Class 4A state volleyball tournament, Day 1
9:25 p.m.: Last update of the night… Christian Heritage wins 3-1 over Cascia Hall, advancing to the semifinals against Lincoln Christian at 1:45 p.m. Should be a wild Saturday in Chickasha.
7:06: Boneman here. Arrived at Heritage Hall for football between Chargers and Newcastle to learn that the Heritage Hall volleyball team lost to Lincoln Christian in five games. Is it the start of a long night for Charger athletics?
5:51 p.m.: LC takes the third game to pull within 2-1. Fourth game coming up.
5:38 p.m.: Chargers up 2-0, but the third game is much tighter so far. HH leading 15-12.
5:15 p.m.: Heritage Hall is out to a commanding lead against Lincoln Christian. After winning the first game 25-12, the Chargers are on top 16-8 in the second.
4:16 p.m.: After falling behind 5-1 to start the fifth game, Cache rallies for the win. The Bulldogs will face OBA Saturday at noon in the semifinals… The Heritage Hall-Lincoln Christian match, originally scheduled for 3 p.m., will start at about 4:40 p.m.
4 p.m.: Another wild one as Victory Christian rallies to force a fifth game with Cache, which has led in all four games, including an eight-point lead in the second. The Bulldogs have had opportunities to close this one out, but Victory — winners of 27 straight matches coming in — won’t go away.
3 p.m.: Fun with numbers – During the between-games break I took a minute to do some math… Corn Bible Academy has an ADM of 58.0 in the 9th-12th grades, which means more than 25 percent of the high school’s enrollment is on the volleyball team (15 players). To have an equal ratio, Broken Arrow would need 1,192 players to come out for volleyball. That would require 2,384 knee pads.
2:44 p.m.: When I made the reference to Alyssa Wilson and Clinton from last season in my opening post, I did it without having seen Cache play. But the Bulldogs’ Madison Ward fits the mold. Big jumper, hard hitter, and she’s about 6-foot-2. Only a junior, but she’s getting recruited by several major programs around the country. Cache has a 1-0 lead on Victory Christian with the second game about to start.
1:59 p.m.: OBA pulls it out with a 15-7 win in the fifth game. Thriller all the way.
1:45 p.m.: We’re heading to a fifth game in our opening match between Corn Bible and Oklahoma Bible. It’s been tight all the way. The closest game was OBA’s 25-18 win in the second, after trailing 7-2 early.
Noon: We’re under way at the Class 4A state volleyball tournament, wtih Oklahoma Bible and Corn Bible on the court in the first game of the opening match at Chickasha High School.
This is my first visit to the Fightin’ Chicks’ gym since it was built, and it’s a great place for this event. Big enough to accomodate the crowd, but not too big that it feels empty. I’m betting Saturday’s semifinal and final matches will have this place shaking. It’s loud in here now and there isn’t the kind of crowd you’ll have on a Saturday.
And there’s no doubt this tournament is going to get rowdy. It’s an extremely balanced field, and I don’t know that there’s a team playing that would be a surprise if they’re holding the gold ball on Saturday evening.
Of the coaches I spoke with, Heritage Hall, OBA and Christian Heritage are battle-tested. Cascia Hall has been playing its best volleyball the last few weeks. Victory Christian has won 27 straight matches.
Cache and Lincoln Christian have some big hitters — and that plays a huge factor in this tournament… just ask Alyssa Wilson and Clinton last year. Corn Bible is the smallest volleyball-playing school in the state, but they can hang with anyone. And they’ve got a big crowd. For a school with an ADM of 58.00, half the high school must be in attendance here today.
