Enid to hire Yukon defensive coordinator Steve Chard
Yukon defensive coordinator Steve Chard is expected to be named the head coach at Enid on Thursday.
Enid is expected to hire Yukon defensive coordinator Steve Chard as its new head coach, sources confirmed to The Oklahoman.
The Enid School Board called a special board meeting for 12:15 p.m. Thursday, with the vote to approve or disapporove the hiring of a football coach listed on the agenda.
Chard has been the Yukon defensive coordinator the last three seasons, helping the Millers to three consecutive playoff appearances.
Chard’s move to Enid, which was first reported by the Oklahoma High School Sports Express, will be his second head coaching job. He was the head coach at Chickasha from 2005-08. Before that, he spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Owasso, and also worked as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Deer Creek, where he helped the Antlers to the 2000 Class 3A state championship.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK
6A-4 All-District team
District 6A-4 All-District
Co-Coach of the Year: Tucker Barnard, Stillwater
Co-Coach of the Year: Bill Patterson, Owasso
District Most Valuable Plater: Jerame Littell, Stillwater
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Keon Hatcher, Owasso
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Jesse Vester, Stillwater
Defensive Player of the Year: Blace Walser, Tulsa Union
All-District Team
Quarterbacks: T.J. Eckert, Bixby; Darrack Harger, Sand Springs; Brent Wilson, Ponca City.
Running backs: Andrew Minter, Stillwater; Luke Owens, Sand Springs; Jack Wiseman, Bartlesville.
Wide receivers: Derrick Ewing, Ponca City; Mitchell Foote, Enid; Corey Hassell, Stillwater; Ryan Mischler, Tulsa Union.
Tight ends: Matt Gallagher, Owasso; Matthew Herman, Tulsa Union; Tyler Wilson, Ponca City.
Offensive linemen: Grant Christian, Tulsa Union; Taylor Craig, Stillwater; Kollin Gregory, Tulsa Union; Lance Kloker, Owasso; Daniel Murray, Bixby; Chance Russell, Owasso; Hal Trentman, Bartlesville.
Defensive linemen: Carlos Bustillos, Enid; Garrett Davenport, Stillwater; Bonner Hoge, Tulsa Union; Taylor Long, Bartlesville; Gary Wilson, Sand Springs; Paul Wilson, Stillwater.
Linebackers: Alex Aucoin, Owasso; Kyle Crutchmer, Tulsa Union; Spencer Haff, Sand Springs; Chakota Mays, Bartlesville; Jake McGill, Bixby; Jordan Wynans, Sand Springs.
Defensive backs: Ross Catlin, Ponca City; Josh McGlothlin, Bixby; Austrin Schwalk, Owasso; Thomas, Tulsa Union; Sawyer Vaclaw, Bartlesville.
Punter: Mason Briggs, Bixby.
Kicker: Dulton Swearingen, Sand Springs.
Connie Mack state baseball bracket
Here’s the bracket for the Connie Mack State Tournament, which begins Tuesday at Enid’s David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
Tuesday
Game 1: Southmoore vs. Woodward CM, noon
Game 2: Enid Minors vs. Edmond Stars, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: WW Minors vs. CC Shockers, 5 p.m.
Game 4: OKC Broncos vs. Enid Majors, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Game 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, noon
Game 6: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: OKC Sandlot vs. Game 1 Winner, 5 p.m.
Game 8: Game 2 Winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
*After Thursday’s play, pairing will be determined by AABC rules
Game 12: TBA vs. TBA, 5 p.m.
Game 13: TBA vs. TBA, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Game 14: TBA vs. TBA, noon
Game 15: TBA vs. TBA, 2:30 p.m.
Game 16: TBA vs. TBA, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Game 17: Championship, 1 p.m.
Game 18: Championship, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Champion advances to South Plains National Regional in Fort Worth
Enid’s Tommy Parker remembers Austin Box
OU linebacker and former Enid star Austin Box died Thursday. He was 22.
Enid football coach Tommy Parker was the defensive coordinator for the Plainsmen when Austin Box was starring for Enid.
Parker said he wasn’t sure the news of Box’s death had hit him yet Thursday afternoon.
“He was a great kid, just the ultimate competitor,” Parker said. “He’s the best athlete I’ve ever coached but more than that, he was the best competior I’ve ever coached.
“He was a real coachable player. He thrived on being coached. This is a sad, sad day for Plainsmen football and the Enid community.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I’m not sure if this has hit me yet. Absolute disbelief. I wish I had other words, but I don’t right now.”
