Private school honor: Bryana Wade, Mt. St. Mary’s…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
There were a lot of heroes in the Mt. St. Mary’s softball team winning its first state softball championship. Morgan McCalmon was phenomenal in the circle. She gave up two runs in three games.
Freshman Sable Hankins came up huge in the championship with a couple of hits and RBIs to lead the Rockets past Washington.
But this team has an unquestioned leader. And the great news for MSM fans is that catcher Bryana Wade will be back for one more season.
Wade was incredible, hitting a home run in the semifinals and the championship. Definitely in the running for Little All-City Player of the Year (no, I haven’t decided that yet).
Other contenders
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall, Football: Had more than 330 total yards and scored five touchdowns in a dominating win against Newcastle.
Barry J. Sanders, Heritage Hall, Football: In limited time, rushed for 162 yards and two long touchdown carries in the first half.
Irish offensive line: A statement was made in a rout of Elk City. LaRone Richardson had another big game with the line leading the way to 364 rushing yards.
Mac Katigan, Casady, Football: In a rather surprising loss (to me, anyway), Katigan ran for a score and threw for another against Dallas St. Marks.
Skyler Sikes, OCS, Football: Still operating without Jack Warren, Sikes came up huge with three touchdowns in the win against Perry.
Jake Peace, MSM, Football: Did they break the scoreboard in Lindsay? In a 71-40 loss, Peace scored four touchdowns for the Rockets.
Heritage Hall and CHA volleyball: Both had tremendous seasons. Chargers were ousted in the quarterfinals while CHA was downed by Cache in the championship.
Irish volleyball: Girls are one of the favorites to walk out with the 5A championship this weekend in Shawnee.
Irish cross country: Strong showing by both boys and girls in Edmond. Girls, led by Mary Kate Roy, placed third. Boys, led by Brett Scott, earned the 5A championship.
Edmond honor: Alex Christensen, Deer Creek…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Ooh this was a tough one. But in the end, his numbers were too good to be overlooked. So Deer Creek’s Alex Christensen gets the Edmond Player of the Week, just edging out the Memorial defense.
In talking with coach Grant Gower, he had no idea Christensen had THAT many carries. Christensen ended up with 38 carries for 246 yards and four touchdowns in a big road win against El Reno.
Gower said El Reno was unable to stop his big QB so he didn’t go away from it. I’ve compared Christensen as a beast before, and well, that might work for this week.
Good bounce back the last two weeks by the Antlers following the loss at Guthrie.
Other contenders
Memorial defense: Aw heck, the whole team in the second half. Playing inspired because of the loss of Cale Olbert, teams turned a 7-7 game at halftime time to a 47-7 win against Choctaw. Jeff Balkenbush and Ry Huff were part of the charge leading the way.
Jesse Mathews, North, Football: Once upon a time he was a contender for the QB job, but Mathews has made a nice transition and had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Putnam City.
Jeremy Moore, Santa Fe, Football: Wolves dropped their sixth consecutive game, but Moore did pick off two passes in the loss to Mustang.
North softball: Here we go. This is what they’ve been waiting for. Rick Nordyke’s girls are ranked No. 1 heading into this week’s state tournament.
Memorial, North, Santa Fe volleyball: Gotta think the Bulldogs are heavy favorites, but Shawnee will be Edmond east this weekend for the 6A volleyball tournament with all three teams.
Alex Shook and Tara Lewis, Memorial, Cross Country: Lewis was second and Shook was fourth at the pre-state run at Mitch Park.
Arya Bahreini and Alex Skinner, Santa Fe, Cross Country: Bahreini was third and Skinner was fifth as Wolves placed fifth at the pre-state run.
Little Axe: Seven seniors make good, win championship…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Hope you stayed at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for the Class 4A championship. It was a long day/night but well worth it for those little moments.
And the big ones, too.
All year kinda had a hunch that 4A was going to be won by Tuttle or Little Axe. I was very disappointed the teams had to play in the semifinals because I thought it would have made for a terrific championship.
As it was, it made for great semifinal battle, won by the Indians 3-2.
I asked coach Mike Bread after that game about the emotional toll that contest might take out of the team. He admitted he was a little worried, but he would just let his seven seniors do what they do.
Little Axe coach Mike Bread and his wife, Dina, have stuck it out with the Indians.
And what they did in 2010 was win games. The team finishes the season on a 22-game winning streak and 35-2. And more importantly, closed it out with the first state championship.
Couldn’t ask for a better script if you follow the Indians team. A star (Lacey Williams) who has torn both her ACLs. A coach (Mike Bread) who has had other offers in his six years but hasn’t left. And by his side, his wife, Dina, the entire time.
But down 3-0 to Cache, maybe the dream run was coming to a close. However, Amanda Edmundson hit a two-run homer and we were back in business.
