Fisher named Mt. St. Mary boys coach
New Mt. St. Mary coach Andy Fisher with the Rockets' seniors-to-be
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
A day after officially getting the job as Mount St. Mary head boys basketball coach, Andy Fisher met with his new team.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Fisher said. “It’s a great opportunity and Lenny (Hatchett) did a great job here.”
Fisher replaces Hatchett, who led the Rockets to three consecutive state tournaments from 2009-2011. Hatchett recently left to take the job at Edmond Santa Fe.
“We had numerous candidates for this position and after visiting with coaches throughout the state of Oklahoma, Andy Fisher’s name came to the forefront,” Mount St. Mary principal Talita DeNegri said in a release announcing the hire Friday. “Once I sat down with him, he had a special presence about him and a distinct insight into who we are and what we are all about at The Mount.
“He has an extreme passion for kids, an incredible knowledge of the game of basketball and he has the leadership skills to continue to enhance the tradition of Rocket basketball.”
Fisher was an assistant for seven years under Tondrell Durham. The Irish won four state titles during his time there including this year’s Class 4A title.
“I’m really going to miss those guys,” Fisher said Thursday. “I had a great time there and learned a lot. It just felt like the time was right.”
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)
Casady’s Chandler Helms win Foot Locker award
Casady athlete Chandler Helms was one of 20 nationwide receipients of $20,000 as part of the first annual Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program.
Foot Locker Foundation and DoSomething.org partnered to honor students who demonstrate academic excellence and show their strength of character and devotion to their sports and communities.
Helms plays field hockey, soccer and runs track. She founded Knitting for Troops, a project where she uses scarf proceeds to create care packages for Oklahoma soldiers stationed overseas.
Heritage Hall baseball coming on strong
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Heritage Hall’s baseball team made the semifinals last year and had most of its starters returning.
But an ambitious schedule and some uneven performances at the plate early in the season led to an under .500 record going into last weekend’s I-40 Classic.
But the Chargers put it all together, beating Class B No. 4 Lookeba-Sickles, Bethany, Class 4A No. 6 Weatherford and No. 2 Anadarko to win the tournament.
The Chargers (12-9) did it with four complete-game performances, including junior Tyler Huber’s no-hitter in a 4-3 win over Lookeba-Sickles.
Chad Nelson nearly no-hit Weatherford, allowing just a bloop single in a 3-2 win.
Freshman Ryan Huber got the win in an 8-2 victory over Bethany and Nathan Bowker went the distance against Anadarko in a 5-4 championship-game win.
“Our pitching has been strong all year but we’re just now starting to swing the bats as well,” Heritage Hall coach Pat Wasson said.
Among those bats coming on strong is Barry J. Sanders, who started in a bit of a slump but has heated up lately.
The Chargers are scheduled to play at Casady at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Edmond North boys top tennis poll
Edmond North boys top poll
With much of its team returning from last season’s state championship squad, Edmond North’s boys are once again at the top of the Class 6A rankings in the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches poll released Tuesday.
The Huskies, with No. 1 singles runner-up Nate Roper and No. 2 singles champion Baylor Spring leading the way, came in ahead of Jenks, Tulsa Union and Edmond Memorial.
Edmond North’s boys are off until March 28 when they compete at the Duncan West event at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center, two days after the girls tournament there.
On the girls side, Jenks came in No. 1, ahead of Edmond North, Enid and Edmond Memorial.
In Class 5A, Metro Christian, Heritage Hall, Carl Albert and OCS are the top four in boys while Duncan, Heritage Hall, Cascia Hall and Tulsa Washington are tops on the girls side.
Anadarko’s boys are No. 1 in Class 4A, followed by Ada, Henryetta and Byng. Ada, Metro Christian, Elk City and Perry are the top four in girls.
OKLAHOMA TENNIS COACHES RANKING
CLASS 6A
Boys
1. Edmond North
2. Jenks
3. Tulsa Union
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Broken Arrow
6. Tulsa Kelley
7. McGuinness
8. Enid
9. Muskogee
10. Edmond Santa Fe
Girls
1. Jenks
2. Edmond North
3. Enid
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Tulsa Kelley
6. Broken Arrow
7. Tulsa Union
8. McGuinness
9. Bixby
10. Owasso
CLASS 5A
Boys
1. Metro Christian
2. Heritage Hall
3. Carl Albert
4. Oklahoma Christian
5. Cascia Hall
6. McAlester
7. Shawnee
8. Durant
9. Duncan
10. Ardmore
Girls
1. Duncan
2. Heritage Hall
3. Cascia Hall
4. Tulsa Washington
5. Tahlequah
6. Ardmore
7. Deer Creek
8. Carl Albert
9. Shawnee
10. Altus
CLASS 4A
Boys
1. Anadarko
2. Ada
3. Henryetta
4. Byng
5. Clinton
6. Elk City
7. Oologah
8. St. Mary
9. Seminole
10. Okmulgee
Girls
1. Ada
2. Metro Christian
3. Elk City
4. Perry
5. Midway
6. Byng
7. Beaver
8. Seminole
9. Oklahoma Christian
10. Anadarko
Casady trio honored on All-Southwest Preparatory Conference team
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Casady’s Casey Roberts was named first-team All-Southwest Preparatory Conference while two teammates were also honored.