I’ll update the happenings throughout the day. Here’s Friday’s first-round schedule
Game 1: Oklahoma Bible 3, Corn Bible 2 (22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-7)
Game 2: Cache 3, Victory Christian 2 (25-19, 24-26, 25-20, 23-25, 15-9)
3 p.m.: Heritage Hall vs. Lincoln Christian
4:30 p.m.: Cascia Hall vs. Christian Heritage
Saturday’s schedule
Noon: Oklahoma Bible vs. Cache
1:45 p.m.: HH/LC winner vs. Cascia/Christian Heritage winner
3:45 p.m.: Semifinal winners
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Private schools honor: LaRone Richardson, Irish…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Don’t do this too often, but he certainly deserved it. It’s rare that a losing team gets the Player of the Week honor, but I’m not going to deny what Bishop McGuinness RB LaRone Richardson did against Millwood.
Last year it was six touchdowns. This time it was ‘only’ five. Richardson must wish he faced the Falcons every week as he just seems to be able to handle that team.
In a 48-41 loss, Richardson ran for three touchdowns, threw for another and caught another. Trailing 20-0 at one point, the Irish stormed back to make it one of the best games of the week.
Richardson has been healthy this season so far and that’s one big reason why the Irish are contenders for the 4A gold ball. Up next is a Friday district opener against Clinton (I will be there).
Other contenders
Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall, Football: Added three more touchdowns to his total as the Chargers earned a tough 21-12 win at Davis.
CHA offensive line: Crusaders rushed for 342 yards, averaging nearly 10 yards a pop, in big 42-25 win against rival Oklahoma Christian.
Meredith Zerby, Heritage, Cross Country: Zerby was the leading runner for the Chargers, placing 12th at the Kingfisher meet.
Jack Bickford, Casady, Cross Country: Bickford finished 10th in the small schools run at the Edmond Dog Pack meet on Friday.
Private schools: District previews…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
A couple of teams couldn’t be happier that district play has arrived. A couple showed they’re the real deal during non-district action. Here’s your guide to the OKC-area private schools.
Heritage Hall (3-0)
What a difference a year makes. At this time last year the Chargers were 0-3. So far they’ve passed every single test that’s been put in front of them.
Beat a rival, won a physical battle and won on the road in a tough environment. RB Barry J. Sanders has been every bit as good as advertised. But he’s had some help.
Sterling Shepard and Cooper Cloud have shown how a two-QB system can work. Quintaz Struble and Markus Wakefield are even bigger than I remember. There are so many weapons on this team and are easily one of the best teams in 3A.
Week 4: at Centennial on Thursday.
Bishop McGuinness (2-1)
The Irish have played three of the most fun, stressful non-district games in the state. A two-point win vs. Douglass. A thrilling win with :17 left vs. Bishop Kelley. And coming up short in a game where 89 points were scored in a 48-41 loss to Millwood.
RB LaRone Richardson has been dynamite the last two games. Brandon Nguyen has really stepped up on defense. Joe Lewis is another name you’re going to hear a lot about.
McGuinness will have to get the passing game going and QB Camden Tharp shouldn’t have an issue with a target like Jamaal Whitney.
Week 4: vs. Clinton on Friday (I will be there).
Casady (1-3)
Yea, no district stuff here. However, the Cyclones are in the middle of their Southwest Prep Conference battles. Gotta think this team is one year away.
Graham Bennett – junior. Mac Katigan – junior. Garrison Lee – junior. Cassius Calhoun – junior. You get the picture when it comes to this team.
It might be a rough six weeks for Casady but have a feeling it won’t be that bad…it will just feel that way.
Week 5: vs. Dallas Cistercian on Friday.
Other private schools
OCS and Mt. St. Mary’s couldn’t be happier for district play to begin. Both shouldn’t be 0-3 but both are and have received a new beginning…OCA has had it rough without Parker Randell. Eagles have been competitive, but it hasn’t been enough so far…CHA will find out a lot about itself Friday against Jones. Crusaders are off to a nice 2-1 start.
Volleyball: Another new No. 1 in 4A
Three weeks and three different No. 1 teams in the Class 4A OKRankings volleyball coaches’ poll.
