The event, which involves two rounds of stroke play to set the top 16 players for a match play bracket, lasted four days, with Wood defeating Cummins, the Class 4A state champion, 3 and 2. Earlier in the day, Wood defeated Norman North’s Thomas Johnson in the semifinals 3 and 2, while Cummins beat Edmond Memorial’s Jacob Bishop 4 and 2.

In the girls bracket, it was a showdown of future teammates, with Choctaw’s Anna Mikish edging Oktaha’s Kailey Campbell 2 and 1. Both players have signed to play for NAIA national champion Oklahoma City University.

Piedmont’s Dustin Hasley won the 14-15 boys age bracket, defeating Lane Wallace of Yukon in 20 holes.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

The Oklahoma City Area Baseball Coaches Association will play its annual all-star game at 6 p.m. Thursday at Palmer Field at Dolese Park.

An all-star team made up from these two rosters will play a Tulsa-area all-star team in a doubleheader at noon Saturday at Bishop McGuinness. OCS’ Ken McQueen and Tecumseh’s Chad Trahan will coach the Oklahoma City team.

NORTH
Starters
Pitchers: Brock Stuber, Piedmont; Parker Rigler, Edmond Memorial; Kyle Stephens, Edmond North
Catchers: Mike Hale, Putnam City North; Jon Denney, Yukon
First baseman: Cody Daylor, Edmond North
Second baseman: Daniel Costello, Edmond Santa Fe
Third baseman: Bryan Dutton, Guthrie
Shortstop: Dalen Edgar, Piedmont
Outfielders: Landon Eason, Yukon; Jack Hale, Edmond Memorial; Cole Lindley, Deer Creek
Utility: Austin Brooks, OCS
Desgnated hitter: Jacob Jerome, Edmond Santa Fe

Reserves: Chiante’ McKee, Star Spencer; Bradley Fitch, Bishop McGuinness; Reed Brooks, Putnam City; Jonathan Sergent, Classen

Coaches: Ken McQueen, OCS; Kory Williams, Piedmont

SOUTH
Starters
Pitchers: Alexander Svetgoff, Westmoore; Gage Trahan, Tecumseh; Nick Ward, Southmoore
Catchers: Lane Paul, Tuttle; Cameron Knight, Westmoore
First baseman: Dylan Mauk, Blanchard
Second baseman: Daniel Herron, Norman North
Third baseman: DJ Gasso, Norman North
Shortstop: Tre Edwards, Southmoore
Outfielders: Chevin Noone, Carl Albert; Hunter Heath, Bethel; Quade Nelson, Blanchard
Utility: Damion Orr, Midwest City
Designated hitter: Joel Davis, Midwest City

Reserves: Cooper Owens, Putnam City West; Colin Webb, Moore; Matt Foster, Norman; Casey Bowlan, Shawnee; Jovanny Hernandez, U.S. Grant; Zack Howry, Capitol Hill; Landon Vodka, Mustang.

Coaches: Chad Trahan, Tecumseh; Travis Owen, Tuttle

The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its All-State tennis teams Tuesday. The OCA All-State tennis event will be held July 30 at Tulsa Union.

BOYS
EAST
Jayden Black, Henryetta
Josh Ellis, Ada
Chase Gordon, Jenks
Levi Kerr, Grove
Andreas Kutt, Tulsa Union
Cameron Schuessler, Durant
John Stour, Ada
J.T. Tasker, Metro Christian

WEST
Andrew Ahshapanek, Anadarko
Oakes Arceneaux, Heritage Hall
Tanner Chambers, Edmond North
Riley Hale, Bishop McGuinness
Seth Moore, Yukon
Nathan Roper, Edmond North
Matt Taber, Carl Albert
Sylvester Yo, Westmoore

GIRLS
EAST
Mariah Burke, Jenks
Olivia Charvat, Metro Christian
Reynolds Chew, Metro Christian
Courtney Coon, Broken Arrow
Piper Huey, Jenks
Abby Jordan, Cascia Hall
Margo Martin, Ada
Lauryn Sullins, Perry

WEST
Samantha Cassidy, Duncan
Alexandra Dick, Enid
Kathryn Dillingham, Enid
Alex Morales, Ardmore
Ann Pepper, Edmond North
Shali Schoepflin, Edmond Memorial
Brittany Toone, Duncan
Lacie Unah, Anadarko

Former Edmond Memorial golfer Taylor Moore was named the SEC Freshman of the Year at Arkansas.

Edmond Memorial product and two-time Class 6A state champion Taylor Moore made the quick jump to success at the next level.

The Arkansas golfer was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Year on Wednesday.

Moore had four top-25 finishes in six tournaments and finished under par in two events. He had two top-10 finishes and a season stroke average of 73.87.

He was 27th recently at the SEC Tournament, thanks to a strong finish, playing the course in 2-under-par over the final 36 holes.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Edmond Memorial assistant coach Dan Kurtenbach was named the head coach at Weatherford earlier this week.

Kurtenbach has been an assistant coach for the Bulldogs for the last four seasons. He was the head coach at Casady in 2007 and 2008. Before that, he held assistant coaching jobs at Broken Arrow, Shawnee and Midwest City.

Kurtenbach replaces Mickey Seifried, who took the job as the technology director of Weatherford Public Schools.

Seifried went 30-26 in five seasons as the head coach at Weatherford, including a 12-1 season in 2009. The Eagles went 7-5 in 2012.

Before becoming the head coach, Seifried spent eight seasons as an assistant at the school.

Edmond Memorial’s Chloe Webber and Edmond North’s Hannah Dowell signed to play lacrosse at Oklahoma Baptist University.

Webber is an attacker and Dowell is a midfielder.

“I am excited to add more girls to next year’s roster who are local so that we can continue to grow the sport throughout Oklahoma,” Lady Bison coach Katy Mohr said in a release.

OBU is in its first season of women’s lacrosse. The addition of the sport was announced in 2010 along with the additions of football and swimming.

Oklahoma Baptist is playing an independent schedule this year, going 1-4 through its first five games.

The Lady Bison host Missouri State on March 30.

They’ve also played Texas State, Texas Tech, Midland University and the University of Dallas.

Lacrosse is a club sport at both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Class 6A
BOYS
EAST
At Tulsa Rogers
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Owasso vs. Broken Arrow, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Stillwater vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Union vs. Jenks, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Tulsa Washington vs. Bartlesville, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Stillwater/Bixby winner vs. Owasso/Broken Arrow loser, 8 p.m.
Tulsa Washington/Bartlesville winner vs. Tulsa Union/Jenks loser, 6:30 p.m.

WEST
At Choctaw
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Midwest City vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Edmond North vs. Putnam City

At Norman North
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Memorial vs. Putnam City West, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Putnam City North vs. Lawton Eisenhower, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Norman North
Putnam City North/Lawton Eisenhower winner vs. Edmond Memorial/Putnam City West loser, 6:30 p.m.
Edmond North/Putnam City winner vs. Midwest City/Edmond Santa Fe loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Muskogee vs. Tulsa Washington, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Jenks vs. Tulsa Union

At Tulsa Rogers
Loser’s Bracket
Broken Arrow vs. Mustang, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Bartlesville vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Broken Arrow/Mustang winner vs. Bartlesville/Bixby loser, 1:30 p.m.
Jenks/Tulsa Union winner vs. Muskogee/Tulsa Washington loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Choctaw
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Norman vs. Southmoore, 8 p.m.

At Harrah
Loser’s Bracket
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Choctaw, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Norman North vs. Edmond Memorial, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Harrah
Lawton Eisenhower/Choctaw winner vs. Norman North/Edmond Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Norman/Southmoore winner vs. Edmond Santa Fe/Putnam City loser, 3 p.m.

CLASS 5A
BOYS
EAST
Friday
At Bixby
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Memorial vs. Tulsa Kelley, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha vs. Guthrie, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Coweta vs. Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Skiatook vs. Noble, 8 p.m.

At Bixby
Saturday
Skiatook/Noble winner vs. Coweta/Tulsa Edison loser, 6:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Guthrie winner vs. Tulsa Memorial/Tulsa Kelley loser, 8 p.m.

WEST
Friday
At Edmond North
Winner’s Bracket
Bishop McGuinness vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Capitol Hill, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Winner’s Bracket
Carl Albert vs. Southeast, 6:30 p.m.
Western Heights vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond Memorial
Western Heights/Piedmont winner vs. Carl Albert/Southeast loser, 6:30 p.m.
Del City/Capitol Hill winner vs. Bishop McGuinness/Lawton MacArthur loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Bixby
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha at Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa East Central at Collinsville, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Tahlequah vs. Tulsa Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Grove vs. Tulsa Kelley, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Sapulpa
Grove/Tulsa Kelley winner vs. Tahlequah/Tulsa Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Tulsa Edison winner vs. Tulsa East Central/Collinsville loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Edmond North
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Ardmore, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Shawnee vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Loser’s Bracket
El Reno vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Deer Creek, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond North
El Reno/Lawton MacArthur winner vs. Carl Albert/Deer Creek loser, 1:30 p.m.
Del City/Ardmore winner vs. Shawnee/Piedmont loser, 3 p.m.

Coach of the Year: Shelli Brown, Sand Springs

Player of the Year: Macklin Hitz, Jenks

Co-Pitchers of the Year: Haley Squier, Edmond Memorial; Mallory Collins, Sand Springs

Freshman of the Year: Kennedy Salyers, Sand Springs

First team

P: McKayla Hendrix, Jenks; Brittney Lockett, Stillwater

C: Halley Randolph, Stillwater; Shelbie Smith, Edmond Memorial

1B: Lindsay Littles, Edmond Memorial; Jenny Scarbrough, Stillwater

2B: Abby Lee, Enid; Sadie Marino, Choctaw

SS: Taylor Purdue, Sand Springs; Kate Myers, Jenks

3B: Kacey Taylor, Edmond Memorial; Paige Luellen, Jenks

OF: Kasey Burgess, Sand Springs; Ashley Rankin, Sand Springs; Kylee Morgan, Choctaw; Courtney Chelf, Enid; Adrianna Canard, Jenks; Kayla Crutchmer, Tulsa Union

U: Ashley Reese, Choctaw; Kelsey Goodwin, Tulsa Union; Krissy Crow, Sand Springs; Kaitlin Bell, Enid; Lacy Hudson, Enid

Honorable mention

Choctaw: Jessica Fairly, Hanna Kohl, Hanna Poplum, Halley Poplum

Edmond Memorial: Laura McHam

Enid: Ally Lewis, Clara Andrews, Hayen Bay, Shalley Mueller

Jenks: Audrey Estes, Kenzie Carpenter, Tristan Kuhn, Brooke Estes

Putnam West: Ashleigh Rolling, Chelsey Collins, Ann Smith, Dionne Robinson, Angelique Chandler

Sand Springs: Jennifer Wolf, Kendra Franks, Hailey Andrews

Stillwater: Anna Fowler, Abby Jessell, Courtney Hughes

Tulsa Union: Maddie Van Burkleo, Emily Harrison, Alexis Murray, Michal Ibison, MacKenzie Ibison, Brianna Trujullo, Maddi McGraw, Kayla Patterson, Kylee Randall

LARGE EAST
P: Whitney Whitehorn, Owasso
C: Nicole Nease, Owasso
1B: Macklin Hitz, Jenks
2B: Sam Reiss, Broken Arrow
3B: Paige Luellen, Jenks
SS: Madison Vaughan, Coweta
OF: Hannah Stirton, Owasso; Britney Johnson, Tahlequah; Samantha Smith, Collinsville
P: Elena Gambill, Broken Arrow; Jessica Walker, Grove
C: Ashleigh Tramel, Grove
U-3B: Taylor Dodson, Grove
U-C: Allie Alvstad, Bixby; Theresa Collins, Broken Arrow
U-1B: Paige Gan, Muskogee
U-SS: Shannon Driggers, Collinsville; Taylor Perdue, Sand Springs
Coach: Shane Eicher, Owasso

LARGE WEST
P: Jordan Dixon, Edmond North
C: Shelbie Smith, Edmond Memorial
1B: Lindsay Littles, Edmond Memorial
2B: Haley Wells, Deer Creek
3B: Madi Ellis, Yukon
SS: Madisyn Long, Carl Albert
OF: Kierra Miles, Mustang; Abby Taliaferro, Edmond North; Rachel Cooper, Duncan
P: Maddy Ellis, Yukon; Summer Leitka, Norman
C: Braden Bradshaw, Southmoore
U-3B: Courtney Moore, Duncan
U-SS: Mariah Peace, Westmoore
U-2B: Caitlynn Hall, Moore
U-OF: Brianna McComas, Edmond Santa Fe; Courtney Chelf, Enid
U-1B: Hannah Lynch, Moore
Coach: Erin Regier, Deer Creek

MIDDLE EAST
P: Jayde Hansen, Perry
C: Kaci Trentham, Coalgate
1B: Anna Crawford, Adair
2B: Kara Lynch, Sequoyah-Tahlequah
3B: Brenna Vise, Poteau
SS: Taylor McElhaney, Oologah
OF: Shelby Standridge, Poteau; Kassi Yazel, Morris; Audrianna Hooks, Bristow
P: Madison Boyd, Chelsea; Jessica Bluebird, Sequoyah-Tahlequah
C: Shyanna Sigman, Tecumseh
U-SS: Sutv Meely, Tecumseh
U-P: Kylar Foshee, Valliant
U-2B: Bailey King, Morris
U-SS: Ashley Williams, Berryhill; Raven Campos, Adair; Ryan Martin, Beggs
Coach: Tommy Howard, Valliant

