well. I have a pretty good feeling about our defense this year.”
Laub was a key piece in last year’s defense, grabbing eight interceptions, among the best in Class 5A.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
5A baseball regional: Chickasha
At Chickasha
Wednesday
Game 1: Chickasha vs. Western Heights, 12 p.m.
Game 2: Lawton MacArthur vs. Altus, 2 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 12 p.m.
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 2:30 p.m. (if necessary)
Defending 5A champion wins Irish Easter Classic
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Altus’ Megan Blonein had been in the situation before.
Edmond North’s Carly Yates had not.
Blonein, who won the 5A state title last year as a freshman, parred the first hole of a playoff to beat Yates and win the Fifth Annual Irish Easter Invitational at Quail Creek on Monday.
For Blonein, it was her third playoff. Yates had not been in a playoff in high school.
Blonein’s drive on the playoff hole went left on the par 4 No. 1. But she safely punched her second shot out of the trees to just in front of the green and finished off the tournment win after Yates’ second shot sailed over the green, then wound up a bunker with her third shot.
Yates posted her round of 78 about three hours before the playoff, while Blonein finished not long before the playoff.
Blonein got off to a rough start, shooting a 42 on the back nine where she started. But she quickly bounced back on the front side, with back-to-back birdies on holes three and four to get back in the tournament.
“I’m a late starter,” Blonein said. “It takes me awhile to get started.”
The tournament featured many of the state’s top golfers, playing on a longer course than most the girls play on during the season.
Mustang won the team title, 13 strokes ahead of second-place Altus.
Here are the top 10 individuals:
Irish girls golf hosts tourney Monday
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
McGuinness’ girls golf team will host the Irish Easter Invitational on Monday at Quail Creek.
The tournament will feature most of the area’s top high school golfers, including the defending Class 3A champion, Kingfisher’s Bethany Darrough.
The Irish, playing in their fourth event of the season, feature Caitlin Farris and Hannah Tubbs at the top of their lineup.
Farris, a freshman, has finished third in two of McGuinness’ three tournaments so far, including the tournament in Granbury. Texas.
Tubbs, a senior, has finished in the top five at state each of the past two years.
Monday’s tournament also features plenty of 6A talent as well, including Mustang, last year’s 6A runner-up, all three Edmond schools and Westmoore.