Box, a linebacker for Oklahoma, died Thursday. He was 22. He was a star at Enid before his time with the Sooners and helped the Plainsmen reach the state championship game in 2006.
Parker replaced Tom Cobble as Enid’s head coach in 2008.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
No dominant team in girls tennis
Tennis
Tournament of Champions
At Heritage Hall
Girls
Team scoring: 1. Edmond Memorial 25; 2. (tie) Edmond North, Jenks 22; 4. (tie) McGuinness, Enid 20; 6. Duncan 16; 7. Heritage Hall 15; 8. Cascia Hall 8.
Championships
No. 1 singles: Chiaf, McGuinness, def. Bowen, Heritage Hall, 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 singles: Montgomery, Edmond Memorial, def. Hayes, Edmond North
No. 1 doubles: Pepper-Reed, Edmond North, def. Waldron-Wei, Jenks, 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 doubles: Dick-Zaloudek, Enid, def. Siegler-Siegler, Jenks, 6-3, 7-6
Chiaf earns title
It’s evident that the Bishop McGuinness girls tennis team won’t be the dominant force that it’s been in recent years.
But don’t think the Irish still won’t be in the hunt for another state championship. Senior Ashleigh Chiaf earned the No. 1 singles championship with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Heritage Hall’s Sarah Bowen on Friday afternoon at the Tournament of Champions at Heritage Hall.
It was the first time the girls had played against each other in two years when Bowen had defeated Chiaf at this same tournament.
“It was about ‘want to’ today,” Chiaf said. “I really wanted this win. We always play tough matches, but I was able to persevere in the tough points.”
It is the first year at singles for Chiaf after winning three state championships in doubles.
Bowen had a three-set battle with Piper Huey of Jenks in the semifinals, while Chiaf cruised to the final. Chiaf was really on her game in this tournament. You can tell that she is taking a lot of pride in being a senior and leading this team.
Bulldogs win team championship
If Friday’s competition was any indication of what the state tournament is going to be like, it’s an open field.
Four different teams won the individual championships with Edmond Memorial taking home the team title.
For the Bulldogs, it was about consistency. Every player won at least two matches and No. 2 singles player Megan Montgomery earned the championship with a win against Edmond North’s Annie Hayes.
The Huskies and Jenks tied for second, while McGuinness and Enid tied for fourth in the eight-team field.
Gonna be interesting to see the lineups being tinkered with. Definitely think Edmond North is going to be fluctuating all season until coach Dee Ann Wallar makes up her mind. A lot of talent there, just about finding the right spot.
Kinda surprised that Edmond Memorial took home the crown but says a lot about what Randy Mays is doing there. You go 9-3 against a field like this, well, you have nothing to be ashamed about.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
All-Centennial Conference boys basketball postseason honors
Here is the All-Centennial Conference team as selected by the coaches from the conference members, Lawton, Lawton Eisenhower, Enid, Stillwater and Ponca City.
Player of the Year – Jordan Pound, Stillwater
Coach Of the Year – Michael Davis, Stillwater
All-Conference Team
Alex Budke, Stillwater
Austin Brinker, Stillwater
Zack Brown, Lawton Eisenhower
Dominique Perkins, Lawton Eisenhower
Mitchell Foote, Enid
Alex Patterson, Enid
Brent Wilson, Ponca City
Cole Hibler, Ponca City
Kendall Suttles, Lawton
Richard Sheperd, Lawton
Honorable Mention All–Conference
Josh Pierre, Stillwater
Connor Lamb, Stillwater
Delvonte Pierre, Lawton
Jalon Jackson, Enid
Brandon Wilcoxson, Ponca City
Sherief Stafford, Lawton Eisenhower
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Jacob Strassle, Zac Grismer do little things for Mustang
Bruce Gray Invitational
Boys
McGuinness JV 55, Star Spencer 54 – seventh place
OCS 74, Western Heights 72 – fifth place
Deer Creek 53, Enid 31 – third place
Mustang 72, Putnam North 64 – championship
Ahh, so that’s why Mustang is good. I said Sunday that neither myself nor Scott Wright had seen why the Mustang boys were getting so much respect.
Monday night I found out why. They do the little things. Especially Jacob Strassle and Zac Grismer – they do the dirty work necessary to earn the tough victories.
Any 50/50 ball last night went to the Broncos, no doubt about it. Putnam North made a nice run to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, but Mustang deserved this win.
I still don’t think Mustang has the greatest perimeter shooting team out there. But it doesn’t have to be if you execute in the other parts of the game, which is exactly what Alan Green’s boys do.