MIDDLE WEST
P: Andee Frazier, Little Axe
C: Jacie Stephens, Washington
1B: Shelby Robinson, Newcastle
2B: Megan Sanders, Weatherford
3B: Jordan Chism, Piedmont
SS: Samantha Leising, Little Axe
OF: Kaylin Taylor, Purcell; Nikki Horton, Cache; Emma Nelson, Piedmont
P: Shea Coats, Tuttle; Tate Landmark, Cache
C: Kaitlyn Holmes, Harrah
U-3B: Dani Warren, Cache; Tiphani Napier, Plainview; Annamarea Combs, Tuttle
U-OF: Bryanne Knox, Dickson; Ashley Savage, Newcastle
U-2B: Avery Walker, Marlow
Coach: Rodney DeLong, Cache

SMALL EAST
P: Jalissa Gum, Frontier
C: Casey Kelley, Roff
1B: Jadyn Gibbs, Rattan
2B: Cheyenne Been, Dewar
3B: Kelby Alexander, Drumright
SS: Samantha Berry, Dale
OF: Kelly Easterling, Oktaha; Sericca Rider, Red Oak; Sarah Morrison, Caney Valley
P: Kendra Coleman, Red Oak; Taylor Canida, Roff
C: Danielle Dockrey, Dale
U-SS: Kendra David, Caney Valley; Jill Shipman, Stroud
U-P: Taylor Eaves, Panama; Jill Roye, Red Oak; Jaimie Williams, Rattan
U: Victoria Stambaugh, Davenport
Coach: Casey Butcher, Red Oak

SMALL WEST
P: Peyton Walker, Hammon
C: Kori Barrios, Hammon
1B: Selika Shives, Binger-Oney
2B: Sydney Harrel, Leedey
3B: Danielle Hammons, Fort Cobb-Broxton
SS: Kayla Wilson, Mooreland
OF: Larissa Tate, Binger-Oney; Carly Farmer, Pond Creek-Hunter; Bailey Carnes, Merritt
P: Taya Haney, Leedey; Emily Wasinger, Frederick
C: Harli Ridling, Sentinel
U-3B: Jenna Trissel, Leedey
U-P: Ashton Lierle, Fort Cobb-Broxton; Jaci Booker, Cyril; Lakeyna Forsythe, Fletcher
U-SS: Olivia Mason, Fairview
U-2B: Casey Redus, Wayne
Coach: Scott Brewer, Wayne

Morris, a 6-foot-8, 262-pound senior, chose the Shockers over Oral Roberts, Lamar and Florida Gulf Coast, announcing his decision live via webcast on NewsOK.com.

“Wichita State is getting a kid who is just now starting to tap into some of the physical promise he has,” Edmond Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said. “He’s very explosive, and his quickness belies his size. He’s so physically strong, but he’s very quick, almost cat-quick at times. He’s very mobile, and he’s starting to tap into those tools.”

Morris averaged 13.0 points and 5.6 rebounds at Edmond Santa Fe last season, and moved to Memorial in the summer. He adds a post presence to the Bulldogs’ lineup that has been absent in recent seasons.

Edmond Memorial reached the state finals the last two seasons, winning it all in 2011, without a player taller than 6-foot-4 on the roster.

“He gives us a low-post scorer, a shot blocker and a rebounder,” Cowherd said. “He allows us to do some things defensively that we haven’t been able to do in the past. The guys on the perimeter know they have somebody behind them anchoring the rim.

“He’s a fun kid who fits in really well with our boys, and he’s a great teammate.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Shaquille Morris, left, will announce his college decision live on NewsOK Varsity at 5 p.m. today. The 6-foot-8 power forward is choosing between Wichita State, Oral Roberts, Lamar and Florida Gulf Coast.

Edmond Memorial basketball player Shaquille Morris will announce his college decision live on NewsOK Varsity at 5 p.m. Monday.

The 6-foot-8 senior power forward will decide between Wichita State, Oral Roberts, Lamar and Florida Gulf Coast.

Morris was a key player for Edmond Santa Fe the last two seasons, but moved to Memorial in the summer, where he will pair with point guard Jordan Woodard, an Oklahoma commit.

Morris averaged 13.0 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior last season on an Edmond Santa Fe team that reached the Class 6A state semifinals.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Cashion’s Cayden Cochran ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 173 yards and a score in Valdosta State’s 58-10 win over Edward Waters.

Early in the second quarter, Cochran broke off a 59-yard run.

—
Ohio kept its hopes of being a BCS buster alive with a 37-34 win over UMass at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Former Norman North standout Beau Blankenship ran for a career-high 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win. Both of Blankenship’s touchdowns came in the fourth quarter. The first tied the game while the second put Ohio ahead by 10.

Blankenship tied a school records with 43 carries and his 269 yards is the third-highest in school history.

After missing last week’s game, Norman North’s Tyler Tettleton threw for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tettleton has not thrown an interception in 156 attempts dating back to last year.

Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had four catches for 55 yards.

—
Sam Houston State didn’t need huge numbers out of Midwest City product Timothy Flanders in a 50-6 win over Texas Southern.

Flanders had 10 carries for 49 yards and caught two passes for six yards in the win.

—
Millwood’s Josh Turner had seven tackles, four solo, in Texas’ 41-36 win over Oklahoma State.

Tulsa Central’s Demarco Cobbs had three tackles for the Longhorns, getting the start at SLB.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had two tackles and a pass breakup and Jenks’ Orion Jones had a tackle for a loss in Toledo’s 37-17 win over Western Michigan.

—
Lawton’s Cornelius Douglas had  two interceptions and three tackles as Texas Tech’s surprising defense helped the Red Raiders to a 24-13 win over Iowa State.

Douglas returned his second interception 40 yards to the Iowa State 9 with the Red Raiders up by one. Two plays later, Texas Tech extended the lead.

Carl Albert’s Tre’ Porter had four tackles and a pass breakup

Owasso’s Jacques Washington led Iowa State with 12 tackles and had an interception.

—
Millwood’s Davion Pierson, making the start at defensive tackle, had three tackles in TCU’s 24-16 win over SMU.

—
Former Jenks quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen threw for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Northern Iowa’s 33-21 loss to North Dakota State.

Del City’s Tim Clark had a pair of tackles.

—
Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had three tackles and a 47-yard fumble return as New Mexico nearly pulled off an upset of Boise State before falling 32-29.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Stoner picked up the fumble and returned it to the Boise State 1. Two plays later, New Mexico scored to pull to within three. The fumble recovery was Stoner’s seventh of his career.

—
Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman had eight tackles, Oregon State’s 38-35 win over Arizona.

Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor added two tackles.

Douglass’ Cayman Bundage had a tackle for Arizona.

—
Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson had a 44-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter of Princeton’s 33-6 win over Columbia.

Wilson had three catches for 73 yards.

Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes had a six-yard reception.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Brian Mills had two tackles.

—
Muskogee’s Vernon Scott ran for 26 yards in Missouri State’s 17-7 loss to South Dakota State.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Tre Kelley had a five-yard reception.

Norman North’s Nick Canavan had five tackles while Star Spencer’s Jason Fitch added four. Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough had three and a fumble recovery.

—
Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Nathan Stanley threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in Southeastern Louisiana’s 31-21 win over Lamar.

—
Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose led Arkansas Tech with seven tackles in the Wonder Boys’ 41-20 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Zickefoose also had a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

Claremore’s Greg Dicks also had one tackle, while Glenpool’s Tim Van Orsdol started on the offensive line.

—
Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had three tackles, one for a loss, in Missouri’s 21-16 win over Central Florida.

Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers had a special teams tackle as well.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa had an 11-yard touchdown reception for Drake in its 35-7 win over Campbell.

Rosa had seven catches for 92 yards to lead Drake in receiving.

Edmond North’s Cam Bohnert had a pair of punts for a 32.5-yard average.

Holland Hall’s Seth Hedman had four tackles.

—
Ponca City’s Brent Wilson had eight carries for 20 yards and threw for 42 yards on four completions in Emporia State’s 37-26 win over Lincoln (Missouri).

Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson had seven catches for 66 yards and Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had two catches for 36 yards. Richardson also had a pair of kickoff returns.

Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis returned a kick 27 yards.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had five tackles. Del City’s Jeff Richards had an interception, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Luther’s Justin Wilson had one tackle.

Norman North’s Lance Uhles and Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers started on the offensive line for Emporia State.

—
Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had a pair of catches for 14 yards and Muskogee’s Victor Williams had an eight-yard reception in Dartmouth’s 28-21 loss to Penn.

Schoenthaler also returned three kicks for 72 yards.

Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line for Dartmouth.

—
Norman North’s Beau Traber had eight tackles in Bucknell’s 15-10 loss to Cornell.

—
Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had five tackles in Colorado School of Mines’ 54-28 loss to Western New Mexico.

—
Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had six tackles and Muskogee’s Robert Thomas had one in Arkansas’ 58-10 loss to Texas A&M.

Broken Arrow’s Alvin Bailey started on the offensive line for the Razorbacks.

—
Carl Albert’s David Oku ran for 79 yards and  had three catches for 27 yards in Arkansas State’s 26-13 loss to Western Kentucky.

—
McGuinness’ Kris Parham ran for 36 yards and had four catches for 25 yards in Weber State’s 37-13 loss to UC-Davis.

Parham also returned four kickoffs for 76 yards.

Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales led Weber State with 11 tackles, including one for a loss. Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu had eight tackles, Edmond Memorial’s David James added four, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had three. Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had two tackles and a quarterback hurry.

Jenks’ Devin Pugh had a pair of tackles and an interception and Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond had one tackle.

Putnam North’s Josh Booker had one carry. Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land started at right guard for Weber State.

—
Midwest City’s Ricky Reeves had three tackles and a pair of pass breakups in South Dakota’s 34-31 loss to Illinois State.

—
Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the offensive line in Houston’s 35-14 win over Rice.

Houston had 608 yards of total offense.

—
Marlow’s Colt McCauley started on the offensive line in Southeast Missouri State’s 31-16 win over Jacksonville State.

—
Bixby’s Michael Nelson started at wide receiver but had no catches in Missouri Southern’s 35-10 loss to Central Missouri.

One-third of Ohio’s Oklahoma connection missed the Bobcats’ game against Norfolk State on Saturday.

Former Norman North quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who had thrown for 781 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception in Ohio’s first three games, was held out with an undisclosed injury.

USA Today reported that Tettleton’s injury was to his abdomen.

With Derrius Vick in Tettleton’s place, though, the Bobcats didn’t skip a beat.

Norman North product Beau Blankenship ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in Ohio’s 44-10 win over Norfolk State. Blankenship ran for 109 yards, topping 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game.

Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster caught five passes, tying a career high, for 69 yards and two touchdowns, including Ohio’s first less than three minutes into the game. Blankenship’s 24-yard touchdown catch came just three minutes later.

—
Carl Albert’s David Oku ran for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Arkansas State’s 56-0 win over Alcorn State. Oku also had a five-yard reception.

—
Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Nathan Stanley hit freshman tight end Taylor Jenkins for a three-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 left to give Southeastern Louisiana a 25-24 upset win over FCS No. 17 McNeese State.

Stanley, a transfer from Ole Miss, was 21 of 35 with 247 yards passing. Stanley also rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown and had a 42-yard punt.

—
Millwood’s Davion Pierson, a redshirt freshman, had two tackles and a fumble recovery in TCU’s 27-7 win over Virginia.

—
Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had a team-high nine tackles–eight solo–in Oregon State’s 27-20 upset of then-No. 19 UCLA.

Doctor, starting at weakside linebacker, had one tackle for a loss.

Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman, who started at strong safety, added four solo tackles in the upset.

—
Midwest City’s Timothy Flanders kept up his big production for Sam Houston State against Central Arkansas.

Flanders ran for  125 yards and a pair of touchdowns and had one reception in the Bearkats’ 24-20 loss in Conway, Ark.

The 100-yard game was Flanders’ 17th of his career at Sam Houston State. He also moved to No. 5 in Southland Conference history in career rushing touchdowns with 39. The conference record is 52.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa caught a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to put Drake ahead for good in its 28-25 win over Morehead State. Rosa finished with two catches for 22 yards and an eight-yard kick return.

Edmond North’s Cam Bohnert had three punts for a 34-yard average, including one inside the 20.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had four tackles, including a sack, and Jenks’ Orion Jones had three tackles in Toledo’s 38-28 win over Coastal Carolina.

—
Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson had an 11-yard touchdown catch with less than four minutes left to help seal Emporia State’s 30-20 win over Northeastern State. Richardson had three catches for 53 yards and a 23-yard kick return in the win.

Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had a three-yard reception, Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis had 44 return yards and Del City’s Jeff Richards had a 23-yard kick return.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had eight tackles, Alva’s Derek Lohmann, Gaddis and Richards had five each and Luther’s Justin Wilson had two as the Hornets improved to 4-0.

Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo, Norman North’s Lance Uhles and Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers started on the offensive line, which helped Emporia State post 452 yards of total offense.

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A week after being part of Pittsburgh’s upset over Virginia Tech, the Panthers rolled to a 55-10 win over Gardner-Webb.

Tulsa Washington’s Isaac Bennett scored Pitt’s final two touchdowns in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Bennett ran for 52 yards.

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This one has been covered a bit but Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett had four catches for 37 yards and Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 49 yards in Kansas State’s 24-19 upset at Oklahoma.

Thompson had a third-down reception for a first down on each of Kansas State’s final two drives.

Thompson and Lockett each had one rushing attempt as well as a kickoff return each.

Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett had one tackle, while fellow Hornet Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line.

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Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had four tackles in New Mexico’s 27-14 win over rival New Mexico State. Stoner also recovered a fumble and had a pass break up. The recovery was the sixth of Stoner’s career.

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Glenpool’s Israel Maselera returned a punt for a touchdown to start Pittsburg State’s 59-17 win over Lincoln.

Sand Springs’ Darrack Harger ran for 12 yards and threw for 34 yards.

Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith started at left guard.

