Varsity High School Blogs » Broken Arrow http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports Coverage of Oklahoma High School Sports from The Oklahoman/NewsOK.com Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:36:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 6A Girls Playoffs http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-girls-playoffs/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-girls-playoffs/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:06:13 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=7120 Varsity High School Blogs]]> The OSSAA has just released the Class 6A girls playoff pairings.

The first-round will be played Thursday, Feb. 25

WEST

At Midwest City
Mustang vs. Yukon
Midwest City vs. U.S. Grant

At Putnam City
Norman vs. Moore
Putnam City vs. Lawton Eisenhower

At Edmond Santa Fe
Lawton vs. Southmoore
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam West

At Edmond North
Choctaw vs. Del City
Edmond North vs. Westmoore

EAST

At Norman North
Sand Springs vs. Putnam North
Norman North vs. Bixby

At Jenks
Ponca City vs. Broken Arrow
Jenks vs. Muskogee

At Shawnee
Owasso vs. Enid
Shawnee vs. Stillwater

At Tulsa Union
Edmond Memorial vs. Sapulpa
Tulsa Union vs. Bartlesville

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-girls-playoffs/feed/ 0 6A Boys Playoffs http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-boys-playoffs/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-boys-playoffs/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:01:42 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=7118 Varsity High School Blogs]]> The 6A boys playoff brackets have just been posted. Here’s the pairings:

First-round games will be played Friday, Feb. 26

WEST

At Edmond Santa Fe
Del City vs. Lawton
Edmond Santa Fe vs. U.S. Grant

At Midwest City
Southmoore vs. Norman
Midwest City vs. Westmoore

At Putnam City
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Edmond North
Putnam City vs. Yukon

At Putnam West
Choctaw vs. Mustang
Putnam West vs. Moore

EAST

At Broken Arrow
Enid vs. Bixby
Broken Arrow vs. Shawnee

At Norman North
Putnam North vs. Sapulpa
Norman North vs. Sand Springs

At Edmond Memorial
Jenks vs. Stillwater
Edmond Memorial vs. Owasso

At Muskogee
Tulsa Union vs. Ponca City
Bartlesville vs. Muskogee

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/11/6a-boys-playoffs/feed/ 0 Rugby growing in popularity… http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/10/rugby-growing-in-popularity/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/10/rugby-growing-in-popularity/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:07:39 +0000 bprzybylo http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=7085 Varsity High School Blogs]]> By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Received an out-of-the-blue call from Canton football coach Rob Davis on Tuesday, always good to hear from the coach.

But he wanted to talk about rugby. Wait, rugby? Apparently the sport is really picking up steam here in Oklahoma. And who am I to disagree?

Football players who don’t play other sports but need that focus to stay in shape now have another alternative. Powerlifting has really become huge because of it and now rugby is joining that group.

Canton made the Class B football championship, losing to Garber. Davis said rugby was a reason as to why the team had such great success.

Right now there are 10 club rugby teams, with Canton easily the smallest of the schools participating.

Last week was the first week of the season. Here are the standings and here is the schedule:

Standings:

Bixby (1-0)
Canton (1-0)
Mustang (1-0)
The Brethren (1-0)
Union (1-0)
Bartlesville (0-1)
Broken Arrow (0-1)
Edmond Storm (0-1)
Jenks (0-1)
Norman (0-1)

This week’s matches (all Saturday): Bixby at Broken Arrow; The Brethren at Bartlesville; Union at Mustang; Edmond Storm at Norman; Canton at Jenks.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/10/rugby-growing-in-popularity/feed/ 0 Signing List 2010 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/03/signing-list-2010/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/03/signing-list-2010/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 04:17:49 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=6896 Varsity High School Blogs]]> It’s still a work in progress. Know a signing we missed? E-mail me at raber@opubco.com and we’ll get it added. We’ll run the signing list several times over the next few weeks:

FOOTBALL
Henry Alexander, Ardmore (SEOSU)
Jake Alexander, Jenks (Tulsa)
Jamaal Allen, Lawton (SNU)
Joe Alston, Berryhill (NSU)
Daryn Alves, Durant (NSU)
Gerard Anderson, Tulsa Central (NEO)
Matthew Anderson, Sand Springs (Pittsburg State)
Joe Aska, Edmond North (Garden City)
Brad Avery, Madill (SWOSU)
David Balenseifen, Mustang/NEO (SNU)
Tyler Barnes, Enid (SNU)
Calvin Barnett, Tulsa Washington (Arkansas)
Josh Barrett, Wayne (SNU)
Skylar Bartlett, Ringling (SNU)
Jason Bear, Stillwater (SNU)
Eric Bennett, Tulsa Washington (Arkansas)
Que’Shaun Bennett, Enid (NWOSU)
Matt Berrey, Purcell/NEO (ECU)
Ken Berry, John Marshall (ECU)
Ethan Biddy, Tuttle (Air Force)
Michael Billingsley, Southeast/NEO (Nichols State)
Qumain Black, Ada (NEO)
Kenyad Blair, Northeast/NEO (Nichols State)
Kenneth Blake, Davis (ECU)
Mason Blake, Lindsay (NWOSU)
Rhett Blundell, Kingfisher (NWOSU)
Brenton Bogar, Muskogee (Tulsa/NEO)
Hunter Bohannan, Yukon (Southwestern, Kan.)
Zach Boren, Southmoore (NEO)
Austin Brasher, Edmond North (BYU)*
Julian Brockington, Del City (NEO)
D’Juan Brooks, Edmond Memorial (NEO)
Brenden Brown, Norman North (ECU)
LaBron Brown, Southmoore (NEO)
Jon Bullock, Broken Arrow (UCO)
Jeremy Burton, Muskogee (La.-Monroe)
Justin Butterfield, Bartlesville (NSU)
Troy Buffington, Southmoore (SNU)
Tate Byers, Tulsa Kelley (Washington, St. Louis)
Colton Byford, Edmond North (UCO)
Irvin Caldwell, Star Spencer (NEO)
Chris Campbell, Enid (NWOSU)
Nick Canavan, Norman North (Missouri State)
Michael Cane, Okmulgee (ECU)
Chance Carey, McAlester (ECU)
Londre Carson, Muskogee (NEO)
Luke Chalfant, Hinton (SWOSU)
Mark Chestnut, Miami/NEO/OSU (Pittsburg State)
Keldin Choate, Shawnee (ECU)
Chris Clark, Moore (NWOSU)
Arthola Clarke, John Marshall (NWOSU)
Colton Cline, Norman North (Sam Houston State)
Alex Cochran, Broken Arrow (SWOSU)
Demarco Cobbs, Tulsa Central (Texas)
Aaron Colvin, Owasso (OU)
Tuswani Copeland, Lawton MacArthur (Baylor)
Jacoby Crowley, Lawton Eisenhower (SEOSU)
Nathan Crownover, Del City/NEO (SNU)
Dakota Crumbie, Tulsa Washington (ECU)
Clayton Cunningham, Ringwood (NWOSU)
Roper Cunningham, Waynoka (NWOSU)
Steven Daniels, Tulsa East Central (UCO)
Robert Dansby, Tulsa Memorial (McPherson)
Nolan Davenport, Seminole (Southwestern, Kan.)
Dakota Davis, Broken Arrow (SWOSU)
Dalton Davis, Tulsa Union (SNU)
Niko Davis, Millwood (NEO)
Ryan Day, Tulsa Union (SNU)
Johnny Deaton, Sand Springs (OSU)
Gregory DeLozier, Seq. Claremore (Pittsburg State)
Terrance Dixon, Sand Springs (NSU)
Colton Dost, Tulsa Union (Western Kentucky)
Joe Dowdell, Tulsa Kelley (Dartmouth)
Brandon Downing, Edmond North (Washburn)
Alex Dowty, Mustang (Washburn)
Dalton Duckett, Tulsa Union (NSU)
Stephen Eastham, Dewey (NEO)
Bryce Ebbs, Vinita (NEO)
Cole Eddy, Midwest City (UCO)
Jordan Edwards, Washington (NEO)
Brandon Elmore, Blanchard/Coffeyville (SWOSU)
Josh Engert, Nowata (NEO)
B.J. Evans, Tulsa Union (Garden City)
Ryan Feller, Altus (SWOSU)
Darryl Fields, Madill (SMU)
Aaron Fisher, Tulsa Central (Ga. Southern)
Drew Fischer, Timberlake (NWOSU)
Blake Fogle, Caney Valley (NWOSU)
Kevin Forbes, Douglass (Langston)
Adam Ford, Broken Arrow (NEO)
Teontez Fortune, Douglass (Langston)
Donnie Fuston, Enid (NEO)
Ruben Gaines, Muskogee (UCO)
Eric Gardner, Lone Grove (ECU)
Jake Garrett, Tuttle (SNU)
Courtney Gaston, Fort Gibson (Arkansas)
Blake Gatewood, Edmond North (UCO)
Kimes Gilbert, Southmoore (SWOSU)
Jaimon Gilstrap, Tulsa East Central (NSU)
Zakk Gipson, Pryor (NWOSU)
Cord Gothard, Velma-Alma (SWOSU)
Gimo Grace, Tulsa East Central (Emporia State)
Bob Graham, Jenks (Iowa State)
Cale Grauer, Lincoln Christian (Mo. Western)
Delans Griffin, Clinton (Texas Tech)
Logan Grinstead, Sulphur (UCO)
Colby Hager, Sayre (NWOSU)
Justin Harmon-Brewer, Edmond Santa Fe (SNU)
Rowdy Harper, Broken Arrow (Houston)
Demantre Harris, Del City (Garden City)
Devante Harris, Duncan (SEOSU)
Halston Harris, Marlow (SEOSU)
Michael Harris, Edmond Santa Fe (Washburn)
Austin Haywood, Southmoore (OU)
Haden Hedges, Pioneer (SNU)
Alec Henry, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Trayvon Henry, Millwood (Butler County)
Aries Herrion, Tulsa Washington (Pittsburg State)
Rylan Hess, Metro Christian (Colo. School of Mines)
Steven Hopper, Broken Arrow (Vian)
Brett Horn, Waynoka (NWOSU)
J.J. Hugine, Del City (New Mexico)
Caleb Hulva, Enid (SNU)
Chris Hummingbird, Seq. Tahlequah (NEO)
Dalton Hunter, Maysville (ECU)
Derrick Hurst, Millwood (NWOSU)
Taylor Inman, Seq. Claremore (SWOSU)
Bronson Irwin, Mustang (OU)
Royal Isokariari, Tulsa Memorial (McPherson)
Rico Ivy, Douglass (Langston)
Miles Jackson, John Marshall (ECU)
Aaron James, Douglass (UCO)
Ethan James, Gore (NSU)
Franky Jamison, Star Spencer (NEO)
Antonio Jenkins, Putnam North (NEO)
Dewitt Jennings, Bixby (Tulsa)
Kenny Johnson, Weatherford (SWOSU)
Jace Johnson, Bethel/ECU (SWOSU)
Tyler Johnson, Berryhill (NEO)
Willie Johnson, Tulsa Memorial (NEO)
Dominque Jones, Midwest City (Baylor)
Emmitt Jones, Star Spencer (NEO)
Gus Jones, Wagoner/OU (NSU)
Brendon Jordan, John Marshall (NEO)
Jordan Karriman, Grove/NEO (La.-Monroe)
Jacob Keller, Tulsa Union (La.-Monroe)
Jake Kelley, Beggs (Peru State)
Brandon Keplinger, Watonga (NWOSU)
Kyle Keplinger, Watonga (NWOSU)
Johnny Ketterman, Timberlake (NEO)
Drake Keys, Skiatook (SWOSU)
Chris King, Jenks (UCO)
Cecil Kirkendoll, Clinton (SWOSU)
Jarrett Lake, Jenks (Arkansas)
Alex Land, Edmond Santa Fe (Weber State)
Ricky Lawyer, Edmond North (NEO)
Justin Lepley, Seq. Tahlequah (NEO)
Chris Littlehead, Seq. Tahlequah (OSU)
David Lore, Jenks (Air Force)
Matt Luetjen, Hennessey (Army)
Randy Mack, Edmond Santa Fe (Washburn)
Tyler Mackey, Afton (NEO)
Dalton Mahoney, Alva (NWOSU)
Mike Major, Tulsa Kelley (Princeton)
George Mallett, Southmoore (SNU)
Beau Marsaln, Metro Christian (NEO)
Dominique Massengil, Lawton (ECU)
Mason Mathews, Yukon (Mid-America Nazarene)
Ty Matthews, Choctaw (SNU)
Chris McAlister, Del City (Central Arkansas)
Ryan McCaul, Moore/NEO (La.-Monroe)
Shawn McIntosh, Lawton MacArthur (SNU)
Nelson Medeiros, Edmond Memorial (Fort Hays State)
Ryan Merrill, Cordell (NWOSU)
Clifton Miller, Atoka (SEOSU)
Lucas Miller, Capitol Hill (NEO)
Brian Mills, Edmond Santa Fe (Princeton)
Corey Mitchell, Douglass (Weber State)
Deonte Morris, Tulsa Union (Tulsa/NEO)
Cory Mosely, Midwest City (Hutchinson)
Cole Mount, Deer Creek (Washburn)
Mason Myers, Southmoore (Colorado State)
Cody Nall, Ardmore (ECU)
Josh Napper, Lawton Eisenhower (SEOSU)
Carlos Nazario, Lawton (ECU)
Nic Nealy, Douglass (Grambling State)
Marco Nelson, Glenpool (Tulsa)
Chase Neuman, Dewey (SWOSU)
Jordan Newby, Southmoore (SNU)
Tanner Newby, Enid (NEO)
Justin Nole, Washington (SNU)
Alex Oden, Victory Christian (NEO)
Terence Olds, Star Spencer (NEO)
Cade Oller, Billings (NWOSU)
Tyler Ott, Jenks (Harvard)
Johnny Pack, Seminole (Southwestern, Kan.)
Dustin Parks, Waukomis (NWOSU)
Chris Patterson, McAlester (NEO)
Chris Peoples, Vian (SEOSU)
Richard Peoples, Norman North (ECU)
Gordon Perry, Weatherford (SWOSU)
Brandon Piercy, Muskogee (NEO)
Tre Porter, Carl Albert (Texas Tech)
Zac Powell, Garber (NWOSU)
Scott Powers, Sperry/NEO (Emporia State)
Ronnie Price, Broken Arrow (NEO)
Cody Pritchard, Stroud (NWOSU)
Sonny Puletasi, Lawton (Wyoming)
Chris Ramey, Wagoner (Arkansas Tech)
Sean Reed, Shawnee (ECU)
James Renfrow, Broken Arrow (NSU)
Joel Reser, Del City (NEO)
Sean Rigney, Shawnee (ECU)
James Roberson, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Thomas Roberson, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Kevin Roberts, Madill (SWOSU)
Brady Robinson, Broken Arrow (NEO)
Howard Roebuck, Tulsa Washington (Prairie View A&M)
Carl Salazar, Broken Arrow (Air Force)
Ian Sanders, CHA (SNU)
Kale Sawatzky, Weatherford (OU)*
Austin Schultz, Chisholm (SNU)
Taylor Schuyler, Bixby (Central Arkansas)
Tye Scott, Salina (NEO)
Derek Serowski, Southmoore (UCO)
Burgess Shaw, Sand Springs (ECU)
Tyler Shaw, Edmond Santa Fe (ECU)
Lamares Shields, Del City (ECU)
Denton Simek, Prague (Arkansas)
Ethan Simpson, Claremore (Pittsburg State)
D.J. Sims, Edmond Santa Fe (ECU)
Richard Sims, Edmond North (Dordt)
Kyler Skinner, Weatherford (SWOSU)
Ryan Smith, Muskogee (NEO)
Travis Smith, Durant (NEO)
Tyler Smith, Sand Springs (Pittsburg State)
Xavier Smith, Edmond North (Missouri)
Luke Snider, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Anthony Sparks, Stillwater (NEO)
Trent Spurgeon, Owasso (Arizona)
James Stephens, Broken Arrow (UCO)
Matt Stevenson, Edmond Memorial (Baker)
P.J. Stimson, Pryor (NWOSU)
Tyler Stitt, Mustang (NWOSU)
Ray Stovall, Tulsa Washington (La.-Monroe)
Jake Streck, Kremlin-Hillsdale (NWOSU)
Ricky Streck, Kremlin-Hillsdale (NWOSU)
Casey Strate, Dewey (NEO)
Clint Strate, Dewey (NEO)
Ryan Stringer, Clinton (SWOSU)
Caleb Sullivan, Seminole (Deer Creek)
Garrett Sullivan, Deer Creek (UCO)
Jon Swanfeld, Tulsa Union (SNU)
Nyko Symonds, Southmoore (OU)*
Kwame Tate, Elgin (UCO)
Dylan Taylor, Vian (NSU)
Matthew Tingle, Putnam North (NEO)
Robert Thomas, Sulphur/Cowley County (ECU)
Andre Thompson, Douglass (Langston)
Mike Thompson, Bartlesville (Pittsburg State)
Taylor Thurman, Seq. Claremore (Haskell)
Reuben Tiller, Ardmore (ECU)
Corey Todd, Hilldale (NWOSU)
Kobey Trower, Hominy (NEO)
Zach Trujillo, Deer Creek (Kansas State)**
Hayden Vencl, Garber (NWOSU)
Eddie Venters, Muskogee (NEO)
Markell Walker, Carl Albert (ECU)
Dillion Wallace, Tulsa East Central (NEO)
Patrick Wallace, Tulsa Central (NEO)
Nick Walters, Edmond Memorial/NEO (Arkansas)*
Davis Walton, Tulsa Kelley (NEO)
Raphael Watts, Capitol Hill (NEO)
Cole Way, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Clifford Weatherford, Muskogee (NEO)
Dane Weippert, Guymon (Panhandle State)
Stanley West, Westmoore (SNU)
Scott Whitaker, Norman North (Drake)
Norris White, Douglass (Weber State)
Jameel Whitney, McGuinness (ECU)
Ryland Widener, Southmoore (Northern Colorado)
Blair Williams, Beggs (NEO)
Kyle Williams, Broken Bow (SEOSU)
James Williams, John Marshall (NEO)
Terry Williamson, Broken Arrow (UCO)
Julian Wilson, Southmoore (OU)
Roman Wilson, Lincoln Christian (Princeton)
Ray Wolber, Tulsa Kelley (Drake)
Josiah Woodard, Stillwater (SEOSU)
Jordan Woods, Kingfisher (NWOSU)
Jeff Wright, Star Spencer (Langston)
Clayton Yancy, Seminole (Southwestern, Kan.)
Collin Yeary, Norman North (NEO)

