Edmond Santa Fe’s Khari Harding makes huge hit during practice Wednesday
EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe senior-to-be defensive back Khari Harding made this huge hit on teammate Dale Jefferson during spring practice on Wednesday.
Harding has offers from eight NCAA Division I schools (Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Memphis and Wyoming).
Jefferson had to be helped off the field Wednesday but I’m told he’ll be fine.
Harding (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions last season for the Wolves, which were 10-2 and district champions.
OCA Baseball All-State
Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Baseball
The game will be played July 24 at Oral Roberts (Small school 4:30 p.m., large school 7 p.m.)
Large East
Pitchers: Gabe Coldwell (Stilwell), Jacob Evans (Broken Arrow), Alex Hackerott (Sand Springs)
First baseman: Derrick Haworth (Durant)
Infielders: Donovan Walton (Tulsa Kelley), Mason Mantle (Metro Christian), Brenton Washausen (Claremore), Carter Cumbie (McAlester)
Outfielders: Dylan Helms (Eufaula), Corey Hassel (Stillwater), Adam Boyd (McAlester), J.P. Seifried (Claremore)
Catchers: Kylar Robertson (Sand Springs), Josh Whisler (Owasso)
Large West
Pitchers: Ty Hensley (Edmond Santa Fe), Jordan Watson (Edmond Santa Fe), Carson McPherson (Ardmore)
First baseman: Michael Lowe (Jones)
Infielders: Alex Polston (Carl Albert), Colt Pickens (Yukon), Tanner Dearman (Anadarko), Joe Robinson (Edmond North)
Outfielders: Greg Bruno (Midwest City), Luke Davis (Guthrie), Christian Thaxton (Duncan), T.J. Turner (Lawton MacArthur)
Catchers: Taylor Hawkins (Carl Albert), Dakota Shadoan (Norman North)
Small East
Pitchers: Evan Sanders (Hartshorne), Jacob Lux (Wyandotte), Dillon Proctor (Caddo)
First baseman: Jonathon Samuels (Rattan)
Infielders: Dusty Henry (Afton), Kaleb Matthews (Wellston), Landon Coon (Dale), Ty Miller (Caddo)
Outfielders: Caleb Hill (Wister), Brennon Fuser (Afton), Asa Thomas Manship (Dale), Zach Burns (Tushka)
Catchers: Cash Miller (Coleman), Eddia Lomas (Roff)
Small West
Pitchers: Brett McNaughton (Pioneer), Austin Kretchmar (Okarche), Stetson Buller (Timberlake)
First baseman: Clayton Brewster (Cheyenne)
Infielders: Jason Johnson (Arnett), Brady Baugh (Hennessey), Kent Callison (Lookeba-Sickles), Cameron Nix (Carnegie)
Outfielders: Josh Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Dillon Almaguer (Granite), Jeff Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Aaron McCandless (Shattuck)
Catchers: Cody Hunter (Arnett), Landon Larue (Crescent)
Football: Edmond Santa Fe hires Chris Rose as defensive coordinator
EDMOND — Filling the vacant defensive coordinator position was one of Edmond Santa Fe coach Lance Manning’s most important tasks this offseason.
The position has been filled; Manning said Monday he has hired former Midwest City defensive coordinator Chris Rose.
Rose was considered a top candidate to replace Steve Huff as the Bombers’ head coach, but the job ultimately went to former Tulsa Washington and Star Spencer coach Darrell Hall.
Rose replaces Kenny Young, who retired after one year as the Wolves’ defensive coordinator. Before that, he had a long, successful tenure as head coach at Bishop McGuinness.
Rose was formerly an assistant coach at Edmond Memorial, where he was also the boys’ soccer coach.
He inherits a defense that lost some of its best players from 2011, but is also bringing several good ones back.
The Wolves lost defensive ends Michael Onuoha, who signed with OU, and Josh Crouch, who combined for 162 tackles and 16 sacks a year ago.
Also gone is defensive back Conner Bays, who made 101 tackles and will play college ball at Southwestern Oklahoma State.
But returning for Santa Fe is cornerback Khari Harding, who boasts offers from several Division I schools and is one of the top college prospects in the state for the class of 2013.