Defensively, Tulsa East Central’s Dino Teague had five tackles, Tulsa Washington’s Aries Herrion and Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had two each. Sand Springs’ Matt Anderson and Maselera had one tackle.

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Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes had a 10-yard touchdown reception but Princeton fell 21-20 to Georgetown. The catch was Hayes’ only reception.

Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson had two catches for a team-high 62 yards.

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Heritage Hall’s Turner Petersen scored on a 30-yard run in the first quarter of Rice’s eventual 54-51 loss to Marshall in double overtime.

Petersen had 16 carries for 76 yards on the ground and caught a pair of passes for 20 yards.

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McGuinness’ Kris Parham is a running back but his biggest play in Weber State’s 32-26 loss to Eastern Washington was a pass.

Parham threw a 33-yard completion in the second quarter. He finished with 31 yards rushing on three carries and had a pair of kick returns. Putnam North’s Josh Booker had a single four-yard carry.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher caught a late two-point conversion pass.

Defensively, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales led the Wildcats with 16 tackles, three for loss. Another former Bulldogs standout, David James, added six tackles, as did Jenks’ Devin Pugh. Pletcher also had three tackles.

Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers and Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land had a tackle each.

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Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi had a pair of tackles, including a sack for 11 yards, in Wyoming’s 40-37 overtime win over Idaho.

Puletasi’s sack came in the closing seconds of the first half and he both forced and recovered a fumble on the play.

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Midwest City’s Ricky Reeves had a tackle in South Dakota’s 38-7 loss to Northwestern.

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Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had seven tackles in Missouri’s 31-10 loss to South Carolina.

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Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line for Dartmouth in its 13-10 win over Holy Cross. Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had one two-yard reception in the win.

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Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had 12 tackles, one for a loss, in Arkansas’ 35-26 loss to Rutgers.

Muskogee’s Robert Thomas added four tackles and Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett three.

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Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose had five tackles in Arkansas Tech’s 31-24 loss to Ouachita Baptist. Glenpool’s Tim Van Orsdol started on the offensive line for the Wonder Boys.

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Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had two tackles each in Kansas’ 30-23 loss to Northern Illinois. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line.

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Muskogee’s Vernon Scott had 14 yards rushing and a reception in Missouri State’s 14-6 loss to Southern Illinois.

Norman North’s Nick Canavan had five tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough had four in the loss.

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Norman North’s Beau Traber had four tackles–assisting on a sack–in Bucknell’s 20-14 loss to Lafayette.

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Idabel’s Kevin Rucker had a tackle in Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 24-21 win over Alabama State.

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Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had three tackles and a pass breakup in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-37 loss to New Mexico Highlands.

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Marlow’s Colt McCauley started on the offensive line for Southeast Missouri State in its 41-38 overtime win over Tennessee Tech.

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Mustang’s Kyle Webster had two pass attempts with no completions and had 16 yards rushing in Missouri Southern’s 16-13 loss to Southwest Baptist. Bixby’s Michael Nelson had one carry for a seven-yard loss.

A look at how Oklahoma high school alums fared in out-of-state college action over the weekend:

A week before Kansas State comes to Norman, a couple of former Oklahoma high school stars turned in big performances in the WIldcats’ 35-21 win over North Texas on Saturday night.

The Mean Green took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when former Tulsa Washington standout Tyler Lockett returned the kick 96 yards to tie the game up.

The next two Kansas State touchdowns were scored by former Jenks standout Tramaine Thompson–one from 38 yards out and the other from 21.

Thompson finished with five catches for 102 yards. Lockett added another 23-yard kick return and a six-yard catch.

Tulsa Washington’s Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line for Kansas State. Dante Barnett (Tulsa Washington), Andre McDonald (Choctaw) and Zach Trujillo (Deer Creek) played but didn’t record any stats in the win.

—
This is becoming a weekly staple but once again the Oklahoma connection paid off for Ohio. Norman North’s Tyler Tettleton threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 35 yards, former Timberwolves standout Beau Blankenship ran for 102 yards and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had three catches for 30 yards in the Bobcats’ 27-24 come-from-behind win over Marshall.

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Former Tulsa Washington standout Isaac Bennett had two rushes for eight yards and two catches for 14 yards in Pittsburgh’s 35-17 upset of Virginia Tech.

—
Not much positive came out of Arkansas’ 52-0 blowout at the hands of Alabama.
Former McGuinness standout kicker Cameron Bryan came up with a nice play on special teams, sprinting down and downing a punt inside the 5 in the first half.

Bryan handled kickoff duties in eight games for Arkansas in 2009 but after Zach Hocker continued to solidify himself in the kicker roll just prior to the season, Brayn asked to be given a chance to play on kick coverage.

You can read more about him here: http://newsok.com/mcguinness-product-cameron-bryan-joins-arkansas-kickoff-coverage-team/article/3707537

Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett had six tackles, Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had one and Muskogee’s Robert Thomas had a pair of quarterback hurries.

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Former Tulsa Central standout Demarco Cobbs had four tackles and Millwood’s Josh Turner had three tackles in Texas’ 66-31 win at Ole Miss. Cobbs got the start at strongside linebacker.

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Former Carl Albert star David Oku ran for 44 yards and had 11 yards receiving in Arkansas State’s 42-13 loss to Nebraska.

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Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had three tackles and Jenks’ Orion Jones had one in Toledo’s 27-15 win over Bowling Green.

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Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had four tackles in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-19 win over Black Hills State. Hess also had a blocked pass.

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NCAA Division II No. 1 Pittsburg State beat Southwest Baptist 52-9 on Saturday with the help of a few Oklahomans.
Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had three tackles and Israel Maselera and Dino Teague (Tulsa East Central) had two tackles. Teague had a sack. Darrack Harger (Sand Springs) was 2-for 3 with 18 yards passing and rushed for -6 yards.
Uzzel started at defensive end, while Collinsville’s Chance Riley started at tight end and Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith at left guard.

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Former Millwood star Davion Pierson continues to impress at Texas Christian. Pierson started and had five tackles–1.5 for loss (0.5 sacks)–in TCU’s 20-6 win over Kansas.
Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had three tackles for Kansas. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for the Jayhawks.

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Timothy Flanders, a former Midwest City star, scored a touchdown late in the first half as Sam Houston State built a lead on Baylor. But the Bears came back to win 48-23. Flanders ran for 84 yards and had another 56 yards receiving in the loss. Former Norman North standout K.J. Williams played for SHSU as well.

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Lawton Sonny Puletasi usually starts for Wyoming at defensive end but made a mark on the other side Saturday, catching a two-point conversion pass in the second quarter of the Cowboys’ game against Cal Poly. It wasn’t enough, though, as Wyoming fell 24-22. Puletasi had three tackles, while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw time for Wyoming as well.

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Cayman Bundage, a freshman out of Douglass, didn’t start but saw playing time in Arizona’s 56-0 blowout of South Carolina State. Owasso’s Trent Spurgeon played for the Wildcats as well.

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Brandon Swindall, a Millwood product, played for Utah State as the Aggies nearly pulled off a second consecutive upset, before falling to Wisconsin 16-14.

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McGuinness’ Kris Parham ran for 23 yards and Putnam North’s Josh Booker ran for 9 in Weber State’s 35-21 loss to McNeese State. Parham also had 72 kickoff return yards on three chances. Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu led Weber State with nine tackles–all solo–in the loss. Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had 6.5 tackles, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had two, and Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Jenks’ Devin Pugh and Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one each.

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Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had three catches for 27 yards in Dartmouth’s season-opening 35-7 win over Butler. Muskogee freshman Victor Williams had a carry for three yards and two catches for five yards. Tulsa Union’s Corbin Stall had a sack. Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line.

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Former Muskogee standout Shjuan Richardson had seven catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns in Emporia State’s 42-14 win over UCO. Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had four catches for 48 yards and Ponca City’s Brent Wilson had two runs for eight yards in the win.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had three tackles and an interception, Alva’s Derek Lohmann and Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis each had five tackles and a forced fumble, Del City’s Jeff Richards had five tackles and Luther’s Justin Wilson had a pair of tackles. Norman North’s Lance Uhles, Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers and Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo all started on the offensive line as Emporia State racked up 538 yards of total offense. Northwest’s Andre Maupin and Broken Arrow’s Josh Moses also played.

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Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson caught a two-point conversion pass with about five minutes left to lift Princeton to within three but Princeton fell to Lehigh 17-14. Wilson had four catches for 40 yards to lead Princeton in receiving and added a 23-yard catch. Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes started at tight end for Princeton while fellow Comet Michael Major saw action.

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Muskogee’s Vernon Scott ran for 46 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass and returned a kick in Missouri State’s 28-23 loss to Murray State. Norman North’s Nick Canavan had seven tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough added three in the loss. Jenks’ Ryan Boatright, Star Spencer’s Jason Fitch and Edmond Santa Fe’s Tre Kelley also saw time for Missouri State.

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Former Heritage Hall star Turner Petersen ran for 47 yards and had 13 yards receiving in the Owls’ 56-37 loss to Louisiana Tech.

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Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had five tackles in New Mexico’s 49-14 loss to Texas Tech. Another former Titan, Tre’ Porter, played for Texas Tech but did not record any statistics.

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Norman North’s Beau Traber had six tackles in Bucknell’s 19-3 loss to Delaware.

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Owasso’s Jacques Washington had a pair of tackles in Iowa State’s 37-3 win over Western Illinois. Washington started at free safety. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time on the offensive line.

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Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had five tackles in the Missouri’s 24-20 win over Arizona State. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith had one. Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw time.

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Owasso’s Nick Rosa scored on a seven-yard touchdown pass and finished with five catches for 60 yards in Drake’s 27-10 loss to Indiana State. Holland Hall’s Seth Hedman had five tackles.

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Bixby’s Michael Nelson had a nine-yard catch in Missouri Southern’s 21-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.). Norman North’s Riley Nolan also played in the win.

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Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the offensive line for Houston in the Cougars’ 37-6 loss to UCLA. Norman’s Zach Johnson also saw time.

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Marlow’s Colt McCauley started at left guard for Southeast Missouri in its 35-14 loss to Southern Illinois.

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Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose, who started at linebacker, had a tackle in Arkansas Tech’s 73-34 loss to Henderson State. Glenpool’s Tim VanOrsdol started at left tackle.

Know someone I missed? Let me know in the comments or with an e-mail.

A look back at the weekend in college football involving Oklahoma athletes playing out of state:

Former Carl Albert and Tennessee running back David Oku found a new home at Arkansas State just before fall practices began. Once former Auburn standout Michael Dyer was denied a request for immediate eligibility, Oku immediately shot to the top of the Red Wolves’ depth chart.

Saturday in a 33-28 win over Justin Fuente-coached Memphis, Oku ran for 130 yards and a touchdowns–the game-winner.

Oku also had an 8-yard reception while former Oklahoma signee Josh Jarboe had 101 yards receiving for Gus Malzahn’s team.

—
Former Midwest City standout Timothy Flanders became Sam Houston State’s career rushing leader, running for 120 yards and a touchdown in a 54-7 win over Incarnate Word. Flanders now has 2,709 yards for the Bearkats. He also extended his school record for rushing touchdowns to 37. Both of Flanders’ touchdowns came in the first quarter.

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Once again, Oklahoma high school products dominated a win by Ohio, this one a 51-24 win over New Mexico in the Bobcats’ home opener after they beat Penn State a week earlier.

Norman North grad Beau Blankenship rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, fellow Timberwolves product Tyler Tettleton threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had a team-high five catches for 57 yards and a score.

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A pair of former state standouts played big parts in Oregon State’s 10-7 upset over Wisconsin. Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman had seven tackles, tied for a team high, while Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had three tackles in the win. Both started on defense, Doctor at linebacker and Zimmerman at strong safety. Another Lawton product, Jabral Johnson, saw action for the Beavers.

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Former Tulsa Central star Demarco Cobbs had five tackles and former Millwood standout Josh Turner had two in Texas’ 45-0 win over New Mexico. Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had three tackles for New Mexico.

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Millwood product Brandon Swindall had a pair of catches for 16 yards in Utah State’s 27-20 win over rival Utah. Another former Falcons standout, Cameron Sanders, had a tackle in the win.

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Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett continues to emerge as a star for Kansas State. Lockett had three catches for 59 yards in the WIldcats’ 52-13 win over Miami. He also had two rushes for 14 yards and returned two kicks for 54 yards. Deer Creek’s Zach Trujillo had a 58-yard catch late in the blowout while Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 57 yards and a 12-yard punt return. Choctaw’s Andre McDonald and Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett also saw time.

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Former Millwood standout Davion Pierson started at defensive tackle and had a tackle for a loss in TCU’s 56-0 win over Grambling State. Del City’s Jamelle Naff also saw action for the Horned Frogs. Both are redshirt freshmen.

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Owasso’s Jacques Washington, starting at free safety for Iowa State, had six tackles and a 26-yard interception return in the Cyclones’ 9-6 win over Iowa. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time for Iowa State.

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Former Heritage Hall standout Turner Petersen ran for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Owls’ 25-24 win over Kansas. Petersen also had a 14-yard reception. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for Kansas, while Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams also saw action.

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Carl Albert product Christian Smith had five tackles, including two for a loss (one sack) in Toledo’s 34-31 win over Wyoming. Jenks’ Orion Jones also saw action for Toledo. Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi started at defensive end for the Cowboys while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw action.

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Missouri didn’t have much luck in its SEC opener, losing 41-20 to Georgia but Edmond Santa Fe product Randy Ponder had four tackles. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith and Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw action.

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Houston lost again, this time 56-49 to Louisiana Tech but Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the Cougars’ offensive line that produced 693 yards of total offense.

