OCA: Elzie Clark video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Having someone coach both the boys and girls basketball teams isn’t something all that new. It seems like it happens at 3-5 places per school year.
But I was intrigued after speaking to Oklahoma Christian Academy coach Elzie Clark about why he chose to do it.
After spending the last 10 years as the boys coach, why now? And it was his answers that fueled Tuesday’s story.
All he could talk about was what it meant to the kids – about giving them the best possible chance to succeed. If you have stability at the position, that’s more likely to happen.
Like he said: “You can be a part of a program or you can go to a place and BE the program.”
Got a chance to watch him in action Monday night. The boys game was fun because you got to see how Clark and assistant Robert Gregg work. A close game, they were making the necessary adjustments and pulled out a tough 69-61 win vs. Alex.
However, it was actually the girls game that was more intriguing to me. Facing a talented Amber-Pocasset team, Am-Po led 33-3 at half. But the second half, Clark never let the girls get down on themselves.
“It’s all about confidence. It’s OK if you miss one or two shots, keep competing,” Clark said.
And the Eagles did compete. Obviously, Am-Po took its foot off the gas a little, but OCA did a much better job of executing in the second half.
However, the best thing was watching Clark coach his girls on the bench. During free throws or dead balls, how he would take the time to explain things. Also, he kept the mood light. He didn’t show signs of frustration and was helping the girls see the positive.
Am-Po ended up winning 51-21 as no doubt the Panthers have a real chance at making the state tournament. It might not be this year for OCA, but the Eagles have a young nucleus and stability with Clark at the helm.
For my story on Clark, go here. And for the video, here ya go:
OCA: Zach Ruff a name to watch…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
OCA's Elzie Clark pulls double duty every night as both boys and girls basketball coach.
It’s Tournament Week time. We all know what that means. You can catch your Varsity writers at a different tournament every day this week.
I kicked it off Monday night at the Grady County Tournament at USAO in Chickasha. My mission? To watch Oklahoma Christian Academy coach Elzie Clark as he juggled coaching both the boys and girls.
Gotta say it was an interesting experience to see the way he would coach the boys vs. the way he coaches the girls. Clark is in his 11th season as the boys coach and first as the girls.
OCA split Monday as the boys took out Alex 69-61, while the Amber-Pocasset girls were too much for the Eagles 51-21.
Going to these smaller tournaments give us a chance to see some kids we don’t normally get a chance to. On this night, it was a battle between OCA’s Zach Ruff and Alex’s Zach Mainka.
Two Zachs, two sophomores, totally different games. Ruff is a driver and slasher. He’s able to get to the rim when he wants to, and he did a great job of finishing when he got there.
Mainka is the big boy down on the block. He cleans up the glass and does a great job of pounding it off the backboard and finishing.
Ruff finished with 34 points, while Mainka had 28 before fouling out. Ultimately, Mainka fouling out allowed OCA to be a lot more aggressive, and it took advantage.
The Eagles were down 54-49 early in the fourth quarter before taking control. Ruff had some help as junior Mark Seiter added 16 points, including crucial free throws down the stretch.
First time I’ve been to USAO…not too bad. Look for a video with Clark on NewsOK on Tuesday.
Tuesday: Pott County Tournament at OBU (Wright)
Wednesday: Caddo Tournament at Anadarko (Harper)
Thursday: Buckle of the Wheatbelt at Kingfisher (Przybylo)
Friday and Saturday: Justin has Friday and Scott has Saturday, but we’ll have to play it by ear to see what intriguing stories are out there.
All-Private schools football team…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Back again. This time around we’re looking at the private schools in the Oklahoma City area. Plenty of good choices, couple of tough calls.