Another good game from PCN’s Armon Provo and Joe Summers. And with the Panthers going east, I could definitely see this team making the state tournament.
Mustang also made its free throws to get rid of any drama. David Glidden was 7 of 8 alone in the fourth quarter. Well played game.
Deer Creek 53, Enid 31
Nice statement by the Antlers here. A well-balanced effort sparked by the post players to earn this victory.
Josh Fields and Anthony Clark are both just juniors and the last two games they both looked good. This team has to be more than Garrett Hermanski, and it is so intrigued to see what happens against Piedmont and Carl Albert later this week.
After Alex Patterson went down, seemed like Enid was a little deflated.
OCS 74, Western Heights 72
Ah, the most fun game of the day. It was all Jack Warren of OCS and Alton Whittaker of Western Heights.
Then in the second half, it was all T.J. Holland of OCS and Western Heights’ Kenneth Mayfield. Warren and Holland – 51 points. Mayfield and Whittaker – 54 points.
Mayfield went nuts in the fourth quarter. He scored 23 points and shot the lights out. He made a three and Deer Creek’s Grant Gower was trying to announce it when the lights went out.
Almost a huge comeback by Western Heights who were down 65-51 midway through the fourth.
Warren had 27 with 19 in the first half. Holland had 24 with 18 in the second half.
OCS didn’t play McGuinness JV as I thought because no matter what, the Irish were going to play in losers’ games. They understood that and were fine with it. Even if McGuinness JV had beaten Mustang on Friday, Mustang would have advanced. For what it’s worth, the JV team went 2-1 and beat Star Spencer on Monday.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Joh’Vonna Mitchell’s buzzer beater at Bruce Gray Invitational
Bruce Gray Invitational
Girls
OCS 52, PC West 45 – seventh place
Deer Creek 53, Western Heights 50 – fifth place
Enid 40, Star Spencer 30 – third place
Putnam North 44, McGuinness 42 – championship
There it is. Putnam North making me look stupid.
Going into the championship, I thought the Irish were going to handle the Panthers. But by the end of the first quarter, knew differently.
Was a little worried for Putnam North after Joh’Vonna Mitchell picked up two fouls in the first four minutes, but Kelsey Abraham kept the team rolling in the first half and rightfully earned the MVP honors of the tournament.
Likewise, that was the best game I’ve seen from McGuinness’ Caroline Cameron, who scored 13 of her 18 points in the first half to keep the Irish within striking distance.
Rae Rae Brannon came up huge in the second half for PCN, scoring all 12 of her points after halftime.
Tremendous atmosphere in a game that pitted two non-hosting teams in a tournament final. Great battle down the stretch. And while last year Putnam North didn’t make that final basket, this year, yep, Mitchell did it.
Enid 40, Star Spencer 30
Seriously, Enid fans are lucky to get to watch Courtney Chelf every single game. She is something special. She had 13 of the team’s 15 points at halftime.
In the second half, more Pacers got involved and Enid really took control. Kept waiting for that Star Spencer run, just wasn’t in the cards this time around.
Enid’s a solid team, but solid won’t get the job done in 6A girls competition. Gonna be a dog fight in the next month for those state berths.
Deer Creek 53, Western Heights 50
The Antlers are coming around. You look at that lineup and see a bunch of freshmen and sophomores, but it’s coming together.
Sophomore Alexa Adair looks so much more confident than she did back in December. This team is learning to win the close games, and I think they’re right back in the hunt for a state berth.
Bayli Blanchard is doing a good job in the post, and it was a good battle between Blanchard and Western Heights’ star Dilan Webster.
The Jets made a big comeback in the fourth and took a 50-49 lead, but Adair hit four free throws in the final minute to earn the win.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational: Joe Summers, Armon Provo too much for Antlers…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational
Monday (I’ll be there)
At Deer Creek
Seventh place: McGuinness JV vs. Star Spencer, 11:30 a.m.
Fifth place: Western Heights vs. OCS, 2:30
Third place: Deer Creek vs. Enid, 5:30
Championship: Mustang vs. Putnam North, 8:30
I felt Deer Creek would have to play a near perfect game to beat Putnam North. The Antlers didn’t, and the Panthers cruised in the fourth quarter to a 69-53 victory.
I have never seen Garrett Hermanski bottled up like that. PCN’s Armon Provo, an explosive scorer in his own right, put the clamps on one of the best juniors in the state. Provo frustrated Hermanski, was extremely physical with him and never let Hermanski get into that groove.
