District 3A-3 postseason honors
Here are the coaches’ postseason awards for District 3A-3:
Coach of the Year: Andy Bogert, Heritage Hall
MVP: Sterling Shephard, Heritage Hall
Offensive Player of the Year: Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall
Defensive Player of the Year: Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
Back of the Year: Brett Gilstrap, Bethany
Co-Quarterback of the Year: Ryley Clayborn, Bethany
Co-Quarterback of the Year: Quinn Shanbour, Heritage Hall
Offensive Lineman: Hunter Endres, Kingfisher
Receiver of the Year: Cale Courtney, Heritage Hall
Defensive End of the Year: Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall
Defensive Tackle of the Year: Willy Hanvold, Kingfisher
Outside Linebacker of the Year: Ross Clifton, Heritage Hall
Inside Linebacker of the Year: Colton Cheap, Kingfisher
Defensive Back of the Year: Grayson Haws, Bethany
Co-Kicker of the Year: Cole Rinke, Bethany
Co-Kicker of the Year: Ryan Ross, Newcastle
Special Teams Player of the Year: Gage Diffee, Bethany
Special Recognition: Mark Ryan, Centennial head coach
Injured Athlete Recognition: Brent Gaddis, Heritage Hall
Injured Athlete Recognition: Garrett McGrady, Bethany
All-City Athletic Conference postseaon honors
All-City Athletic Conference 2011 Football Team
Coach of the Year: Tony Henry, Millwood
Coach’s Special Recognition: Mark Ryan, Centennial
Player of the Year: Cayman Bundage, Douglass
Defensive Player of the Year: Jas’Sen Stoner, Douglass
Offensive Player of the Year: Dametric Sanders, Millwood
Co-Special Teams Players of the Year: Quincy Rideau, Star Spencer; Juan Campos, Northwest Classen
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Bobby Wilkes, Millwood
Co-Linebackers of the Year: Marc Robinson, Millwood; Gumaro Murphy, Southeast
Defensive Back of the Year: O’Sha Clark, Douglass
Co-Offensive Linemen of the Year: Devin Dobbins, Millwood; Dale Burch, Star Spencer
Offensive Back of the Year: Luis Leyva, Capitol Hill
Receiver of the Year: Kameron Bryant, John Marshall
First Team Defense
Defensive Line: Christian Nicholson, U.S. Grant; Kevin Williams, John Marshall; Codie Nolan, Northwest Classen; Genaro Monter, Southeast; Justin Woody, Northeast
Linebackers: Derrick Ward, Star Spencer; Andrew Bailey, Douglass; Malcolm Scales, Millwood; Francis Taylor, Capitol Hill
Defensive Backs: TyLiq Braziell, Southeast; Brandon Morse, Capitol Hill; Derrick Young, U.S. Grant; Chris Compton, Douglass
Punter: Carlos Morales, U.S. Grant
First Team Offense
Quarterback: Christian Gorham, Northwest Classen; Michael Thomas, Northeast
Running Backs: Cory Hooks, U.S. Grant
Receivers: Trevon Willis, Northeast; Marvin Kerbo, Northwest Classen; Deonte Childs, Douglass
Offensive Line: Diamonte McClellan, Douglass; Charles Hayes, Star Spencer; Jacob Tavarez, U.S. Grant; Harvey Hightower, Millwood; Michael Holder, Southeast; David Johnson, John Marshall
Place Kicker: Antonio Cueto, Southeast
Honorable Mention
Capitol Hill: Maleke Dixon, Jerrad Fomin
Douglass: Davon Barber
Millwood: Marquise Kemp
Northeast: Savon Peevy, Demarkus Long
Northwest Classen: Marcus Ervin
Southeast: Nolan Payne, Michael McAnelly, Dominique Schweitzer, Nicholas Chamberlain
Star Spencer: Quintrae Kendrick
U.S. Grant: Eric Benevue, Javier Tarrazas
All-City Preview basketball tournaments begin Tuesday
Douglass junior Stephen Clark and the two-time defending Class 4A state champion Trojans will be in action at the All-City Preview tournament, which begins on Tuesday night.
The All-City Preview, the preseason basketball tournament featuring the Oklahoma City Public Schools and Millwood, begins Tuesday evening at Northwest Classen and Capitol Hill. The tournaments will be concluded on Thursday with championship and third-place games, as well as loser’s bracket competition.
Each site will host seven games on Tuesday, between both boys and girls teams. All 11 schools from the All-City Athletic Conference will participate, including a pair defending champions, the Douglass and Centennial boys teams.