Tied 3-3 heading into the seventh, both teams had the same three hitters up in their order – 9, 1, 2. Cache was able to get runners on first and third with Evie Mithlo up to bat.
Cache fans thought maybe Mithlo had gotten all of Andee Frazier’s pitch, but it fell harmlessly in Cheyanne Terry’s glove and to the bottom of the seventh we went.
Peyton Watson was walked for the third time in the game. Terry added a double and Lacey Williams was intentionally walked.
Bases loaded, one out, Edmundson up. 3-2 count…ball four, and the celebration was on.
Great weekend of softball, excited to see what 5A-6A has in store for us this week. I’ll be camped out at ASA all next weeek, too.
Softball B-4A: Day 3…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It’s championship Saturday, and you’ve made it to The Big Hou— err, not basketball yet. And you’ve made it to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for softball.
Keep ya posted as always. I’ll try to add more inning scores for in-progress games as well.
- Walkoff HR by Binger-Oney’s Selika Shives gives Bobcats first state championship.
- HR by Bryana Wade’s sparks four-run third for Mt. St. Mary’s.
- The Mount claims its first championship with an impressive 5-1 victory against Washington. Well-played game.
- Lindsi Glenn comes up huge for Healdton. Trailing 1-0, she hits a two-run double. It’s 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth against Konawa.
- Big heart being shown by Konawa. Tigers have responded with two here in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. And Chelsey Patterson adds an RBI 2B. 4-2 heading to the seventh.
- Konawa does it. 4-2. Second title and first since 2007.
- Dewar and Smithville have both scored runs on errors so far. It’s 1-1 heading into the fourth inning.
- Dewar’s Alesha Hill with an RBI double. 2-1 in the fifth. Dewar takes care of business with 5-1 win.
- All ‘n all, not bad. A 7 p.m. start at 7:41. Little Axe and Cache scoreless in the second.
- And now we’ve got our pitchers’ duel. Andee Frazier and Kelsey Watson dominating the day so far. Little Axe 0, Cache 0 – fourth inning.
- So much for that. A two-run HR by Kelsey Watson spurs a three-run inning. Cache 3, Little Axe 0 – bot 4th.
- And Little Axe responds. Amanda Edmundson blasts a two-run shot to left field. Cache 3, Little Axe 2 – top 5th.
- Aw heck, we haven’t had an extra inning game yet, have we? Little Axe ties it on Sac Fly. 3-3 in 7th.
- Championship-winning walkoff…walk. Amanda Edmundson gives Little Axe the title. 4-3.
Class 4A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Cache 3, Newcastle 2
Game 6: Little Axe 3, Tuttle 2
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Little Axe 4, Cache 3
Class 3A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Washington 9, Bethel 6
Game 6: St. Mary 2, Sequoyah-Tahlequah 1
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: St. Mary 5, Washington 1
Class 2A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Healdton 3, Apache 0
Game 6: Konawa 2, Colbert 1
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Konawa 4, Healdton 2
Class A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Smithville 2, Davenport 1
Game 6: Dewar 6, Sterling 4
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Dewar 5, Smithville 1
Class B
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Binger-Oney 3, Coleman 1
Game 6: Red Oak 3, Frontier 2
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Binger-Oney 3, Red Oak 2
Softball B-4A: Day 2…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Same deal as before. Will update as much as I can.
Thoughts and observations
- Shara Curry’s big bomb lifts Washington to a come-from-behind 9-6 win against Bethel. Normally sound, Washington had five errors but overcame it all.
- Wow, what a game between Tuttle and Little Axe. Insane. Wish I had more time to write about it. However, have to head to Heritage Hall for Chargers and Newcastle football.
Class 4A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Cache 3, Newcastle 2
Game 6: Little Axe 3, Tuttle 2
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Cache vs. Little Axe, 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Washington 9, Bethel 6
Game 6: St. Mary 2, Sequoyah-Tahlequah 1
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Washington vs.St. Mary, 1 p.m.
Class 2A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Healdton 3, Apache 0
Game 6: Konawa 2, Colbert 1
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Healdton vs. Konawa, 3 p.m.
Class A
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Smithville 2, Davenport 1
Game 6: Dewar 6, Sterling 4
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Smithville vs. Dewar, 5 p.m.
Class B
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Binger-Oney 3, Coleman 1
Game 6: Red Oak 3, Frontier 2
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Binger-Oney vs. Red Oak, 11 a.m.
Softball B-4A: Day 1…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Will try to update as much as possible, either here or on Twitter @BPrzybylo. Ye softball weather gods look in favor on us, it appears.
Thoughts and observations
- No. 1s go down. Bethel takes out Purcell and Newcastle takes out Blanchard.
- Washington’s schedule has it ready for this stage. Warriors played so many tough teams, and it showed in a 6-1 win against Morris.