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Weber State didn’t do much scoring in its 45-13 loss at BYU but both touchdowns came courtesy of Oklahoma products. Putnam City North’s Josh Booker and McGuinness’ Kris Parham each found the end zone on 1-yard runs. Booker finished with 64 yards rushing, while Parham had 15. Booker also had 17 yards receiving while Parham added a 9-yard catch. Parham also had 5 kick returns for 93 yards, including one for 34 yards. On defense, Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu had eight tackles, Jenks’ Devin Pugh had five, Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond had five, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had two, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one and Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had a pass breakup. Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land also started on Weber State’s offensive line.

Edmond Memorial point guard Jordan Woodard will announce his college decision live on NewsOK.com/Varsity at 5 p.m. Thursday. He's deciding between Oklahoma, Memphis and San Francisco.

Oklahoma, Stanford, Memphis and San Francisco are among the college basketball programs Edmond Memorial point guard Jordan Woodard will choose between when he appears live on NewsOK.com at 5 p.m. Thursday to announce his college decision.

The announcement will be available to view live at www.newsok.com/varsity as Woodard appears with his family and coach Shane Cowherd to give his verbal commitment.

Woodard has long said he hoped to commit before the season, and thus, be able to sign during the early period, which opens Nov. 14. Verbal commitments are non-binding.

Woodard averaged 13.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals as a junior as he and brother James Woodard led the Bulldogs to the Class 6A state finals, losing to Tulsa Union. Woodard was the starting point guard on Edmond Memorial’s state title team in 2011 as well.

Oklahoma was the first team to offer Woodard, that coming last August as coach Lon Kruger began to emphasize his pursuit of in-state players. Memphis and San Francisco, who have both been hitting the state hard for recruits the last couple of years, came in with offers shortly after, and Stanford joined the fray later.

Kansas coach Bill Self, a former Bulldog himself, also showed interest, as did coaches at Iowa, Kansas State and a few other places.

With the departure of Douglass point guard Stephen Clark to a Las Vegas prep school, there’s no argument that Woodard is the top senior player in the Oklahoma City area, and one of the two most recruited prospects in the state. He’s joined on that list by Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who verbally committed to Georgia last week.

But he was pleased to see his team arrive with a positive attitude for what was ahead, and the mood has only gotten better through summer and into preseason practices.

“I’m extremely proud of their attitudes,” Merideth said. “It’s as good as it has ever been as long as I’ve been here.

“They’re working hard, very positive. They want to get better and be successful. It’s been as much fun as you can have at preseason practices as you can possible have.”

The Bulldogs will rely on the leadership of players like left tackle Lucas Gerdes and defensive back Sam Kreutzer, who are among the team’s returning starters.

Deer Creek's Garrett Hermanski is among three new players selected for the All-State boys basketball game Thursday night at Oral Roberts.

Edmond Memorial’s James Woodard and Lawton Eisenhower’s D’Andre Wright are among a trio of players to withdraw from the All-State boys basketball game. The pair of incoming freshmen at Tulsa will be replaced by Deer Creek’s Garrett Hermanski and Ardmore’s Travis Galbreath on the Large West team.

On the Large East roster, Victory Christian’s L.J. Ross is being replaced by Kansas’ Corey Cowan.

The All-State boys basketball games begin with the small-school game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Oral Roberts University’s Mabee Center. The large-school game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Moore qualified for the US Amateur on Monday, winning a three-man playoff for the third and final qualifying spot at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow.

He joined former Tulsa University player Stephen Carney and Oklahoma State’s Talor Gooch, a former Carl Albert star, as qualifiers for the event, which will be held Aug. 13-19 at Cheery Hills Country Club outside Denver.

Carney, a Tulsa Union product, was the medalist with a 137 total (69-68), and Gooch was second at 140 (72-68). Moore, who will be a freshman at Arkansas next month, shot 141 (71-70) to tie for third. He had back-to-back pars to win the two-hole playoff over Danny Funk and Jeff Coffman.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Twenty minutes into its first game, senior leader Bryan Sanchez tore both of his ACLs.

“It was pretty tough on him,” said coach Jeff Lovett. “It was tough on the entire team. He was a senior, the captain and he had a great year for us last year.”

Sanchez’s injury was especially tough on him because his brother, junior Blake Sanchez, is the Bulldogs’ starting goalie.

“They were excited about playing together this year,” Lovett said.

Lovett said senior Jared Glenn has stepped up and provided leadership for the team. Glenn leads the team in goals.

Memorial is 2-4 this season entering Tuesday’s game at unbeaten U.S. Grant, but one loss was in a shootout, one was in overtime and another was by one goal in regulation.

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

All-Conference
First Team
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Carolee Dillard, Midwest City
Taylor Ely, Norman
Bri Kuestersteffen, Norman North
Toni Smith, Del City

Second Team
Brittany Alavinejad, Westmoore
Serithia Hawkins, Southmoore
Sydney Hill, Edmond Memorial
Mariah Jackson, Del City
Kayla Tucker, Southmoore

Third Team
Bethany Cox, Norman
Jami Hensley, Westmoore
Rasheeda Kabba, Westmoore
Amanda Patterson, Moore
Haley Woodard, Norman North

Honorable Mention
Dionna Collins (Del City), Piper Kalthoff (Del City), Jenny Roy (Edmond Memorial),
Alyssa Hand (Edmond Memorial), Jasmine Gaddis (Midwest City), Jasauen Beard (Midwest City), Adrianna White (Midwest City), Reagan Widener (Midwest City),
Tori Thomas (Norman North), Kabria Harkey (Westmoore),

at Jenks
Tulsa Kelley vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Kelley vs. Deer Creek, 4 p.m.
Jenks vs. Deer Creek, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
at Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow vs. Deer Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Memorial vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 4 p.m.
Broken Arrow vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 6:30 p.m.

at Jenks
Jenks vs. Edmond Memorial, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Kelley vs. Moore, 4 p.m.
Jenks vs. Moore, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
at Broken Arrow
Tulsa Memorial vs. Deer Creek, 9 a.m.
Broken Arrow vs. Moore, 11:30 a.m.

at Jenks
Tulsa Kelley vs. Edmond Memorial, 9 p.m.
Jenks vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 11:30 p.m.

East No. 4 vs. West No. 4, 2:30 p.m.*
East No. 3 vs. West No. 3, 5 p.m.*

East No. 2 vs. West No. 1, 2:30 p.m.*
East No. 1 vs. West No. 1, 5 p.m.*
Sites for these games will be determined by finish of Broken Arrow and Jenks in pool play.

Defensive Players of the Year: Jordan Thomas, Edmond Memorial, and Cornell Neal, Midwest City

Offensive Players of the Year: Jordan Woodard, Edmond Memorial, and Rico Hogan, Norman

Coach of the Year: Shane Cowherd, Edmond Memorial

Newcomer of the Year: Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial

First Team
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial
Jordan Woodard, Edmond Memorial
A.J. Holland, Del City
T.J. Noel, Midwest City
Rico Hogan, Norman
Cornell Neal, Midwest City

Second Team
Brett Cannon, Del City
Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial
Connor Madole, Norman
Jordan Thomas, Edmond Memorial
Tripp Fuller, Westmoore

Third Team
Dorian Gigger, Moore
Chris Hobgood, Moore
Steffon Herd, Del City
Trey Ayala, Westmoore
Jamal Mosely, Del City

Honorable Mention:
Sam Kaplan, Norman North
Jourdan Bean, Southmoore
Maurice Davenport, Moore
Kyle Lakin, Westmoore
Beau Palmer, Westmoore
George Kittle, Norman
Daniel Harper, Norman
Keith Glover, Del City
Deonte Long, Del City
Devin Bockhaus, Midwest City
Daryck Jones, Midwest City
Torey Noel, Midwest City
Kesean Brown, Midwest City
Reggie Sloan, Edmond Memorial
Aaron Young, Edmond Memorial

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

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard signed with Tulsa in November, and he's closely watching to see who the program hires as its next head coach.

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard isn’t currently planning to seek a release from his letter of intent with the Tulsa basketball program. But he’s keeping an eye on things with the Golden Hurricane.

TU fired head coach Doug Wojcik on March 11, and the replacement process is ongoing. Woodard has been in contact with Lawton Eisenhower forward D’Andre Wright about the situation.

Both have signed letters of intent, but could be granted their release from the commitment because of Wojcik’s firing.

“I’m keeping a close eye on it to see if they make any decisions soon, because if not, I’ll have to start making my decisions,” Woodard said. “I talked to (Wright) last week. We met with the athletic director (Ross Parmley). We’re trying to get all the information we can, so we can see if we need to stay or try to find another school.

“As of now, I’m still going to TU. I’m just waiting to see what they decide on in the next few weeks and go from there.”

Lawton Eisenhower coach Bruce Harrington said Wright is also waiting and watching. Wright, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in helping the Eagles reach the state tournament.

Woodard, a 6-foot-3 wing, led Memorial with 14 points and seven rebounds per game as the Bulldogs finished as the Class 6A runner-up to Tulsa Union.

The next letter of intent signing period for basketball opens April 11, at which time, several other scholarships will begin to be filled. There’s always some shuffling when coaches leave and players go to other schools, so the domino effect could cause some currently filled spots to come open as well.

It’s a hectic time, and very stressful for a kid caught in the middle of it. For those who are interested, here’s a link to a Tulsa World story from Sunday detailing a few potential candidates at Tulsa.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Sydney Hill, right, and Edmond Memorial qualified for the state tournament by upsetting No. 2 Midwest City. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO

After Saturday’s final area games, the field is set for next week’s Class 6A girls’ basketball state tournament in Tulsa.

Here are the qualifiers:

No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (23-0): Defending state champions are led by Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and are the clear favorite.

No. 2 Midwest City (26-1): Bombers lost to Edmond Memorial in area final, but got back on track with win over Putnam City North for state berth.

No. 3 Jenks (21-6): Trojans earn first state tournament berth since 2007.

No. 4 Edmond Memorial (20-5): Bulldogs upset No. 2 Midwest City in area final for state berth. Five losses are twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to 5A No. 1 Shawnee.

No. 5 Sapulpa (19-7): Chieftains are in the state tournament for the first time since 2008.

No. 8 Muskogee (20-6): Roughers bring 11-game win streak into the state tournament.

No. 10 Tulsa Union (16-11): Redskins’ only playoff loss was 2-point setback to No. 5 Sapulpa in regional final. Union topped Bartlesville for state berth.

No. 11 Mustang (17-10): Nikki McCann’s first season as the Broncos’ coach will end in the state tournament. Mustang topped Choctaw on Saturday to earn berth.

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.

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

Kelly Gregg, center, talks to Edmond North football coach Jeremy Dombek, left, after Gregg's jersey was retired Tuesday. PHOTO BY JASON KERSEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Kelly Gregg was back in his hometown Tuesday night to be honored at a halftime ceremony during Edmond North’s boys’ basketball game.

Gregg’s Jersey No. 71 was retired by the school.

The longtime NFL veteran and former Oklahoma Sooner said he hasn’t officially announced it yet, but will likely retire after spending the 2011-12 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the vast majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.

After Tuesday’s ceremony, he talked about his high school career, his pro career and using his doubters as motivation in a video.

A note about the video: During the ceremony, it was announced that Gregg had the longest NFL career of any former Sooner, and I asked him about it on the video. After doing some research, that isn’t exactly correct. The length of time from when his career began to when it ended is the longest, but he spent a couple years on Baltimore’s practice squad and wasn’t an active-roster player. Tony Casillas played more seasons on an active NFL roster.

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard had 22 points in a win over Del City on Friday.

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard knows that as the season goes on, he’s going to be asked to play inside at times, and help to power the team’s rebounding efforts. As one of the tallest players on the team at 6-foot-3, he draws the job almost by default.

His athleticism and long arms help the cause, too. But more than any of those things, it was his pure effort that made the difference on Friday night. He was going to the boards hard on both ends of the floor, and his offensive game was on point, as well.

He and little brother Jordan Woodard put on quite a show, especially in the second half, when they accounted for all but four of the Bulldogs’ points to put Del City away.

Here’s what I wrote about the game for Saturday’s newspaper:

With their team in a tight ballgame against the only team to beat them this year, second-ranked Edmond Memorial’s brother duo of James and Jordan Woodard took control.

The brothers combined for 25 of the Bulldogs’ 29 points in the second half Friday night on the way to a 60-48 win over Class 5A’s No. 1 team, Del City.

“It’s almost tournament time, so coach (Shane Cowherd) preaches to us every day that everybody’s got to elevate our game right now,” said Jordan Woodard, who had 18 points. “We’re just trying to click every game from now on, until the championship game.”

Del City defeated the Bulldogs in December, and Memorial didn’t want to experience that again. James Woodard had 22 points and worked hard going after rebounds.

“When we lost to them, rebounding hurt us,” he said. “We knew we had to play harder than them and hustle harder than them to get rebounds, because that’s how we win.”

Sophomore Brett Cannon led Del City with 15 points.

After the game, Jordan Woodard was scheduled to leave for an unofficial visit at the University of Memphis. The Tigers, along with Oklahoma and San Francisco, have offered the junior a scholarship.

Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger has been out to see Jordan play multiple times, keeping a close eye on one of his prime in-state targets, and Kansas coach Bill Self continues to show strong interest.

Other than the eight-hour car ride in the middle of the night, Jordan was looking forward to the opportunity to check out Memphis, which hosts Xavier on Saturday.

“We’ve been planning this trip for a long time, but the season has been hectic,” he said. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to get out there. It’s gonna feel good going out there after a win. I’m pretty excited.”

Self was in town to see Woodard score 29 points in a win over Edmond Santa Fe two weeks ago. Though Kansas hasn’t offered a scholarship yet, Self told Woodard that he would continue to keep in touch with him, and he wants Woodard to schedule a trip to the campus as well.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Former Edmond Memorial basketball coach and athletic director Mike de la Garza will be honored at halftime of Friday's Mount St. Mary boys basketball game. De la Garza graduated from St. Mary and began his coaching career there. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN

Mount St. Mary will honor Mike de la Garza at halftime of its boys basketball game against Oklahoma Christian School on Friday.