Jason Shelley also made the All-SPC team while Graham Bennett earned honorable mention honors.
Roberts averaged 11.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 4.1 assists for the Cyclones.
Shelley led Casady with 11.3 points per game, while added 8.8 rebounds.
Bennett averages 8.0 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Freshman Gabby Grubb steps up, helps Bishop McGuinness top Deer Creek for state berth
Bishop McGuinness' Elyse Hight goes between Deer Creek's Shae Scheffler, left, and Jayln Jackson during the Irish's win Saturday in Norman. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
NORMAN — Early in the season, Bishop McGuinness girls coach Shawn Clark told freshman Gabby Grubb he didn’t need her to be great … yet.
“March is when I need you,” Clark told her.
Grubb came off the bench to score a career-high 18 points Saturday at Norman High School in the Irish’s 64-49 win over No. 3 Deer Creek.
Bishop McGuinness (21-6) now advances to the Class 5A state tournament, where it will defend its 2011 championship.
“It’s awesome,” Grubb said of Saturday’s game. “The team just really pulled it together and played our best.”
Saturday’s win paints a stark contrast to where this team was just two and a half months ago.
On Dec. 16, McGuinness played the Antlers in the Deer Creek Festival and lost 53-38. Senior forward Elyse Hight scored 30 of her team’s points that night.
Hight still led the team Saturday with 20 and 10 rebounds, but she got much more help than she was getting early.
The senior said part of her team’s growth throughout the year had to do with her 10-game absense in the middle of the year with a hip injury.
“A lot of girls had to step up, and I think that helped us,” Hight said. “It helped a lot of girls get their confidence up.”
Not the least of which was Grubb, who has been waiting all year for an opportunity like she got Saturday.
And largely because of her contribution, the Irish will get a shot at back-to-back titles.
“It feels like everything is coming together,” Hight said. “They’d better be ready for us at state.”
Large-school girls basketball power poll: No changes in the top five; Muskogee up to No. 7
Senior guard Kelsee Grovey and Shawnee look poised for a run at the Class 5A state championship. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
Here is the second edition of my large-school girls’ basketball power poll.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.
1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 22-0)
Edmond Santa Fe did nothing to deserve a drop in ranking. The defending 6A champion Wolves’ schedule hasn’t been very tough — their smallest margin of victory this season is 15 — so when they get challenged it will be interesting to see how they respond. But there is no reason to believe Santa Fe would have an off night, and it remains the odds-on favorite to bring home the gold ball again.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
Last week: No. 1
Next up: Regionals vs. U.S. Grant, Thursday, 8 p.m.
2. Shawnee (5A, 23-0)
The Wolves wrapped up a perfect regular season and are Class 5A’s clear No. 1 team. Big wins this season over Edmond Memorial, Carl Albert and Deer Creek allow Shawnee to edge Midwest City again at No. 2 in this power poll.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 2
Next up: Regionals vs. Noble, Thursday, 8 p.m.
3. Midwest City (6A, 23-0)
Midwest City got impressive back-to-back wins over Westmoore and Del City last week. The Bombers are peaking at the right time and are Edmond Santa Fe’s chief competition in Class 6A. No reason at this point to expect anything other than a Santa Fe-Midwest City rematch in the Class 6A tournament championship game.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 3
Next up: Regionals vs. Moore, Thursday, 8 p.m.
4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 22-3)
The Cardinals wrapped up their season with an impressive 14-point win at Tulsa Washington. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 4
Next up: Regionals vs. Tulsa Central, Thursday, 8 p.m.
5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 17-5)
All five of Edmond Memorial’s losses are to teams ranked higher than it in this power poll (Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City, once to Shawnee). Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
Last week: No. 5
Next up: Regionals vs. Putnam City West, Thursday, 8 p.m.
6. Deer Creek (5A, 20-3)
The Antlers bring a 10-game winning streak into the playoffs. Deer Creek seems to be peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
Last week: No. 7
Next up: Regionals vs. Ardmore, Thursday, 8 p.m.