BASEBALL
Wade Ambrose, Tulsa Union (Northeast Texas CC)
Tyler Carter, Ada (NOC-Enid)
Caden Cleveland, Christian Heritage (Morehead State)
Braden Cook, Chickasha (Connors State)
Cale Coshow, Deer Creek (OU)
Casey Coyle, Putnam North (OU)
John Davenport, Jay (NOC)
Luis DeJesus, Collinsville (EOSC)
Cale Elam, Oktaha (Wichita State)
Brad Fisher, Jenks (ORU)
Jonathan Furlong, Bixby (Neosho)
Nick Goza, Collinsville (EOSC)
Jonathan Gray, Chandler (OU)
Josh Halbert, Choctaw (Wichita State)
Landon Hallam, Edmond Memorial (Seminole)
J.R. Head, Midwest City (NOC-Enid)
Mason Justice, Holland Hall (Kansas State)
Shane Kinnear, Tulsa Union (Harding)
Jordan Lopez, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas Tech)
Joe McGee, Tulsa Washington (Connors State)
Jose Olizagosti, Collinsville (Seminole)
Mitch Osburn, Broken Arrow (Seminole)
Dillon Overton, Weatherford (OU)
J.T. Realmuto, Carl Albert (OSU)
Jacob Rice, Tulsa Union (Arkansas)
Dillon Robinson, Broken Arrow (Fort Scott)
Brandon Ruiz, Yukon (NOC)
Garrett Schaede, Owasso (Neosho)
Taylor Schneeberger, Broken Arrow (Connors State)
Cayle Shambaugh, Jay (OU)
Andrew Smith, Tulsa NOAH (Coffeyville)
Tyler Smith, Kelleyville (NOC)
Logan Taylor, Jenks (Texas Tech)
Billy Waltrip, Fort Gibson (New Mexico State)
Ryan Wilson, Owasso (Seminole)
Kyle Wood, Owasso (Fort Scott)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Will Baysinger, Owasso (MIT)
Cameron Downing, Tulsa Memorial (Buffalo)
Amric Fields, Putnam West (TCU)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ashlie Baker, Tulsa East Central (Fort Scott)
Jimi Blagowsky, Edmond Santa Fe (Air Force)
Desiree Bradley, Carl Albert (USC)
Brenna Burnett, Dale (Palm Beach Atlantic)
Y’Cedria Devers, Bixby (Pittsburg State)
Lindsey Hammer, Seq. Tahlequah (Mercer)
Meagan Henson, CHA (TCU)
Whitney Hocutt, Claremore (NOC)
Aianne Hunter, Putnam North (Dartmouth)
Ebonie Jackson, Tulsa East Central (Friends)
Richa Jackson, Midwest City (Duke)
Kortni Kendrick, Kansas (John Brown)
Christian Key, Victory Christian (ORU)
Kalie Lucas, Harrah (Missouri Southern)
Sophia Mahmoodjanloo, Edmond Santa Fe (State Fair College)
Mylie Mayes, Carl Albert (UCO)
Jessica McCarville, Sulphur (Southwestern, Kan.)
Ashlee Pitts, Tulsa East Central (SW Baptist)
Cara Pugh, McGuinness (OCU)
Lacy Reinke, Lawton (Cameron)
Hannah Ritter, Jay (Fort Hays State)
Kendra Suttles, Lawton (OSU)
Morgan Toben, Owasso (New Mexico)
Talor Ward, Beggs (Okla. Christian)
Kala White, Claremore (Labette)

EQUESTRIAN
Kelly Bovaird, Tulsa Kelley (Kansas State)

FIELD HOCKEY
Amanda Adwon, Holland Hall (Michigan)
Maggie Brady, Holland Hall (Brown)
Lauren Hauge, Holland Hall (Michigan)
Natalie Hood, Holland Hall (St. Louis)

GOLF
Lindsey Bensch, Broken Arrow home school (UCO)
Tressa Brumley, Chouteau (UCO)
Ian Davis, Deer Creek (OSU)
Macy Douglas, Broken Arrow (SNU)
Talor Gooch, Carl Albert (OSU)
Brad Hager, Bartlesville (NSU)
Matt Helms, Edmond Santa Fe (Wichita State)
Lauren Michael, Jenks (Drury)
Taylor Neidy, Clinton (UCO)
Cody Reed, Edmond Santa Fe (NSU)
Jade Staggs, Westmoore (OSU)
Shelby Stavely, Sallisaw/Harding (NSU)
Zach Tucker, Putnam North (NSU)

GYMNASTICS
Brittany Harris, Tulsa Union (Oregon State)

ROWING
Courtaney Miller, Jenks (SMU)

SOCCER
Jennifer Abernathy, Tulsa Union (ORU)
Ashley Bechtold, Putnam North (Missouri Southern)
Bobby Behrens, Sand Springs (John Brown)
Ashlynn Betts, Jenks (William Penn)
Leah Bickers, Victory Christian (ORU)
Rochelle Bohuslavicky, Edmond Memorial (Troy)
Bailey Boulware, Mustang (OU)
Whitney Brannon, Victory Christian (ORU)
Matt Bray, Putnam North (Missouri State)
Devon Bullard, Sand Springs (Rogers State)
Corbin Campbell, Deer Creek (OBU)
Sara Chalmers, Tulsa Kelley (Abilene Christian)
Sherri Collins, Edmond North (UCO)
Madison Cook, Tulsa Union (SWOSU)
Kyle Craft, Tulsa Kelley (Notre Dame)
Natalie Crosslin, Bixby (SWOSU)
Jessica Dale, Wagoner (Neosho)
Sam Diacon, Tulsa Washington (Missouri S&T)
Sam Duininck, Summit Chr. (Liberty)
Krista Dyess, Broken Arrow (NSU)
Kelsey Godfrey, Tulsa Union (SNU)
Tyler Groh, Putnam North (Missouri State)
Austin Gross, Jenks (Memphis)
Ashley Haines, Jenks (NSU)
Drew Hall, Edmond Santa Fe (OCU)
Mary Kate Halsmer, Jenks (ORU)
Jordan Harris, Claremore (UMKC)
Hayley Harryman, Edmond North (OSU)
Garron Hayes, Tulsa Union (Rogers State)
Hailey Haynes, Seq. Claremore (Central Arkansas)
Madi Hillis, Edmond Memorial (Kansas)
Bradi Hinch, Jenks (Tulsa)
Tyrell Jackson, Tulsa Union (Rogers State)
Morgan Jones, Jenks (Mid. Tenn. St.)
Kristen Kelley, Tulsa Kelley (OSU)
Kelsey Killion, Broken Arrow (Tulsa)
Preston Langholz, Tulsa Washington (Stanford)
Logan Lax, Putnam North (OBU)
Loren LeForce, Coweta (Rogers State)
Lindsey Lofton, Skiatook (NSU)
Omar Mata, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Sally Matthews, Owasso (NSU)
Shelby Martin, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Meghan McMahon, Putnam North (OCU)
Tori Peters, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Amy Petrikin, Tulsa Kelley (OU)
Caitlin Phillips, Claremore (UCO)
Jessy Phillips, Bartlesville (NSU)
Kristin Pollard, Broken Arrow (Central Arkansas)
Brandon Reed, Owasso (Drury)
Stephanie Romera, Tulsa Kelley (Lipscomb)
Aubrey Roth, Tulsa Union (SWOSU)
Camille Sanders, Edmond North (OU)
Ryan Sanders, Broken Arrow (OCU)
Brianna Shamblin, Miami (Rogers State)
Jessica Sisney, Broken Arrow (Rogers State)
Dillon Stallings, Putnam North (OBU)
Alex Starrett, Tulsa Kelley (Arkansas)
Andrew Stone, Cascia Hall (St. Edward’s)
Jeremy Swift, Bixby (Rogers State)
Jenna Taylor, Bartlesville (Harding)
Alex Tiem, Broken Arrow (Rogers State)
Addie Tipton, Metro Christian (USAO)
Claire Walker, Tulsa Washington (Penn)
Carley Yates, Edmond North (OU)
Miranda Zoller, Jenks (Tulsa)

SOFTBALL
Kacey Acker, Guthrie (SNU)
Jessica Barnes, Pawhuska (Pittsburg State)
Shelby Blanton, Newcastle (Tulsa)
Kristin Blasingame, Carl Albert (Rogers State)
Page Boling, Hilldale (Connors State)
Sierra Bronkey, Edmond Santa Fe (Arkansas)
LaDarra Brown, Muskogee (Carl Albert)
Tiffany Brown, Catoosa (Pittsburg State)
Julie Brunk, Mustang (SNU)
Bailee Cartwright, Moss (Northwestern St., La.)
Tara Chatkehoodle, Tulsa Rogers (Haskell)
Jordan Clark, Muskogee (Carl Albert)
Kylee Cole, Collinsville (NEO)
Lacie Cook, Collinsville (Labette)
Aimee Creger, Mustang (Tulsa)
Morgan Deerinwater, Savanna (Carl Albert)
Kaiti Dutton, Tulsa Union (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
Hannah Edmiston, Coweta (Independence)
Allison Edwards, Duncan (Oklahoma Wesleyan)
Katie Ellington, Tulsa Kelley (NOC)
Lindy Fluman, Cleveland (NEO)
Shelby Foreman, S. Coffeyville (Coffeyville)
Dani Fox, Yukon (Washburn)
Devon Frazier, Little Axe (St. Gregory’s)
Sydney Garcia, Moore (OCU)
Shaylee Griffin, McAlester (OCU)
Sutton Halferty, Harrah (St. Gregory’s)
Meagan Hardy Fry, Checotah (Haskell)
Ashley Harper, Drumright (Carl Albert)
Haley Henshaw, Catoosa (Tulsa)
Javen Henson, Red Oak (OU)
Paige Hightower, Chickasha (Washburn)
Whitney Hocutt, Claremore (NOC)
Jordan Jones, Skiatook (Connors State)
Hannah Justus, Catoosa (UCO)
Candace Kellar, Coweta (Rogers State)
Jamie King, Tulsa Union (NEO)
Miranda Kiser, Tulsa Union (NEO)
Kayce Long, Moss (Carl Albert)
Beth Manship, Harrah (Southeastern)
Mya Mahsetky, Little Axe (NOC)
Mary Kate McKay, Madill (Angelo State)
Alex Milligan, Moore (Cameron)
Taylor Mills, Fort Gibson (Austin Peay State)
Holly Mock, Drumright (Carl Albert)
Candace Monigold, Broken Arrow (NEO)
Shelby Morose, Seq. Claremore (Concordia)
Ashlee Nation, Tulsa Union (William Jewell)
Jeneva Nelson, Frontier (Lipscomb)
Shylar Nichols, Carl Albert (USAO)
Caitlin O’Hagan, Midwest City (St. Gregory’s)
Sam Oxford, Adair (Fort Scott)
Katie Parsons, Pryor (NWOSU)
Ashley Paxton, Mustang (Okla. Christian)
Sarah Peoples, Piedmont (Okla. Christian)
Allyson Pogue, Claremoer (NEO)
Lauren Poole, Putnam North (Seminole State)
Natalie Powers, Holland Hall (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
Hillary Price, Moss (Carl Albert)
Sarah Raunikar, Coweta/Connors State (Central Baptist)
Shelbi Redfearn, Stillwater (Baylor)
Madison Reed, Muskogee (Missouri Southern)
Megan Robison, Catoosa (NEO)
Morgan Rockwell, Coweta (Rogers State)
Kylee Rounsaville, Mustang (OCU)
Meghan Russell, Bristow (Farleigh Dickinson)
Kenna Self, Madill (OBU)
Carly Skinner, Verden (UCO)
Megan Sullivan, Broken Arrow (NEO)
Cheyenne Thomas, Coweta (Labette)
Jessica Turner, Broken Arrow (Santa Clara)
Lauren Tyndall, Edmond Memorial (Northwestern, Ill.)
Tara Underhill, Henryetta (Central Arkansas)
Shelbie Wagnon, Beggs (NEO)
Brianna Walker, Rogers (Haskell)
Emily Wares, Morris (Connors State)
Hillary Weatherford, Carl Albert (Washburn)
Shelby Wheeler, Westmoore (St. Gregory’s)
Kala White, Claremore (Labette)
Hannah Wilkinson, Coweta (Rogers State)
Briana Williams, Midwest City (Western Illinois)

SWIMMING
Dakota Wheeler, Westmoore (South Dakota)

TENNIS
Brandon Champagne, Jenks (OSU)
Logon Collins, Tulsa Union (Marquette)
Ashley Coleman, Owasso (Seminole State)
Emily Conrad, McGuinness (Abilene Christian)
Casey Distaso, Edmond North (Georgetown)
Cale Hammond, Tulsa Kelley (Duke)
Mia Lancaster, McGuinness (OU)
Evan McElwain, Tulsa Washington (Cornell)
Whitney Ritchie, McGuinness (OU)
John Harry Warden, Tulsa Union (OU)
Danielle Whitehorn, Tahlequah (OU)

TRACK AND FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
Beau Brown, Edmond Santa Fe (Bethany)
Dewayne Golbek, Claremore (Arkansas)
Jenna Griffin, Pawhuska (Southwestern, Kan.)
Rozlyn Hamilton, Idabel (Okla. Christian)
Brock Hime, Woodland (Cowley County)
Hillarie Kessler, Deer Creek (WOSC)
Michelle Marcha, Altus (Okla. Christian)
Ryan Minkley, Ardmore (Tulsa)
Erin Patterson, Tulsa Union (ORU)
Rachel Roberts, Guthrie (Harding)
Darren Ross, Edmond Memorial (Okla. Christian)
Michael Spencer, Edmond Memorial (Okla. Christian)
Emma Steele, Holland Hall (Dartmouth)
Antonio Taylor, Northwest (Okla. Christian)
James Turner, Plainview (Okla. Christian)

VOLLEYBALL
Ashley Acklin, Carl Albert (Radford)
Tyler Cockrell, Tulsa Washington (Gardner-Webb)
Jordan Cook, Broken Arrow (NOC)
Sarah Groesbeck, Jenks (SNU)
Tate Hardaker, Edmond Santa Fe (UCO)
Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall (Quinnipiac)
Sallie McLaurin, Carl Albert (OU)
Laura Taylor, Tulsa Union (ORU)
Alyssa Wilson, Clinton (Northern Colorado)

WRESTLING
Christian Bailey, Davis (OCU)
Ronnie Balfour, Tulsa Union (OU)
Justin DeAngelis, Jenks (OU)
Greg Delk, Skiatook (OCU)
Quincy Mondaine, Muskogee (OU)
Dax Perrier, Pawhuska (OU)
Jared Porter, Carl Albert (Central Michigan)
Dustin Reed, Choctaw (OU)
*Will walk on
**Graduated last year, currently enrolled at Kansas State

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/03/signing-list-2010/feed/ 2 OCA Football All-State http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/12/21/oca-football-all-state/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/12/21/oca-football-all-state/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:44:39 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=6242 Varsity High School Blogs]]> While you’re waiting (on edge, I’m sure), for The Oklahoman All-State and All-City teams to come out later this week, here’s the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State lists. These teams are comprised of seniors only and are the basis for the rosters for the All-State game. The game will be played at 8 p.m. July 30 at Tulsa Union.

West
Offense
QB: Jakeil Everheart, El Reno; Jake Barrios, Weatherford
RB: Darwin Rideau, Star Spencer; Delans Griffin, Clinton
WR: Tuswani Copeland, Lawton MacArthur; Donavan Dan, Del City; Ethan Gilbert, Pauls Valley; Jordan Woods, Kingfisher
TE: Austin Haywood, Southmoore; A.J. Clark, John Marshall; Hayden Vencl, Garber
OL: Bronson Irwin, Mustang; Nic Nealy, Douglass; D.J. Brown, Lawton; Colton Cline, Norman North; Tanner Newby, Enid; Cord Gothard, Velma-Alma
K: Bobby Stonebreaker, Tuttle

Defense
DL: Jordan Edwards, Washington; Devon Harris, Lawton MacArthur; Jonathon Sturgeon, Oklahoma Bible; Stanley Johnson, Douglass; Devante Harris, Duncan; Dominque Jones, Midwest City; Sonny Puletasi, Lawton
LB: Emmanuel Maxwell, Midwest City; Kale Sawatzky, Weatherford; Jameel Whitney, McGuinness; Ethan Biddy, Tuttle; Jerico Rogers, Davis; Trevor Ross, Timberlake
DB: Matt Luetjen, Hennessey; Trevon Hartfield, Watonga; Dustin Bohanan, Guthrie; Dillon Schooley, Putnam North; Markell Walker, Carl Albert; Nelson Medeiros, Edmond Memorial

Coaches: Byron Cordell, Durant; Justin Norman, Beggs; Chris Rivenhoover, Stigler; Larry Newton, Skiatook.

East
Offense
QB: Chase Boyce, Tulsa Union; Matt Oberste, Sallisaw
RB: Darryl Fields, Madill; Marco Nelson, Glenpool; Terrance Dixon, Sand Springs; Tyler Phillips, Davenport
WR: Roman Wilson, Lincoln Christian; John Henry Parsons, Stigler; Blair Williams, Beggs; Saulyer Saxon, Shawnee; Mike Thompson, Bartlesville; Trey Wiley, Sallisaw
OL: Ethan James, Gore; Cohle Fowler, Verdigris; Austin Bradshaw, Hilldale; Kevin Duke, Shawnee; John Saint, Tulsa Kelley; Jake Alexander, Jenks; Jeremy Burton, Muskogee

Defense
DL: Calvin Barnett, Tulsa Washington; Spencer Kingfisher, Salina; Chase Neumann, Dewey; Kerry Burks, Tulsa McLain; Cody Chance, Coweta; David Lore, Jenks; Dylon Gray, Davenport
LB: Cody Pritchard, Stroud; Gage Delozier, Sequoyah Claremore; Jesse Patton, McAlester; Luke Snider, Tulsa Union; Jon Bullock, Broken Arrow
DB: Tyler Langston, Tonkawa; Garrett Walker, Cascia Hall; Justin Fogle, Tulsa Hale; Demarco Cobbs, Tulsa Central; DeWitt Jennings, Bixby; Eric Bennett, Tulsa Washington

Coaches: Kevin Foster, Pauls Valley; Mark Harmon, Garber; Leo Holmes, Lawton MacArthur; Bruce Troxell, John Marshall.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/12/21/oca-football-all-state/feed/ 0 Class 6A semifinals capsules http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/24/class-6a-semifinals-capsules/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/24/class-6a-semifinals-capsules/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:30:00 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=5508 Varsity High School Blogs]]> After the jump, here are the capsules for the Class 6A semifinalists:

Class 6A
Southmoore vs. Jenks, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Putnam City
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tulsa University

Southmoore SaberCats
Record: 11-1
Ranking: No. 4
Coach: Chris Jensen, 2nd season at Southmoore
Previous state titles: None.
Road to 2009 semifinals: Beat Lawton Eisenhower 34-42, beat Bartlesville 49-28.
2008 record (playoffs): 2-8 (None).
Last week: After struggling to put away an under-.500 Eisenhower team the week before, Southmoore had no such problems with Bartlesville. Kendal Thompson ran for 98 yards and threw for 190 and two touchdowns. Derek Serowski had 127 yards receiving and three touchdowns and Southmoore recorded four interceptions.
Player to watch: Austin Haywood, TE. Hawywood may be listed as a tight end but he does a little bit of everything on offense for Southmoore. Haywood ran for 57 yards and a touchdown last week and threw a touchdown pass to Derek Serowski out of the Wildcat.
News to know: Andrew Long has more than 1,500 rushing yards and nine TDs for the SaberCats. … Austin Haywood, DB Julian Wilson and QB Kendal Thompson are all committed to OU. … Nyko Symonds is Southmoore’s leading receiver with 732 yards and 6 TDs. … Haywood leads in receiving TDs with 10. … George Mallett leads the SaberCats with 131 tackles. 

Jenks Trojans
Record: 12-0
Ranking: No. 1
Coach: Loren Montgomery, 1st season (interim)
Previous state titles: 1979 (3A), 1982 (5A), 1993 (6A), 1996 (6A), 1997 (6A), 1998 (6A), 1999 (6A), 2000 (6A), 2001 (6A), 2003 (6A), 2006 (6A), 2007 (6A).
Road to 2009 semifinals: Beat Yukon 44-6, beat Edmond Memorial 28-14.
2008 record (playoffs): 3-11 (Beat Enid 45-28, beat Edmond Santa Fe 24-3, beat Mustang 35-20, lost to Tulsa Union 34-20). All three playoff wins, and six regular season wins, were later forfeited by Jenks.
Last week: The Trojans needed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns by Zack Langer to hold off Edmond Memorial. Langer ran for 268 yards and three touchdowns.
Player to watch: Zack Langer, RB. Langer is the leading rusher and scorer in Class 6A. Last week, he finished with 320 total yards.
Key stat: 34. Consecutive on-the-field wins by Jenks over teams other than Tulsa Union.
News to know: Trojans’ lineman David Lore had 10 tackles in last week’s win. … Junior QB Sawyer Kollmorgen has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season. … Jenks OL Bob Graham is committed to Iowa State while OL Jake Alexander is committed to Tulsa. … The Trojans scored 40-plus points nine times this season, including seven consecutive before last week. 

Broken Arrow Tigers
Record: 11-2
Ranking: No. 3.
Coach: Ron Lancaster, third season at Broken Arrow.
Previous state titles: None.
Road to 2009 semifinal: Beat Enid 45-13, beat Midwest City 24-17.
2008 record (playoffs): 9-3 (Beat Owasso 32-0, lost to Mustang 28-23.
Last week: Alex Cochran’s 52-yard touchdown catch from Archie Bradley just before halftime wound up being the difference as Broken Arrow beat Midwest City on the road. The Tigers built a 21-3 lead before Midwest City made things interesting.
Player to watch: Archie Bradley, QB. The transfer from Muskogee has thrown for more than 1,500 yards. Bradley was the quarterback for Muskogee in its win over Broken Arrow last season.
Key stat: 3. The number of seasons Ron Lancaster planned to stay at Broken Arrow after ending a one-year retirement from coaching. Lancaster, who coached at Enid, Jenks, Muskogee and Sallisaw among others, will step down at the end of the season and will be replaced by Steve Spavital.
News to know: Steven Hopper, a Houston commit, has around 1,000 yards rushing. … Broken Arrow’s only losses this season came to Union and Jenks. … Alex Cochran and Robbie Price are Broken Arrow’s leading receiviers. … John Coleman is the Tigers’ leading tackler. 