De la Garza, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame last July, is a 1964 Mount St. Mary graduate. He began his coaching career as the Rockets’ boys basketball coach in 1969 before going on to coach at Edmond for more than 20 years.

He led the school to the 1993 state championship, and was Edmond Memorial’s athletic director when it took home its next boys basketball state title in 2011. He retired in May.

St. Mary will host a reception at 7 p.m. in the school’s Mollman Fitness Center for all of de la Garza’s former Rockets players and classmates.

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

Edmond Santa Fe sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen is the 2011 All-Edmond Offensive Player of the Year. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — I have planned on putting together an All-Edmond football team for some time, but, for a variety of reasons, am just now getting to publishing it on the blog.

This was an extremely difficult team to put together because so many teams in Edmond had such terrific seasons. Edmond Santa Fe is obviously the team that stole most of the headlines because of its amazing turnaround from 1-9 to 10-2 and District 6A-2 champion, but Edmond North made a quarterfinal run and almost knocked off eventual state champion Tulsa Union at its place.

Deer Creek put up impressive offensive numbers and had some defensive standouts as well. Oklahoma Christian School is also well represented on this team.

And even though Edmond Memorial had a down year and missed the playoffs, the Bulldogs still had players like linebacker Matt Hickman and lineman John Scheihing that deserved recognition.

I apologize for this coming out so much later than the rest of our football postseason stuff. But here it is:

All-Edmond team
Offense
QB — Justice Hansen, Edmond Santa Fe
RB — Brennan Miyake, Deer Creek
RB — Jarion Tudman, Edmond North
WR — Hunter Dinkines, Deer Creek
WR — Tre Kelley, Edmond Santa Fe
TE — Troy Davis, Edmond North
OL — Nick Lovelace, Oklahoma Christian School
OL — Heath Newland, Edmond North
OL — Cole Parsons, Edmond North
OL — Chad Reitz, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — John Scheihing, Edmond Memorial

Defense
DL — Nolan Boyd, Deer Creek
DL — Josh Crouch, Edmond Santa Fe
DL — Michael Onuoha, Edmond Santa Fe
LB — Matt Hickman, Edmond Memorial
LB — Clyde Jasper, Oklahoma Christian School
LB — Brynden Pitzer, Edmond North
LB — Kooper Ruminer, Deer Creek
DB — Conner Bays, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Christian Contreras, Edmond North
DB — Khari Harding, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Logan Magill, Oklahoma Christian School

Special teams
K — Keegan Carter, Oklahoma Christian School
P — Camden Bohnert, Edmond North
KR — Trevan Smith, Edmond Santa Fe

Offensive Player of the Year: Justice Hansen, Edmond Santa Fe
Defensive Player of the Year: Brynden Pitzer, Edmond North
Coach of the Year: Lance Manning, Edmond Santa Fe

Second team
Offense
QB — Joel Blumenthal, Deer Creek
RB — Zak Anderson, Oklahoma Christian School
RB — Jared Benway, Edmond North
RB — Phillip Sumpter, Edmond Santa Fe
WR — Dale Jefferson, Edmond Santa Fe
WR — Garrett Molinsky, Edmond North
OL — Allston Hadley, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — Taylor Myers, Oklahoma Christian School
OL — Brandon Roberts, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — Will Wiedenmann, Edmond North
OL — Mac Wilsey, Edmond Memorial

Defense
DL — Chris Carter, Edmond Santa Fe
DL — Clint Edgeman, Deer Creek
DL — Russell Sivard, Edmond North
DL — Ian Smith, Deer Creek
LB — Ragan Land, Edmond North
LB — Austin Loomis, Deer Creek
LB — Jerremy Moore, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Zach Birts, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Luke Frankfort, Oklahoma Christian School
DB — Christian Peterson, Edmond North
DB — Caden Sander, Deer Creek

Special teams
K — Ken Bingham, Edmond North
P — Matt Freeman, Edmond Santa Fe
KR — Ottugo Ananaba, Deer Creek

Del City's Jamal Moseley blocks the shot of Edmond Memorial's Jordan Thomas Tuesday night. Del City won the battle of No. 1s, 67-62.

Basketball season has started in a big way around the metro area and I got the chance to take in a No. 1 vs. No. 1 showdown at Del City, with Class 5A’s top team hosting 6A’s best, Edmond Memorial.

Here’s my roundup of some of Tuesday night’s top action, which will appear in Wednesday’s paper — along with some added analysis:

Del City takes down Edmond Memorial

The score hung on every wall of the Del City boys basketball locker room nearly all of last season — 69-29.

That’s how bad Edmond Memorial beat the Eagles on Dec. 14 of last year, and the score was posted as a reminder of how much better Del City needed to get.

Now, it can be viewed as a reference of how far the Eagles have come. Ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, Del City defeated Class 6A No. 1 Edmond Memorial 67-62 Tuesday night at John Smith Fieldhouse.

“We’ve matured,” senior guard A.J. Holland said. “We’re ready to play. We’re ready to go get a ring.”

Holland and Steffon Herd had 15 points apiece to lead the Eagles (6-0) to an important early season victory. Keith Glover scored 12 and Brett Cannon added 10 for Del City.

“Confidence-wise this is huge,” coach Tim Stogsdill said. “The kids believed they could do it, but until they saw that score — they see that the sky’s the limit as long as we come back from this, and stay focused and keep working.”

Memorial’s Jordan Woodard led all scorers with 21 points and James Woodard added 18 for the Bulldogs (6-1), who were coming off a championship at the Edmond Open on Saturday.

Scott’s thoughts: These two teams are No. 1 in their classes for a reason, and they’re going to be around until the end. Guard play is HUUUUGE in March, and they both have plenty. Very few times during the season will either of these teams face an opponent that has guards who are as good as theirs, but both faced that situation Tuesday night.

Del City won Tuesday’s battle, and if you like good guard play, I suggest taking in the rematch at Edmond Memorial Feb. 3.

With two-time defending 5A champion Tulsa Washington now in 6A, Del City is looking like the early favorite for the gold ball. They’re playing with a different level of confidence than they had last year — they expect to win games the way they did Tuesday night. That will pay off down the line.

Edmond Memorial was probably dealing with something of a hangover from a hard-fought championship at the Edmond Open over the weekend, and I don’t think this loss is a sign the Bulldogs are going to underachieve this season. They’re as good as advertised. But on this night, Del City was better.  

Santa Fe holds off winless Choctaw

Edmond Santa Fe’s coach Shawn Schenk wasn’t pleased with his team’s effort Tuesday, but he’ll take the win.

The No. 3 Wolves beat winless Choctaw 55-42, but it took a big fourth-quarter effort to move past the pesky Yellowjackets, who led at halftime and only trailed by three after the third quarter.

“It was a good win,” Schenk said. “But not a great effort on our part.

“I hope we learn from this, because we aren’t good enough to play half way.”

Choctaw, meanwhile, still seeks its first win. Senior forward Carson Clay rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter. It was a big loss for Choctaw, which was trying to hold off the Wolves’ tough interior attack.

Santa Fe junior forward Shaquille Morris finished with 13 points.

Coach Doug Armstrong said that wasn’t why his team lost.

“We were playing well, but we just couldn’t come up with some loose balls late in the game,” Armstrong said. “We’re still young and inexperienced, but that isn’t an excuse anymore.”

Scott’s thoughts: Thanks to Jason Kersey for the coverage of this one. As Doug Armstrong said, the ‘Jackets are young, but they’ve got some talent. It might not click this year, but they will continue to improve.

As for Santa Fe, you get the feeling that ugly wins like this are going to be their specialty. They’ve had a few this year so far, and their team makeup lends to that. Good size all over the floor and a lot of good defenders. They will miss Josh Richardson’s pure scoring ability at all levels.

Shaq Morris is a blossoming star inside with solid post moves and good rebounding ability as a 6-foot-7 junior who is already drawing major college attention. And the Wolves have guards with a variety of skills. So they might not be blowing people out every night, but they’re always going to be in games, and they have the crunch-time experience to come out on top a lot.

PC North opens new gym with win

The newly remodeled gym at Putnam City North got quite a christening. Not only were Oklahoma football players Tony Jefferson, Kenny Stills and a few others on hand for the opener, the Panthers won, too.

PC North defeated Mustang 64-54 behind 15 points from Alex Clark on five 3-pointers. Joe Summers added 14 points and Rodney Teal had 10. Up next for the Panthers is a visit to No. 6 Putnam City West on Friday.

Scott’s thoughts: Can’t wait to see all the new gyms around the metro at PC North, Yukon and Westmoore. Based on Twitter talk, OU’s Cali Trio — actually I think they’re calling themselves the California Hot Boys now — enjoyed themselves in the Zoo with the PC North students. And they got to see Alex Clark heat it up. Coach Rick Harris says Clark is playing with a lot of confidence lately.

The coaches’ rankings have PC North at No. 15, and I think they’re better than that. Not sure if they can go win at PC West or not, but the Panthers are at worst a borderline top 10 team.

Mustang is replacing last year’s senior class that played a huge role in building that program under Alan Green, especially David Glidden, who was a four-year starter at point guard. The team has some talent, but not a lot of experience, so look for improvement from the Broncos as the season goes along.

Tip-ins

Behind 25 points from Stephen Clark, Douglass topped Centennial 73-59 in a battle of defending state champions… Guthrie got a put-back from Bailey Nichols — his only basket of the night — at the buzzer to defeat El Reno 43-41… Moore outscored Norman 23-9 in the fourth quarter for a 55-44 win… U.S. Grant’s Anthony Hartfield scored 27 points in a 63-38 win over the homeschool OKC Knights.

Scott’s thoughts: I spoke with a national recruiting analyst about Clark on Tuesday afternoon, and I’ll be sharing some of that conversation in a few days. But get ready for a lot of nights like this from Clark, now that he’s the only experienced scoring option on the floor. His speed, ball-handling and ridiculous range make him one of the top prospects in the country for 2013. Go check him out if you haven’t seen him yet.

That Guthrie win is just the base line of what to expect from many of the Suburban Conference games this year. There’s not a ton of separation in a lot of those teams, so there will be plenty of battles to come.

Big win for Moore, which is trying to build its program back up. I really think Norman will be a top-10 team at the end of the year, so this win could be a sign of good things for Moore.

Hartfield’s numbers aren’t a fluke. This kid is a legitimate Division I prospect, and an interesting story. He moved from Minnesota in the middle of last season, and he’s been putting up big numbers for the Generals ever since. He averaged nearly 25 a game last year, and he’s on the way to more of the same so far this season.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

District 6A-1 All-District
Awards
Coach of the Year: Steve Huff, Midwest City
Most Valuable Player: James Flanders, Midwest City
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Corben Jones, Yukon
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian McDonald, Lawton Eisenhower
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Daniel Burton, Putnam North
Running Back of the Year: Dre Holman, Putnam North
Wide Receiver of the Year: Tae Douglas, Lawton Eisenhower
Defensive Player of the Year: Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tyrone Beverly, Lawton Eisenhower
Linebacker of the Year: Taylor Lewis, Moore
Defensive Back of the Year: Derek Deeds, Yukon

All-District team
Choctaw: Luke Cotton, LB; Marcese Dickson, LB; Zac Reynolds, OL; Jared Nelson, OL; Jay Styers, WR.

Edmond Memorial: Matt Hickman, LB; Gavin Fouts, RB; Jon Scheihing, OL; Ry Huff, QB; Mac Wilsey, OL; Bryce Robinson, DB.

Lawton Eisenhower: Kacey Totte, LB; Kevin McClain, DB; Nick Shegog, DB; Grayden Gatlin, OL; Devante Baker, LB; Dee Simmons, DB; Dajon Reed, DL.

Midwest City: Ricky Reevs, DB; Zeke Lewis, LB; Ronnie Davis, DB; Austin Roberson, LB; James Flanders, RB; C.J. Smith, DL; Dakota Moran, OL; Chris Shannon, DL; Michael Wisby, WR; Devin Crisp, OL; Deonn McKay, LB; Antonio Martin, DB.

Moore: Brandon Eddins, LB; Grant Linstead, WR; Taylor Lewis, LB; Joe Haddox, LB; Jamal Carter, DL; Corey Reeves, QB; Dakota Gilbert, OL.

Norman North: Riley Nolan, C; Joe Toney, OL; Brad Birchfield, WR.

Putnam North: Daniel Burton, OL; Dre Holman, RB; Bray Humphreys, DL; Gaige Webster, WR; Vidale Grant, DB; Leigh Comfort, OL; J’mon Ratliff, OL.

Yukon: Corben Jones, QB; Derek Deeds, DB; Austin Bevill, WR; Tyrell Barker, DL; Lantz Parks, C; Sheldon Kearby, DL; Hunter Meyn, DB; Tyler Bush, OL; Will Paddock, OL; Zach Hazebaker, OL; Jansen Jarrett, LB.