Cascia Hall earned the preseason vote, with Heritage Hall taking over last week. Now, it’s Oklahoma Bible Academy, which will put its No. 1 ranking on the line tonight at Bethany.
The Enid-based school is 15-3, coming off a strong run to win the Clinton Tournament in which OBA 8-0 against Oklahoma teams. The only loss was at the hands of Pampa (Texas) HS. And among their victims were 4A’s defending champ, Clinton, No. 4 Cache (twice), No. 8 Corn Bible (twice) and Bethany.
The Trojans also knocked off another top-10 team in Santa Fe South last Tuesday. I’ll be catching up with coach James Ward this week to get his thoughts on the season.
No other major excitement this week in the 4A poll, though Christian Heritage stepped up another spot to No. 4. Big Pasture is in the top 10 with its 13-0 start.
And the 5A and 6A polls stayed mostly the same as well. In 6A, Norman North (11-1) moved up another spot to No. 7.
Shawnee is enjoying the move back down to 5A, jumping up to No. 9. Last year, the Wolves probably would have been state tournament contenders before getting bumped up to 6A just before the season started.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Private schools honor: Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When healthy, he’s one of the most passionate players you’re going to find in the state. The key is going to be staying on the field for Heritage Hall’s Sterling Shepard.
He showed what he can do when he is on the field in a 35-16 win against Casady. Pick a way to score and Shepard did it. He had three touchdowns – one receiving, one rushing and one INT return. He has earned the Private Schools Player of the Week.
The Chargers made a big statement against their rival, catapulting to No. 3 in the Class 3A rankings. It doesn’t slow down as Heritage welcomes Clinton to Pop Murray Field on Friday.
Other contenders
Brandon Nguyen, McGuinness, Football: Defense dominated the day in a 9-7 win against Douglass and Nguyen made several key plays.
Graham Bennett, Casady, Football: A sensational defensive performance in a loss. Had many tackles, a sack and ran down Barry J. Sanders in the open field.
Barry J. Sanders, Heritage, Football: Didn’t play most of the second half but still ended up with almost 300 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Jake Peace, Mt. St. Mary’s, Football: In a 30-28 losing effort against Crooked Oak, Peace was incredible with three receiving touchdowns.
Jack Warren and Logan Magill, OCS, Football: The two accounted for both touchdowns in a tough 19-17 loss to Metro Christian. Magill also had 14 tackles.
Caleb McGehee, CHA, Football: In a 33-0 win against Maysville, McGehee led the charge with three rushing touchdowns.
Bryana Wade, MSM, Softball: Wade is playing a huge role in why the Mount is ranked No. 3 in Class 3A and has a big showdown with Little Axe this week.
Jack Bickford, Casady, Cross Country: Was Cyclones best runner at Edmond Santa Fe meet and Casady placed 10th.
McGuinness volleyball: Irish picked up a big win against rival Heritage Hall last Tuesday.
Anyone else deserve recognition? Let me know.
Heritage Hall, Jenks make moves in volleyball rankings
Only a couple of notable moves in the new volleyball polls released Tuesday morning on OKRankings.com, with Heritage Hall moving ahead of Cascia Hall for the No. 1 spot in Class 4A being the only change in any of the No. 1 slots.
The Chargers defeated Cascia at the Broken Arrow Tournament, which was loaded with good competition from all classes.
In 6A, Edmond Memorial held onto the top spot and Jenks jumped from No. 4 to No. 2 after starting the season 9-0. The Trojans have lost two of their last three, including a loss Monday night to Edmond Santa Fe — the team they moved ahead of for the second spot.
The other team to beat Jenks was 5A’s No. 1, Tulsa Kelley, which is facing off with Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe tonight at Memorial. Should be a couple of thrillers.
