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.
Girls basketball: Oral Roberts news affects Shawnee’s Taylor Cooper
Shawnee's Taylor Cooper (10) has signed with Oral Roberts. PHOTO BY MATT BARNARD, TULSA WORLD
There’s lots of news coming out about Oral Roberts’ womens basketball program today.
First, a source confirmed that coach Jerry Finkbeiner, who has been with the program since 1996, will be introduced as Utah State’s next coach at an 11 a.m. press conference Thursday.
Finkbeiner won three straight NAIA national titles from 1994-96 at Southern Nazarene in Bethany. The news of his departure was first reported by the Tulsa World late Tuesday.
Also breaking Wednesday was that sophomore Jenni Bryan will transfer from Oklahoma State to ORU. Bryan, from Coweta, was granted a release by the Cowgirls, coach Jim Littell said in a text, and a source confirmed she’d join the Golden Eagles.
One of the folks in the Oklahoma City area most directly impacted by all of this is Shawnee senior forward Taylor Cooper, who signed with ORU in November.
Cooper was the Golden Eagles’ only high school signee for the class of 2012, and she picked ORU over offers from bigger schools.
From an outsider’s perspective, it seems to me Finkbeiner and Co. intended to build the future of their program around her. And the future certainly appears bright because the Golden Eagles just wrapped up a third consecutive 20-plus win season.
But will Cooper stick with ORU? She has developed a close relationship with assistant coach Misti Cussen, who is a possible candidate to succeed Finkbeiner.
Cooper was on our Super 5 team for 2012 after helping lead Shawnee to an unbeaten season and the Class 5A state championship. She averaged 13.2 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior.
She said then that she picked ORU largely because of the coaches, who she said “reminded me of my parents.”
Only time will tell what Cooper will decide, but should she ask for and be granted a release, it would be a big blow to the ORU program, a program that has been through a whirlwind couple of days.
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
Carl Albert’s LaValley homers four times Monday
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Carl Albert’s Gavin LaValley had a big day at the plate Monday.
The sophomore homered three times in a 15-4 win over Chickasha, then belted another in his first at bat against Shawnee in the nightcap.
The Titans dropped the second game 3-1.
LaValley had five RBIs in the opening win, while Taylor Hawkins and Alex Polston also added home runs.
Shawnee’s Tim Perkins limited the damage after LaValley’s second-inning home run tied the game 1-1. Perkins went the distance and the Wolves scored two in the fifth to pull out the win.
The loss was No. 3 Carl Albert’s first of the season. No. 4 Shawnee is 7-4.
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
All-Suburban Conference Girls Basketball
Know of another All-Conference basketball team? E-mail it to Ryan Aber at raber@opubco.com.
All-Suburban Conference Girls
Most Valuable Player: Kelsee Grovey, Shawnee
Defensive Player of the Year: Jalyn Jackson, Deer Creek
Newcomer of the Year: Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
Coach of the Year: Wendi Wells, Shawnee
First team
Kylie Boggess, Piedmont
Gioya Carter, Carl Albert
Ashley Gibson, Deer Creek
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Micaela Yu, Shawnee
Second team
Ashley Almond, Piedmont
Toni Cheadle, Carl Albert
Bailey Mack, Harrah
Melinda Murillo, Guthrie
Sheronica Swindle, Western Heights
Third team
Lauren Collyer, Harrah
Sierra Hamilton, Chickasha
Haley Hill, El Reno
Mikaela Murillo, Guthrie
Sarah Parker, Piedmont
All-Suburban Conference Boys Basketball
Have information on another All-Conference team? E-mail it to Ryan Aber at raber@opubco.com.
All-Suburban Conference
Most Valuable Player: Carlbe Ervin, Carl Albert
Defensive Player of the Year: Raymond Little, El Reno
Newcomer of the Year: Cameron Peters, Piedmont
Coach of the Year: Pete Papahronis, Guthrie
First team
Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek
Conner Haydon, El Reno
Dejoun Sanders, Shawnee
Jacobi Davis, Chickasha
Kai Callins, Guthrie
Second team
Tim Tullis, Western Heights
Cameron Peters, Piedmont
Rashaad Copeland, El Reno
Leland Palmer, Noble
Colin Jennings, Harrah
Third team
Darrain Winston, Carl Albert
Dondre Brookins, Carl Albert
Collin Bricker, Piedmont
Joel Blumenthal, Deer Creek
Dillion Mooreland, Shawnee
All-Defensive Team
Darrain Winston, Carl Albert
Shron Parker, Guthrie
Adrion Williams, Piedmont
Jose Bonilla, El Reno
Anthony Clark, Deer Creek
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
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
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McDonald’s All-American nominees announced
The nominees for the 2012 McDonald’s All-American game were announced Wednesday.
The 24 boys and girls selected to participate in the All-American Game will be announced at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 on ESPNU. This year’s games will be held March 28 in Chicago, with the girls game tipping off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 8:30.
Only Texas and Iowa had more nominations on the girls side than Oklahoma’s 26.
Boys
Nino Jackson, Ardmore
Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial
Austin Thrash, Cheyenne
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial
Girls
Kate Andrews, McGuinness
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Quira Demery, Millwood
I’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Mariah Gilliam, Tulsa Washington
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
LaShanda Green, McAlester
Kelsey Grovey, Shawnee
Elyse Hight, McGuinness
Sydney Hill, Edmond Memorial
Shelley Knight, Wayne
Deena Manning, Wayne
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
LaNesha Middleton, Stillwater
Bria Pitts, Tulsa East Central
Caitlyn Ramirez, Shawnee
Toni Smith, Del City
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Jordynn VanPelt, Snyder
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Adriana White, Midwest City