Here are some of the players who are expected to sign this week:
BASEBALL
Blake Estep, Jones (Penn St.)
Isaac Hellbusch, Deer Creek (Arkansas)
Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert (OU)
Ty Hensley, Edmond Santa Fe (Ole Miss)
Chase Stephens, Deer Creek (UCO)
Jordan Watson, Edmond Santa Fe (OSU)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Aaron Anderson, Edmond Santa Fe (Fresno St.)
Blake Blanchard, Deer Creek (Southwestern)
Matt Christiansen, McGuinness (San Francisco)
Joe Edmonds, McGuinness (San Francisco)
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial (Tulsa)
D’Andre Wright, Lawton Eisenhower (Tulsa)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas (Missouri-Kansas City)
Ashley Clark, Midwest City (Tulsa)
Courtney Cowan, Kansas (Northeastern St.)
Ali Decker, Edmond Memorial (Wichita St.)
Toni Smith, Del City (Fresno St.)
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas A&M)

GOLF
Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial (Arkansas)
Abby Thompson, Deer Creek (OCU)

GYMNASTICS
Keara Glover, Putnam North (Auburn)

SOFTBALL
Liz Broyles, Blanchard (Missouri-Kansas City)
Braxton Coil, Edmond North (Missouri St.)
Shalee Cordell, Newcastle (OBU)
Kaylin Hinshaw, Putnam North (Mid-America)
Leslie Miller, Blanchard (OU)
Kady Self, Edmond North (OU)
Caitlin Sill, Tuttle (Tulsa)
Bryana Wade, St. Mary (North Texas)
Brooke Zukerman, Lawton MacArthur (UCO)

TENNIS
Sarah Bowen, Heritage Hall (Hofstra)

VOLLEYBALL
Emily Belz, OCS (Henderson St.)
Sydney Fioretti, Edmond Santa Fe (OBU)
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe (North Carolina St.)
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe (OCU)

WRESTLING
Matt Manley, Perry (Missouri)

Large East
Sadie Schaffner, Bartlesville
Inky Ajanaku, Tulsa Kelley
Cat Roth, Tulsa Kelley
Sydney Eggers, Bixby
Cailyn Burd, Owasso
Aubrey Marsellis, Owasso
Alexa Knox, Tulsa Union
Kylie Johnson, Tulsa Union

Large West
Maddie Reddick, McGuinness
Skylar Conner, Edmond Memorial
Kristen Nashert, Edmond North
Heather Watson, Edmond North
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe
Lexie Matthews, Norman North
Tori Thomas, Norman North

Small East
Kara Gleason, Lincoln Christian
Evette Allen, Lincoln Christian
Sunny Smarty, Oklahoma Union
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Aryn Dixon, Cascia Hall
Allie Murphy, Cascia Hall
Carolina Arnould, Victory Christian
Mayci Sparkman, Shawnee
Hannah McKenzie, Tulsa Wahsington
Morgan Allison, Catoosa

Small West
Dawnshate Blakes, Chickasha
Taylor Crismas, Oklahoma Bible
Bree Fritschow, Duncan
Danielle McGill, Big Pasture
Sydney Miles, Heritage Hall
Jessica Penner, Corn Bible
Jenny Pratt, Christian Heritage
Lindsey Smith, Big Pasture
Talie Stanley, Cache
Madison Ward, Cache

Last week
Ryan: 7-4, 1-0
Scott: 5-6, 1-0
Jason: 7-4, 1-0

Overall
Ryan: 44-17, 5-1
Jason: 44-17, 4-2
Scott: 42-19, 5-1

Ryan
Guthrie 21, Carl Albert 17
Kingfisher 14, Bethany 10
Owasso 41, Stillwater 35
Tulsa Washington 17, Tulsa Kelley 14
Metro Chr. 28, Seq. Tahlequah 21
Hennessey 22, Oklahoma Chr. 14
Lawton MacArthur 40, Duncan 20
Weatherford 13, Blanchard 8
Lawton Eisenhower 28, Edmond Memorial 22
McGuinness 28, Elgin 13
Lock of the week: Hennessey over OCS. Hennessey took some lumps in the non-district schedule but is still among the top teams in 2A. Tonight is their chance to prove that against a solid OCS team.

Jason
Guthrie 24, Carl Albert 16
Bethany 21, Kingfisher 17
Owasso 38, Stillwater 35
Tulsa Washington 24, Tulsa Kelley 17
Metro Christian 24, Seq. Tahlequah 10
Oklahoma Christian 24, Hennessey 23
Lawton Eisenhower 21, Edmond Memorial 13
Lawton MacArthur 31, Duncan 13
Bishop McGuinness 35, Elgin 14
Blanchard 16, Weatherford 9
Lock of the Week: Guthrie over Carl Albert. Both teams are fantastic, and both teams are legitimate Class 5A contenders. But at this point in the season, Guthrie’s defense is just too good for Carl Albert’s still-developing offense.

Scott
Guthrie 21, Carl Albert 20
Bethany 35, Kingfisher 31
Owasso 45, Stillwater 42
Tulsa Washington 21, Tulsa Kelley 14
Sequoyah-Tahlequah 35, Metro Christian 28
Hennessey 30, Oklahoma Christian 21
Lawton MacArthur 48, Duncan 31
Blanchard 14, Weatherford 12
Edmond Memorial 20, Lawton Eisenhower 17
McGuinness 28, Elgin 21
Lock of the Week: Lawton MacArthur over Duncan. Ever since watching the Highlanders in the preseason scrimmage at Mustang, I’ve had a strong feeling that these guys could win it all in 5A. I needed to see some results in the regular season first to support my gut feeling, and they’ve done that — even while battling some nagging injuries. There are a lot of factors left to be determined regarding the gold ball, but I definitely think Mac wins this week.

Edmond Memorial quarterback Ry Huff (11) looks to pass during a high school football game between Edmond Memorial and Moore at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

EDMOND — Edmond Memorial’s Ry Huff has committed to play college football at Air Force, according to Bulldogs coach Justin Meredith.

Air Force is still not settled on what position Huff, who is the Bulldogs’ quarterback, will play in college. Meredith said it will probably either be H-back or linebacker.

“They liked him a lot as an athlete,” Meredith said.

The military school offered Huff last spring. He took a recent visit to Colorado Springs, Colo., and liked it there, Meredith said.

“I think he felt comfortable,” Meredith said. “Academics are extremely important to him. It’s just a special situation.

“I think it’s a good fit for him. He does well with that type of structure. I think he flourishes in that kind of atmosphere.”

Edmond Memorial running back Daniel Smith, left, runs during his team's 13-10 win over Moore on Thursday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Emptying my notebook from Edmond Memorial’s 13-10 win over Moore on Thursday at Wantland Stadium in Edmond.

* Edmond Memorial is now on a two-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. The Bulldogs tried to go to a more pass-oriented offense early in the season, but they’ve returned to focusing on the run and it’s working.

* Senior running back Gavin Fouts, who rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown — and was really responsible for turning the momentum with an 86-yard run in the third quarter — said the Bulldogs are finally leaving it all on the field.

“The thing is, our boys just needed to get it in their heads to go hit somebody,” he said. “We were sitting back on our heels playing the pass game, and it really works to our advantage to take the punch to the defense. It’s working out great.”

* The win streak has Edmond Memorial gaining lots of confidence.

“I always believed in my team,” Fouts said. “I knew they had it; we just had to bring out the passion. I’m glad to see it finally come out, and hopefully we’ll continue to build on that.”

* Bulldogs coach Justin Meredith is quick to point out, though, that his team still has a long way to go. For example, Memorial was penalized 10 times for 85 yards.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that if we don’t quit making bone-headed mistakes that anybody can beat us, and we’re not gonna be very good,” Meredith said.

“We just can’t do those things. If they’re better than us, and they beat us, then so be it. But we can’t beat ourselves.”

* You have to give Moore tons of credit. The Lions just snapped a 24-game losing streak last week with a win over Choctaw, but they play as hard as any team I’ve seen this year.

And some teams might quit down 13-3 late in the fourth quarter, but not Scott Myers’ team.

You can see some of Myers’ attitude in his team — never quit, keep working, play hard. It’s that inspiring attitude Myers shows every day in his struggle with cancer.

* The Lions scored a touchdown to cut Edmond Memorial’s lead to three, and then recovered the ensuing onside kick. But a missed field goal with under two minutes left pretty much sealed the Bulldogs’ victory.

* I came away really impressed with Moore quarterback Corey Reeves. He kept several plays alive with his legs, but can also throw the ball.

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard, right, has verbally committed to play basketball at Tulsa.

Another of the top senior basketball players in the state is off the board.

Edmond Memorial shooting guard James Woodard committed to Tulsa, making the official announcement on Twitter Sunday evening.

Woodard was at Tulsa for an unofficial visit on Sunday and committed to coach Doug Wojcik while on campus.

He had also received offers from Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts and Creighton.

“I think this will be a good fit for him,” Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said. “He had some good options on the table, which is a credit to him as a player and as a student-athlete.”

Cowherd noted both the basketball and engineering programs as reasons for Woodard’s decision.

“James has every intention of becoming an engineer, and Tulsa’s engineering school is top-notch,” he said. “And I think coach Wojcik did a good job of showing him his plan and direction for the program. The whole family felt very comfortable with coach Wojcik.”

A 6-foot-3 guard, Woodard averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season in helping the Bulldogs to the Class 6A state championship. He will join Lawton Eisenhower’s D’Andre Wright, a 6-foot-9 senior, at Tulsa next season.

Woodard’s younger brother, Jordan Woodard, is one of the top recruits in the state’s 2013 class. The 6-foot point guard already has an offer from Oklahoma and is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 122 junior player in the country.

But Cowherd said James’ decision won’t necessarily impact Jordan’s choice.

“They could end up at the same school. I’m not saying they won’t,” he said. “But what’s best for James doesn’t mean it’s also best for Jordan. The family is committed to making the best decision for each of the boys.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Norman's Tanner Satterthwaite, the defending Class 6A champion, is one of several top runners competing in Friday's OK Runner Classic in Norman. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN

Over 100 cross country teams will descend upon Norman Friday for the sixth annual OK Runner Classic, which is hosted by Norman High School.

Several of the top runners in the state will compete in the event, including defending Class 6A boys champion Tanner Satterthwaite of Norman and last year’s 6A girls runner-up Emily Helms of Mustang.

High school races begin at 10:30 a.m. with the 2A-4A girls. The last varsity race, the 5A-6A boys, begins at 2:30 p.m.

Here is the full list of race times:
10:30: 2A/3A/4A girls
11:30: 2A/3A/4A boys
1:30: 5A/6A girls
2:30: 5A/6A boys
4:30: Junior high girls
5:00: Junior high boys

Edmond Santa Fe's Taylor Ashcraft, left, Daniel Bly, center, and Conner Bays celebrate a touchdown during the Wolves' win Friday. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — I can admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong big time about 2011’s first edition of Edlam.

Some of you Edmond Santa Fe Wolves have reminded me of just how wrong I was, to which I say: Yep, so go ahead and give it to me. I deserve it.

It was an electric atmosphere at Wantland Stadium on Friday night, and I had a blast covering the Wolves’ 31-6 win. The fans are what make covering sports so much fun, and it is that much more fun when the fans are as passionate as the Edmond Santa Fe fans clearly are.

And they certainly have a right to be fired up after Friday’s win. Sophomore QB Justice Hansen looks like a star in the making. The Wolves’ defensive line, led by NCAA Division I recruit Michael Onuoha, is dynamite.

The big Edlam win, which was the Wolves’ first win over either of their in-town rivals in two years, comes on the heels of last week’s 9-0 half-game scrimmage win over Jenks.

“It was the greatest feeling of all time,” junior receiver Dale Jefferson said of topping Edmond Memorial. “That and the Jenks scrimmage, that’s got us pumped up for this season.”

Next week’s game at Yukon will be big for the Wolves. If they can go in and beat quarterback Corben Jones and the Millers, who topped Mustang 44-31 on Friday, the sky’s the limit for this team.

And to think the Wolves were 1-9 last season. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?

It is just one game, and one scrimmage. And the Wolves certainly weren’t perfect on Friday, as coach Lance Manning pointed out.

“It’s a good first win for us,” Manning said. “As a coach, you look at it and say, ‘I’m proud of the guys. We played hard.’

“But we made a lot of mistakes. We’ve got a lot to work on next week.”

In the meantime, enjoy the win, Wolves fans. And give me all the (hopefully good-natured) ribbing you want.

Ry Huff, Edmond Memorial quarterback. PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Tonight, I get to experience Edlam for the first time.

And in all actuality, it’s been a pretty Edlam few days for me. Last night, I watched Edmond North’s dominant rushing attack rack up 377 yards against Southmoore in a 42-10 win.

But tonight, it’s Edmond Memorial vs. Edmond Santa Fe. In a way, it’s the dawning of new eras for both teams.

For Edmond Memorial, gone is quarterback Kameron Doolittle, a run-first signal caller who was a two-year starter. But it’s not like there will be a new face quarterbacking the Bulldogs.

Senior Ry Huff got lots of playing time last year when Doolittle went down with an injury, and this year the offense is unquestionably his. And because of that, Edmond Memorial will go to a more pass-oriented offense that suits Huff’s skills.

And at Edmond Santa Fe, Lance Manning makes his debut as the Wolves’ coach. Manning enjoyed years of success at Norman North and is now attempting to turn around a very talented team that went 1-9 last season.

Manning has already shown some success — the Wolves topped Jenks 9-0 in a half-game scrimmage last week.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: EDMOND MEMORIAL
A major key to success for the Bulldogs will be their offensive line. The unit returns just one starter off last year’s team — senior right guard John Scheihing — and will be up against the big, strong and fast defensive end Michael Onuoha of Edmond Santa Fe. Onuoha is receiving serious NCAA Division I interest.

Memorial coach Justin Merideth said they do their best to simulate Onuoha in practice, but you can’t really simulate his size and speed. If the inexperienced line can keep him away from Huff, that will go a long way towards a win.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: EDMOND SANTA FE
The Wolves have great team speed, but depth is a concern. At the skill positions, Edmond Santa Fe is very talented.

Sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) has all the tools to be successful, and Manning has said that he is mature beyond his years. But it’s hard to know for sure until he gets in a game situation, so his performance will be key to the Wolves’ success.

He has talented targets in senior Tre Kelley and juniors Trevon Smith and Dale Jefferson.