Hermanski had five points at halftime and nine points total. Great job by Provo.
If it was Provo on defense, then it was the Joe Summers show on offense. He hit three 3s in the first half that really set the tone for his game. Antlers had to come out and guard him, and he’s too strong off the dribble.
It was interesting because Deer Creek’s Jalen Burnett is a really talented player. However, the size of Summers was something he simply could not deal with it. Burnett still managed to have a really good game, but it was a clear difference of 5A and 6A in terms of the size there.
In contrast, the Panthers learned why the Deer Creek community goes ga-ga over sophomore Joel Blumenthal. He was trying to put the team on his back in the third quarter. He scored 11 points, including connecting on three 3s to pull the game within 41-38. However, all runs must come to an end, and Deer Creek couldn’t muster a response after JR Simon hit a three-point play and Provo drained a 3 at the end of the third to make it 50-42.
Mustang 46, Enid 38
Interesting Mustang team. First time I’ve gotten to see them. Do a lot of the gritty things, not afraid to go in there and mix it up. Not sure if the Broncos have the perimeter shooting for a long run.
Impressed with Ben Berry and David Glidden. Speaking of Glidden, he took a nasty shot to his shoulder in the third quarter but missed minimal time. After getting checked out, he was right back out there.
I see why Mustang is so highly regarded by opposing coaches, but neither myself nor Scott Wright has seen Mustang on its best day. Perhaps that will be Monday?
Looking ahead to Monday…
Rematch of last year’s final when Provo absolutely went off for 33 points and a PCN title. I don’t see this one being a blowout at all, but I stated earlier I thought Rick Harris’ boys would win it so I’ll stand by that.
Deer Creek coach Matt Bailey faces his former squad, Enid, in the third-place game. It’s not as simple as Hermanski vs. Alex Patterson and whoever has the better game, his team wins, but it’s close. They trigger so much on their respective teams when they’re playing well.
And OCS, who I almost left for dead after Thursday, has a chance to claim fifth place against a surprising McGuinness JV team. After losses to Heritage Hall and Deer Creek, big response by the Saints against Star Spencer.
Bruce Gray Invitational: Irish girls survive vs. Star Spencer…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bruce Gray Invitational
Monday (I’ll be there)
At Deer Creek
Girls
Seventh place: OCS vs. Putnam West, 10 a.m.
Fifth place: Deer Creek vs. Western Heights, 1 p.m.
Third place: Enid vs. Star Spencer, 4 p.m.
Championship: McGuinness vs. Putnam North, 7 p.m.
Somebody asked me Thursday to predict the winners in the Bruce Gray Invitational, and I said the McGuinness girls and the Putnam North boys. I was three minutes away from being wrong Saturday.
The Irish girls trailed Star Spencer 35-29 before going on a 13-2 run to win 42-37 and advance to Monday’s championship game.
I’ve never seen McGuinness look so lost as it did yesterday. Coach Jennifer Burch gave Star Spencer a lot of the credit as the 1-2-2 zone befuddled the normally efficient Irish.
Burch said when the offense is down, the defense can’t let up. It didn’t. Eventually it was the defense that spurred the run. The press was able to create turnovers and Elyse Hight came up big down the stretch as she has for basically the whole season.
Another great game by Sharane Campbell of Star Spencer. She’s a fighter, no doubt. Felt like Star had set up McGuinness for that knockout blow but simply never delivered it.
Putnam North 45, Enid 37
Another two years with Courtney Chelf, Enid fans are lucky. She’s a good one and her three-pointer at the end of the third made it 30-29 Enid going into the fourth.
However, this was a good statement made by the Panthers. I always look to Joh’Vonna Mitchell and Alexis Watson, but Kelsey Abraham was the star in this one. And give a lot of credit to Blaire Hall’s eight points off the bench.
Watson took a nasty fall midway through the third with PCN leading 27-23. She missed the rest of the third and start of the fourth before coming back in. She seemed OK, hope she is for Monday night.
Looking ahead to Monday…
I think Rae Rae Brannon is going to have to come up big for the Panthers. She’s tiny, but she has more quickness than what the Irish are used to dealing with. Mitchell cannot get in foul trouble against Hight and Alexa Lienhard (and vice versa on that one).
Third-place game should be a good battle between Chelf and Campbell. I like Enid in a close one. Fifth-place game is intriguing in the grand scheme of things as Western Heights and Deer Creek might be still standing when it comes to the 5A state tournament. I like Dilan Webster to help the Jets prevail in that one.