Here ya go:
All-Private schools
Offense
QB — Cooper Cloud, Heritage Hall
RB — Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall
RB — LaRone Richardson, Bishop McGuinness
WR — Skyler Sikes, OCS
WR — Jake Peace, Mt. St. Mary’s
WR — Charlie Cho, OCA
OL — Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
OL — Connor Morrison, Casady
OL — Bill Johnston, Heritage Hall
OL — Graham Bennett, Casady
OL — David Krenger, Bishop McGuinness
K — Keegan Carter, OCS
P — Kenny Wooldridge, CHA
Defense
DL — Zach Collums, Mt. St. Mary’s
DL — Nick Callaway, Bishop McGuinness
DL — Quintaz Struble, Heritage Hall
DL — Dakota Leftwich, Bishop McGuinness
LB — Garrison Lee, Casady
LB — Josh Blair, CHA
LB — Brandon Nguyen, Bishop McGuinness
LB — Graham Busby, Heritage Hall
DB — Mac Katigan, Casady
DB — Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall
DB — Tyler Konarik, Bishop McGuinness
KR — Jamaal Whitney, Bishop McGuinness
Offensive Player of the Year: LaRone Richardson, Bishop McGuinness
Defensive Player of the Year: Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall
Coach of the Year: Andy Bogert, Heritage Hall
Where to put Sterling Shepard became the biggest question. I had him at WR, KR and DB before deciding DB was where he could help this team the most. Bennett should be a DL, but he can be an OL, too, so we’ll be OK. No doubts on my three awards. If I switched and made Shepard offense, I would have gone with Lee of Casady as the defensive player.
Private schools honor: Camden Tharp, McGuinness…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
That’s the kind of statement you wanted to make if you were McGuinness before the playoffs. The Irish were able to get the passing game going to go with that incredible rushing attack, and it led to a blowout win at Guymon.
Quarterback Camden Tharp hasn’t had the greatest season ever, but the last few weeks have been a step in the right direction. Against Guymon, he threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another.
If the Irish are balanced on offense, look out, could be a bad sign for the rest of the state. The running game added another 272 yards.
In the best first round matchup of the week, the Irish are at Glenpool on Friday night.
Other contenders
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall: Nothing new to what he’s doing, but his consistency has been incredible. Added another four touchdowns in win vs. Kingfisher.
Josh Bivens, OCA: Oklahoma Christian Academy went out on top as Bivens notched three touchdowns in a 45-0 blowout against Sasakwa.
Colton Lindsey, CHA: Freshman quarterback is coming of age. Lindsey threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another in Crusaders victory over Crooked Oak.
Joseph Reis-Herron, Mt. St. Mary’s: Momentum for next year for Rockets? End year on two-game winning streak as Reis-Herron tallied five rushing touchdowns in cruising to win vs. Walters.
Cooper Cloud, Heritage Hall: Not much said about passing game for Chargers, but Cloud notched three more touchdown passes and didn’t throw a pick.
Private schools honor: LaRone Richardson, McGuinness…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Gonna keep this short because you can read much in Tuesday’s paper. I thought I had lost my chance to name LaRone Richardson the best player of the week.
Seriously, how do you top his five-score outing in a loss to Millwood? Um, well, he did. Richardson found the end zone six times in a dominating win against Piedmont.
Always one of my favorite kids to talk to, look for his story in Tuesday’s paper.
Other contenders
Garrison Lee, Casady: Found out the day before the game he would be playing defensive line, and he was one of the best players on the field in the loss to Bellaire Episcopal.
Chris Easterly, OCS: Playing running back just because the Saints have no one left. How’d he do? Five touchdowns in the OCS win against Northeast.
Josh Bivens, OCA: I was really pumped about this team until the Parker Randell injury. Bivens notched four touchdowns in the win against Macomb, the Eagles’ first of the year.
Ray Frazier, Mt. St. Mary’s, Cross Country: Frazier was impressive at the state meet, placing fourth overall as the Rockets earned seventh.
Maddy Hill, McGuinness, Cross Country: The Irish girls were dominant at the 5A regional, placing second, third, fourth and sixth in winning the event.
Note: No Heritage contenders because SeeWorth Academy forfeited the game last week.
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.
District previews: Class B rewind…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
We’re rollin’ right along with the district previews. I tell ya one of the toughest things has been to try to remember what teams are in what district now. Got comfortable the last two years.