Here is the schedule for Tuesday’s games:
Girls
At Capitol Hill
5 p.m.: Star Spencer vs. Centennial
6 p.m.: Classen SAS vs. Capitol Hill
7 p.m.: Northeast vs. Star/Centennial winner
8 p.m.: Douglass vs. Classen/Capitol Hill winner
At Northwest Classen
5:30 p.m.: US Grant vs. John Marshall
6:30 p.m.: Northwest Classen vs. Southeast
7:30 p.m.: Millwood vs. US Grant/John Marshall winner
Boys
At Northwest Classen
5 p.m.: Southeast vs. US Grant
6 p.m.: Millwood vs. John Marshall
7 p.m.: Northwest Classen vs. Southeast/US Grant winner
8 p.m.: Centennial vs. Millwood/John Marshall winner
At Capitol Hill
5:30 p.m.: Star Spencer vs. Classen SAS
6:30 p.m.: Capitol Hill vs. Northeast
7:30 p.m.: Douglass vs. Star/Classen winner
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Game preview: Capitol Hill at Centennial
The last time I watched a Centennial High School team compete, it walked away with a gold ball as the Class 3A boys basketball state champions. That night in the Big House seems like a distant memory now, and stakes aren’t as high for the Centennial football team tonight. But this game is still very important to the Bison.
They open the football season against Capitol Hill at Star Spencer (Centennial’s home stadium) tonight at 7, and they do so without their head coach, Mark Ryan. He continues to battle an illness that has kept him away from his team for the last month. The Bison will take the field under acting head coach Michael Baldwin and a group of assistants — mostly volunteers — in hopes of building on the athletic success the young school got to enjoy in basketball season.
What to watch for: Centennial
Some of the Bison’s top returners transferred out, so this team is putting a lot of youngsters into action. But they had a solid showing at the All-City Preview, getting to the consolation final. This is a team that just needs to keep moving forward right now.
There’s no timetable for coach Ryan to return, so Baldwin just has to keep them focused on the present. Judging by what I saw at practice, the Bison have a few guys with good size to play up front, and plenty of speed at the skill spots, which is worth a lot in a game like this.
What to watch for: Capitol Hill
The Redskins are under the guidance of first-year head coach Jason Webster, who was promoted from offensive coordinator. He’s a young guy who has been at a variety of places and has a clear passion for leading young people.
He has a mostly new staff, but they were able to keep a group of athletes committed to getting better over the summer. This game will be important for showing the direction of his new program.
The pick: Capitol Hill 20, Centennial 18. This kicks off six games in 10 days for me, and I don’t plan on seeing any blowouts.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
Centennial forges ahead without coach Mark Ryan
Centennial High School faces many of the same challenges of other Oklahoma City schools, but those issues are on the backburner right now.
Head coach Mark Ryan has not been able to coach the team this month because of an illness, leaving assistant Michael Baldwin and a group of volunteer assistants to run practices.
“We’re not well-staffed, but we’ve had some coaches volunteer their services for the sake of the kids,” Baldwin said. “It doesn’t pay money, but they’re out here anyway, and we appreciate all the help we can get.”
Ryan had to step away the week before camp opened on Aug. 9, and there is no timetable for when he could return.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Wes Welker Foundation awards grants
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
The Wes Welker Foundation’s board of directors have approved $29,000 in grant money to four Oklahoma City-area schools, the organization announced Monday.
The grants were awarded to Star Spencer’s volleyball and athletic department, U.S. Grant’s football program, Putnam City West’s football and athletic department and Crooked Oak’s athletic department.
The foundation, founded by former Heritage Hall and current New England Patriots standout Wes Welker, was founded five years ago with the aim of helping underprivileged kids.
The foundation awards grants twice a year to schools and organizations in the Oklahoma City area. It also provides free sports camps for at-risk youth and a coach and leadership development program.
The foundation has given more than $192,000 in grant money in the past four years.
U.S. Grant is a two-time recipient.
Other organizations that have received the grants in the past have included Life Change Academy, Astec Charter School, Douglass High School, Memorial Park Boys and Girls Club and Western Village Academy.
Boys basketball All-City Athletic Conference awards
All-City Athletic Conference Selections
Co-Coaches of the Year: Terry Long(Douglass)and Scott Raper(Centennial)
Co-Players of the Year: Devonte Smith(Douglass) and Tyrone Jones(Centennial)
Newcomer of the Year: Caleb Cryton( Northeast)
First Team:
Dorrian Williams – Douglass, Stephen Clark- Douglass, Ramond Jenkins- Douglass, Romond Jenkins- Douglass, Tre Jordan- Southeast
Second Team:
Jamil Donovan- Northwest Classen, Marcus Johnson- Centennial, Marquis Buxton-Hill- Douglass, Nico Meadows- Capitol Hill, Dre’ Triplett- Millwood,
Third Team:
Korihon Jackson- Northeast, Dominique Manuel- Douglass, Craig Hackney- Centennial, DeSean Carolina- Centennial, DeMontrey Mitchell- John Marshall
Honorable Mention:
Capitol Hill- Josh Thompson, Aaron Brown, Darrin Tucker
Classen- Cameron McClure, Anthony Bolar
Douglass- Darris Mitchell, DeAngelo Clark
U.S. Grant- Anthony Hartfield, G’vonte Bonds
John Marshall- Talmadge Lawrence, Tyler Harrison
Centennial- Darius Lacey, Austin Garner
Northeast- Eric Peabody, Gabe Houston,
NW Classen- Paco Jones, Anthony Hardrick
Southeast- William Brewer, Travis Morris, Jay Gogue
Star Spencer- Gary Ford, Symon Smith
Centennial coach Scott Raper ready for his ‘haircut’
Last year, Scott Raper promised his Centennial boys basketball players that they could shave his head if they made it to the state tournament.