Other items worth noting in Tuesday’s polls: Following its big win over Heritage Hall last week, Christian Heritage moved up one spot to fifth in 4A… Unbeaten Putnam City (9-0) moved up to No. 7 in 6A, Norman North (10-1) jumped to No. 8 and 8-3 Mustang slipped into the poll at No. 15… In 5A, unbeaten Coweta (9-0) moved into the top 5 at No. 5 and Southeast is No. 10.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Douglass: Aliston Cobb, Diontay Washington a strong duo…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Your All-City Preview champs, Douglass. Douglass 12, Star Spencer 0 in the final.
You’ll have to forgive us for all the talk about the Douglass passing game. Just wasn’t expecting a passing game as solid under Shon Bridges as what the Trojans showed this summer.
But there is no mistaken the bread-and-butter is going to be the running game, and those responsibilities will belong to Aliston Cobb and Diontay Washington.
I’ve been on the Cobb bandwagon since the semifinals last season when I saw him for the first time. I don’t care that he wasn’t one of the top rushers last year, Cobb is an all-state caliber back. He showed it during the first half of Douglass’ win against Star Spencer in the All-City Preview championship.
What I didn’t know was that Washington ain’t half bad, either. Washington showed a lot of power and earned that final touchdown after having another one called back. And Ian Robinson isn’t a slouch, either.
The Star Spencer defense is going to be rock solid. The Bobcats are going to be in just about every game because of that defense.
Offense is going to take a while. No Darwin Rideau and Terence Olds, and that’s just way too tough to say ‘we’ll find other guys.’ Love Stevo Henderson and what he brings and like the approach that Terrell Love is bringing to the club.
Caught the second half of Millwood and Southeast. Like what the Spartans showed but love what Shevin Patton is bringing to the table for the Falcons.
There was good reason to think this team would be hurting without Emilio Gatewood, but it doesn’t appear so.
Wanted to watch Christian Heritage and Mt. St. Mary’s, but life got in the way. This time life was the whole K.J. Rucker situation at Idabel happening. I missed nearly the entire varsity scrimmage as I was writing away on Rucker and former Jones QB Daxx Garman.
When I was finally done, the Rockets were driving for a last-minute score and sure enough, got it. I actually thought Jake Peace had caught the game-winner a couple plays before that, but he was ruled out of bounds when he caught it.
With six seconds left, quarterback John Tener scrambled for his life before throwing the game’s only touchdown pass for the victory against the Crusaders.
Look for a video with Douglass’ Aliston Cobb on NewsOK this weekend.
Hope you guys liked the zoned tab editions that came out Friday and Sunday is the big statewide preview: ‘The Gift of Grab.’
CHA: Practicing Thanksgiving weekend OK with John Merrell…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
You can't think of CHA without coach John Merrell
Hope you enjoyed the pieces Monday on some of the coaching legends in Oklahoma high school football. I admit it was a hectic week, but I thoroughly enjoyed the long conversations and trips down memory lane with Duncan’s Jim Holloway and Christian Heritage’s John Merrell.
Needless to say, you can’s sum up 30 years in that short of a space so here are some of things that, yes, got lost on the cutting room floor:
* What has high school football meant to you?
“It’s caused so much excitement in my life. It all starts with support. The support I’ve had from my wife. She’s never made me feel guilty for doing what I love. And the support I’ve had from the administration here that has realized just how much athletics mean to the kids and the community.”
* How many more years do you think you’ll still be coaching?
“I have no idea. I’m just listening to the Lord and doing what He wants. I’m taking it one year at a time, and that’s always been my philosophy.”
On former players:
“It’s always great to see them and what they’ve become. Just last week, we had a couple of guys who were on the team 10-12 years ago or so just talking about their time here. I’m happy that those guys can look back and talk about how much their time at CHA has meant to them.”
Another great moment:
“Two years ago. It was our first year as a member of the Activities Association, and we were just so glad to be in it. But we got off to an 0-2 start and were starting to wonder. We won our next eight games, and I remember thinking ‘I’ve never practiced on Thanksgiving weekend.’ Our season was always over by that point. That year, we got to do that, and I had to change my Thanksgiving plans. I had no problems doing that.”