Union Redskins
Record: 11-1
Ranking: No. 2
Coach: Kirk Fridrich, third season at Union.
Previous state titles: 1963 (C), 2002 (6A), 2004 (6A), 2005 (6A), 2008 (6A)
Road to 2009 semifinal: Beat Claremore 27-9, beat Lawton 63-25.
2008 record (playoffs): 13-1 (Beat Sand Springs 70-21, beat Norman North 49-14, beat Midwest City 49-17, beat Jenks 34-20)
Last week: Union scored on six of its first seven possessions en route to a 63-25 blowout of Lawton. The Redskins ran for 258 yards.
Player to watch: Chase Boyce, QB. The senior has thrown for more than 1,500 yards.
Key stat: 35.9. The Redskins’ average margin of victory in 11 wins this season.
News to know: Union beat Broken Arrow 17-6 in the season-opener. … Thomas Roberson, a Tulsa commit, has more than 700 yards receiving. … Sophomore Blace Walser and senior Bobby Lind are the Redskins top two tacklers. … Senior Jarred Davis and junior Jalen Hearron have shared the load at running back this season. Combined, they have more than 1,000 yards rushing.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/24/class-6a-semifinals-capsules/feed/ 0 Semifinal sites set http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/21/semifinal-sites-set/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/21/semifinal-sites-set/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:43:03 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=5444 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/21/semifinal-sites-set/feed/ 0 Capsule: Broken Arrow at Midwest City http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/20/capsule-broken-arrow-at-midwest-city/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/20/capsule-broken-arrow-at-midwest-city/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:18:01 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=5355 Varsity High School Blogs]]> By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com

Broken Arrow (9-2) at Midwest City (9-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Darnell Stadium, Midwest City

Winner plays: Tulsa Union-Lawton winner next Friday-Saturday at neutral site TBD.

Broken Arrow (L, Tulsa Union; W, Owasso; W, Tulsa Washington; W, Sapulpa; W, Muskogee; L, Jenks; W, Sand Springs; W, Tulsa Memorial; W, Claremore; W, Bartlesville; W, Enid)
Why the Tigers can win: If you take out the season-opening 17-6 loss to Tulsa Union, Broken Arrow has scored 24 or more points in every game. The Tigers have one of the most balanced offenses around, led by running back Steven Hopper and quarterback Archie Bradley.

Midwest City (L, Del City; W, Moore; L, Southmoore; W, Edmond Memorial; W, Westmoore; W, Lawton Eisenhower; W, Edmond North; W, Putnam City; W, Norman; W, Putnam West; W, Putnam North)
Why the Bombers can win: Because last week was their wake-up call. Midwest City blew through District 6A-2, so it’s not too surprising that once the Bombers get to the playoffs, it was going to take a bit for MWC to get acclimated to a four-quarter game again. The Bombers survived, though, and figure to be ready for a battle this week. Midwest City’s defense could be the difference.

Stat leaders
RUSHING
Broken Arrow
Steven Hopper: 140 carries, 944 yards, 9 TDs
Andrew Griffin: 112 carries, 746 yards, 3 TDs

Midwest City
James Flanders: 107 carries, 679 yards, 11 TDs
J.R. Head: 90 carries, 553 yards, 8 TDs

PASSING
Broken Arrow
Archie Bradley: 84-141, 1,301 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INTs

Midwest City
Greg Austin: 113-219, 1,594 yards, 12 TDs, 11 INTs

RECEIVING
Broken Arrow
Alex Cochran: 32 catches, 531 yards, 6 TDs
Robbie Price: 26 catches, 390 yards, 3 TDs

Midwest City
Cole Eddy: 50 catches, 800 yards, 8 TDs
Cortrael Colbert: 16 catches, 236 yards, 4 TDs

TACKLES
Broken Arrow
John Coleman: 119
John Bullock: 96
Will Watford: 91

Midwest City
Emanuel Maxwell: 161
Dominique Jones: 112
Brandon Lewellen: 87

Key matchup: Alex Cochran and Robbie Price vs. Midwest City DBs. The Bombers are best when they force teams to run right into the teeth of their defense. If the Tigers can pass effectively, Midwest City can’t be quite as aggressive against the run. If Midwest City can take away the pass, it could be a long night for the Tigers.

The pick: Broken Arrow 21, Midwest City 17. Broken Arrow doesn’t want to send Ron Lancaster off with anything less than a state championship. I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but I do think the Tigers make it at least one more week.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/20/capsule-broken-arrow-at-midwest-city/feed/ 0 Rankings Preview: Nov. 15 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/14/rankings-preview-nov-15/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/14/rankings-preview-nov-15/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:25:14 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=5164 Varsity High School Blogs]]> For one more time before the playoffs end, here’s the rankings in all their glory:

EDIT: I’ve got to get this in above the jump: I messed up in my Class 2A rankings this week. I initially (and in Sunday’s paper) had Washington above Lindsay. Lindsay beat Washington comfortably during the regular season in a win that started the Leopards on a 7-1 run that has them going to Heritage Hall for a second-round playoff game.

Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#11-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#10-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#9-2
4. Southmoore (4)#10-1
5. Midwest City (5)#9-2
6. Bartlesville (6)#9-2
7. Lawton (8)#9-2
8. Edmond Memorial (9)#8-3
9. Putnam North (10)#7-4
10. Mustang (7)#7-4

The top six teams here all win and remain the same. I seriously considered switching Southmoore and Midwest City and would’ve if the Bombers would’ve been more convincing in their win. Mustang drops from No. 7 to 10 after a 38-7 loss to Edmond Memorial. Lawton and Edmond Memorial each moved up a spot. Putnam North, despite the loss, moved up a spot to No. 9.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#11-0
2. El Reno (2)#11-0
3. Shawnee (3)#11-0
4. Carl Albert (5)#9-2
5. Tulsa East Central (6)#10-1
6. McAlester (7)#10-1
7. Tulsa Washington (4)#5-5*
8. Bixby (9)#7-4
9. Tulsa Central (8)#8-3
10. Guthrie (NR)#7-4
*Three games forfeited.

I said last week that Tulsa Washington would’ve move up and after Carl Albert put it to Lawton MacArthur tonight, the Titans make the jump over the Hornets, as do Tulsa East Central and McAlester. I think that’s about as low as the Hornets are going to fall, though, unless Bixby or Guthrie goes on to win the title. Bixby moves up a spot while Tulsa Central falls one spot to No. 9. Guthrie makes its first appearance in the rankings since early in the season after a 20-12 win over Duncan. I still think Tulsa Central’s overall resume is a bit better than Guthrie’s, so for right now, the Braves stay ahead. But a strong performance next week could change that, even in a lott.

Class 4A
1. Weatherford (1)#11-0
2. McGuinness (2)#9-2
3. Douglass (3)#8-3
4. Star Spencer (4)#9-2
5. Sallisaw (6)#10-1
6. Glenpool (5)#9-2
7. Broken Bow (7)#8-3
8. Wagoner (8)#8-3
9. Oologah (10)#8-3
10. Poteau (9)#8-3

The top four star the same as the three 4A-1 teams at the top all win. Sallisaw leaps Glenpool, though I don’t drop the Warriors much after they lose a second consecutive game because they did hold Douglass to 14 points. The reasoning there is the same I used not to drop Star, Douglass and McGuinness much after their losses during the season. Poteau hangs onto a top 10 spot despite a 35-7 loss to Oologah. Considered moving Collinsville in after its loss to Sallisaw but Collinsville did lost five games.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#10-0
2. Tuttle (2)#11-0
3. Berryhill (5)#9-2
4. Clinton (6)#8-3
5. Sequoyah Claremore (7)#9-2
6. Purcell (9)#9-2
7. Blanchard (10)#8-3
8. Madill (3)#10-1
9. Metro Christian (4)#10-1
10. Dewey (NR)#7-4

Some shakeup here as Madill and Metro Christian were both upset. Both fall six spots, while Berryhill, Clinton and Sequoyah Claremore move up two each. Purcell and Blanchard jump three each while Dewey’s win over Metro puts it in the rankings for the first time. But Dewey’s four losses keep it behind Metro in the overall picture.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#10-1
2. Davis (2)#11-0
3. Millwood (4)#10-1*
4. Kingfisher (6)#9-2
5. Bridge Creek (7)#10-1
6. John Marshall (8)#9-2
7. Heritage Hall (10)#7-4
8. Pawhuska (NR)#9-2
9. Lindsay (NR)#7-4**
10. Washington (NR)#7-4**

*Includes forfeit win over Jones
**Rankings changed after published in the paper. Lindsay and Washington switched.

A lot of shakeup here after Sequoyah Tahlequah’s perfect regular season ends and Vian and Plainview unexpectedly lose in the first round. Millwood jumps up a spot, Kingisher, Bridge Creek and John Marshall up two, Heritage Hall up three. Pawhuska, Washington and Lindsay all enter the rankings after impressive first-round wins.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#11-0
2. Ringling (2)#10-0
3. Hennessey (3)#11-0
4. Stroud (4)#11-0
5. Talihina (5)#11-0
6. Cashion (6)#11-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (7)#10-1
8. Central Sallisaw (8)#10-1
9. Watonga (9)#9-2
10. Velma-Alma (NR)#9-2

Easy top nine here as they all won. OCS drops out after its 7-0 loss to Oklahoma Bible but it wasn’t an easy decision. In the Saints’ place got Velma-Alma, which won its sixth consecutive game with a 48-0 win over Hollis. That’s also six consecutive games of 46 points or more for the Comets.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#11-0
2. Canton (2)#10-1
3. Porter (3)#11-0
4. Ryan (4)#11-0
5. Davenport (5)#10-1
6. Depew (6)#9-2
7. Laverne (10)#7-4
8. Kiefer (NR)#9-2
9. Caddo (7)#8-3
10. Weleetka (9)#6-5

Laverne moves up three spots with a 50-48 win over Caddo. Kiefer moves back in with a bounceback 43-6 blowout win over Gans. Caddo falls two spots and Weleetka one with their losses.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#11-0
2. Timberlake (2)#11-0
3. Seiling (4)#10-1
4. Deer Creek-Lamont (6)#9-2
5. Tipton (7)#9-2
6. Waynoka (8)#8-2
7. Covington-Douglas (9)#7-4
8. Forgan (NR)#7-4
9. Temple (3)#9-2
10. Maud (5)#10-1

Some big shuffling here as Temple’s loss to Waynoka drops it way down while Maud also drops heavily after losing to Covington-Douglas. Forgan moves into the rankings after a win over Victory Life.

By Ryan Aber

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/14/rankings-preview-nov-15/feed/ 5 OKRankings.com Boys Basketball poll http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/okrankings-com-boys-basketball-poll/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/okrankings-com-boys-basketball-poll/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:30:54 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4979 Varsity High School Blogs]]> The OKRankings.com Preseason Boys Basketball Coaches’ poll has been released. These are the rankings that eventually go toward deciding playoff pairings. So here they are (first-place votes in parentheses):

Class 6A
1. Putnam City (8)
2. Putnam City West (7)
3. Muskogee (4)
4. Southmoore
5. Tulsa Union
6. Jenks
7. Edmond Santa Fe
8. Midwest City
9. Broken Arrow
10. Putnam City North
11. Owasso
12. Edmond Memorial
13. Lawton
14 Enid
15. Choctaw
15. Del City
17. Norman North
18. Edmond North
19. Lawton Eisenhower
20. Norman

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Edison (13)
2. Tulsa Memorial (8)
3. Tulsa Washington
4. Guthrie (1)
5. Carl Albert
6. Ardmore
7. Tulsa East Central
8. Tulsa Kelley
9. Capitol Hill
10. El Reno
11. Southeast
12. Northwest
13. Lawton Macarthur
14. Claremore
15. Tahlequah
16. Coweta
17. Tulsa Central
17. McAlester
19. Chickasha
20. Altus

Class 4A
1. Star Spencer (15)
2. Douglass (8)
3. Bishop McGuinness (2)
4. John Marshall
5. Fort Gibson
6. Vinita
7. Metro Christian (1)
8. Madill
9. Tulsa McLain
10. Bethany
11. Anadarko
12. Newcastle
13. Cache
14. Blanchard
15. Piedmont
15. Roland
17. Tecumseh
18. Weatherford
19. Glenpool
20. Heritage Hall

Class 3A
1. Sequoyah Tahlequah (11)
2. Cascia Hall (9)
3. Bethel (6)
4. Saint Mary
5. Northeast (6)
6. Millwood
7. Hugo (1)
8. Okemah
9. Oklahoma Christian School
10. Plainview
11. Kingfisher
12. Verdigris
13. Heavener
14. Prague
15. Bridge Creek
16. Beggs
17. Victory Christian
18. Sperry
19. Vian
20. Riverside

Class 2A
1. Pawnee (34)
2. Talihina (5)
3. Oktaha
4. Preston
5. Chisholm
6. Haworth
7. Lincoln Christian
8. Watonga
9. Washington
10. Latta
11. Dale
12. Tonkawa (1)
13. Christian Heritage
14. Fairview
15. Cordell
16. Pioneer
16. Oklahoma Bible Academy
18. Healdton
19. Walters
20. Gore

Class A
1. Garber (45)
2. Okarche (4)
3. Stratford (1)
4. Texhoma
5. Ripley
6. Fort Cobb-Broxton (1)
7. Stuart
8. Cheyenne (1)
9. Rock Creek
10. Okeene
11. Thomas
12. Porter
13. Chattanooga
14. Seiling
15. Welch
16. Turpin (1)
17. Fletcher
18. Calumet (1)
19. Howe
20. Caddo

Class B
1. Roff (49)
2. Red Oak (4)
3. Forgan (9)
4. Frontier
5. Coyle
6. Hammon
7. Medford
8. Big Pasture
9. Burlington
10. Lomega
11. Mason
12. Binger-Oney
13. Erick
14. Vici
15. Glencoe
16. Earlsboro
17. Fargo
18. Boynton
19. Stringtown
20. Corn Bible

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/okrankings-com-boys-basketball-poll/feed/ 0 MWC alum Danny Cahill on The Biggest Loser http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/mwc-alum-danny-cahill-on-the-biggest-loser/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/mwc-alum-danny-cahill-on-the-biggest-loser/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:35:00 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4958 Varsity High School Blogs]]> In case you missed it last week, Berry Tramel wrote a column on Broken Arrow resident Danny Cahill, who was a member of Midwest City’s 1985 state championship football team (a team quarterbacked by Mike Gundy):

Berry Tramel: Danny Cahill is feeling like a champ

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/10/mwc-alum-danny-cahill-on-the-biggest-loser/feed/ 1 Know of a player signing? http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/09/know-of-a-player-signing/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/09/know-of-a-player-signing/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:33:58 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4960 Varsity High School Blogs]]> With signing day coming up Wednesday, The Oklahoman is once again compiling a list of players across the state who have signed to play college athletics at any level.
If you have a signing to report, e-mail it to Ryan Aber at raber@opubco.com ro post it on the comments section here (on the main high school blog at http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports )

Here are the ones I have so far:
BASEBALL
Cale Coshow, Deer Creek (OU)
Casey Coyle, Putnam North (OU)
Cale Elam, Oktaha (Wichita State)
Brad Fisher, Jenks (Oral Roberts)
Josh Halbert, Choctaw (Wichita State)
Mason Justice, Holland Hall (Kansas State)
Jordan Lopez, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas Tech)
J.T. Realmuto, Carl Albert (OSU)
Jacob Rice, Tulsa Union (Arkansas)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Cameron Downing, Tulsa Memorial (Buffalo)
Amric Fields, Putnam West (TCU)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Jimi Blagowsky, Edmond Santa Fe (Air Force)
Brenna Burnett, Dale (Palm Beach Atlantic)
Meagan Henson, CHA (TCU)
Kalie Lucas, Harrah (Missouri Southern)
Ashlee Pitts, Tulsa East Central (SW Baptist)
Cara Pugh, McGuinness (OCU)

GOLF
Tressa Brumley, Chouteau (UCO)
Ian Davis, Deer Creek (OSU)
Talor Gooch, Carl Albert (OSU)
Matt Helms, Edmond Santa Fe (Wichita State)
Lauren Michael, Jenks (Drury)
Cody Reed, Edmond Santa Fe (NSU)

SOCCER
Corbin Campbell, Deer Creek (OBU)

SOFTBALL
Shelby Blanton, Newcastle (Tulsa)
Sierra Bronkey, Edmond Santa Fe (Arkansas)
Tiffany Brown, Catoosa (Pittsburg State)
Bailee Cartwright, Moss (Northwestern State, La.)
Dani Fox, Yukon (Washburn)
Shaylee Griffin, McAlester (OCU)
Haley Henshaw, Catoosa (Tulsa)
Javen Henson, Red Oak (OU)
Hannah Justice, Catoosa (UCO)
Beth Manship, Harrah (Southeastern)
Mary Kate McKay, Madill (Angelo State)
Lauren Poole, Putnam North (Seminole State)
Natalie Powers, Holland Hall (Tenn.-Chatt.)
Shelbi Redfearn, Stillwater (Baylor)
Kylee Rounsaville, Mustang (OCU)
Kenna Self, Madill (OBU)
Lauren Tyndall, Edmond Memorial (Northwestern, Ill.)
Hillary Weatherford, Carl Albert (Washburn)
Briana Williams, Midwest City (OCU)

TENNIS
Logon Collins, Tulsa Union (Marquette)

VOLLEYBALL
Ashley Acklin, Carl Albert (Radford)
Tate Hardaker, Edmond Santa Fe (UCO)
Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall (Quinnipiac)
Sallie McLaurin, Carl Albert (OU)
Alyssa Wilson, Clinton (Northern Colorado)

WRESTLING
Ronnie Balfour, Tulsa Union (OU)
Justin DeAngelis, Jenks (OU)
Greg Delk, Skiatook (OCU)
Quincy Mondaine, Muskogee (OU)
Jared Porter, Carl Albert (Central Michigan)
Dustin Reed, Choctaw (OU)

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/09/know-of-a-player-signing/feed/ 0 Rankings preview: Nov. 8 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/07/rankings-preview-nov-8/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/07/rankings-preview-nov-8/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:09:34 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4922 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Sorry for the delay from my usual late Friday night posting. Combination of a long drive back from Glenpool and trying to piece together the playoff brackets left me too tired to think straight last night by the time I would’ve been able to work on them So here they are in all their glory with a little different format this week (and I hope to do Class A-C in a similar format a bit later):

Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#10-0
Why they’re not lower: Because the Trojans are the only team to go 10-0 in Class 6A.

2. Tulsa Union (2)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: Because the Redskins lost head-to-head to Jenks.
Why they’re not lower: Because their only loss is to Jenks (a two-point win) and they beat Broken Arrow — and everyone else — on their schedule.

3. Broken Arrow (3)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: Because the Tigers only two losses came to Jenks and Tulsa Union.
Why they’re not lower: They beat everyone else, including Bartlesville last night. They also own wins over Owasso, Claremore and Tulsa Washington.

4. Southmoore (4)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: Because they’re the only team of these top four to lose to a lower-ranked team. The SaberCats have also found themselves in more close games than any of the top four.
Why they’re not lower: An impressive list of wins in non-district and 6A-1: Edmond Memorial and Midwest City in non-district and Del City, Lawton and Mustang in district play. Other than Jenks, Southmoore has the best list of wins.

5. Midwest City (5)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: The only thing keeping the Bombers this low is non-district losses to Del City and Southmoore and its hard to vault them over the SaberCats with their previously discussed credentials.
Why they’re not lower: They’ve gone through a relatively weak district and done exactly what a really good team should — destroy everyone. The Bombers closest district game was a 22-7 win over 6A-2 runner-up Edmond Memorial. None of the others were decided by less than 29 points.