Junior Phillip Sumpter is the team’s top running back. His promising sophomore campaign was cut short by a severe ankle injury, and his skills, added with the Wolves’ passing attack, make the offense two-dimensional.

PREDICTION TIME
Edmond Santa Fe will be much improved; there is no doubt about that. But Edmond Memorial is more experienced, more polished and will come out on top in a close one, 21-17.

Ry Huff, Edmond Memorial quarterback

Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth was pleased with his team’s effort in its first scrimmage at Enid.

“It was a typical first scrimmage,” Merideth said. “There were some good things and some bad things, but our kids played hard and played physical. … We didn’t have any injuries, so if we can come out of a scrimmage with all those things I’m happy.”

The Bulldogs are still adjusting to their more pass-centric offense with senior quarterterback Ry Huff. Last season, with runner Kameron Doolittle calling the signals, the team ran more.

“It’s an adjustment,” Merideth said. “It’s a learning process, but the more reps we get, the better it is. I’m happy with our progress. We’re making progress and that’s the most important thing.”

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
Friend me on Facebook

Edmond Memorial quarterback Ry Huff throws during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 9. PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond Memorial is putting a stronger emphasis on its passing game in 2011 with Ry Huff at quarterback.

Last season, the Bulldogs’ quarterback was Kameron Doolittle, whose explosiveness came from his ability to run.

“This year, Ry’s strength is his arm,” Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth said. “Ry is a good runner, but his explosiveness comes from his arm. Our offensive is flexible; we’re just tweaking to put a little more emphasis on the pass game.”

Huff played some at quarterback last year when Doolittle was injured, but now the senior takes over full time.

“I’m more of a throwing quarterback,” Huff said. “Last year, we kept it pretty simple with fast stuff and play action. Now we’re opening it up and putting in some more elaborate plays.”

Huff’s top targets, he said, will be senior Bryce Robinson and juniors Devin Cossman and Sam Kreutzer.

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard, right, was offered a scholarship by Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

Busy week on the basketball recruiting scene. Here’s a look at the two biggest pieces of news from the last couple days:

OSU offers Memorial’s James Woodard

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard is coming off strong summer performances on the AAU circuit, and the results are showing in his college offers.

Woodard’s added his biggest opportunity to date when Oklahoma State offered a scholarship during a visit to the campus on Tuesday, Edmond Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said.

“They want to bring him in for an official visit early in the football season,” Cowherd said. “James is still weighing the offer, and he has some other good offers, too.”

Woodard, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, also has offers from Tulsa, Oral Roberts and Creighton.

Woodard’s brother, Jordan Woodard, will be a junior for the Bulldogs and is also garnering national recruiting attention, including an offer from Oklahoma.

Cowherd said that attending the same school is not necessarily a major factor for the brothers in the recruiting process.

“James is going to pick the best school for him, and Jordan will pick the best school for him,” the coach said. “If that happens to be the same school, then that’s great.”

Parker gets ninth offer

Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker is quickly becoming one of the state’s most sought-after basketball recruiting targets, picking up his ninth scholarship offer on Tuesday. The University of San Francisco extended a scholarship, which Parker announced on Twitter.

The 6-foot-4 guard, who will be a junior this year, also has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Baylor, Minnesota, Memphis, Mercer and Vanderbilt.

San Francisco has already gotten verbal commitments from two Oklahoma players for the 2012 class in the Bishop McGuinness duo of Matt Christiansen and Joe Edmonds.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Edmond North High School's football field after the Wednesday morning storm.

I just talked to Edmond Public Schools athletic director Mike Nunley again, and after visiting other Edmond schools he has a rough estimate of $50,000 in damages to sports facilities in the district.

An estimated $30,000 of the damages are at Edmond North High School. Much of the damage is from wind screens, which Nunley called “super expensive,”  at the tennis courts being destroyed. Wind screens at Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe High School and four of the five middle schools were destroyed.

Edmond Memorial High School appears to have sustained no damage to its sports facilities.

“Those are the two areas we have to get good play out of,” Merideth said. “We’re athletic at the skill positions. If we can get good play out of our lines, we’ll be pretty excited.”

Merideth said the lines are split about half and half between juniors and seniors, which gives him some confidence, but that they don’t have much playing experience.

“They’re mature; they know what it takes, but they’re inexperienced,” Merideth said. “Talent isn’t a problem on the offensive and defensive lines; it’s just experience.”

One lineman back with plenty of experience is senior right guard John Scheihing, a two year starter who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 270 pounds. He is the only returning starter on the Bulldog offensive line.

“Up front is a big key, Scheihing said, “but I think we have a bunch of good young guys.”

The starters on the offensive line are pretty well established with the exception of center.

Senior Steven Scheef will start at RT, Scheihing at RG, senior Mac Wilsey at LG and junior Lucas Gerdes at LT. Senior Will King, junior Ben Cerra and sophomore Mason Hall are competing to be the Bulldogs’ center.

Scheihing said he is still working to get in rhythm with his new linemates, but that they are close.

“We’re trying to know what the other person is doing before he does it, and just get in a rhythm,” Scheihing said. “We’re close to having it down, because through spring ball we really took a lot of big steps.”

Heritage Hall players Markus Wakefield, Barry Sanders and Sterling Shepard. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Happy first day of practice, Oklahoma high school football fans!

Fall practices begin today for Oklahoma high schools, and I, along with my fellow high school writers Scott Wright and Ryan Aber, will be out and about all week visiting practices around the Oklahoma City area.

My Tuesday begins by checking out Barry Sanders, Sterling Shepard and the defending Class 3A state champion Heritage Hall Chargers. I’ll then head to Edmond Memorial to check out quarterback Ry Huff and the Bulldogs, and wrap up my day of practices with an afternoon visit to new coach Chris Stiles and the Mount St. Mary Rockets.

I’ll also be calling coaches all day to check in, so be sure to stay with this blog and NewsOK.com, and to follow these Twitter accounts: @jasonkersey, @ryaber, @ScottWrightOK, @HSVarsity and @NewsOKSports. Also, be sure to like our high school coverage on Facebook.

- JK

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey

The Sooners offered Edmond Memorial’s Jordan Woodard on Friday during an unofficial visit, Woodard confirmed to The Oklahoman via a Facebook message.

Woodard, who will be a junior in the fall, helped the Bulldogs win the Class 6A state championship. Oklahoma has already offered Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker, another star in the class of 2013.

Parker and Woodard were the only two in-state players recently listed on the Rivals.com rankings of the top 100 players nationally in the 2013 class. Parker was rated No. 62 and Woodard was No. 86.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The Yellowjackets defensive lineman smoked the field in the bench press with 31 repetitions at 185 pounds. Westmoore linebacker Joshua Morgan had 29, while Edmond North’s Brock Byford did 27.

In the power ball toss, it was Edmond North’s Cole Parsons who stood out with the top toss of 40 feet, 3 inches. Nobody had a better vertical leap than Yukon’s Darius Owens. The Millers defensive back topped out at 38.6 inches. And Bryce Robinson of Edmond Memorial had the best 20-yard shuttle run time at 4.09 seconds.

Curtis of Putnam City had the fastest time in the 40-yard dash at 4.32 seconds. Another combine of the same format is Saturday at Broken Arrow.

***

Give me some time to digest the results, and I’ll come back later in the week with some other nuggets for ya.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Memorial star Alie Decker committed to Wichita State last weekend.

Edmond Memorial girls basketball star Alie Decker had a tough decision to make about where she wanted to go college.

Her final two choices were Wichita State and Tulsa. The Shockers program has shown interest in Decker since her freshman year. Former Memorial coach Shane Coffey is now an assistant at Tulsa.

Though Decker put the Golden Hurricane back in the mix with the hiring of Coffey, she decided to commit to Wichita State last weekend because of her relationship with the coaching staff.

Decker averaged more than 17 points and eight rebounds per game in her junior season in helping the Bulldogs to the state semifinals.

Decker was also receiving interest from several schools in the Big 12

and Big Ten. The Wichita State staff finished its third year together and the Shockers were eliminated in the first round of the WNIT.

***

Decker made huge strides last year, IMO. She was a solid low post-mid-range shooter as a sophomore, but I thought she really became a lot better shooter this year. She can stretch defenses out because they have to guard her from the 3-point line. But if you crowd her, she’s quick enough to beat her defender off the dribble.

She’s also became more of a leader this year, and it showed. She was tougher in the post and became that go-to player when the team needed a bucket. Not surprising at all that she has committed at a D-I program, but I admit I thought Coffey was going to get one of his girls back. However, I also understand wanting to grow and experience something different. Either way, she’s going to be one of the best players in the state next year.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Jordan Woodard is ranked No. 86 on the Rivals 100 for 2013.

They both got a taste of the gold ball in the spring, and they still have two more years left to make their mark at their respective program.

The honors keep coming for Edmond Memorial’s Jordan Woodard and Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker as each was named to the Rivals top 100 prospects for the class of 2013.

Woodard played a big role in helping the Bulldogs win the Class 6A state title, while Parker was instrumental in the Hornets winning their second consecutive 5A title.

Parker was named to The Oklahoman’s Super 5 boys basketball team. Both are rated as four-star prospects by Rivals.com. Parker is No. 62, while Woodard is No. 86.

***

Definitely thought I’d see Douglass’ Stephen Clark on the list. Still time, though, for Clark to work his way on there.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Out of all the applicants for the two positions, Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley said only about 5 percent of the candidates interviewed for both spots.

The two schools couldn’t have selected two more different candidates as Memorial named former Choctaw coach Dandy Peeler head coach. Edmond North named Karlie Free, a coach out of Houston, as the Huskies leader.

Both coaches were approved Monday night by the Edmond Board of Education and both coaches accepted their respective position.

For the second time in a row, a big position at Memorial has been filled by a former Yellowjacket leader.

The Bulldogs named former Choctaw football coach Bill Bays the athletic director last month.

Peeler has coached at Choctaw and Putnam City.

For the second year in a row, Edmond North has looked out of state to find its basketball coach. Last year the Huskies named Jeff Tanner, formerly of Garden City, Kan., to lead the boys program.

Free had been the coach at the Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center in Houston. Free grew up in Newkirk and graduated from Central Oklahoma.

Both Free and Peeler will come in with high expectations as Memorial and North each made the state semifinals last season. Former Memorial coach Shane Coffey is now an assistant coach at Tulsa University, while Kevin Korstjens resigned at North after five years.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Max McGreevy certainly helped the cause on Monday. He fired a two-round total of 136 at Broadmoore Golf Course in Moore to claim the Metro Conference individual title.

He was two strokes ahead of Edmond North freshmen Nick Heinen at 138 and Sam Humphreys at 139. Edmond North also held the next three spots, with Austen Fuller and Caleb Meyers tied for fourth at 140 and Alec Heinen — Nick’s older brother — in sixth at 142.

Obviously, Edmond North ran away with the team competition at 552, with Choctaw second at 596 and Santa Fe third at 599.

Edmond Memorial’s Taylor Moore won the Mid-State Conference Tournament, firing an 8-under-par 132 (69-63) for the title, just three strokes ahead of Norman North’s Jett Johnson at Belmar Country Club on Monday. Memorial’s team total of 547 was good for a four-shot win over Norman North as well.

It’ll be interesting to follow things in 6A boys golf the next couple of weeks with regionals and state coming up.

All the Edmond schools plus Norman North will go head-to-head in regionals at Oak Tree East, which should make for some thrilling competition. And state is at Cedar Ridge Country Club, which is the home course for a couple of Jenks players, and the Trojans are among a small group of teams that could end Edmond North’s state title run — Memorial and Norman North are probably the only other two who have a real shot.

From the individual perspective, Moore has been strong all year as he tries to repeat, but Colton Staggs at Jenks looks pretty impressive. Johnson, Fuller and Alec Heinen are right there, too, and who knows what some of the young guys like McGreevy, Jenks’ Brendon Jelley and the Edmond North freshmen could do on the big stage.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

With Alie Decker returning and a great supporting cast, Edmond Memorial is the No. 1 vacant spot in girls basketball.

We had two big shakeups in the 5A-6A girls basketball landscape with the resignations of Jennifer Burch at Bishop McGuinness and Kevin Korstjens at Edmond North.

Add those to the departure of Matilda Mossman at Norman and Shane Coffey of Edmond Memorial, and it’s a very interesting time in girls basketball. Mossman is now the head coach at Tulsa, and she took Coffey with her to be one of her assistants.

Memorial and Norman are coming down the homestretch of their coaching searches, while North and the Irish are just beginning. In my opinion, here is how I would rank the four spots.

4. Edmond North (Last year: semifinals)
Despite the fact the Huskies have reached the semifinals the last two seasons, this is going to be a whole new group of girls at North.

The Huskies’ entire starting lineup is gone. Post stars Liz Donohoe and TaNita Dewberry? Gone. Anna Kimsey, the glue of the team? Yep, graduating. Guards Ella Voss and Kayla Anderson won’t even be around. In all, North has seven seniors that are graduating. This program didn’t have a lot of tradition before Korstjens, and it will be tough to keep it up.

3. Norman (Last year: quarterfinals)
Wow, some pretty big names to follow when talking about Sherri Coale and Mossman. You can either see that as intimidating or as a chance to stamp your own name. Tiger tradition is incredible.

Good set of players coming back, such as Jordan Franks and Bethany Cox. She was just a sophomore last year, but I think Cox is going to be a star in the next two years. The Norman administration is (understandably) taking its time and is going to find the right person.

2. Bishop McGuinness (Last year: state champion)
It was surprising to me when Burch called it a day, but I know how much this last year meant to her. And also realized that her life is going in another direction.

If the Irish stay in 5A, this is a good spot. The top part of 5A is incredibly good, but the class as a whole has not had the depth that you see in 4A. McGuinness was the last team by ADM in 5A this year.