On mission trip to Brazil:
“I went to Brazil in 1988. Well, the whole family went. We were there on a mission trip to help build an airport runway, of all things. We did it and got to see the first plane take off. It is one of the most wonderful experiences in my life.”
On CHA making the state basketball tournament:
“That was incredible. The excitement in the school for that basketball team was something I’ll never forget. That’s what being in the Association has done for us. It’s just created such an exciting atmosphere. It’s definitely easier to go to practice and keep the kids motivated.”
Girls: All-Private Schools Basketball Team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Now that girls’ guru Justin Harper has unveiled his all-city and Super 5 basketball teams, thought I’d chime in with my own picks in the private realm.
First Team
Meagan Henson, Sr., Christian Heritage: Led CHA to first state appearance, headed to TCU
Murphy Burns, Sr., Heritage Hall: A gritty player and natural scorer for the Chargers
Elyse Hight, So., Bishop McGuinness: Her best days are yet to come, strong finisher inside
Cara Pugh, Sr., Bishop McGuinness: The OCU signee was a tough matchup for teams in the post
Alexa Lienhard, Jr., Bishop McGuinness: The team’s most consistent performer, could dominate next year
Second Team
D Brown, Jr., Heritage Hall
Lissy Fuller, Sr., Bishop McGuinness
Dani Childress, So., OCS
Alyssa Puckett, Jr., OCS
Honorable mention
Bishop McGuinness: Kamber McMaster, Sr.; Casady: Shelby Cornelson; Sarah Roush. Heritage Hall: BreAuna Gaddis, So. Mt. St. Mary’s: Liana Garcia, Sr.; OCS: Mackenzie Barnes, Sr.
MVP: Henson
Proves the old adage that good things do come in small packages. Teams would try to key in on her, but she always found a way to make something special happen. Created huge excitement at the school with first state appearance. Good luck at TCU.
Coach of the Year: Jennifer Frakes, Irish
Yea, it was disappointing for the Irish to not make state but tough to discount what the team did this year. With such a solid nucleus coming back, the hunger should be there, and you know Frakes will have the team ready.
Boys: All-Private Schools Basketball Team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Now that Scott Wright has unveiled his Super 5 and All-City teams, would like to chime in with my own thoughts on the private school boys.
First Team
Dalton Newsome, Sr., Mt. St. Mary’s: When the Rockets needed a big bucket, Newsome got the call
Joe Edmonds, So., Bishop McGuinness: Incredible talent will make him one to watch in the future.
Jameel Whitney, Sr., Bishop McGuinness: Versatility at positions and sports is biggest asset
Ryan Shelley, Sr., Casady: Heart and soul of a team that left everything on the floor
Vincent Mason, Sr., Mt. St. Mary’s: A force in the post with double-double potential every night
Second Team
Kevin Caruthers, Sr., Bishop McGuinness
Jack Warren, Jr., OCS
T.J. Holland, So., OCS
Matt Christiansen, So., Bishop McGuinness
Hans Thun, Sr., OCA
Honorable mention
Bishop McGuinness: Zach Murphy. Casady: Preston Sullivan; Bentley Williams, Sr. Christian Heritage: Kenny Wooldridge. Heritage Hall: Collin Groves; Quintaz Struble; Sterling Shepard; Andrew Hudiburg. Mt. St. Mary’s: Christian Hill. OCS: Jake Cranfield.
MVP: Edmonds, Irish
Feels wrong to give it to a sophomore…until you watch him play. Edmonds is the total package, so who knows what’s going to happen and how much he’ll develop in the next two years? Edmonds and Christiansen give McGuinness a solid foundation for next year.
Coach of the Year: Tondrell Durham, Bishop McGuinness
Expectations were not as high for this team, but the Irish always came up big on the biggest stage. Losing to Douglass in the 4A final is nothing to be ashamed about, and the Irish continue to show discipline and execution under Durham’s guidance.