6. Mustang (7)#7-3
Why they’re not higher: Losses to now-lower ranked Edmond North and Lawton.
Why they’re not lower: I originally had Mustang No. 7 before going back and doing a side-by-side comparison with Bartlesville. Mustang has wins over playoff teams Yukon and Putnam North and you’ve still got to consider their win over Del City as a good win. Since Daniel Farrow’s return, Mustang has been among the top teams in 6A, even considering last night’s close loss.

7. Bartlesville (6)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: Because other than their two losses, Bartlesville played just two playoff teams (Claremore and Enid) and the Enid game was close, as was the Muskogee game (35-30).
Why they’re not lower: The Bruins played Jenks and Broken Arrow respectably in losses and have wins over Claremore and Enid. The schedule might not have been super-tough outside of the two losses by the Bruins did what they needed to do.

8. Lawton (9)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: Back-to-back losses to Del City and Southmoore in the sixth and seventh weeks and, for better or worse, they beat Mustang before Daniel Farrow got going for the Broncos. The loss to the Wolverines came in Farrow’s first game back. That doesn’t change how I view Lawton and it was still a great win but it does change how I viewed the loss for Mustang, which affects the rankings as a whole.
Why they’re not lower: Wins over Mustang, Putnam North and Mustang (and 5A Lawton MacArthur, which has looked a lot more like the top-level 5A team they are recently). Finishing second in a brutal 6A-1 is enough to justify a top-eight ranking.

9. Edmond Memorial (10)#7-3
Why they’re not higher: A 1-3 start, with losses to Southmoore, Del City and Midwest City. The Bulldogs also haven’t shown the offensive explosion the teams ahead of them have, only scoring more than 28 points once — even with some teams on the schedule that should’ve turned into Memorial blowouts.
Why they’re not lower: Defense. Three shutouts, the only teams scoring 20 or more points against them were Southmoore and Midwest City and just some flat-out dominant defensive performances. Neither of those teams, though, scored more than 22. The Bulldogs will go as far as their defense takes them.

10. Putnam North (NR)#7-3
Why they’re not higher: The loss to Norman North, given the Timberwolves late-season struggles when they started playing the top part of 6A-1, holds the Panthers down.
Why they’re ranked: The Panthers turned right around from that loss to Norman North and pulled off the biggest upset of the season in 6A when they knocked off Southmoore 30-28. They also closed the season with a dominating performance in a 34-7 win over a Del City team that had been pretty good this season.

Others:
Owasso (6-4)
Why they’re not ranked: They probably would’v’e been back in the rankings if not for a 7-3 loss to Stillwater last night.

Del City (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: Back-to-back losses to end the season including a blowout loss to Putnam North to end the season. The Eagles are, far and away, the best team not going to the playoffs.

Enid (6-4)
Why they’re not ranked: Losses to Owasso and Choctaw, with one win against playoff-bound teams (10-7 over Yukon) doesn’t make for a top-10 team.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#10-0
Why they’re not lower: The Comets win over Tulsa Washington to begin district play was an eye-opener. That’s whne they vaulted to No. 1. But since, the Comets have kept things rolling, with wins over Bixby, Pryor and Tulsa Hale among their perfect record. And their 10-9 win over Class 4A McGuinness turned out to be a pretty good win as well.

2. El Reno (2)#10-0
Why they’re not higher: Hard to argue with El Reno’s resume. Kelley’s just wound up being a bit better with more wins over quality opponents. But the Indians did beat Guthrie (18-0), Lawton MacArthur (42-17) and Duncan (14-7 last night) so that does give me pause.
Why they’re not lower: 10-0. The blowout win over Lawton MacArthur turned out to be very impressive. El Reno’s defense is the toughest in 5A, having allowed no opponent to score more than 21 (and that was in a 47-21 win).

3. Shawnee (3)#10-0
Why they’re not higher: Part of it has to do with where Shawnee started the season ranked and that Tulsa Kelley turned in a signature win that vaulted them ahead of the Wolves. There’s certainly an argument to be made for Shawnee as No. 1 (and Tulsa Kelley and El Reno as well).
Why they’re not lower: Like El Reno, 10-0. With only one other Class 5A team with as many as nine wins, third is as low as you can justify the Wolves, especially with wins over Carl Albert and Guthrie on the resume.

4. Tulsa Washington (4)#5-5*
Why they’re not higher: Losses to Broken Arrow and Tulsa Kelley back-to-back earlier in the season. They then had to forfeit three more games that ended any playoff hopes.
Why they’re not lower: First of all, let’s address the forfeits. In each one of those games, Tulsa Washington would’ve won anyway. The player in question didn’t make the kind of difference that would’ve changed the outcome. That’s not to say the forfeits are unfair. They absolutely make sense and the rule as its written is the way to enforce it. To on-the-field performance, the Hornets started the season with a win over then-No. 2 Carl Albert and ended with a win over Bixby. They also handed Tulsa East Central its only loss of the season. The Hornets, even at 5-5, are deserving of a No. 4 ranking. They’re also deserving of the asterisk that goes along with the forfeits that are keeping them out of the playoffs.
*Record includes three forfeits of games won by Tulsa Washington.

5. Carl Albert (5)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: Losses to Tulsa Washington and Shawnee, plain and simple. If you take only on-the-field performance into the equation, as I’ve said I was doing with Tulsa Washington, fifth is the highest you can make an argument for Carl Albert.
Why they’re not lower: Wins over Duncan (38-6), Guthrie (40-7) and Ardmore (47-14), all playoff teams and none particularly close. The Titans weren’t challenged in any of their eight wins during the regular season. Just as an argument can’t be made for Carl Albert to be higher when you take BTW’s on-the-field performance into the equation, an argument can’t be made for the Titans to be lower. They did get beat soundly by Washington but led Shawnee late.

6. Tulsa East Central (6)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: A 28-7 Week 2 loss to Tulsa Washington. If the Cardinals find a way to win that game and everything else is the same, its probably East Central who sits atop the rankings. They did, though, also have close calls against Tulsa Central (trailed into the second half before they wore the Braves down), Tulsa Edison (17-6 final) and Ada (24-21).
Why they’re not lower: Wins over playoff-bound Tulsa Hale, Wagoner, Tulsa Central, Ada and McAlester. The Cardinals are also one of only five 5A teams to register nine or more regular-season wins.

7. McAlester (7)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: A 22-6 loss to Tulsa East Central. That’s the only reason.
Why they’re not lower: Wins over 4A Broken Bow and 5A playoff-bound Ardmore in non-district play and wins over Tulsa Central and Ada in district play helped the Buffaloes cap an impressive regular season.

8. Tulsa Central (9)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: A pair of close losses to teams ranked ahead of them — Tulsa East Central and McAlester.
Why they’re not lower: The Braves stayed close in both of their losses and beat Ada to finish third in their district. They also have one of the state’s top playmakers in Demarco Cobbs.

9. Bixby (8)#6-4
Why they’re not higher: The Spartans 6-4 record is by far the worst on-the-field record of the ranked teams. Bixby lose to Jenks, Glenpool, Tulsa Kelley and Tulsa Washington. Not a bad loss among them but they still lost.
Why they’re not lower: They did beat Claremore, Pryor and Tulsa Hale and played both Kelley and Washington close. Bixby is still a top 10 team.

10. Duncan (10)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: In the end, the resumes of Bixby and Tulsa Central wound up being slightly better. They also didn’t blow out some teams that maybe they should’ve, beating Altus by just one and Deer Creek by three. Like it or not, style points matter sometimes.
Why they’re ranked: The Demons beat Lawton MacArthur 35-34 and stayed closes than anyone against El Reno last night. I considered dropping them out but in the end, Duncan deserves to be in the top 10.

Others:
Lawton MacArthur (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: The loss to Duncan wound up keeping the Highlanders out.

Guthrie (6-4)
Why they’re not ranked: Just one win over a playoff-bound team (Ardmore). The Bluejays were only blown out once (a 40-7 loss to Carl Albert) but lost all their key games other than the Ardmore win.

Ada (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: Lost three of their last five games, all to ranked teams. Like Guthrie, Ada’s lone win over a playoff-bound team came against Ardmore.

Class 4A
1. Weatherford (2)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: Easiest answer since Jenks. The Eagles are the lone undefeated team in 4A and won the district with the most serious title contenders in the state.

2. McGuinness (3)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked higher: Head-to-head loss to a Weatherford team that went undefeated.
Why they’re not ranked lower: The Irish beat Douglass head-to-head and had impressive wins over Guthrie and Millwood in non-district play. Even in the loss to Weatherford, McGuinness fell just one point short. The Irish’s only other loss was to 5A No. 1 Tulsa Kelley, also a one-point loss.

3. Douglass (4)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked higher: Head-to-head losses to Weatherford and McGuinness.
Why they’re not ranked lower: Their losses came 14-7 to the two top teams in 4A and by six to a Millwood team that then had Trayvon Henry, they beat Star Spencer 34-28 (which wound up being the tiebreaker for the third spot).

4. Star Spencer (6)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked higher: Non-district losses to Millwood and Douglass. That’s it. Since, the Bobcats have been nothing short of dominant.
Why they’re not ranked lower: 34-20 against Glenpool, ending the Warriors’ 23-game winning streak and scoring more than anyone had on Glenpool since 2006.

5. Glenpool (1)#9-1
Why they’re not ranked higher: See Star Spencer.
Why they’re not ranked lower: Wins over Bixby and Berryhill in non-district and an altogether dominating run through district play before running into Star Spencer.

6. Sallisaw (5)#9-1
Why they’re not ranked higher: A 35-16 loss to Wagoner in Week 9. Although Matt Oberste was injured early in the game, such a decisive win by Wagoner pushed Sallisaw way down.
Why they’re not ranked lower: The Black Diamonds did beat Poteau and Broken Bow to win another deep 4A district.

7. Broken Bow (7)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked higher: Three consecutive losses to McAlester, Metro Christian and Sallisaw early in the season. Can’t really make a an argument to go ahead of Sallisaw with the record disparity.
Why they’re not ranked lower: All of those losses were close (7 points in the first two and 13 to Sallisaw) and the Savages beat Wagoner in a close game and blew out Poteau.

8. Wagoner (8)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked higher: Losses to Tulsa East Central, Poteau and Broken Bow. The Poteau loss is what really pushed the Bulldogs down at the time.
Why they’re not ranked lower: They did hand Sallisaw its only loss, Matt Oberste injury or no. The losses, also, were all against good teams and the two district losses came by a combined four points.

9. Poteau (9)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked higher: Back-to-back blowout losses to Sallisaw and Broken Bow after the Pirates pulled off an impressive upset over Waoner.
Why they’re not ranked lower: 15-14 win over Wagoner. Its by far the Pirates’ signature win. Other than that, Poteau beat just one Oklahoma playoff bound team and that was 2A Spiro.

10. Oologah (10)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked higher: Oologah lost to eventual district-winner Jay 33-16. The other two losses were too damaging, as they lose to 6A playoff team Claremore and a pretty good 3A Sequoyah Claremore team.
Why they’re ranked: Wins over district rivals Collinsville, Catoosa and Grove. That and Jay’s shutout loss to Catoosa last week.

Others:
Jay (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: Non-dsitrict losses to Gravette, Ark., and Pryor kept Jay out early and a 9-0 loss to Catoosa kept it from entering the rankings last week.

Tecumseh (8-2)
Why they’re not ranked: Tecumseh entered the rankinigs twice and prompty got throttled by a combined 89-6 by Glenpool and Star Spencer. No shame there but they did need overtime to beat Cleveland last night and played Noble, Harrah, McLoud and Seminole close. That’s way too many close calls to be ranked with the blowout losses.

Catoosa (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: An overtime loss to Tahlequah, blowout losses to Tulsa Kelley and Oologah. None too devastating but combined with close wins over Skiatook, Collinsville and Grove and Jay and Oologah are better candidates for rankings in a tight 4A-3.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#9-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: The defending champions have been stellar this season, with only a Week 9 win over Sequoyah Claremore being decided by loss than 18 points.

2. Tuttle (2)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: Perfect regular-season, including wins over Clinton, Elgin, Blanchard and Kingfisher.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Cascia Hall’s perfection.

3. Madill (3)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: Dominating 10-0 season. They Bethany game was Madill’s only close game (17-10). No other even came closer than 24 points. They Wildcats three primary offensive threats are as good of a trio as any in the state regardless of class.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Cascia Hall and Tuttle’s perfection.

4. Metro Christian (4)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: Metro beat Broken Bow, in non-district play, Checotah in district play and the two-point win over Roland doesn’t look as puzzling now as it did at the time. Hard to argue with 10-0.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Cascia Hall, Tuttle and Madill’s perfection.

5. Berryhill (5)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: Win over Sequoyah Claremore in Week 6. Its only losses came to then-5A No. 1 Glenpool and to 3A No. 1 Cascia Hall.

6. Clinton (6)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked lower: Two of the Red Tornadoes losses came to 4A No. 1 Weatherford and 3A No. 2 Tuttle (a one-point loss). The other was 32-24 to Anadarko without standout running back Delans Griffin. They did beat Elgin by 20 last week and blew out Chandler 28-0 in non-district play. Clinton now looks like a legitimate championship contender.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Even without Griffin, Clinton did lose to a non-playoff team. Only argument to be made would be Clinton over Berryhill but Berryhill’s win over Sequoyah Claremore was just more impressive than Clinton’s over Elgin.

7. Sequoyah Claremore (7)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: Only losses came to Berryhill and Cascia Hall. They beat Verdigris, Sperry and Oologah in non-district play and all relatively comfortably. There’s no mind-blowing wins in that list but they are all playoff teams in their classes.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Clinton’s 7-3 resume was a bit better than Sequoyah’s 8-2. They losses were close but Clinton played a slightly toughest schedule.

8. Elgin (9)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: They beat Plainview and Sulphur in non-district play and beat Blanchard 34-13 last night in a game that wound up being for a Top 10 spot. They also beat Anadarko by 19 midway through the season in what was at the time a high win in the district.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Their losses were slightly worse than Sequoyah Claremore’s. Elgin lost by 19 to Tuttle and 20 to Clinton. Sequoyah was at least close in its losses, which were against comparable quality teams.

9. Purcell (10#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: An impressive six-game winning streak to end the season, including wins over Bethany and Pauls Valley. The Lindsay and Washington wins to start the season also look pretty good now.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Back-to-back losses to Lexington and Madill early in the season where neither was particularly close. No shame in those losses, especially to Madill, but other than Clinton’s loss to Anadarko, no team ahead of Purcell had a loss to a now-unranked team in the class.

10. Blanchard (8)#7-3
Why they’re not ranked lower: Blanchard beat Bridge Creek and Lindsay in non-district games and Anadarko and Newcastle in district games. No knock-your-socks off wins but Blanchard did what it needed to do to stay in the top 10.
Why they’re not ranked higher: The Lions lost to all three other district playoff teams, with none being closer than 20 points.

Others
Checotah (8-2)
Why they’re not ranked:Back-to-back losses to Metro Christian and Roland. Both were close, by a combined five points. One was even in overtime, but if Roland isn’t ranked, Checotah won’t be either.

Roland (6-4)
Why they’re not ranked: A 1-4 tough start that included losses to Muldrow, Westville and Idabel. Roland played really well after the Idabel loss but it’s hard to overlook that start.

Bethany (7-3)
Why they’re not ranked: Ended the season losing three of five, including last night’s 19-14 loss to Pauls Valley.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#9-1
Why they’re not ranked lower: 413-59. That’s Lincoln Christian’s combined score against state competition this season. Their only loss was to Arkansas power Shiloh Christian in the season’s second week.

2. Davis (2)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: 10-0. Wins over Heritage Hall, Sulphur and Plainview. Their resume demands a top two ranking.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Loncoln Christian’s resume is just a bit better, with absolutely dominant performances. There’s certainly an argument for Davis at No. 1, though. It’s far from clear cut.

3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (3)#10-0
Why they’re not ranked lower: 10-0 is 10-0. Since a 20-10 win over 4A Fort Gibson to open the season, the Indians haven’t really been challenged.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Competition. Lincoln Christian decimated its schedule, including some pretty solid playoff teams. Davis was perfect with several wins over fellow ranked teams. Sequoyah’s signature win is against Vian, with no non-district wins against playoff teams.

4. Millwood (6)#9-1*
Why they’re not ranked lower: Millwood’s only loss as it stands is a loss to Class 4A No. 2 McGuinness. The Falcons did lose to Jones on the field (more on that a bit later) but have been dominant since the return of Emilio Gatewood after injury problems kept him down. They’ve beaten Star Spencer and Douglass, two other top 4A teams.
Why they’re not ranked higher: They did lose to McGuinness by 22 and needed a late comeback to beat Lexington. The Falcons are a title contender, and a case can even be made to be No. 3 at this point.

5. Vian (4)#9-1
Why they’re not ranked lower: 9-1 with the only loss coming to Sequoyah Tahlequah.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Tradition power but with no signature wins this season. They were hurt by the fact Eufaula was down this year.

6. Kingfisher (5)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: The Yellowjackets beat John Marshall and Newkirk in district play and Watonga in non-district play.
Why they’re not ranked higher: Shutout loss to Heritage Hall and 21-point loss to Tuttle. No shame in either of those resulta but does keep them down against the five teams ahead of them.

7. Bridge Creek (7)#9-1
Why they’re not ranked lower: 9-1 is 9-1. And winning nine consecutive games to end the season, all scoring 30 or more points, is certainly a feat.
Why they’re not ranked higher. Strength of schedule wound up costing the Bobcats when compared against the six teams ahead of them.

8. John Marshall (10)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: The Bears upset Heritage Hall 12-7 last week and stuck with No. 6 Kingfisher before losing 21-14 three weeks ago.
Why they’re not ranked higher: An overtime loss against Newkirk kept the Bears from being ranked higher (probably just one spot higher, though, since they lost to Kingfisher).

9. Plainview (8)#8-2
Why they’re not ranked lower: In between season-opening and season-ending losses, Plainview went 8-0 with wins over Atoka and Sulphur.
Why they’re not ranked higher: They started the season with a loss to Elgin and ended with a loss to Davis.

10. Heritage Hall (NR)#6-4
Why they’re not ranked lower: The Chargers have a win over Kingfisher (17-0). Their three non-district losses came to 4A No. 1 Weatherford, 2A No. 2 Davis and a Casady team that started off strong before suffering some setbacks late in the season.
Why they’re not ranked higher: At 6-4, Heritage Hall has the most on-the-field losses of any ranked team (tied with several others, including Bixby and Laverne). The loss to John Marshall last week bumped them out although the Bears have looked more and more like a high-caliber team lately. They also were played close by Perry.

Others:
Pawhuska (8-2)
Why they’re not ranked: A 10-7 loss to Verdigris last week kept Pawhuska from the rankings.

Valliant (8-2)
Why they’re not ranked: Valliant lost to Stigler and Hugo and didn’t beat — well, didn’t play — a ranked team all season.

Jones (2-8)*
Why they’re not ranked: I know the question I’m going to hear: Why did Jones fall out of the rankings while Tulsa Washington’s status was unaffected? The player ruled ineligible for Jones made a huge difference for them. Would they have missed the playoffs without him? Probably not. But the Longhorns would certainly have not had the kind of season they wound up putting together. So, with that, Jones was dropped out while Millwood was elevated accordingly. That said, though, if — and that’s a big if — the decision to rule the player ineligible is overturned at Wednesday’s OSSAA board of directors, Jones will be reconsidered with the record they’ve earned on the field.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#10-0
2. Ringling (2)#9-0
3. Hennessey (3)#10-0
4. Stroud (4)#10-0
5. Talihina (5)#10-0
6. Cashion (6)#10-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (7)#9-1
8. Central Sallisaw (8)#9-1
9. Watonga (9)#8-2
10. OCS (10)#8-2

Class B
1. Garber (1)#10-0
2. Canton (2)#9-1
3. Porter (3)#10-0
4. Ryan (4)#10-0
5. Davenport (5)#9-1
6. Depew (6)#8-2
7. Caddo (8)#8-2
8. Alex (10#7-3
9. Weleetka (9)#6-3
10. Laverne (NR)#6-4

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#10-0
2. Timberlake (2)#10-0
3. Temple (3)#9-1
4. Seiling (4)#9-1
5. Maud (5)#10-0
6. Deer Creek-Lamont (6)#8-2
7. Tipton (8)#8-2
8. Waynoka (9)#7-2
9. Covington-Douglas (10)#6-4
10. Boise City (7)#7-3

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/11/07/rankings-preview-nov-8/feed/ 13 Rankings preview: Nov. 1 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/31/rankings-preview-nov-1/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/31/rankings-preview-nov-1/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:45:40 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4680 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Here’s the weekly preview for the rankings.

Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#9-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#8-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#7-2
4. Southmoore (4)#8-1
5. Midwest City (6)#7-2
6. Bartlesville (7)#8-1
7. Mustang (9)#7-2
8. Del City (5)#7-2
9. Lawton (10)#7-2
10. Edmond Memorial (NR)#6-3

The main shift here came with Del City dropping three spots to No. 8. Midwest City and Bartlesville move up a spot each, while Mustang jumps up two spots. Edmond North drops out after losing for the second time in three games, and not looking particularly impressive in the one win during that stretch. Lawton moves up a spot to No. 9. Edmond Memorial makes its debut. I considered Owasso for that spot, and went back and forth but Memorial’s streak and the way the Bulldogs’ defense has played this season, even in losses, wins out over the Rams.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#9-0
2. El Reno (2)#9-0
3. Shawnee (3)#9-0
4. Tulsa Washington (5)#5-4*
5. Carl Albert (6)#7-2
6. Tulsa East Central (7)#8-1
7. McAlester (4)#8-1
8. Bixby (8)#6-3
9. Tulsa Central (9)#7-2
10. Duncan (10)#8-1
*Two games forfeited.

Some shuffling here with Tulsa East Central’s win over previously undefeated McAlester. I also thought long and hard about what to do about Tulsa Washington after they were forced to forfeit two games for using an ineligible player. From what’s been confirmed right now, with just one player being mentioned, I’m keeping them ranked where they would be anyway. That player wouldn’t have made the difference in games against Pryor and Tulsa Hale. But, if more ineligible players are found to have played — and it appears very possible that could happen — I will reconsider. So Tulsa Washington, Carl Albert and East Central each move up one spot. McAlester drops to No. 7. The rest of the top 10 stays the same.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#9-0
2. Weatherford (3)#9-0
3. McGuinness (4)#7-2
4. Douglass (5)#6-3
5. Sallisaw (2)#8-1
6. Star Spencer (6)#7-2
7. Broken Bow (7)#6-3
8. Wagoner (9)#6-3
9. Poteau (NR)#7-2
10. Oologah (NR)#6-3

Sallisaw slips to No. 5 after getting beat 35-16 to Wagoner. The Black Diamonds lost quarterback Matt Oberste hurt his collarbone on the game’s first play. The three highly ranked 4A-1 teams — Weatherford, McGuinness and Douglass — all moved up a spot. Wagoner moved up one spot to No. 8, while Poteau and Oologah moved into the rankings. Jay (loss to Catoosa) and Tecumseh (To Glenpool) dropped out.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#8-0
2. Tuttle (2)#9-0
3. Madill (3)#9-0
4. Metro Christian (4)#9-0
5. Berryhill (5)#7-2
6. Clinton (6)#6-3
7. Sequoyah-Claremore (7)#7-2
8. Blanchard (8)#7-2
9. Elgin (9)#7-2
10. Purcell (10)#7-2

No movement here at all. The only loss among the top 10 was by No. 7 Sequoyah-Claremore and the Eagles stayed within seven of No. 1 Cascia Hall so a dropping isn’t warranted.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#8-1
2. Davis (2)#9-0
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (3)#9-0
4. Vian (4)#8-1
5. Kingfisher (6)#7-2
6. Millwood (7)#7-2
7. Bridge Creek (8)#8-1
8. Plainview (9)#8-1
9. Jones (10)#7-2
10. John Marshall (NR)#7-2

Not much movement here with one big exception. Heritage Hall drops from No. 5 to out after losing to John Marshall while the Bears move into the rankings for the first time. It came down to those two for the last spot. Heritage Hall would’ve been the only four-loss team ranked in any class and John Marshall has been in every game its played this year and allowed more than 19 points just once (21 by Kingfisher). I’ll re-evaluate next week but this week at least John Marshall is more worthy of ranking than Heritage Hall.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#9-0
2. Ringling (2)#8-0
3. Hennessey (3)#9-0
4. Stroud (4)#9-0
5. Talihina (5)#9-0
6. Cashion (6)#9-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (7)#8-1
8. Central Sallisaw (9)#8-1
9. Watonga (10)#7-2
10. OCS (NR)#6-2

The only top 10 team to lose this week was Salina, which was beaten by Foyil 28-20 for its first loss of the year. Even though it was only one, Salina falls out. It just didn’t have a marquee win. So OCS is back in, after beating Crescent 55-14 to improve to 6-2. The Saints have a big win, beating Sulphur in the season opener by 17, and their losses — by one to Watonga and two to Cashion — have been mitigated by the seasons those teams have turned in. Pawnee and Okeene are the first teams out here.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#9-0
2. Canton (2)#8-1
3. Porter (3)#9-0
4. Ryan (4)#9-0
5. Davenport (5)#8-1
6. Depew (6)#7-2
7. Kiefer (7)#8-1
8. Caddo (8)#7-2
9. Weleetka (9)#6-3
10. Alex (10)#6-3

I wanted to make changes here, I really did. But I just couldn’t justify it in my mind. I still think Canton is the second-best team in Class B and believe the playoffs will bear that out, so Canton stays in the second spot. I like Porter and Ryan but they’re not quite at that level yet. Nos. 3-8 stay the same as all win. Then we come to the final two spots. Both Weleetka and Alex lost. So I went through and picked Fox and Laverne as the two likely replacements. That’s where the problems came in. Fox’s losses came to Ryan and Alex. Ryan hasn’t lost while Alex’s only losses came to Ryan, No. 8 Caddo and Class C No. 3 Temple. So hard to jump Fox over them when Alex hasn’t slipped up against a team they should’ve beaten. Weleetka’s losses have come to Depew, Davenport and Kiefer, so they also haven’t lost to anyone they flat out should’ve beaten. Laverne, on the other hand, slipped up a couple weeks ago against Geary. So the status quo remains in the final two spots.
Fox
Laverne

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#9-0
2. Timberlake (2)#9-0
3. Temple (3)#8-1
4. Seiling (4)#8-1
5. Maud (5)#9-0
6. Deer Creek-Lamont (6)#8-1
7. Boise City (7)#7-2
8. Tipton (10)#7-2
9. Waynoka (NR)#6-2
10. Covington-Douglas (NR)#5-4

I said a few weeks ago that I thought Covingon-Douglas still might be a top 10 team and they’ve played like it the last two weeks. Still will interesting to see how it all plays out but they’re in the last spot for now. The top seven all stay the same. Waynoka also makes an appearance in the poll after beating Wesleyan Christian. Sasakwa and Thackerville dropped out.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/31/rankings-preview-nov-1/feed/ 15 What are the most impressive streaks in state HS sports? http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/27/what-are-the-most-impressive-streaks-in-state-hs-sports/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/27/what-are-the-most-impressive-streaks-in-state-hs-sports/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:44:54 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4515 Varsity High School Blogs]]> With Shattuck about to break Morrison’s record of 90 consecutive wins, I’m wondering what are the other streaks in the state that are most impressive?

Here’s a few I’ve come up with. Let me know, either through a comment here or an e-mail (raber@opubco.com), if you have any others.

I’m sure there are plenty more I’ve missed but here are a few:

- Morrison and Shattuck’s 90-game winning streaks in football
- Tulsa Union’s and Jenks’ stranglehold on the 6A football title
-Asher and Owasso baseball dominance
-McGuinness girls cross country
-Bethel girls basketball state tournament streak
-Bartlesville boys swimming
-El Reno wrestling
-McGuinness girls tennis
-Cascia Hall boys tennis

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/27/what-are-the-most-impressive-streaks-in-state-hs-sports/feed/ 3 Rankings preview: Oct. 25 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/24/rankings-preview-oct-25/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/24/rankings-preview-oct-25/#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:53:46 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4423 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#8-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#7-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#6-2
4. Southmoore (4)#7-1
5. Del City (5)#7-1
6. Midwest City (6)#6-2
7. Bartlesville (7)#7-1
8. Edmond North (9)#7-1
9. Mustang (10)#6-2
10. Lawton (NR)#6-2 

The top seven stay the same here. Bartlesville still No. 7 after a loss? Yes. The Bruins did score 40 points on Jenks, the first team to do that in regulation since Tulsa Union scored 44 early in the 2005 season (Jenks won that game 48-44). Bartlesville lost but still put together a good showing. They do need to blowout Tulsa Memorial next week, though, and at least hang with Broken Arrow to keep that spot. Edmond North and Mustang move up a spot each. I think Mustang would beat Edmond North head-to-head now, but I’m not going to leap the 2-loss Broncos over a 1-loss Edmond North when the Huskies won the head-to-head earlier this season. It came down to Owasso and Lawton for the final spot, and I even had Owasso written in at one time, but went back and looked at both team’s schedules. Lawton has 2 losses; Owasso has 3. The Wolverines’ most impressive win was a 27-14 victory over Mustang. The Rams was … a 30-8 win over Choctaw? 20-0 over Muskogee? 19-13 over Enid? Not a whole lot to be blown away by there. The Rams are playing much better than they were before the season but Lawton has impressed more to this point. Putnam North was the team that fell out of the rankings after their 46-14 loss to Mustang.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#8-0
2. El Reno (2)#8-0
3. Shawnee (3)#8-0
4. McAlester (4)#8-0
5. Tulsa Washington (5)#6-2
6. Carl Albert (6)#6-2
7. Tulsa East Central (7)#7-1
8. Bixby (8)#5-3
9. Tulsa Central (9)#6-2
10. Duncan (NR)#7-1 

Not Much movement here either as the top 9 all won. The only loss was Ada falling 24-21 to Tulsa East Central and I seriously contemplated leaving Ada there but after looking at Duncan’s resume, I slid them in. Their only loss came against Carl Albert early in the season. They’ve played a couple close games in district but keep finding a way to win. They travel to El Reno to end the season in a game that will decide 5A-1.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#8-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#8-0
3. Weatherford (3)#8-0
4. McGuinness (4)#6-2
5. Douglass (5)#5-3
6. Star Spencer (6)#6-2
7. Broken Bow (7)#5-3
8. Jay (8)#6-2
9. Wagoner (10)#5-3
10. Tecumseh (NR)#7-1 

The top eight here all stay the same. No. 5 Douglass sticks there for the second consecutive weeks after a loss but they lost by seven points to a higher-ranked team both weeks so there’s no reason to drop them, especially considering they hold a head-to-head win over No. 6 Star Spencer. No. 9 Poteau drops out after losing big to Broken Bow. Wagoner moves up a spot while Tecumseh, by virtue of its 19-14 win over Seminole, moves back into the rankings. Not sure about Tecumseh, but hard to argue to keep them out at this point.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#7-0
2. Tuttle (2)#8-0
3. Madill (3)#8-0
4. Metro Christian (4)#8-0
5. Berryhill (8)#6-2
6. Clinton (9)#5-3
7. Sequoyah-Claremore (10)#7-1
8. Blanchard (5)#6-2
9. Elgin (NR)#7-1
10. Purcell (NR)#6-2 

There’s a lot of shake ups here after Nos. 5-6-7 and went down, two to unranked teams. Blanchard lost to Clinton, sending Blanchard from No. 5 to No. 7. No. 6 Checotah lost to Roland in OT and dropped completely out. No. 7 Bethany lost 35-14 to unranked Purcell and also dropped all the way out. Taking their place was 7-1 Elgin (Only loss came to Tuttle) and 6-2 Purcell (Lost to Lexington and Madill back-to-back early but have won four consecutive games). The big movers were Berryhill, up three spots to No. 5, Clinton and Sequoyah-Claremore.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#7-1
2. Davis (2)#8-0
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (3)#8-0
4. Vian (4)#7-1
5. Heritage Hall (5)#5-3
6. Kingfisher (6)#6-2
7. Millwood (7)#6-2
8. Bridge Creek (9)#7-1
9. Plainview (NR)#7-1
10. Jones (NR)#6-2

The top seven are easy as each won Friday night. Bridge Creek jumps a spot to No. 8 while Plainview (7-1,  won 7 in a row after season-opening loss to Elgin) and Jones (6-2, wins over Millwood and Lexington in district play) move into the rankings. Lexington drops out, as does Pawhuska. Pawhuska has a chance to move back in soon, though, but hard not to drop them after losing 48-0. 

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#8-0
2. Ringling (2)#7-0
3. Hennessey (3)#8-0
4. Stroud (4)#8-0
5. Talihina (5)#8-0
6. Cashion (6)#8-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (7)#7-1
8. Salina (9)#8-0
9. Central Sallisaw (NR)#7-1
10. Watonga (NR)#6-2 

Again, the top seven stay the same as all win. After that, though, things get a bit dicey. Salina moves up a spot with a win and Central Sallisaw and Watonga enter the rankings. Central Sallisaw’s only loss came to No. 5 Talihina. Watonga’s losses came to Class 2A No. 6 Kingfisher by eight to start the season and No. 6 Cashion by seven last week. Okeene drops out after losing for the second time in three weeks and needing triple overtime to beat Texhoma earlier this season. OCS drops out after 12-10 loss to Cashion. That’s a tough break but hard to put OCS in and keep Watonga out now, after Watonga won the head-to-head.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#8-0
2. Canton (2)#8-0
3. Porter (3)#8-0
4. Ryan (4)#8-0
5. Davenport (7)#7-1
6. Depew (8)#6-2
7. Kiefer (6)#7-1
8. Caddo (9)#6-2
9. Weleetka (10)#6-2
10. Alex (NR)#6-2 

The top four stay undefeated and stay in their spots. Fox’s loss to Alex drops the Foxes out from No. 5 as Alex moves in at No. 10 at 6-2. Alex’s only two losses this year came to No. 8 Caddo and Class C No. 3 Temple. Davenport and Depew each move up two spots. Kiefer drops one after its loss to Depew. Caddo and Weleetka move up one behind Kiefer and Alex moves back into the rankings.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#8-0
2. Timberlake (2)#8-0
3. Temple (3)#7-1
4. Seiling (4)#7-1
5. Maud (5)#8-0
6. Deer Creek-Lamont (6)#7-1
7. Boise City (9)#6-2
8. Sasakwa (10)#7-1
9. Thackerville (7)#5-3
10. Tipton (NR)#6-2 

Top six stay the same here. Boise City leaps up two spots after winning for the sixth consecutive game after an 0-2 start (losing at Springfield, Colo., and at Shattuck). Sasakwa also moves up two after a 66-18 thrashing of No. 8 Claremore Christian. Thackerville falls two spots to No. 9 after a loss to Class B No. 8 Caddo. Replacing Claremore Christian in the rankings this week is Tipton (6-2, only losses to Geary and Temple).

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/24/rankings-preview-oct-25/feed/ 1 Got a question for Ed Sheakley? Ask it here http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/18/got-a-question-for-ed-sheakley-ask-it-here/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/18/got-a-question-for-ed-sheakley-ask-it-here/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:30:05 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4207 Varsity High School Blogs]]> I’m going to visit with Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association executive director Ed Sheakley early this week. Do you have a question for him? Leave it as a comment here or e-mail me at raber@opubco.com. I’ll pick a few to ask him and we’ll have his answers this week in The Oklahoman.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/18/got-a-question-for-ed-sheakley-ask-it-here/feed/ 1 Rankings Preview: Oct. 18 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/16/rankings-preview-partial-oct-18/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/16/rankings-preview-partial-oct-18/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:29:09 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4111 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#7-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#6-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#5-2
4. Southmoore (5)#6-1
5. Del City (6)#6-1
6. Midwest City (8)#5-2
7. Bartlesville (9)#7-0
8. Putnam North (10)#6-1
9. Edmond North (4)#6-1
10. Mustang (NR)#

A lot of shuffling here with Southmoore and Del City each moving up one spot and Midwest City, Bartlesville and Putnam North each bumping up two spots. The big fallers were Edmond North, dropping from No. 4 to No. 9 after losing 42-13 to Midwest City. Why so much? They hadn’t been convincing in wins they should’ve dominated and their schedule hadn’t been that strong to this point. So their first really big test was against Midwest City and the Bombers dominated, especially against Edmond North’s ground game. Norman North also fell big, going from No. 7 to out of the rankings after dropping a second consecutive game, this time to Del City 42-29. Norman North’s similar to Edmond North. The Timberwolves got a good win against Putnam North in the third week of the season but other than that hadn’t played a team considered among the top in 6A before two weeks ago and the got manhandled by Mustang and then beat by 13 to Del City on Thursday. So Mustang benefits from Norman North’s struggles of late. It’s not like the Broncos had a big test in beating Moore 42-6 but sometimes its just being in the right place at the right time. Lawton was also considered but after their offensive struggles last week, I’m certainly not going to move to Wolverines into the rankings after a loss. I’m still not too convinced on Bartlesville but 7-0 is 7-0. The next three weeks will tell the tale on them. I expect the Bruins to go 1-2, dropping games to Jenks and Broken Arrow, but if Bartlesville can at least stick tight in one of both of these games, it’ll show the Bruins aren’t just a product of their schedule.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#7-0
2. El Reno (2)#7-0
3. Shawnee (3)#7-0
4. McAlester (4)#7-0
5. Tulsa Washington (5)#5-2
6. Carl Albert (6)#5-2
7. Tulsa East Central (7)#6-1
8. Bixby (8)#4-3
9. Tulsa Central (9)#5-2
10. Ada (NR)#6-1

Not much change here as the top nine stays the same. No real considertation to any moves as all but Tulsa Central won and Tulsa Central’s loss was by six to undefeated McAlester. Plus Ada is the team moving back into the rankings after a 35-6 win and Ada dropped out after losing to Tulsa Central last week.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#7-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#7-0
3. Weatherford (3)#7-0
4. McGuinness (4)#5-2
5. Douglass (5)#5-2
6. Star Spencer (7)#5-2
7. Broken Bow (9)#4-3
8. Jay (10)#5-2
9. Poteau (6)#6-1
10. Wagoner (8)#4-3

No teams moving in and out although I did give a close look to Oologah. Douglass doesn’t drop after a 14-7 loss to McGuinness. Two teams ranked that close should play close plus it wouldn’t make sense to drop them behind Star Spencer, after Douglass beat the Bobcats earlier this season. Broken Bow and Jay move up two spots. Poteau stays in front of Wagoner to fill the last two spots. I still think both of those teams are better than any teams I would’ve filled in those final holes with. Certainly Poteau has earned it at 4-3 and Wagoner’s losses are to Tulsa East Central, Poteau and now Broken Bow. And they have good wins with Grove and Fort Gibson.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#6-0
2. Tuttle (2)#7-0
3. Madill (3)#7-0
4. Metro Christian (5)#7-0
5. Blanchard (6)#6-1
6. Checotah (4)#6-1
7. Bethany (7)#6-1
8. Berryhill (8)#5-2
9. Clinton (9)#4-3
10. Sequoyah-Claremore (10)#6-1

Not much movement here as the only ranked team to lose was No. 4 Checotah by two points to No. 5 Metro Christian. Metro moves up a spot as does Blanchard. The decision was where to put Checotah. They’re obviously worthy of a top 7 ranking but in the end Blanchard ‘s resume, with wins over Bridge Creek and Anadarko, is slightly more impressive than Checotah’s. Ill revisit that from week to week though.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#6-1
2. Davis (2)#7-0
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (3)#7-0
4. Vian (4)#6-1
5. Heritage Hall (5)#4-3
6. Kingfisher (6)#5-2
7. Millwood (7)#5-2
8. Lexington (8)#6-1
9. Bridge Creek (9)#6-1
10. Pawhuska (10)#7-0

Easy to figure out here as all the top 10 teams won. Everybody holds serve.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (1)#7-0
2. Ringling (2)#6-0
3. Hennessey (3)#7-0
4. Stroud (4)#7-0
5. Talihina (7)#7-0
6. Cashion (NR)#7-0
7. Oklahoma Bible (6)#6-1
8. Okeene (8)#6-1
9. Salina (NR)#7-0
10. Oklahoma Christian (10)#6-1

Some shuffling here after the top four as No. 5 Commerce crashes out of the rankings after a 22-14 lost to previously undefeated Salina. Salina had been slow to move up because of a relatively weak schedule to this point — and they shouldn’t be tested again in the regular season — but Salina certainly proved itself against Commerce. Cashion also moves in with a big win over a ranked opponent. Cashion stays undefeated by beating Watonga. Talihina moves up two spots, Oklahoma Bible drops a spot after losing to Hennessey, and Okeene and OCS hold steady.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#7-0
2. Canton (2)#7-0
3. Porter (4)#7-0
4. Ryan (5)#7-0
5. Fox (6)#6-1
6. Kiefer (7)#7-0
7. Davenport (8)#6-1
8. Depew (10)#5-2
9. Caddo (NR)#5-2
10. Weleetka (NR)#5-2

There’s a lot of shuffling here, due in large part to Geary’s big upset of No. 3 Laverne. Laverne drops all the way out after losing their third in four games. Not sure what’s going on with Laverne right now but it’s not good. And it doesn’t get any easier with No. 1 Garber traveling to Laverne this week. Alex also drops out with its loss to Caddo. It’s Caddo’s second week in a row to beat a ranked team. Caddo’s lone losses came to No. 4 Ryan and No. 5 Fox early in the year so they move into the rankings. It doesn’t get any easier for Caddo, though, as it hosts Class C No. 7 Thackerville this week. Looked at Geary but hard to move them in with two losses to unranked teams.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#7-0
2. Timberlake (2)#7-0
3. Temple (3)#6-1
4. Seiling (4)#6-1
5. Maud (6)#7-0
6. Deer Creek-Lamont (7)#6-1
7. Thackerville (5)#5-2
8. Claremore Chr. (9)#5-2
9. Boise City (10)#5-2
10. Sasakwa (NR)#6-1

The top four stay the same. Maud and Deer Creek-Lamont move up a spot each while Thackerville falls two to No. 7 and No. 8 Covington-Douglas falls out completely after a loss to Deer Creek-Lamont. I still think C-D might be one of the top 10 teams in the class but they’re 3-4 right now and they really haven’t beaten one of the top 15-20 teams in the class. They could be good, you just don’t know. Sasakwa moves into the rankings after scoring 50 or more points for the fourth time this year in a win over OCA.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/16/rankings-preview-partial-oct-18/feed/ 2 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/15/4042/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/15/4042/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:07:10 +0000 Scott Wright http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=4042 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of this weekend’s Class 5A and Class 6A state volleyball tournaments:

Class 5A (Friday at Tulsa Rogers, Saturday at Sapulpa)

McAlester vs. Carl Albert, noon

McAlester (13-19): Don’t let the record fool you, the Lady Buffs can play. And they’ve played some of the toughest competition around this season. Last year’s 5A runner-up will rely on its heavy hitters, particularly juniors Kati Wills and Lauryn Kirkhart. Setter Jinny Judge was all-tournament at state last year, too.