- It is tough to find a better team than Little Axe. Mike Bread’s girls were among the most impressive teams I’ve seen today, in all aspects of the game.
- And another No. 1 bites the dust. Leedey, No. 1 all season, goes down to Coleman 5-2. Say wha?
- Ringling settled down after a rough start with a change of pitchers, but it was too late. Dewar advances.
- Almost an improbable comeback for Meeker. From 9-1 to 9-6 and bases loaded, but Sequoyah-Tahlequah hangs on. Off to football. Back all day Friday.
Class 4A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Newcastle 1, Blanchard 0
Game 3: Cache 5, Oologah 1
Game 2: Little Axe 6, Sequoyah-Claremore 0
Game 4: Tuttle 5, Piedmont 4
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Newcastle vs. Cache, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Little Axe vs. Tuttle, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Thursday
At ASA
Game 1: Bethel 4, Purcell 0
Game 2: Washington 6, Morris 1
Game 3: Sequoyah-Tahlequah 9, Meeker 6
Game 4: St. Mary 3, Verdigris 0
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Bethel vs. Washington, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Sequoyah-Tahlequah vs. St. Mary, 2 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 1 p.m.
Class 2A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Apache 5, Dale 4
Game 2: Healdton 12, Haskell 3
Game 3: Konawa 10, Commerce 1
Game 4: Colbert 5, Latta 2
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Apache vs. Healdton, Noon
Game 6: Konawa vs. Colbert, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 3 p.m.
Class A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Davenport 3, Fort Cobb-Broxton 2
Game 4: Smithville 2, Roff 1
Game 2: Sterling 4, Mooreland 3
Game 3: Dewar 6, Ringling 1
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Davenport vs. Smithville, Noon
Game 6: Sterling vs. Dewar, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 5 p.m.
Class B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Binger-Oney 5, Hammon 0
Game 2: Coleman 5, Leedey 2
Game 3: Red Oak 14, Stuart 1
Game 4: Frontier 4, Sentinel 3
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Binger-Oney vs. Coleman, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Red Oak vs. Frontier, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 11 a.m.
Edmond honor: Cale Olbert, Memorial…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, tried to not do it, but we have our first repeat winner of the year. Just a little too tough to not give Edmond Memorial’s Cale Olbert another honor as the Edmond Player of the Week.
In a game the Bulldogs had to have in district play, Olbert was a beast. He rushed for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns in leading Memorial to a 21-6 win against Moore.
It’s a mental test more than anything else as the Bulldogs are trying to survive without their captain (Kameron Doolittle) at 100 percent.
Olbert doesn’t mind having to carry the load. He’s got some real nice help with that defense, too. The defense hasn’t let this team down yet.
Other contenders
Travis Townsend, North, Football: It was a long night for the Huskies in a loss to Mustang, but Townsend was able to throw for four touchdown passes.
Alex Christensen, Michael Coleman, Shawn McLaws and Brennan Miyake, Deer Creek, Football: All four had two touchdowns for the Antlers in a 69-13 blowout win vs. Southeast.
Trevan Smith, Santa Fe, Football: Smith continues to be a bright spot for the Wolves, who have been shutout three times this season.
Taler Buck, Deer Creek, Cross Country: Add another honor to an incredible season, winning the individual title at Holland Hall against great teams from the Tulsa area.
Tara Lewis and Alex Shook, Memorial, Cross Country: No shock here as Lewis and Shook continued their stellar seasons at Mustang on Thursday.
Meredith Farley, North, Cross Country: Farley was team’s best finisher as Huskies won the team competition at Mustang.
Arya Bahreini, Santa Fe, Cross Country: Bahreini helped the Wolves to a fourth-place finish and placed third individually.
Jordan Dixon, North, Softball: Dixon is one big reason why the Huskies are ranked No. 1 and should punch their ticket to state this week.
Softball: 4A-B state pairings…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Classes 4A-B state softball pairings. I’ll be camped out at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium this weekend, too.
Class 4A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Blanchard vs. Newcastle, 11 a.m.
Game 3: Oologah vs. Cache, 5 p.m.
Game 2: Sequoyah-Claremore vs. Little Axe, 3 p.m.
Game 4: Tuttle vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4, 2 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Thursday
At ASA
Game 1: Purcell vs. Bethel, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Washington vs. Morris, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Meeker vs. Sequoyah-Tahlequah, 3 p.m.
Game 4: Verdigris vs. St. Mary, 7 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 1 p.m.
Class 2A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Dale vs. Apache, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Healdton vs. Haskell, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Konawa vs. Commerce, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Latta vs. Colbert, 7 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 3 p.m.
Class A
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Davenport vs. Fort Cobb-Broxton, 11 a.m.
Game 4: Roff vs. Smithville, 5 p.m.
Game 2: Mooreland vs. Sterling, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Dewar vs. Ringling, 3 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 4, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 5 p.m.