7. Muskogee (6A, 17-6)
The Roughers’ two-spot jump is the biggest of the week. Muskogee finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, including an overtime win over Jenks last week. Muskogee also has wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 9
Next up: Regionals vs. Westmoore (at Bixby), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
8. Carl Albert (5A, 18-5)
The Titans had to rally from a halftime deficit to beat Western Heights in their regular-season finale. Carl Albert often goes through shooting dry spells, which cost it in home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. The Titans got a break in their playoff position, though, and are still expected to be a state tournament team.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 8
Next up: Regionals vs. Capitol Hill, Thursday, 8 p.m.
9. Jenks (6A, 18-5)
The Trojans finished their regular-season with a dud — a 22-point loss at Broken Arrow. Jessica Washington still isn’t 100 percent healthy, and Jenks brings a two-game skid into its playoff opener. Record vs. this poll: 2-3
Last week: No. 6
Next up: Regionals vs. Sand Springs, Thursday, 8 p.m.
10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
The Irish has lost just twice since Dec. 17 and finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. The defending 5A champs got off to a rough start this season with several new starters and a new coach, but looks like a strong contender to return to the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 10
Next up: Regionals vs. Guymon, Thursday, 8 p.m.
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
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Large-school girls basketball power poll: Edmond Santa Fe, Shawnee top rankings
Courtney Walker, left, and Edmond Santa Fe are the best girls' basketball team in the state. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Here is my first girls’ basketball power poll. This one just covers the large schools (6A and 5A). Tomorrow, I’ll have one for 2A-3A-4A.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.
1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 21-0)
No brainer at No. 1. Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and company are the clear favorites to win their second straight 6A title. The Wolves’ smallest margin of victory is 15. The biggest question mark surrounding this team is its strength of schedule. The Wolves haven’t really been tested this season.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
2. Shawnee (5A, 21-0)
The Wolves lost Tulsa signee Caitlyn Ramirez to an ACL tear before the season, but it hasn’t seemed to affect them much at all. Move-ins Taylor and McKenzie Cooper obviously helped ease the blow, and guard Kelsee Grovey, another Tulsa signee, has shown herself to be one of the best players in the state.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
3. Midwest City (6A, 21-0)
Two and three were tough to choose, because I think Midwest City has a terrific team and, I think, is the only team right now in 6A with a legitimate shot at beating Santa Fe. I watched the Bombers and Shawnee scrimmage in the preseason and it was a good matchup. After watching both teams play, I like the Wolves just a little better right now.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 21-3)
Shawnee’s chief competition in Class 5A. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 16-5)
The Bulldogs five losses are: Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to Shawnee. Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
6. Jenks (6A, 18-4)
Jessica Washington has returned from an injury but isn’t 100 percent. The Trojans lost in overtime to Muskogee on Tuesday.
Record vs. this poll: 2-3
7. Deer Creek (5A, 19-3)
Since a one-point loss to 4A Piedmont on Jan. 13, the Antlers have reeled off nine straight wins, including a big win at Carl Albert. Deer Creek is peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
8. Carl Albert (5A, 17-5)
The Titans go through rough shooting stretches, which cost them in recent home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. CA got a break in their playoff position and should be considered a lock for the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
9. Muskogee (6A, 16-6)
Since losing to Stillwater in the finals of the John Nobles Tournament in Moore on Jan. 21, the Rougers have reeled off seven straight wins, including Tuesday’s overtime upset of Jenks. Muskogee also has impressive wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
Irish got off to a rocky start to the season after losing several starters, and adjusting to a new head coach, Shawn Clark. But the team has been on a roll, losing just twice since Dec. 17. Both of those losses — three points to Cascia Hall and in overtime to PC North — came with top scorer and rebounder Elyse Hight hurt.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
jkersey@opubco.com
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Bishop McGuinness’ Elyse Hight has big game in return from injury
McGuinness' Elyse Hight returned from a hip injury and scored 23 points Saturday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Bishop McGuinness senior Elyse Hight, who tore muscles in her hip in practice on Jan. 9, returned to action Saturday in the Irish’s 51-45 win over Tulsa Bishop Kelley and led all scorers with 23 points.
Hight, who missed 10 games with the injury, helped lead the Irish to the Class 5A championship last season as a junior.
This season, she was averaging over 20 points a game before the injury.
She was on crutches for about a week after injuring her hip, and then began an intense rehabilitation regimen.
The McGuinness girls, who are 16-5 and ranked No. 6 in 5A, went 8-2 in Hight’s absense and said they dedicated their performance to her.
“That pushed me to work so much harder to get back into it,” Hight said. “To hear them say they played for me when I was having a hard time was really uplifting.”