Carl Albert (23-8): The Lady Titans’ Sallie McLaurin might be the best individual in the 5A field. The 6-foot-2 hitter can crush it, and along with fellow senior Ashley Acklin, CA has a strong pair of hitters to go around Toni Cheadle in the middle. Cheadle is a sophomore playing her first year of volleyball, but she’s learning quickly. CA beat McAlester twice during the regular season, but the Lady Buffs took a game in each match.

Tulsa Washington vs. Tahlequah, 1:45 p.m.

Tulsa Washington (26-5): Ask any opposing coach about Booker T., and you’ll hear the name Tyler Cockrell. The athletic outside hitter is part of a group of seniors that make the Lady Hornets go, but she’s the star. She’ll get a test in the first round, though, against Tahlequah, which has a couple of strong blockers.

Tahlequah (35-5): The team that won more games — and played more games — than any team in the state hopes for just three more. And it’s hard to say Tahlequah won’t be in line for a rebuilding year after this weekend. Their roster includes 10 players, nine of which are seniors. Middles Sarah Nelson and Natalie Nowlin are the blockers mentioned above. The battle between them and Cockrell should be a good show.

Skiatook vs. Bishop McGuinness, 3:30 p.m.

Skiatook (22-12): Making its first state tournament appearance in 15 years, Skiatook is motivated to make some noise, but the first-round draw of McGuinness makes for a tough opener. Leslie Allred is a key component, both as a passer and hitter. Courtney Shoemake adds to the team’s defensive presence in the middle, and setter Arinee’ Thompson has more than 500 assists in her sophomore year.

McGuinness (20-6): If anyone has a shot at knocking off Tulsa Kelley, the Irish are atop the list. With Katie Harris at setter — “She can take a bad ball and make it good,” coach Kristy Ellis said — and junior Maddie Coffey at outside hitter, McGuinness can create offense. Coffey has a quick swing and is hard to block. The Irish defense is solid as well, all over the floor, which gives them a chance in any match.

Tulsa Kelley vs. Southeast, 5:15 p.m.

Tulsa Kelley (29-3): Unbeaten against in-state competition this year, it’s hard to envision anyone beating the Comets this week. But upsets can happen. The Comets are well-coached and have talent all over the place, particularly in the middle with sisters Kitan and Inky Ajanaku.

Southeast (24-7): The first OKCPS representative at the state tournament since 1995, Southeast has a tall task opening against Kelley. But this is a team that isn’t afraid of anything. They had to go up against two higher ranked teams to win their regional, and they’ve got plenty of talent to pull off the shocker. Victoria Kappel and Shola Adebayo are the main players to keep an eye on.

Class 6A at Sapulpa

Tulsa Union vs. Bartlesville, noon

Union (27-5): The Lady Redskins don’t really have a star, but they’ve got loads of talent. Ironically, they’ve beaten every team in the 6A field this year, except for Bartlesville, because the two teams didn’t play. In 6A competition, only Edmond Santa Fe and Edmond Memorial have beaten Union this year. The Lady ‘Skins rely a lot on their setter, Laura Taylor, and libero, Jessica Powers.

Bartlesville (28-8): The only non-host team to advance from regionals, Bartlesville had to beat the defending 6A champs on their home court to get here. After knocking off Owasso, Bartlesville might be facing the top team in the class, so the leadership of Paige Smith and Kendra Schmidtlein will be crucial.

Edmond Memorial vs. Broken Arrow, 1:45 p.m.

Memorial (27-5): The strength of Edgar Miraku’s squad has been defense all year, and they’ve gotten a big boost from some younger players, especially in the sophomore class. Still, it’s the older players who lead the way. Micha Hancock can do a little bit of everything, and at 6-foot-3, Mattie Burleson has shown great leaping ability. Jaira Wilsey provides the senior leadership from her outside hitter spot.

Broken Arrow (11-21): Like McAlester in 5A, don’t be fooled by the win-loss record. Yes, BA only won nine matches. But not many teams played the level of competition they did. All 21 losses came to teams who reached the state tournament in their class. And it was BA that upset Edmond Memorial in the first round of last year’s tournament.

Stillwater vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 3:30 p.m.

Stillwater (18-14): A lot of teams get to state by being balanced, and Stillwater is no exception. They play defense on the back row as well as anyone, but they can be dangerous at the net, too. Outside hitter Anna Gentry can play all over the floor. Middle blocker Devin Kerns is a go-to girl on offense and Mary O’Neill covers the court the way a libero is supposed to do.

Edmond Santa Fe (28-4): Will Ethridge’s squad has been on the verge of really good things all year, and they’ve got to be considered one of the favorites this weekend. Tate Hardaker is an all-around player and good hitter from the outside spot. And if you’re looking for defense, Mindy Gowen is among the best in the state.

Edmond North vs. Jenks, 5:15 p.m.

Edmond North (18-14): Tanna Smith’s first year as the team’s head coach has been a work in progress, but North is peaking at the right time. Their bench goes as deep as any in the tournament, but their senior class is the team’s foundation. Kayley Earnst at libero sets up the offense, which is anchored by outside hitters Alli Hammer — the best name in volleyball, particularly for a hitter — and Torrie Flynn.

Jenks (26-6): There could be some revenge on the minds of the Jenks players, led by junior outside hitter Carissa Ophus. Edmond North went to five games with Jenks at the Stillwater Tournament in late September, with the Lady Trojans eventually losing the fifth game 17-15. So look for some fireworks in this first-round match.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/15/4042/feed/ 0 Rankings preview: Oct. 10 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/10/rankings-preview-oct-10/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/10/rankings-preview-oct-10/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:09:49 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=3869 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#6-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#5-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#4-2
4. Edmond North (5)#6-0
5. Southmoore (7)#5-1
6. Del City (8)#5-1
7. Norman North (4)#4-1
8. Midwest City (9)#4-2
9. Bartlesville (10)#6-0
10. Putnam North (NR)#5-1

There seems to be about 12-13 teams that deserve to ve ranked in 6A but none outside the top 3 much deserve to be about 6-7. Save the outrage Edmond North fans. I was looking for the Huskies to really put a hurting on Putnam City tonight and they didn’t at all. They beat Mustang by 10 in the second week but outside of that, they really should’ve won by more in each of their other five wins. Now, 6-0 is 6-0 so Edmond North is No. 4 but not real confident in that. The Huskies need some more killer instinct and they’ve got to show it next week. Lawton drops out, mainly because no one else lost (besides Broken Arrow and the Tigers’ only losses are to Jenks and Tulsa Union) and Putnam North deserves a spot after beating Southmoore last week.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#6-0
2. El Reno (2)#6-0
3. Shawnee (3)#6-0
4. McAlester (4)#6-0
5. Tulsa Washington (5)#4-2
6. Carl Albert (6)#4-2
7. Tulsa East Central (7)#4-1
8. Bixby (10)#3-3
9. Tulsa Central (NR)#5-1
10. Guthrie (NR)#4-2

The biggest addition here is Guthrie, which beat Harrah 35-0 and has contonied to look impressive since an 0-2 start. Debated between them and leaving Lawton Mac in but they both played El Reno, and Guthrie (while not scoring themselves) only allowed 18 points to the Indians while they dropped 42 on Lawton Mac on Friday night. And Guthrie’s defense is still just as good while its offense has gotten much better since then. Guthrie gets a test this week when Carl Albert comes to town. The other new entrant here is Tulsa Central, which beat previously undefeated Ada. Central nearly jumped in a couple weeks ago before a second-half meltdown led to East Central beating the Braves. Tulsa East Central plays Tulsa Edison on Saturday which could alter things if Edison wins but I don’t see that happening.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#6-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#6-0
3. Weatherford (3)#6-0
4. McGuinness (4)#4-2
5. Douglass (5)#5-1
6. Poteau (8)#6-0
7. Star Spencer (9)#4-2
8. Wagoner (6)#4-2
9. Broken Bow (10)#3-3
10. Jay (NR)#4-2

The top five here hold serve but there could be plenty of shuffling the next couple weeks as Douglass plays Weatherford and McGuinness the next two weeks. Poteau pulls off the upset of the night, beating Wagoner and switching spots with the Bulldogs. The battle for the No. 10 spot (vacated by Grove) came down to Collinsville and Jay. Collinsville has lost to Hilldale (2-4) and Catoosa (3-3) while Jay’s losses came to Gravette, Ark., and 5-1 Pryor. So Jay it is.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#5-0
2. Tuttle (2)#6-0
3. Madill (4)#6-0
4. Checotah (5)#6-0
5. Metro Christian (7)#6-0
6. Blanchard (10)#5-1
7. Bethany (6)#5-1
8. Berryhill (NR)#4-2
9. Clinton (9)#3-3
10. Sequoyah-Claremore (3)#5-1

Lots of shaking things up here as Sequyah-Claremore falls to Berryhill 24-14. But looking at Berryhill’s results so far maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised. They lost to Glenpool by 19 and Cascia Hall by 18, not exactly embarrassing margins against the top teams in 4A and 3A, respectively. Berryhill moves up to No. 8, Blanchard moves up to No. 6 while Bethany falls a spot after losing to Madill. Clinton stays at No. 9 and Sequoyah-Claremore drops seven spots to No. 10. Even though they lost, I think Clinton really showed they can still be a force in 3A after playing Tuttle within a point despite being without Delans Griffin. Anadarko also drops out after a big loss to Elgin.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#5-1
2. Davis (2)#6-0
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (3)#6-0
4. Vian (5)#5-1
5. Heritage Hall (6)#3-3
6. Kingfisher (7)#4-2
7. Millwood (8)#4-2
8. Lexington (4)#5-1
9. Bridge Creek (9)#5-1
10. Pawhuska (10)#6-0

All of the shifting here happens because of one game, Millwood’s win over Lexington. Vian, Heritage Hall, Kingfisher and Millwood each moves up a spot while Lexington drops four to No. 8. I think Lexington and Millwood might be a little better than their spots but that’ll come out the next few weeks.

Class A
1. Tonkawa (2)#6-0
2. Ringling (3)#5-0
3. Hennessey (4)#6-0
4. Stroud (5)#6-0
5. Commerce (6)#6-0
6. Oklahoma Bible (10)#6-0
7. Talihina (8)#6-0
8. Okeene (1)#5-1
9. Watonga (9)#5-1
10. Oklahoma Christian (NR)#5-1

Big movings here as Okeene’s loss to Oklahoma Bible causes a re-think of the top spots. With seven undefeated teams in the class, all of those leapfrog Okeene, who drops all the way to No. 8. Watonga sticks where they were and Oklahoma Christian takes advantage of Woodland’s loss to Pawnee to move back in at No. 10. The Black Bears (4-2) were the other team strongly considered for that spot.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#6-0
2. Canton (2)#6-0
3. Laverne (3)#4-2
4. Porter (4)#6-0
5. Ryan (5)#6-0
6. Fox (6)#5-1
7. Kiefer (7)#6-0
8. Davenport (10)#5-1
9. Alex (9)#5-1
10. Depew (NR)#4-2

The top 7 here stay the same but Davenport’s win over Weleetka shakes up the bottom three spots. Davenport moves up two spots to No. 8, Alex stay No. 9 and Depew moves into the final spot, thanks to a head-to-head win over Weleetka.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#6-0
2. Timberlake (2)#6-0
3. Temple (3)#5-1
4. Seiling (4)#5-1
5. Thackerville (5)#5-1
6. Maud (8)#6-0
7. Deer Creek-Lamont (7)#5-1
8. Covington-Douglas (6)#3-3
9. Claremore Chr. (9)#4-2
10. Boise City (10)#4-2

Just a bit of shuffling near the bottom here, although most of the winning came from other ranked teams. Maud moves up by staying undefeated while Deer Creek-Lamont and Covington-Douglas switch and drop down a spot as a block. Claremore Christian and Boise City stay where they were.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/10/rankings-preview-oct-10/feed/ 15 Rankings Preview: Oct. 3 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/03/rankings-preview-oct-3/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/03/rankings-preview-oct-3/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:59:57 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=3668 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#5-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#4-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#4-1
4. Norman North (7)#4-0
5. Edmond North (5)#5-0
6. Lawton (NR)#5-0
7. Southmoore (4)#4-1
8. Del City (8)#4-1
9. Midwest City (9)#3-2
10. Bartlesville (10)#5-0

So last week 5A was the rankings that gave me the most problems. This week it was 6A. Southmoore’s loss to Putnam North, Lawton’s win over Mustang, Edmond North’s allowing 28 points to Norman and Del City’s close win over Edmond Santa Fe all came into play here. Norman North looks like the team to beat in the West, especially after Southmoore’s surprising loss to Putnam North. Putnam North could very well be a top 10 team but Southmoore’s overall resume is better at this point. Southmoore beat Del City and Midwest City and those two wins give the SaberCats the resume to stay ranked. There will definitely be some shakeups here next week as well, with Lawton playing at Del City next week. Jenks is playing at Broken Arrow next week as well but I’d expect Jenks to win that and the top 3 not change. Though with the distractions for Jenks this week, who knows.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (1)#5-0
2. El Reno (2)#5-0
3. Shawnee (3)#5-0
4. McAlester (4)#5-0
5. Tulsa Washington (5)#3-2
6. Carl Albert (6)#3-2
7. Tulsa East Central (7)#4-1
8. Lawton MacArthur (8)#4-1
9. Ada (9)#5-0
10. Bixby (10)#2-3

After so much changing around last week, things remain exactly the same here. Two top 10 teams lost but I’ll defend Carl Albert and Bixby staying where they were, as both played close games with higher-ranked, undefeated opponents. Carl Albert lost by 3 to Shawnee and Bixby lost by 4 to undefeated No. 1 Tulsa Kelley. Carl Albert’s two losses have come to Tulsa Washington and Shawnee. Bixby has lost three times but those losses came to Class 6A No. 1 Jenks, Class 5A No. 1 Tulsa Kelley and Class 4A No. 1 Glenpool. I thin that’s a more impressive resume than Pryor’s 5-0 with close games against Skiatook (0-5) and Jay (3-2).

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#5-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#5-0
3. Weatherford (3)#5-0
4. McGuinness (4)#3-2
5. Douglass (5)#4-1
6. Wagoner (6)#4-1
7. Grove (7)#4-1
8. Poteau (8)#5-0
9. Star Spencer (9)#3-2
10. Broken Bow (NR)#2-3

One change here with a couple teams losing. No. 4 McGuinness loses by a single point to No. 3 Weatherford on the road and No. 10 and previously unbeaten Tecumseh loses to No. 9 Star Spencer. McGuinness is easy to keep in the same position, although I did give consideration to flipping McGuinness and Douglass. Thought about leaving Tecumseh at No. 10 but the 40-0 blowout was too much to overlook. Fort Gibson and Muldrow were considerations but both lost big to top 10 teams this week. So Broken Bow re-enters the picture. Broken Bow’s three losses — Sallisaw, McAlester and Metro Christian — are all to quality opponents.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#4-0
2. Tuttle (2)#5-0
3. Sequoyah-Claremore (3)#5-0
4. Madill (4)#5-0
5. Checotah (5)#5-0
6. Bethany (6)#5-0
7. Metro Christian (7)#5-0
8. Anadarko (9)#5-0
9. Clinton (10)#3-2
10. Blanchard (8)#4-1

Pretty straightforward here as the top 7 stay the same, Anadarko moves up to No. 8 after improving to 5-0 for the first time since the 1920s. Clinton moves up a spot and Blanchard drops two to No. 10.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#4-1
2. Davis (4)#5-0
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (5)#5-0
4. Lexington (7)#5-0
5. Vian (6)#4-1
6. Heritage Hall (8)#2-3
7. Kingfisher (3)#3-2
8. Millwood (2)#3-2
9. Bridge Creek (9)#4-1
10. Pawhuska (NR)#5-0

The big drop here is Millwood, who falls six spots to No. 8 after losing to Jones. Kingfisher also fell, four spots, to No. 7. Davis jumps up two spots to No. 2. Heritage Hall also moves up two spots. Pawhuska enters the rankings at No. 10 after Sperry’s loss to Verdigris.

Class A
1. Okeene (1)#5-0
2. Tonkawa (2)#5-0
3. Ringling (3)#4-0
4. Hennessey (4)#5-0
5. Stroud (5)#5-0
6. Commerce (6)#5-0
7. Woodland (7)#3-2
8. Talihina (8)#5-0
9. Watonga (9)#4-1
10. Oklahoma Bible (10)#5-0

No changes here as all of the top 10 won. Someone asked me last week about the possibility of dropping No. 1 Okeene and moving up No. 2 Tonkawa after Okeene needed overtime last week against Texhoma. I’ll be keeping an eye on those teams over the next few weeks but for right now, Okeene keeps the top spot.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#5-0
2. Canton (3)#5-0
3. Laverne (2)#3-2
4. Porter (4)#5-0
5. Ryan (6)#5-0
6. Fox (7)#4-1
7. Kiefer (NR)#5-0
8. Weleetka (8)#4-1
9. Alex (9)#4-1
10. Davenport (NR)#4-1

Another complicated one here with No. 5 Depew losing to unranked Davenport and No. 9 Alex beating No. 10 Allen. I dropped Depew out after its loss despite owning a win over No. 8 Weleetka earlier this season. Kiefer deserves to be in after beating Davenport in double overtime in the second week and staying undefeated. That was Davenport’s only loss so far.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#5-0
2. Timberlake (2)#5-0
3. Temple (4)#4-1
4. Seiling (3)#4-1
5. Thackerville (5)#4-1
6. Covington-Douglas (6)#3-2
7. Deer Creek-Lamont (7)#5-0
8. Maud (9)#5-0
9. Claremore Chr. (NR)#4-1
10. Boise City (NR)#3-2

EDITED: Temple and Seiling switch places near the top after Seiling loses to Timberlake 52-6. Maud moves up a spot to No. 8 with a win over Sasawka, who drops out. Claremore Christian makes its debut, as does Boise City. Sasakwa and Waynoka falls out. falls out.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/10/03/rankings-preview-oct-3/feed/ 11 Sept. 26 Rankings http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/26/sept-26-rankings/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/26/sept-26-rankings/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:56:14 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=3416 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Decided to sleep on this week’s rankings, especially with Tulsa Kelley’s upset over Tulsa Washington in 5A making me seriously rethink those rankings.

Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#4-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#3-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#3-1
4. Southmoore (4)#4-0
5. Edmond North (6)#4-0
6. Mustang (7)#3-1
7. Norman North (8)#3-0
8. Del City (5)#3-1
9. Midwest City (9)#2-2
10. Bartlesville (NR)#4-0

Not a whole lot of shuffling here with just two of the top 10 losing, and both of those dropping games to higher-rated teams. I dropped Del City three spots to No. 8 and moved Edmond North, Mustang and Norman North up a slot. Del City stays just above Midwest City, whose losses came to Southmoore and Del City. Bartlesville, which beat Muskogee 35-30 to improve to 4-0, enters the rankings for the first time. Considered leaving PC North ranked but looking at the teams they’ve beaten in the context of the first four weeks, Bartlesville appears to be the better candidate. Also thought about Lawton for that spot but the only win that stands out for them looking back at things is the win over Lawton MacArthur. But the Wolverines will get their chance to move into the rankings in a big way this week when they host Mustang.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Kelley (9)#4-0
2. El Reno (3)#4-0
3. Shawnee (4)#4-0
4. McAlester (10)#4-0
5. Tulsa Washington (1)#2-2
6. Carl Albert (2)#3-1
7. Tulsa East Central (5)#3-1
8. Lawton MacArthur (6)#3-1
9. Ada (7)#4-0
10. Bixby (8)#2-2

OK, here’s the one that gave me the most heartburn this week. The only team to lose was Tulsa Washington but their loss to Tulsa Kelley forced me to go through and rethink the entire rankings in 5A. Kelley moves up to No. 1 all the way from No. 9. The Comets’ overall resume is the most impressive. El Reno and Shawnee each move up a spot as Carl Albert, despite its 69-12 win over Capitol Hill, drops to No. 6 because of Washington’s loss. The Hornets beat Carl Albert handily in the season-opener. McAlester also makes a big jump. These rankings are likely to experience some wild shuffling in the next few weeks. Next week’s premier battle in the class comes with Carl Albert traveling to Shawnee. Tulsa Central fell to East Central but likely would’ve been ranked if any other ranked team had slipped up.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#4-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#4-0
3. Weatherford (3)#4-0
4. McGuinness (4)#3-1
5. Douglass (5)#3-1
6. Wagoner (6)#3-1
7. Grove (7)#3-1
8. Poteau (8)#4-0
9. Star Spencer (NR)#2-2
10. Tecumseh (NR)#4-0

The top 8 remain the same as all won in Week 4. Star Spencer moves back in the rankings and Tecumseh enters the rankings for the first time this season after a 4-0 start. It came down to Tecumseh and Fort Gibson for the last spot. Fort Gibson is 3-1 but has looked impressive since an opening-week loss to Sequoyah Tahlequah. Broken Bow and Muldrow fall out of the rankings. Broken Bow has lost three games in a row to really good teams they’ve got to prove they can play at that level. They’ve got Hilldale next week, then what should be a comfortable win over Tulsa Webster before finishing up with a brutal stretch that starts at Wagoner, then at Poteau, at home vs. Muldrow and finishing the season at home against Fort Gibson.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#3-0
2. Tuttle (2)#4-0
3. Sequoyah-Claremore (3)#4-0
4. Madill (5)#4-0
5. Checotah (6)#4-0
6. Bethany (7)#4-0
7. Metro Christian (8)#4-0
8. Blanchard (9)#4-0
9. Anadarko (NR)#4-0
10. Clinton (4)#2-2

This is another one that took me a little while to decide how to rank the teams. Clinton obviously had to drop behind Anadarko after getting beat by the Warriors on Friday night (Even if Delans Griffin didn’t play). The big question was what to do about Clinton. It came down to Clinton, Newcastle, Dickson, Berryhill and Bristow for the last spot. Looking at all of the teams resumes, I eliminated Newcastle, Dickson and Berryhill. That left me with Bristow and Clinton. Both have played Chandler, with Clinton winning 28-0 and Bristow winning 7-0. That was partially the tiebreaker. I also still think Clinton’s going to be really good if Delans Griffin comes back healthy.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#3-1
2. Millwood (2)#3-1
3. Kingfisher (3)#3-1
4. Davis (4)#4-0
5. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (5)#4-0
6. Lexington (7)#4-0
7. Vian (6)#3-1
8. Heritage Hall (8)#1-3
9. Bridge Creek (9)#3-1
10. Sperry (10)#3-1

The only change here to speak of is the flip-flop of Lexington and Vian after Lexington beat SeeWorth 62-8 and Vian lost to No. 5 Sequoyah-Tahlequah 49-28. I did seriously consider switching Kingfisher and Davis. I’m still not sure I made the right call on those two but I’m leaving them where they are for now.

Class A
1. Okeene (1)#4-0
2. Tonkawa (2)#4-0
3. Ringling (3)#3-0
4. Hennessey (4)#4-0
5. Stroud (6)#4-0
6. Commerce (7)#4-0
7. Woodland (8)#2-2
8. Talihina (9)#4-0
9. Watonga (NR)#3-1
10. Oklahoma Bible (NR)#4-0

Another difficult one here after OCS’ loss to Watonga on Friday night. The top four stayed the same, with 6-9 each moving up a spot. The newcomers this week are Watonga and Oklahoma Bible. Watonga’s only loss came to Class 2A No. 3 Kingfisher to start the season. Oklahoma Bible is undefeated, with a 15-0 win over Texhoma two weeks ago. Texhoma took No. 1 Okeene to triple overtime this week. OCS and Apache dropped out.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#4-0
2. Canton (3)#4-0
3. Laverne (2)#3-1
4. Porter (4)#4-0
5. Depew (5)#3-1
6. Ryan (10)#4-0
7. Fox (6)#3-1
8. Weleetka (7)#3-1
9. Alex (8)#3-1
10. Allen (NR)#4-0

A little bit of shuffling ere with Canton and Laverne traded spots. Didn’t give much thought to dropping Laverne lower (specifically below Porter) because I believe that B-1 is the toughest district around at the top. I still think Garber, Canton and Laverne are the top three teams in the class. Allen moves into the rankings.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#4-0
2. Timberlake (2)#4-0
3. Seiling (3)#4-0
4. Temple (4)#3-1
5. Thackerville (5)#3-1
6. Covington-Douglas (6)#2-2
7. Deer Creek-Lamont (7)#4-0
8. Waynoka (9)#4-0
9. Maud (10)#4-0
10. Sasakwa (NR)#4-0

The only ranked team to lose was Corn Bible, who fell to Tipton. Waynoka and Maud moved up a spot and Sasakwa into No. 10. Considered Tipton for that spot and will keep an eye on them but, for now, undefeated wins out.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/26/sept-26-rankings/feed/ 3 Rankings Sept. 19 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/19/rankings-sept-19/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/19/rankings-sept-19/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:51:50 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=3164 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#3-0
2. Tulsa Union (2)#2-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#2-1
4. Southmoore (4)#3-0
5. Del City (6)#3-0
6. Edmond North (7)#3-0
7. Mustang (8)#2-1
8. Norman North (9)#2-0
9. Midwest City (10)#1-2
10. Putnam North (NR)#3-0

Owasso drops from No. 4 to out. I try not to be reactionary so I was I bit slower to drop Owasso but the Rams HAVE to show some semblance of offense to prove they belong in the top 10. I know, a lot of that has to do with the loss of Joe Lindsay and Trent Spurgeon, but Owasso just doesn’t deserve it right now. That led to everyone else moving up a spot, including Midwest City, who lose to Southmoore in double overtime. The Bombers proved they belonged in the top 10 with that win, especially scoring 35 on Southmoore’s defense. Moving into the No. 10 spot is Putnam North. The Panthers have won three games big in non-district play. Lawton was the other contender for the spot but they struggled before finally putting away Altus.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Washington (1)#2-1
2. Carl Albert (2)#2-1
3. El Reno (3)#3-0
4. Shawnee (4)#3-0
5. Tulsa East Central (5)#2-1
6. Lawton MacArthur (6)#2-1
7. Ada (8)#3-0
8. Bixby (9)#1-2
9. Tulsa Kelley (10)#3-0
10. McAlester (NR)#3-0

Tulsa Washington stays in the top spot despite the loss to Class 6A Broken Arrow, though there was no real consideration to dropping the Hornets. They beat No. 2 Carl Albert to start the season and No. 5 Tulsa East Central last week. Bixby finally gets in the win column and moves up a spot, thanks to Carl Albert’s 38-6 blowout of Duncan. Tulsa Kelley also moves up a spot, while McAlester makes its first appearance in the rankings this season after a 26-18 win over Ardmore improved the Buffs to 3-0.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#3-0
2. Sallisaw (2)#3-0
3. Weatherford (6)#3-0
4. McGuinness (7)#2-1
5. Douglass (3)#2-1
6. Wagoner (5)#2-1
7. Grove (8)#2-1
8. Poteau (10)#3-0
9. Broken Bow (4)#1-2
10. Muldrow (NR)#3-0

This was a tough one to rank this week with McGuinness’ win over Millwood weighing against Douglass’ last week and Broken Bow, Star Spencer and Wagoner all losing. In the end, Weatherford and McGuinness made big jumps. Both have signature wins and it was hard to have either behind Douglass after what the Irish did to Millwood tonight. Star Spencer drops out although I’d imagine the Bobcats will be back ranked shortly. Poteau moves up two spots to No. 8 and Muldrow is the newcomer at No. 10. Broken Bow hangs in the top 10 after a loss to 3A Metro Christian.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#2-0
2. Tuttle (2)#3-0
3. Sequoyah-Claremore (3)#3-0
4. Clinton (4)#2-1
5. Madill (6)#3-0
6. Checotah (7)#3-0
7. Bethany (8)#3-0
8. Metro Christian (9)#3-0
9. Blanchard (10)#3-0
10. Purcell (5)#2-1

The only change here is Purcell dropping from No. 5 to No. 10 after losing Lexington 20-0. I considered dropping Purcell out but a couple of the candidates to move into the rankings also lost so I kept Purcell in there.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (2)#2-1
2. Millwood (1)#2-1
3. Kingfisher (3)#2-1
4. Davis (4)#3-0
5. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (5)#3-0
6. Vian (6)#3-0
7. Lexington (8)#3-0
8. Heritage Hall (7)#0-3
9. Bridge Creek (10)#1-1
10. Sperry (NR)#2-1

Another flip-flop at the top with Millwood’s loss and Lincoln’s win. Some people wondered last week when I said Millwood and Lincoln were clearly the top two teams but Lincoln’s loss was to one of the top teams in Arkansas regardless of class. I was surprised by Millwood’s loss tonight but the Falcons have got to find a running game to be successful deep into the playoffs in 2A. Sperry slides in at No. 10 after Sulphur lost to Elgin.

Class A
1. Okeene (1)#3-0
2. Tonkawa (2)#3-0
3. Ringling (3)#2-0
4. Hennessey (4)#3-0
5. OCS (5)#3-0
6. Stroud (6)#3-0
7. Commerce (7)#3-0
8. Woodland (8)#1-2
9. Talihina (9)#3-0
10. Apache (10)#3-0

There’s no change here with all 10 teams winning in the third week. In fact, the only top 10 team with a loss is No. 8 Woodland but they lost to No. 1 Okeene and No. 2 Tonkawa so I’m pretty comfortable with then where they are. I did give some consideration to Pawnee and will keep and eye on the Black Bears, though.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#3-0
2. Laverne (2)#3-0
3. Canton (3)#3-0
4. Porter (5)#3-0
5. Depew (6)#2-1
6. Fox (7)#3-0
7. Weleetka (4)#2-1
8. Alex (8)#2-1
9. Watts (9)#3-0
10. Ryan (NR)#3-0

Porter, Depew and Fox move up one spot each after Depew beats Weleetka. Copan’s loss to Oaks also opens the door for Ryan to move into the top 10 after a 42-14 win over Caddo.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#3-0
2. Timberlake (2)#3-0
3. Seiling (3)#3-0
4. Temple (4)#2-1
5. Thackerville (5)#2-1
6. Covington-Douglas (6)#1-2
7. Deer Creek-Lamont (7)#3-0
8. Corn Bible (8)#3-0
9. Waynoka (9)#3-0
10. Maud (NR)#3-0

The top nine stays the same as all of those teams pull off wins. But Forgan’s loss to Shattuck, couple with Maud’s win over Macomb boosts Maud into the top 10.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/19/rankings-sept-19/feed/ 8 Rankings preview, week 2 http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/12/rankings-preview-week-2/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/12/rankings-preview-week-2/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:48:08 +0000 Nick Tankersley http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=2829 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Got the eight-man rankings added now. 6A, 4A and 2A could get shuffled a bit this afternoon depending on how the games come out.

Class 6A
1. Jenks (2)#2-0
2. Tulsa Union (1)#1-1
3. Broken Arrow (3)#1-1
4. Southmoore (6)#2-0
5. Owasso (4)#1-1
6. Del City (5)#2-0
7. Edmond North (7)#2-0
8. Mustang (8)#1-1
9. Norman North (10)#1-0
10. Midwest City (NR)#1-1

Obviously there could be some changes here by this afternoon depending on the outcome of Edmond North-Mustang but here’s an early look into Class 6A. Jenks and Union just switch spots. Close game, not any real thought to doing anything else. These clearly are the top teams in 6A. I jumped Southmoore ahead of 1-1 Owasso and 2-0 Del City. Gave a lot of thought to the order of those three. I think with Southmoore getting those players eligible this week, they vault into the not-quite-Jenks-or-Union group. Dropped Del City a spot not because of anything the Eagles did or didn’t do against Norman but more because of the Sabercats getting those guys this week. I moved Norman North up a spot since they were up 10-0 on Muskogee when that game was called. Yeah, who knows how it turned out but tonight’s results plus looking at Muskogee’s game last week against Owasso adds up to Midwest City in the rankings and Muskogee on the outside looking in. Lawton is simmering just outside the top 10 after an impressive win over Lawton Mac. PC North is there too. Could see Lawton moving into the top 10 if today’s game is a blowout either way.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa Washington (1)#2-0
2. Carl Albert (2)#1-1
3. El Reno (3)#2-0
4. Shawnee (8)#2-0
5. Tulsa East Central (7)#1-1
6. Lawton MacArthur (6)#1-1
7. Duncan (9)#2-0
8. Ada (10)#2-0
9. Bixby (5)#0-2
10. Tulsa Kelley (NR)#2-0

Very tough to figure out how to rank 5A this week after the top 3. Tulsa Washington beats Tulsa East Central handily after beating Carl Albert handily last week, Carl Albert takes care of Choctaw relatively easily, and El Reno hands Guthrie its first shutout in six years. Shawnee makes the big jump with its 46-19 win over Deer Creek. Tulsa East Central actually jumps up two spots with its loss because Lawton Mac lost to Lawton (I do think Lawton’s a near top 10 team in 6A but comparing East Central’s loss to BTW to Carl Albert’s left me thinking East Central is a top five team. Duncan and Ada move up a couple spots after moving to 2-0 with wins over Ardmore and Durant. Bixby is 0-2 but losing to Jenks and 4A No. 1 Glenpool isn’t anything to be down about. I contemplated leaving Guthrie in at No. 10 but the Bluejays lost to McGuinness last week, and then McGuinness got beat by Tulsa Kelley this week, so the Comets are in the top 10.

Class 4A
1. Glenpool (1)#2-0
2. Sallisaw (3)#2-0
3. Douglass (4)#1-1
4. Broken Bow (2)#1-1
5. Wagoner (7)#2-0
6. Weatherford (8)#2-0
7. McGuinness (5)#1-1
8. Grove (6)#1-1
9. Star Spencer (9)#1-1
10. Poteau (NR)#2-0

Broken Bow drops a couple of places after losing to Class 5A McAlester. Sallisaw and Douglass (for now) are the beneficiaries, though depending on the outcome of Douglass-Millwood later today, that could change. Wagoner and Weatherford move up two spots each after big wins. Grove and McGuinness drop down after losses, though to good teams. Poteau climbs into the rankings after Hilldale knocked off No. 10 Collinsville.

Post Soul Bowl thoughts: Douglass stays where they are. The Trojans defense, despite the bust late, is extremely fast. They gave Kevonte Richardson fits all day. And Antyoun Smith had an excellent game at QB as well. Douglass is going to be all right.

Class 3A
1. Cascia Hall (1)#1-0
2. Tuttle (2)#2-0
3. Sequoyah-Claremore (3)#2-0
4. Clinton (4)#1-1
5. Purcell (5)#2-0
6. Madill (6)#2-0
7. Checotah (7)#2-0
8. Bethany (8)#2-0
9. Metro Christian (9)#2-0
10. Blanchard (10)#2-0

Not a change here as everybody won but No. 1 Cascia Hall and the Commandos didn’t play. Checotah did do a number on rival Eufaula, though, with a 40-0 blowout. No serious threats either, so no change to worry about here.

Class 2A
1. Lincoln Christian (1)#1-1
2. Millwood (2)#1-0
3. Kingfisher (3)#1-1
4. Davis (4)#2-0
5. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (7)#1-0
6. Vian (7)#2-0
7. Heritage Hall (6)#0-2
8. Lexington (9)#2-0
9. Sulphur (10)#1-1
10. Bridge Creek (NR)#1-1

Could be some change at the top here later today depending on what Millwood does. Lincoln lost to a very good Arkansas team so dropping isn’t a given, but if Millwood wins big, I could (well, I will) flip. Sequoyah-Tahlequah also plays tomorrow. Heritage Hall drops another spot after dropping to 0-2 with loss to Weatherford. The Chargers are still going to be good, I believe, but 0-2 is 0-2. They did at least show some offense against a pretty good Weatherford team last night. Chandler drops out. Bridge Creek is the beneficiary, moving into the No. 10 spot with a 70-6 win over Bethel.

Class A
1. Okeene (1)#2-0
2. Tonkawa (2)#2-0
3. Ringling (4)#1-0
4. Hennessey (5)#2-0
5. OCS (6)#2-0
6. Stroud (8)#2-0
7. Commerce (10)#2-0
8. Woodland (7)#0-2
9. Talihina (NR)#2-0
10. Apache (NR)#2-0

Who knows when the last time Morrison wasn’t in the rankings. And I know going from No. 3 to out was pretty harsh but they lost to Barnsdall. Barnsdall was winless last year and I had them ranked No. 76 of 78 in the preaseason. So Morrison’s time in the rankings this time was short. Woodland dropped to 0-2 but stayed second because of the teams they’ve lost to. Apache and Talihina move into the rankings after impressive starts.

Class B
1. Garber (1)#2-0
2. Laverne (2)#2-0
3. Canton (3)#2-0
4. Weleetka (5)#2-0
5. Porter (6)#2-0
6. Depew (7)#1-1
7. Fox (8)#2-0
8. Alex (9)#1-1 LOST to Temple
9. Watts (NR)#2-0
10. Copan (NR)#2-0

There was some shakeup here as No. 4 Davenport and and No. 10 Geary both lost to fall out of the rankings. Davenport’s loss to Kiefer, a team I had No. 19 in the preseason rankings, caused it to drop all the way out. Geary lost to Cherokee, knocking them down a spot from the ranked. The biggest beneficiary was the other ranked team to lose — Alex. Alex was beaten 24-17 to Class C No. 4 Temple. I didn’t hold a loss to another ranked eight-man team against them the way I did Geary and Davenport’s to unranked teams. Watts and Copan join the rankings this week, and Ryan continues to look strong.