Class B
Thursday
At ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Game 1: Binger-Oney vs. Hammon, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Leedey vs. Coleman, 3 p.m.
Game 3: Stuart vs. Red Oak, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Frontier vs. Sentinel, 7 p.m.
Friday
At ASA
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.
Saturday
At ASA
Championship: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 11 a.m.
Softball: Edmond North, Carl Albert hold steady at No. 1…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Edmond North coach Rick Nordyke and Carl Albert coach Colin White can breathed a sigh of relief. A late change by the OSSAA had the 5A-6A rankings extended by one week.
The Titans and the Huskies each lost twice last week. However, in the new OKRankings.com poll that came out about 30 minutes ago, nothing to fear. Carl Albert and Edmond North are still No. 1 and will have the top seed in their respective class.
Edmond North lost that thriller to Yukon and arguably could have dropped. However, the Millerettes were unable to capitalize on that, losing three times last weekend.
Stephanie Riley’s Moore squad made a nice jump of its own as the Lions are at No .3, their highest ranking of the season. A win against Midwest City was huge in that jump up.
In 5A, a lot of waves about Coweta ruling one of its own players ineligible, but it had no bearing on the ranking. The rankings are done by the coaches. The player, not ID’d, was ruled ineligible by the school and not by the OSSAA, interestingly enough.
Just about there. Next week is the state tournament for Class B-4A. Whoo hoo. Ye softball weather gods, I’m already asking you for good stuff next week.
The final 6A-5A rankings.
Class 6A: 1. Edmond North; 2. Yukon; 3. Moore; 4. Owasso; 5. Jenks; 6. Broken Arrow; 7. Tulsa Union; 8. Midwest City; 9. Bartlesville; 10. Sand Springs.
Class 5A: 1. Carl Albert; 2. Lawton MacArthur; 3. McAlester; 4. Tahlequah; 5. Grove; 6. Pryor; 7. El Reno; 8. Coweta; 9. Deer Creek; 10. Skiatook.
And for those that don’t remember, here is 4A-B from last week:
Class 4A: 1. Blanchard; 2. Little Axe; 3. Tuttle; 4. Cache; 5. Oologah; 6. Piedmont; 7. Seq-Clare.; 8. Newcastle; 9. Glenpool; 10. Berryhill.
Class 3A: 1. Purcell; 2. St. Mary; 3. Meeker; 4. Morris; 5. Washington; 6. Seq-Tahl.; 7. Verdigris; 8. Kellyville; 9. Bethel; 10. Caney Valley.
Class 2A: 1. Healdton; 2. Colbert; 3. Konawa; 4. Apache; 5. Dale; 6. Commerce; 7. Oktaha; 8. Liberty; 9. Latta; 10. Tushka.
Class A: 1. Dewar; 2. Fort Cobb-Broxton; 3. Roff; 4. Sterling; 5. Velma-Alma; 6. Mooreland; 7. Smithville; 8. Bray-Doyle; 9. Fletcher; 10. Rattan.
Class B: 1. Leedey; 2. Red Oak; 3. Frontier; 4. Hammon; 5. Binger-Oney; 6. Sentinel; 7. Tupelo; 8. Cyril; 9. Moss; 10. Stuart.
Edmond honor: Taler Buck, Deer Creek…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The best of the best in the state (and some out of state clubs) for cross country were in Stillwater this weekend for the OSU Cowboy Jamboree.
And while Bishop McGuinness earned the 4A-5A boys title, nobody could touch Deer Creek’s Taler Buck in the individual competition.
Buck won the event by a staggering 18 seconds. And his time would have been good enough to place him fourth in the 6A competition, giving him Edmond Player of the Week honors.
The Antlers have one of the deepest squads in 5A and placed second to the Irish. Blaine Powell was 11th and Kody Ewing took 16th.
Other contenders
Jarion Tudman, North, Football: Welcome to Oklahoma, Tudman. The transfer from Amarillo came alive for 212 yards and 3 TDs in a win against Del City.
Ry Huff, Memorial, Football: Might see even more time this week and showed glimpses of what he can do with a touchdown in a 17-7 loss.
Abby Taliaferro, North, Softball: Taliaferro has been one of the best hitters for Rick Nordyke’s club all season and has done it in the biggest games.
Alex Hodges, Santa Fe, Volleyball: If it wasn’t for Memorial, we’d be talking about Hodges and the Wolves who are ranked No. 2 in 6A.
Taylor Melchert, Deer Creek, Cross Country: The girls placed sixth at the Jamboree with Melchert leading the way earning 36th.
Arya Bahreini, Santa Fe, Cross Country: His stellar season continued in Stillwater, too, placing fourth as the Wolves earned 10th.
Alex Shook, Memorial, Cross Country: Six was the magic number as Shook earned it individually and the team did the same at the Jamboree.