Linebacker Jerremy Moore also returns after recording 102 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.
Manning is entering his second season as Edmond Santa Fe’s coach. In 2010, the Wolves were 1-9, but in Manning’s first season, the team went 10-2 and won its district.
Baseball state tournament pairings
CLASS 6A
At Claremore
Thursday
Game 1: Moore vs. Broken Arrow, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Jenks vs. Yukon, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Owasso vs. Edmond North, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Edmond Santa Fe vs. Stillwater, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.
CLASS 5A
At Tulsa Union
Thursday
Game 1: Shawnee vs. Claremore, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Skiatook vs. Carl Albert, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Guthrie vs. Durant, 4 p.m.
Game 4: McAlester vs. Deer Creek, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, noon
CLASS 4A
At Shawnee
Thursday
Game 1: Berryhill vs. Heritage Hall, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Anadarko vs. Tecumseh, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Hilldale vs. Byng, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Weatherford vs. Oologah, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner. 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 5 p.m.
CLASS 3A
Thursday
At Edmond Memorial
Game 1: Marlow vs. Jones, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Henryetta vs. Metro Christian, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Salina vs. Plainview, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Verdigris vs. Spiro, 6:30 p.m.
At Shawnee
Friday
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, noon
CLASS 2A
At Dolese Park
Thursday
Game 1: Dale vs. Fairview, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Silo vs. Hennessey, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Ketchum vs. Tushka, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Oktaha vs. Wister, 6:30 p.m.
Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
At Shawnee
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.
Boys basketball: Edmond Santa Fe, Edmond North set to hire coaches
Bishop McGuinness coach Tondrell Durham has been mentioned by sources as a candidate for the Edmond Santa Fe job.
EDMOND — Edmond Public Schools will recommend the hiring of boys basketball coaches for Edmond Santa Fe and Edmond North to the school board Tuesday morning, district athletic director Mike Nunley said.
Edmond Santa Fe is hiring its third-ever boys basketball coach after Shawn Schenk was dismissed in late March.
Schenk was Santa Fe’s coach for six seasons. Last month, the Wolves advanced to the 6A semifinals.
Bishop McGuinness coach Tondrell Durham, Douglass’ Terry Long and Mount St. Mary’s Lenny Hatchett have all been mentioned by sources as candidates for the Edmond Santa Fe job.
Durham’s Irish squad won the Class 5A state championship last month. It was Durham’s fifth title with the school since he became coach in 2001.
Long won his third consecutive 4A title last month at Douglass, while Hatchett has been Mount St. Mary’s coach since 2004.
For Edmond North, it will be the school’s fourth boys basketball coach in four seasons. Quinn Wooldridge, who was hired last summer, resigned to become head coach at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany earlier this month.
Edmond North athletic director Tom Snider said then long-term stability would be one of the main criteria in hiring Wooldridge’s replacement.
Boys soccer: Edmond Memorial fighting on through rough season
EDMOND — Edmond Memorial’s boys soccer team has had a rough season so far.
Twenty minutes into its first game, senior leader Bryan Sanchez tore both of his ACLs.
“It was pretty tough on him,” said coach Jeff Lovett. “It was tough on the entire team. He was a senior, the captain and he had a great year for us last year.”
Sanchez’s injury was especially tough on him because his brother, junior Blake Sanchez, is the Bulldogs’ starting goalie.
“They were excited about playing together this year,” Lovett said.
Lovett said senior Jared Glenn has stepped up and provided leadership for the team. Glenn leads the team in goals.
Memorial is 2-4 this season entering Tuesday’s game at unbeaten U.S. Grant, but one loss was in a shootout, one was in overtime and another was by one goal in regulation.
Girls soccer: Two-time defending champion Edmond North coming together
Edmond North soccer player Britani Soesbee is injured. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Edmond North’s girls soccer team, which has won two straight Class 6A state titles, has won four straight matches to open district play entering Tuesday’s contest at Yukon.
North is playing without senior midfielder Britani Soesbee, a USAO signee who is injured and will be out another couple weeks, Flanders said.
Thursday, the Huskies will head to Kansas City, Mo., to play in the Heart of America Classic, which will feature several top teams from eight different states.