Class C
1. Shattuck (1)#2-0
2. Timberlake (2)#2-0
3. Seiling (3)#2-0
4. Temple (4)#1-1
5. Thackerville (7)#1-1 Beat Duke, lost to Fox
6. Covington-Douglas (6)#0-2 Lost to Seiling (12),lost to Garber
7. Deer Creek-Lamont (8)#2-0 Beat Braman, beat Waukomis
8. Corn Bible (9)#2-0 Beat Victory Life, Beat Merritt
9. Waynoka (10)#2-0 Beat Sharon-Mutual, Beat Braman
10. Forgan (NR)#1-1

The top four spots all remain the same as they all win, including Temple, who beat Class B ranked Alex after losing to Ryan last week. Thackerville jumps up a couple spots to five but more for what other teams didn’t do than for what they did. The blew out Duke, which is exactly what was expected of them. Covington-Douglas stays in the same spot despite dropping to 0-2. I still think they’re a No. 6 team, they’ve just had  abrutal early schedule that includes Class B No. 1 Garber and Class C No. 3 Seiling. Deer Creek-Lamont, Corn Bible and Waynoka all move up a spot each. Forgan is new to the rankings this week after beating up on Balko. Again, this is more based on what other teams didn’t do. Specifically Buffalo. I didn’t penalize Buffalo last week for losing to Laverne but they took a hit this week with a 34-26 loss to Tyrone. Boise City was also given consideration but they lost to No. 1 Shattuck this week (Although losing to Shattuck 48-24 isn’t anything to be ashamed of).

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/12/rankings-preview-week-2/feed/ 19 At look at the rankings: Class 6A-A http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/05/at-look-at-the-rankings-class-6a-a/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/05/at-look-at-the-rankings-class-6a-a/#comments Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:24:50 +0000 Ryan Aber http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=2509 Varsity High School Blogs]]> Eight-man will have to wait another day as my eyes are about to slam shut but here’s Class 6A-A with a short explanation with each class.

Class 6A
1. Tulsa Union (1)#1-0

2. Jenks (2)#1-0

3. Broken Arrow (4)#0-1

4. Owasso (5)#1-0

5. Del City (11)#1-0

6. Southmoore (6)#1-0

7. Edmond North (10)#1-0

8. Mustang (9)#1-0

9. Muskogee (8)#0-1

10. Norman North (13)#1-0

Rankings review

I take a little different approach when formulating rankings. I don’t drop teams every time when they lose. Never understood why a No. 10 team who lost to a No. 1 team had to drop. That’s why you’ll see Broken Arrow moved up a notch in 6A despite losing to Tulsa Union. The Tigers lost in a close game and couldn’t see jumping Owasso (who’s without its regular starting QB) or Southmoore (who struggled to run the ball in its opening win) over Broken Arrow. I struggled with how to order the bottom part of the rankings. Del City’s win was huge so I jumped them ahead of winners Southmoore, Edmond North and Mustang. There were flaws with each of those team’s wins (although I don’t hold North’s against them as much as the other two, since it was a rivalry game). We’ll see some more shaking out in the next couple weeks with some big matchups. Midwest City might still be a top 10 team by the time it’s all said and done. Along with the Bombers, Putnam North and Lawton are bubbling right outside the top 10.

Class 5A Rankings

1. Tulsa Washington (1)#1-0

2. Carl Albert (2)#0-1

3. El Reno (5)#1-0

4. Lawton MacArthur (6)#1-0

5. Bixby (4)#0-1

6. Guthrie (3)#0-1

7. Tulsa East Central (7)#1-0

8. Shawnee (8)#1-0

9. Duncan (11)#1-0

10. Ada (12)#1-0

It was tough at the top of 5A with Nos. 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 all losing. In the end, I decided to keep Carl Albert at No. 2 because I can’t see jumping El Reno or Lawton MacArthur up over the Titans right now. And El Reno win next week would give serious consideration to a jump. Lawton Mac’s win was certainly impressive and the Highlanders could also be moving up with continued wins. I just think Tulsa Washington is heads and shoulders above everyone else in the class right now. It’s hard to judge just where Bixby and Guthrie are right now but we’ll find out soon enough. I don’t drop teams just because tey lost but Guthrie’s offense worries me and Bixby got hammered so I wasn’t hesitant of dropping them behind El Reno and Lawton Mac. Tulsa Kelley and Deer Creek are just outside the top 10, as is Ardmore and Coweta.

Class 4A

1. Glenpool (1)#1-0

2. Broken Bow (2)#1-0

3. Sallisaw (3)#1-0

4. Douglass (5)#1-0

5. McGuinness (6)#1-0

6. Grove (7)#1-0

7. Wagoner (8)#1-0

8. Weatherford (9)#1-0

9. Star Spencer (4)#0-1

10. Collinsville (10)#1-0

With just one team in the top 10 losing, the only real question here is how far does Star Spencer fall with its big loss to Millwood. The answer winds up being to No. 9 from No. 4. No. 1 Glenpool’s win wasn’t overly dominant but the Warriors are still No. 1. The others ahead of Star Spencer all had big wins, either in blowout fashion or in McGuinness’ and Weatherford’s cases, wins over highly regarded opponents. Poteau and McLoud are hanging around just outside the rankings.

Class 3A

1. Cascia Hall (1)#1-0

2. Tuttle (3)#1-0

3. Sequoyah-Claremore (4)#1-0

4. Clinton (2)#0-1

5. Purcell (5)#1-0

6. Madill (7)#1-0

7. Checotah (6)#1-0

8. Bethany (7)#1-0

9. Metro Christian (9)#1-0

10. Blanchard (10)#1-0

Another relatively stable class, with Clinton the only top 10 team with a loss. Figured they’need to go fall under at least Tuttle and Seq.-Claremore. Elgin and Newcastle ate just outside the top 10.

Class 2A

1. Lincoln Christian (2)#1-0

2. Millwood (3)#1-0

3. Kingfisher (5)#1-0

4. Davis (6)#1-0

5. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (7)#1-0

6. Heritage Hall (1)#0-1

7. Vian (9)#1-0

8. Chandler (4)#0-1

9. Lexington (13)#1-0

10. Sulphur (8)#0-1

Another class with some interesting dilemmas. How far does Heritage Hall drop? What about Chandler? Who fills out the bottom of the top 10? The answers: To 6th because their defense performed well yet they clearly have a ton of work to do on offense. Chandler drops four spots to eighth. Chandler should be significantly better by the end of the year but thhe Lions have to grow up quick. Sulphur stays in the top 10 in large part due to the rash of losses at the bottom and just outside the top 10.

Class A

1. Okeene (1)#1-0

2. Tonkawa (2)#1-0

3. Morrison (3)#1-0

4. Ringling (4)#0-0

5. Hennessey (6)#1-0

6. OCS (7)#1-0

7. Woodland (5)#0-1

8. Stroud (9)#1-0

9. Hominy (8)#0-1

10. Commerce (12)#1-0

I dropped Woodland down two spots after its 31-6 loss to No. 1 Okeene. Woodland’s going to be pretty good by season’s end but needs some ore consistency. Stroud and Hominy switch spots after Stroud beats Chandler and Cleveland beats Hominy.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/05/at-look-at-the-rankings-class-6a-a/feed/ 11 More to the story: Additional topics addressed by Charles Thompson http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/03/more-to-the-story-additional-topics-addressed-by-charles-thompson/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/03/more-to-the-story-additional-topics-addressed-by-charles-thompson/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:14:42 +0000 Justin Harper http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=2302 Varsity High School Blogs]]> My story on Charles Thompson addressing claims that he has recruited players to Southmoore will no doubt be a “Comments” free-for-all. Feel free to join in. Here are a few additional topics Thompson addressed in our conversation:

On the fact that this subject has overshadowed Southmoore players this preseason and how his son, Kendal, the Southmoore quarterback, shouldn’t be subjected to this distraction:

“This has been unfair to the kids on the team. It’s not right that my son has to deal with this. He’s out there to play quarterback. And that’s all anyone should be talking about. Being my son shouldn’t be a death penalty.”

On the fact that many high school coaches have had the same declaration that recruiting has been going on:

“All it is, in my opinion, is an attempt to bring down Southmoore by some coaches who haven’t done things the way Chris (Jensen) has. They see where this program is headed and they don’t like how fast it’s happening or that it’s being done in the right way. And maybe they haven’t done it the right way and maybe they aren’t having the success that Southmoore could have.”

On Southmoore player Austin Haywood, a move-in from Anadarko, whose eligibility is being reviewed:

“Austin Haywood moved in and started at Southmoore a long time ago. He played basketball there last year. All these coaches didn’t seem to care when he was dribbling a basketball around. But when they see him on the football field and see that this kid can be a heck of a player, then they want to come in and make it to where he can’t play.”

On the assertion that as many as eight to 10 Southmoore move-ins and/or transfers are players he coached in little league:

“Two. There are others on the team I coached, but they’ve always gone to Southmoore. Of the new guys that those coaches are trying to keep from playing, two played on one of my teams.”

On move-ins/transfers from other schools not getting the scrutiny that Southmoore is right now:

“Kids on other teams have moved from one place to another. Have they been persecuted like these (Southmoore kids) have? We just scrimmaged Broken Arrow and they have a starting quarterback who was the starting quarterback at Muskogee last year. But you don’t hear anything about that.”

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/09/03/more-to-the-story-additional-topics-addressed-by-charles-thompson/feed/ 0 District previews: Classes 6A-C http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/08/09/district-previews-classes-a-c/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/08/09/district-previews-classes-a-c/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:44:21 +0000 sports desk http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=888 Varsity High School Blogs]]> If you missed your school’s district football preview, here’s all the links for every district.

District previews: Classes 6A-C


Class 6A
District 6A-1: Lawton’s Sunny Puletasi learns quickly

District 6A-2: D’Juan Brooks stepping up for Edmond Memorial

District 6A-3: Jenks still strong without Jarrett Lake

District 6A-4: Choctaw trying to build tradition

Class 5A
District 5A-1: Coach Tom Cobble says it’s a good time to be in El Reno

District 5A-2: Carl Albert QB J.T. Realmuto could see time on defense

District 5A-3: Tulsa Washington unanimous No. 1

District 5A-4: McAlester poised to rebound; East Central wants more

Class 4A
District 4A-1: McGuinness’ offensive line a concern

District 4A-2: Tecumseh is strong up front

District 4A-3: Home playoff game is Collinsville’s goal

District 4A-4: Broken Bow coach high on Eric Dockins

Class 3A

District 3A-1: Tuttle battling lack of experience

District 3A-2: Madill trio has coach Kerry Roberts looking for big things

District 3A-3: Jody Iams’ Eagles rely on Wing-T

District 3A-4: Metro Christian gains valuable asset in QB Beau Marsaln

Class 2A

District 2A-1: Marc Robinson still growing for Heritage Hall

District 2A-2: Little Axe ready for breakthrough?

District 2A-3: Washington’s Chance Pistole moving to fullback; Bridge Creek rebuilding its line

District 2A-4: Atoka QB commands attention

District 2A-5: Chandler counting on Brandon Cummings

District 2A-6: Toughness key for Valliant

District 2A-7: Verdigris has 15 experienced seniors

District 2A-8: Colcord hoping to build on strong finish

Class A

District A-1: Hennessey avoids logjam at quarterback

District A-1 coaches’ poll

District A-2: OCS’ Jack Warren hasn’t forgotten loss

District A-2 notes: Trio vying for QB job at CHA

District A-3: District loaded with talented teams

District A-4: Bray-Doyle deals with adversity

District A-5: Tough three weeks for Stroud

District A-6: Talihina a cut above the rest

District A-7: Morrison ready to reload

District A-7 notes: Barnsdall seniors looking for wins

District A-8: Commerce looks to preserve streak

Class B

District B-1: Could district dominance repeat?

District B-2: Paoli defense is a strength

District B-3: Weightlifting competition inspires OCA

District B-4: Copan’s secret is out

Class C

Shattuck closing in on record win streak

District C-1: Finding running back key for Forgan

District C-2: Aaron Vondrak to lead Thackerville

District C-3: Seiling to turn QB Zach McDonald loose

District C-4: Maud’s Jarrid Resler works way back

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/08/09/district-previews-classes-a-c/feed/ 1 “Wait, so you’re in what district?” http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/07/30/wait-so-youre-in-what-district/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/07/30/wait-so-youre-in-what-district/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:02:36 +0000 bprzybylo http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=772 Varsity High School Blogs]]> By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Every coach I talked to before the proposed district realignments for the 2010-11 football seasons Wednesday was a little nervous/anxious about how everything would shake out.

But now that it’s over, it was a whole lot of much ado about nothing. Nobody I talked to seemed to be angry, just a whole lot of “eh.”

Everything will be finalized at an OSSAA board meeting Aug. 11.

Until then, some things that caught the Boneman’s eye from each class.

In 6A, it’s District 6A-3 that has me curious. Supposedly an “east” district, half the teams are teams us “westerners” are familiar with.

Norman, Putnam West, Shawnee and Southmoore are all in the district to go with Jenks, Broken Arrow, Muskogee and Sapulpa.

Intrigued by 5A-1. Carl Albert and Guthrie stay together, but you add in Deer Creek and El Reno. And as Antlers coach Grant Gower said: “It’s the Suburban Conference plus Southeast and Ada.”

Noble and Western Heights will also be in 5A-1.

The question in 4A was which team, Bishop McGuinness or Douglass, would be making the move from 4A-1 to 4A-2.

Your answer: Douglass. Essentially, the Trojans are just taking the spot vacated by Star Spencer’s move to 3A.

Good balance at the top with the Irish and Clinton in 4A-1 and Douglass and Glenpool together in 4A-2.

Thought 3A was actually pretty balanced. No “super” district, but still a “super” class. If you had to twist my arm, I’d say 3A-3 is the tops: Bethany, Centennial, Heritage Hall, John Marshall, Newcastle, Kingfisher and Justice Alma Wilson.

Actually seeing 2A laid out doesn’t look impressive. Who knows who will be good in two years, but seems like Millwood and Lincoln Christian should be fighting it out for a gold ball. Cupboard looks a little bare in 2A.

District A-7 is still the toast of the class. Tough to top a district with Morrison, Woodland and Hominy.

The 10-team districts in Class B are strange to look at. But if last year holds to form, look for B-1 to reign supreme. Garber, Laverne, Canton and Ringwood are just some of the stalwarts in that district.

And in Class C, will District C-4 start becoming a real threat? It seems that a lot of the teams from that district flame out early in the playoffs. There are a lot of the same names there, so it’ll be interesting to see.

Well, been a fun time in Tulsa but time to head back to Oklahoma City. Fellow chum Ryan Aber will be at the boys basketball games and the football game.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/07/30/wait-so-youre-in-what-district/feed/ 0 West softball pitchers live up to billing… http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/06/15/west-softball-pitchers-live-up-to-billing/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/06/15/west-softball-pitchers-live-up-to-billing/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:06:09 +0000 bprzybylo http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=737 Varsity High School Blogs]]> By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Eerie feeling all day Saturday at the All-State fastpitch softball games at the University of Oklahoma Softball Complex.

The ridiculously humid atmosphere had me fearing for the worst. Fortunately, none of the girls succumbed to the heat. However, a couple of umpires did. Both had to leave the field because of heat-related struggles.

I was told both recovered after a lot of ice and fluids, so that was good news.

As for the games, I dare you to find a better pitching quartet than the Large West squad. Their scheduled pitchers were Kaci Quintero of Westmoore (my Big All-City Player of the Year, going to Seminole State), Katie Lynn of Moore (Southern Nazarene) and Choctaw’s Kalynn Schrock (Tulsa). Then just for fun, coach Steve Schwarz of Westmoore threw in Alex Jones of Enid (Kansas) into the mix.

Yeah, talk about domination. They showed what they were all about in shutting out the East squad.

Most interesting thing to note was East star Ashley Brokeshoulder of Shawnee still has not signed. She missed the game because of injury, but the injury has no impact on her recruiting.

Had a chance to speak with her father, Eddie Brokeshoulder, about everything. He said they are still weighing their options, and it’s definitely not because of a lack of offers. Enjoyed watching Brokeshoulder when I worked in Shawnee and was happy she was able to put it all together and help Shawnee reach the 5A championship last year.

In the middle school’s game, it was a Harrah thing. Ali Manship has long been one of the Boneman’s favorites, and she did it just about every way possible.

She had an RBI single, scored a run on a great slide at the plate and of course, on the mound.

Manship pitched the first three innings and was lights out. Then, former Washington coach Mike Lawless put Manship in to finish the job.

The West entered with an 8-5 lead in the bottom of the ninth. At 8-6 and two runners on, Manship was called to get the final out and did so.

Her teammate, Aaron Adams (headed to Oklahoma State), had a two-run single as well.

The small east was dominant in shutting out the west.

Coaches of the Year: Large Schools: Randall King, Broken Arrow. No shock as led Tigers to yet another state championship.

Middle Schools: Jerry Bates, Tuttle. This was supposed to be the down year for the Tuttle program. Tigers will be loaded next season in quest for three-peat.

Small Schools: Steve Pybas, Ringling. This is cheating, all he did was give the ball to Hope McLemore and let her do the rest (I kid, but Hope is special). Ringling also won a state championship.

I focused on Schrock for my story as I felt she kinda got left in the cold every now and then because of how good some of the other teams were. For my money, Schrock and Quintero’s battle in the state semifinals is still the best high school softball game I’ve seen.

This Saturday is the slowpitch version of everything. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and everything will run smooth.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/06/15/west-softball-pitchers-live-up-to-billing/feed/ 0 Final tennis rankings (boys and girls) http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/05/19/final-tennis-rankings-boys-and-girls/ http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/05/19/final-tennis-rankings-boys-and-girls/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 15:48:27 +0000 bprzybylo http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/?p=718 Varsity High School Blogs]]> By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

The tennis season is over and so too is the speculation about all the rankings. Duncan coach Phil Barnes has passed along to me both the final boys and girls rankings as decided by the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association.

Girls

1. Bishop McGuinness: No surprise here. The Irish won their 11th straight title and totally deserve the honor. If this was an AP football/basketball poll, girls would receive all first-place votes.

2. Bishop Kelley: Won three straight titles before McGuinness came along in 5A and denied it. Andrea Lewis and Meredith Burns don’t have to take a back seat to anybody, and it was a joy to watch them play.

3. Duncan: Yep, when I said 5A was top-heavy all season, wasn’t kidding. First three teams are from the class. Melanie Barnes will anchor the crew next season.

4. Heritage Hall: Three and four are tough. Only because I’ve seen Heritage more would I flip ‘em. The 4A champs will have Julie Labarthe back, Carissa Villaflor grew tremendously as a player this season while Sarah Bowen might end up being one of the most athletic players the state has seen.

5. Edmond North: And here is your 6A champ. Rachel Mitcham will return at No. 1 singles and Huskies should be knockin’ on the door again.

6. Jenks
7. Edmond Memorial
8. Broken Arrow
9. Cascia Hall
10. Shawnee

Only change in my rankings would be Chargers at No. 3 and Duncan at No. 4. That’s it, pretty fair assessment of the season by the rankings committee.

Boys

1. Putnam North: 6A was the cream of the crop in the boys and no team was better when it mattered most than David Diefenderfer’s Panthers. Chris Haworth’s goal: back-to-back-to-back undefeated seasons.

2. Union: Almost as dominating as Haworth, No. 2 singles player Trevor Horstmann couldn’t be touched. Add in some great drama in the doubles play, and Union didn’t relinquish its four-year reign without a fight.

3. Bishop Kelley: Cruised to third straight 5A championship. One more year of Cale Hammond means good times for tennis fans and bad news for the rest of 5A.

4. Cascia Hall: Getting to be as dominant as McGuinness girls. Commandos are a well-oiled machine and Chase Tomlins will be going for that rarity of being a four-time champion next season.

5. Edmond Memorial: A sentimental favorite as I feel no team progressed from the beginning of the year to the end like Bulldogs. Randy Mays will still have a lot of weapons at his disposal next season.

6. Edmond North
7. Metro Christian
8. Ada
9. McGuinness
10. Heritage Hall

Based on familiarity again, would switch McGuinness and Ada. Already looking forward to next season as so many teams were so young this season that next year can’t help but provide even more drama.

Speaking of drama, time for the All-City Team. A little more research, but like I said, pretty confident with the selections.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2009/05/19/final-tennis-rankings-boys-and-girls/feed/ 0