Before we start hitting our eight-district classes, here’s a look back at Class B:
District B-4: Summit Christian made quite the little noise last year in the OSSAA in basketball and now it has a chance to do the same in football.
Despite never playing in the OSSAA before, coaches believe the Ron Davis-led team is going to be the team to beat this year in B-4.
Looking for a player to watch? Opposing coaches couldn’t say enough good things about Depew’s Roy Lewis. Scary thing is he’s only a junior.
For more on B-4, including the coaches’ poll, here ya go.
District B-3: Teams and coaches should be wearing name tags as there are an astounding eight new teams to the district. Some teams moved up, some moved down….and well, there ya go.
I’m looking for big things from Allen. After so many tough losses last year, you have to get stronger from that, right? Quarterback Brady Caldwell will be one to watch. And much like Lewis at Depew, Caldwell is only a junior.
For more on B-3, including the coaches’ poll, here ya go.
District B-2: As the private schools writer, I’ve caught time and time again with Oklahoma Christian Academy’s Keith Lough. He’s good people, and I’m excited to take a trip to the Eagles’ new field. OCA has one of the most dynamic players in the state with RB Parker Randell.
I always think Davenport is going to drop off just a tad, and then coach John Greenfield makes me look stupid every year. So though the Bulldogs only have 20 kids, hmm, I’m not going to underestimate this club.
For more on B-2, including the coaches’ poll, here ya go.
District B-1: Ahh, one of the toughest districts the last couple of years may have gotten tougher. No, seriously. This district has been all about Garber, Laverne and Canton the last few years.
Canton is expected to drop off a bit, but Laverne and Garber should be duking it out. And then add in a former Class C power like Seiling…and there ya go. This district takes a backseat to nobody.
For more on B-1, including the coaches’ poll, here ya go.
We’re through with eight-man and keep it locked on NewsOK.com/Varsity for all your district preview information.
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.
Edmond/Private schools POW: Gunnar Nixon, Santa Fe…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It seems like every sports season there is a name or two that might always be in the running for player of the week. You could have made a real argument for Xavier Smith of Edmond North and Kameron Doolittle of Edmond Memorial in football.
The same could have been said about Santa Fe’s Courtney Walker and North’s Elizabeth Donohoe in girls basketball.
Definitely have candidates in the spring, especially in track. I have a feeling I’ll be typing Isaiah Duke of Memorial and Gunnar Nixon of the Wolves over and over and over.
When I typed last week’s winners, I had no idea about what Nixon had done at the Nike Indoor event in Boston. So it’s a week late, but he still deserves the honor. And since there was such little action because of spring break, it’s a combined award for the Edmond and Private Schools Player of the Week.
Nixon was phenomenal at the Indoor meet in Boston last week, setting a junior meet record in the Pentathlon.
Nixon scored 4,141 points in the event, helped by a high jump of 7-feet, 0.5 inches — the best by a prep athlete indoors this year.
In addition to his high jump, Nixon won the 1,000-meter run, finished second in the 60 hurdles and fourth in both the long jump and the shot.
Going to be fun to ‘track’ (get it? I’m hilarious) all the success of the spring athletes here in the next couple of months. Excited for the seasons to really get going (despite the snow). I’ma try to make it out to as many events as I possibly can.
But I’m throwing it out to you guys as well. Spring is so busy that it’s tough to make sure everyone gets included that deserves a mention. So if you have suggestions, send ‘em this way whenever you can.
Other contenders
Michael Fulmer, Deer Creek, Baseball: The Antlers and Wolves headed out to Alabama last week, and Deer Creek went a perfect 4-0 on the trip. Fulmer was sensational on the mound in one of the big wins.
Jordan Lopez, Santa Fe, Baseball: Cody Rosecrans should probably get this nom, too, but Lopez had a great ‘Bama trip as well, proving to be the most consistent hitter and scored a bunch of runs.
Tyler Smith, Mt. St. Mary’s, Baseball: Another diamond hero as Smith was fantastic in a 9-1 win against Oklahoma Christian on Friday. Smith struck out 11 in a complete game victory.