“It will be a great bonding experience,” said Edmond North coach Theresa Flanders. “It comes at the right time — in the middle of district, right as we’re trying to start peaking. It’s a great time for coaches and players to come together.”
Edmond North opens Thursday at 6:45 against Ray-Pec (Peculiar, Mo).
The Huskies are one of six Oklahoma teams competing in the Classic, along with Norman North, Deer Creek, Jenks, Tulsa Bishop Kelley and Tulsa Union.
Deer Creek opens Thursday at 4:45 p.m. against Lee’s Summit (Mo.), while Norman North begins Friday at 3:45 p.m. against Lee’s Summit West.
Edmond Santa Fe’s Khari Harding, Justice Hansen attending OU spring game
Edmond Santa Fe sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen will attend the Red-White game in Norman on Saturday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe junior defensive back Khari Harding and sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen will both attend Oklahoma’s annual Red-White spring game Saturday in Norman.
Harding announced that Sooners’ co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel invited him to the game on Twitter. Hansen confirmed his invite in a text message to The Oklahoman.
Harding, who had 71 tackles and three interceptions as a junior for the Wolves, has six offers — Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Indiana, Kansas State and Wyoming.
Hansen had a breakout sophomore season and appears to be one of the top Oklahoma prospects of the class of 2014. He threw for 2,558 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushed for 529 yards and eight scores, in leading the Wolves to the Class 6A quarterfinals and a 10-2 record.
Hansen has offers from Missouri and Arkansas.
Edmond North’s boys basketball team loses another coach
EDMOND — The seniors on next year’s Edmond North boys basketball team will play for their fourth coach.
Quinn Wooldridge, who was hired last summer, resigned to become head coach at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. Wooldridge will replace Mark Arthur, the school’s athletic director who has been basketball coach for 20 years.
Wooldridge was a men’s basketball assistant at Oklahoma City University before taking the Edmond North job, and was previously McAlester’s head coach from 2003-2005.
Edmond North athletic director Tom Snider said Wooldridge’s departure is disappointing because the boys basketball program, which was 5-18 this season, needs stability.
“(Before he was hired), one of the main things we talked about was getting stability with this program,” Snider said. “But, life happens, as they say.”
Snider said he hopes to have a new coach hired before the May school board meeting, and that long-term stability will again be one of the main criteria in making a hire.
“It was hard to go down there and tell those kids that this has happened again,” Snider said. “The kids were really disappointed.”
OCA Girls All-State teams announced
The Oklahoma Coaches Association released its girls All-State teams Thursday. The OCA girls games will be played July 25 at the Mabee Center. The small school game starts at 7 p.m. with the large school game at 8:30 p.m.
Large East
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
U’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Jodi Glover, Fort Gibson
Devaughn Gray, Tulsa Washington
Lashanda Green McAlester
Kelsee Grovey, Shawnee
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
Lanesha Middleton, Stillwater
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Miranda Taylor, Claremore
Coaches: Carl Treat, Stillwater; Matt Sweeney, Oologah
Large West
Kylie Boggess, Piedmont
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
Rasheeda Kabba, Westmoore
Toni Smith, Del City
Kati Sullivan, Anadarko
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Te’era Williams, Douglass
Coaches: Jeff Mahoney, Elgin; Dandy Peeler, Edmond Memorial
Small East
Courtney Backward, Salina
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Megan Brown, Howe
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Pete Douglas, Oktaha
Charitee Evans, Red Oak
Shanna Harrison, Adair
Kenzie Solberg, Chandler
Brooke Watkins, Prague
Coaches: Brandon Lindly, Wright City; Mike Buntin, Verdigris
Small West
Jamie Brown, Chattanooga
Lexie Brown, Hammon
Casi Cornell, Thomas
Kori Fast, Fairview
Jordan Garner, Amber-Pocasset
Bailey McBride, Chattanooga
Lacey Paulk, Washington
Katelyn Richardson, Calumet
Jordynn Van Pelt, Snyder
Shayla Williams, Northeast
Coaches: Cherie Myers, Okarche; Kirk Harris, Marlow