They fell short, but after qualifying for state this year, they asked if the offer still stood.
“I told them, ‘No, you’re a little better this year. You’ll have to win the whole thing,’” Raper said.
Well, that’s what the Bison did, winning the Class 3A title on March 12, and now it’s time for the celebratory head shave. It will take place at center court inside the Centennial gym as part of a state championship celebration Friday beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The team will present the gold ball trophy to the school and they will display the design of the players’ state championship rings.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Looking back on Douglass-Bridge Creek hoops
There are moments as a sports writer when — no matter how well you do your job — you can’t fully capture in words the drama and excitement and passion and uniqueness of a moment.
Saturday evening at the Big House was one of those for me. Simply seeing the State Fair Arena nearly full for the Douglass-Bridge Creek Class 4A boys title game was fantastic. Hearing the crowd screaming with every call, every shot, every rebound was a blast.
Bridge Creek’s Ryan Spangler simply tried to put his team on his back and carry them to a championship. He played point guard, wing and center. Handled the ball, drove to the basket, posted up, went to the boards, blocked shots, dished out assists.
He gave everything he could to will the Bobcats to the win. By the second quarter, he was exhausted. After halftime, he didn’t even bother warming up with his team. Just watched them from the bench, waiting for the third quarter to start.
But in the end, Douglass was just too much. Marquis Buxton-Hill and the Jenkins twins battled with Spangler all night. It was big-time basketball, and incredibly fun to watch.
Douglass sophomore Stephen Clark was cold from deep, but he kept at it, going to the bucket and doing other little things to help his team. DeVonte Smith showed why he’s one of the most underrated players around, getting to the rim with ease at times.
I still believe Douglass was the state’s best team in any class this season, though I’d love to see them play Tulsa Washington. And though there’s a debate to be had on the topic, I think Spangler might be the state’s best player.
It ultimately was a 12-point Douglass victory, but it was the most entertaining game I’ve watched in a long, long time.
Here’s our postgame video from the Douglass win:
Another great moment from the Big House Saturday night was the final game of the night, the Centennial boys winning the school’s first state title.
That was an fun one, too, with not only the students, but facutly members celebrating like 17-year-olds. One woman, who looked like an adminstrator, was clapping so hard that she broke one of the bracelets on her wrist, which broke into pieces and flew all over the court.
Here’s a link to my follow-up story on the Centennial victory, which also includes the postgame video.
Congrats to all the champions from the Big House the last two weekends. Lots of good basketball. Sad to see the season end.
Be on the lookout for our postseason awards, Super 5, Big and Little All-City, and all that good stuff in a few weeks.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
OKC Player of the Week: T’aries Taylor, Northwest Classen
Hard to imagine, but I think the All-City Athletic Conference might be better this year than it was last year. Northwest Classen is a big part of the surge.
The Knights took third place in a loaded field at the Edmond Open over the weekend, with T’aries Taylor leading the team in scoring in two of the three games.
Taylor scored 26 in the opener against Tulsa Central and followed it up with 19 in the third place game against Lawton Mac to earn all-tournament honors at the Edmond Open.
With Taylor providing a reliable scoring option alongside point guard Jamil Donovan, the Knights will be a team to watch in Class 5A this season. At 5-1 on the season, NWC is up to No. 4 in this week’s rankings.
Other contenders
Talmadge Lawrence, John Marshall: Lawrence averaged 18.5 points in a pair of wins over Star Spencer and Bethany last week. DeMontrey Mitchell also scored 19 against Bethany.
Caleb Crayton, Northeast: Scored 20 in a close win over Centennial, then he and Gabe Houston each had 18 in a win over Chickasha at the Harrah tournament. Crayton had 17, behind 24 from Eric Peabody, on Saturday in a close loss to Choctaw.
Delford Robinson and Michael Ervin, Millwood: Robinson led the Falcons in scoring twice at the Millwood tournament, including 14 in the opener. Ervin had a team-high 12 in the third-place game, an 18-point win over Capitol Hill.
Nico Meadows, Capitol Hill: Meadows had 24 points against US Grant as the sophomore continues to make an early impact for the Redskins.
Tona Edwards and Brianna Pendleton, Northeast: Edwards had 25 against Centennial and Pendleton had 19 in a win over Putnam City. Edwards had 15 against PC and scored 22 of the team’s 35 against Carl Albert. Pendleton led the team with 17 in the championship loss to Del City.
Sharane Campbell and LaKeitha Watson, Star Spencer: Campbell, an OU signee, had 25 in a win over John Marshall and 17 to help Star take third at the Millwood Invitational. Watson had a team-high 20 in the third-place game.
Meshelle Parker, Northwest Classen: Scored 19 points in a win over Classen last Tuesday.
Dayla Threat, Millwood: Averaged 17.5 points over four games last week, helping the Falcons to a runner-up finish at their own tournament.
Te’era Williams, Douglass: Had a team-high 21 against Chickasha on Friday.