When talking who is coming back, Kate Andrews and Stephanie Milligan are a nice supporting class. However, the coach that comes in is going to have a lot of fun watching Elyse Hight do what she does. She’ll be among the best players in the state next year.

1. Edmond Memorial (Last year: semifinals)
This is based purely on the girls that are coming back. Wow, this team is top 3 before the season starts. It’s still going to be tough to compete with Edmond Santa Fe and Midwest City, but Memorial is right there as Coffey had no problem telling me throughout the season.

It starts with Alie Decker. She became one of the more complete players in the state this season and should only get better. However, you throw in Sydney Hill and Alyssa Hand? Look out for the Bulldogs.

Also look for Kelsey Glover and Alison Roy to play bigger roles next season. Edmond AD Mike Nunley said he hopes to have the Memorial coach by the end of this week and then he’ll look at filling the North spot.

It’s a race. All four spots are great, no question, so it will be interesting to see who goes where.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Kevin Korstjens becomes the latest big-time girls basketball coach to resign. After five years at Edmond North, Korstjens has stepped down.

And another one.

***

Every year once the season is done, coaches and players will evaluate things and look to see how they can improve.

Edmond North girls basketball coach Kevin Korstjens would do the same thing regarding his status. Was it time for a change, or was he still content? Korstjens said this time he was ready for a change.

After five seasons of leading the Huskies, Korstjens has resigned as the head coach.

“It just seems like the right time right now,” Korstjens said. “After talking with my family, we felt this would be best.”

In his five seasons, Korstjens helped turn Edmond North into one of the top teams in the state. The Huskies qualified for the state tournament the last three years and reached the state semifinals the last two seasons.

Edmond North was 6-5 this season before winning 15 consecutive games, including being the only team to beat Edmond Santa Fe, the eventual state champion. The Wolves eliminated the Huskies in the semifinals.

Korstjens said he wouldn’t rule out coaching next season but that right now the plan is to stay at Edmond North and continue teaching.

“If the right opportunity arrived, I could see myself coaching,” Korstjens said. “But we’re happy where we are. We’re not going to move to the ends of the earth for a coaching job.”

Korstjens was 86-41 in his five years with the Huskies.

“The kids are what make this job fun, and the kids are what makes these decisions so difficult,” Korstjens. “You never want to leave the kids. They’ve meant so much to me.”

Korstjens becomes the fourth girls state qualifying coach from 6A or 5A teams to resign in the last month and the second girls coach of the three Edmond Public Schools.

Former Norman coach Matilda Mossman is now the Tulsa University head coach. Mossman named former Edmond Memorial coach Shane Coffey as one of her assistants.

And in 5A, former Bishop McGuinness coach Jennifer Burch resigned Monday after 11 years and winning the school’s first girls basketball state championship.

***

But I guess you could look at each decision of the four coaches and rationalize it.

- With Matilda Mossman, she’s been in the college game before. Her son, Matt, is graduating Norman so it was time for Mossman to try something different if it was there. Tulsa was there.

- Always a dream to coach at the next level, and Shane Coffey is no different. This is a tremendous opportunity for Coffey. He’s leaving the ‘best’ team of the four squads who are coming back. Next year’s Memorial squad is a top 3 team, no question.

- Burch is something of a ‘job well done.’ I’ve seen the transformation in her life this year and what married life has given her. It’s given her tremendous balance and a new perspective. She’s fought and clawed for 11 years, reached the top and now wants to spend time with her family.

- Korstjens, well, what a special group this senior class was for North. Seven seniors who helped turn around the program. I know how much this team meant to Korstjens. That scene after the semifinal loss to Santa Fe – you could see how much of his heart and soul he had put into it.

- Well, four top-notch spots are open. Let’s the madness begin (or continue).

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Here’s how the voting finished:
Obi Emegano, Edmond Memorial 2.51% (128 votes)
Stephen Clark, Douglass 9.54% (486 votes)
Dominique Raney, Putnam City 14.12% (719 votes)
Josh Richardson, Edmond Santa Fe 33.97% (1,730 votes)
Ryan Spangler, Bridge Creek 39.85% (2,029 votes)

Spangler was also The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Player of the Year. Here’s my Super 5 video interview with Spangler:

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Wednesday
At Memorial
Choctaw 16, Checotah 2
Norman North 7, Choctaw 4
Edmond Memorial 5, Southmoore 3
Edmond Santa Fe 17, Latta 2
At North
Moore 13, Norman 5
Westmoore 5, Moore 2
Edmond North 8, Westmoore 5

Thursday
At Memorial
Checotah vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Choctaw, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Norman, noon
Norman vs. Edmond North, 2:30
Latta vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Latta vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Friday
At Memorial
Southmoore vs. Norman North, noon
Edmond Memorial vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Checotah, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Moore, noon
Moore vs. Latta, 2:30
Norman vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Saturday
At Memorial
A5 vs. B5, noon
A3 vs. B3, 2:30
A1 vs. B1, 5 p.m.
At North
A4 vs. B4, 2:30
A2 vs. B2, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
At Memorial
Choctaw vs. Checotah, noon
Choctaw vs. Norman North, 2:30
Edmond Memorial vs. Southmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Latta, 7:30
At North
Norman vs. Moore, 2:30
Moore vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Westmoore vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Thursday
At Memorial
Checotah vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Choctaw, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Norman, noon
Norman vs. Edmond North, 2:30
Latta vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Latta vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Friday
At Memorial
Southmoore vs. Norman North, noon
Edmond Memorial vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Checotah, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Moore, noon
Moore vs. Latta, 2:30
Norman vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Saturday
At Memorial
A5 vs. B5, noon
A3 vs. B3, 2:30
A1 vs. B1, 5 p.m.
At North
A4 vs. B4, 2:30
A2 vs. B2, 5 p.m.

All he was looking for was the right spot. He’s found it. Bays has accepted the athletic director spot at Edmond Memorial after being unanimously approved by the Edmond School Board at the board’s meeting Monday night.

Bays had been the head football coach at Choctaw.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to leave Choctaw,” Bays said. “It’s a great staff there. I love the players, and I’ve loved what we were building, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

Bays will be replacing Mike Dela Garza, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Dela Garza is also going to be inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in July.

Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley said more than 40 people applied for the job. Bays wasn’t on his radar, but Nunley said he was impressed with Bays in the interview process.

“He had three going for him during the interviews,” Nunley said. “One, he has a great understanding and knowledge of the Edmond community. He is a man with a tremendous reputation of hard work and is respected by his peers. And lastly, he has a great passion for athletics and other activities.”

Bays has also coached at Moore and Edmond North, among other schools.

Bays will officially take over June 1 and said he will spend the next two months working with Dela Garza and getting more acquainted with the Memorial administration.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Championships
No. 1 singles: Haworth, PCN, def. Nate Roper, EN, 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 singles: Rodwell, PCN, def. Stein, EN, 7-5, 7-5
No. 1 doubles: Hager-Olsen, EN, def. Hays-Proctor, MC, 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 doubles: Lilley-Spring, EN, def. Cohlmia-Shear, HH, 6-2, 6-1

The battle lines have been drawn. Putnam City North has arguably the two best singles players in the state in Chris Haworth and Wil Rodwell. Edmond North has easily the deepest team of anybody in the state.

So when state comes around, might we get something eerily similar to what transpired this weekend? The Huskies playing for all four championships shows just how strong from top-to-bottom that group is.

Haworth bounced back beautifully after the loss in the USTA event Wednesday. If anything, I think that loss should have given him even more confidence. If he can contend on the world stage, he’s going to be able to certainly dictate play at the high school level.

The biggest statement, for me, would be from Metro Christian. The Patriots have had their fair share of solid players and tied for the championship last year. Would not shock me to see Patriots win it outright this time around.

All ‘n all, everything you would expect from this great tournament. A lot of quality play, and you can kinda gauge where the teams are at midway through the season.

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

The last two years, the Mayor’s Cup between the three Edmond and three Moore high schools has been a regular event at the ballpark now known as RedHawks Field at Bricktown.

This season the schedule of games at the park expands with 17 high school and one college game scheduled for the park during April.

The 2011 Mayor’s Cup will be played Saturday with Edmond North and Moore at 11 a.m., Edmond Santa Fe and Westmoore at 2:30 and Edmond Memorial and Southmoore at 6 p.m. (Boneman’s note: I will be at The Brick for the Saturday games).

Crowder and Stuart will play at 7 p.m. Friday to start the series.

World Baseball Outreach will hold a baseball equipment drive during the Mayor’s Cup. Fans are asked to bring new or gently used baseball and softball equipment to help the organization provide equipment to at-risk youth in the state.

Other than the Mayor’s Cup, the other games in the series are free to the public.

Schedule (gates open an hour before game time):

Friday: Crowder vs. Stuart, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Edmond North vs. Moore, 11 a.m.; Edmond Santa Fe vs. Westmoore, 2:30 p.m.; Edmond Memorial vs. Southmoore, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: UCO vs. USAO, 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Amber-Pocasset vs. Cashion, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 7: Yukon vs. El Reno, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 8: Sterling vs. Elgin, 4 p.m.; Purcell vs. Sayre, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 9: Kansas vs. Westville, 5 p.m.

April 23: Stroud vs. Wellston, 2 p.m.; Cushing vs. Lone Grove, 5 p.m.

April 26: Carnegie vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.; Holdenville vs. Konawa, 7 p.m.

April 27: Carl Albert vs. Shawnee, 7 p.m.

April 28: Jenks vs. Choctaw, 7 p.m.

April 30: Midwest City vs. Muskogee, 2 p.m.; Comanche vs. Velma-Alma, 5 p.m.

Will Josh Richardson overtake Ryan Spangler for NewsOK.com Boys Player of the Year?

Voting ends Friday at 11:59 p.m. for the NewsOK.com Boys and Girls Basketball Player of the Year. So if you haven’t voted for your candidate enough, well, you got four more days to get to it.

As of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, here are the numbers:

Girls
Sharane Campbell, Star Spencer – 583 votes, 30.9 percent
Ashley Clark, Midwest City – 458 votes, 24.3 percent
Elizabeth Donohoe, Edmond North – 260 votes, 13.8 percent
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe – 532 votes, 28.3 percent
Marisha Wallace, Midwest City – 49 votes, 2.6 percent

Boys
Stephen Clark, Douglass – 452 votes, 9.9 percent
Obi Emegano, Edmond Memorial – 117 votes, 2.5 percent
Dominique Raney, Putnam City – 716 votes, 15.6 percent
Josh Richardson, Edmond Santa Fe – 1,596 votes, 34.8 percent
Ryan Spangler, Bridge Creek – 1,708 votes, 37.2 percent

Thanks for the more than 6,000 combined votes in the boys and girls polls. Once again, the voting closes Friday so you still have a chance.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Some schools play up championship celebrations in a big way. Others choose a more casual approach. For Edmond Memorial, it’s the casual touch.

The reason? ‘No state championship means more than any of the others.’ Memorial has notched two this school year. Volleyball took home the gold in the fall and the boys basketball team notched its first championship since 1993.

So even though it wasn’t the most glamorous celebration of the trio of assemblies (Santa Fe, Centennial), it was still a special moment for those kids.

For my brief account of the championship gathering, here ya go.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Edmond Memorial's Micha Hancock is headed east to Penn State.

A little late on this so apologize about that. Anything that occurred smack dab in the middle of state basketball tournaments was incredibly tough to keep tabs on.

However, this is a biggie. After originally signing with Tulsa in November, Edmond Memorial star volleyball player Micha Hancock was granted a release from her letter of intent and has signed with Penn State.

On the surface, it looks like it’s just about winning but that’s not the case. Hancock really had her pick of any top school she wanted to attend because of her performance. Initially, she was staying close to home so she could play with her older sister, Kelsey.

It was when former Tulsa coach Ed Allen resigned in January to take the same spot at Alabama that things began to shake up.

Memorial coach Edgar Miraku said the compliance department of both Penn State and Tulsa worked together to make this come out as smooth as possible.

The Nittany Lions are on one of the more impressive runs in college athletics. Penn State has won four consecutive NCAA championships and also had 109-match winning streak snapped in September.

Hancock played for the US Youth Olympic team in Singapore last summer that won the silver medal. She is a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma, two-time All-City Player of the Year and helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back championships.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Player of the Year:  Obi Emegano (Edmond Memorial)

Defensive Player of the Year:  Trez Colbert (Midwest City)

Offensive Player of the Year: Tilford Thornton (Southmoore)

Newcomer of the Year: Jordan Woodard (Edmond Memorial)

Coach of the Year: Shane Cowherd (Edmond Memorial)

1st Team
Obi Emegano  (Edmond Memorial)
Tilford Thornton  (Southmoore)
Brandon Lucas  (Southmoore)
Trez Colbert  (Midwest City)
Trael Colbert  (Midwest City)
Patrick Schaefer  (Norman North)

2nd Team
James Woodard  (Edmond Memorial)
Dorian Gigger  (Moore)
A.J. Holland  (Del City)
Jared Jobe  (Edmond Memorial)
Jordan Woodard  (Edmond Memorial)

3rd Team
Conner Madole  (Norman)
Greg Austin  (Midwest City)
Matt Southard  (Norman North)
Blake Pullium  (Westmoore)
Drew Smith  (Del City)

Honorable Mention
Brandon Southern  (Norman)
Jacques Murray  (Norman)
Jordan Thomas  (Edmond Memorial)
Gabe Bonzie  (Norman North)
T.J. Noel  (Midwest City)
Kody English  (Moore)
Beau Palmer  (Westmoore)

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

It will feel weird to not see Shane Coffey at Edmond Memorial, but Coffey is going to be one of Matilda Mossman's assistants at Tulsa.

Incredible. In the span of three days, two of the top four coaching spots in 6A girls basketball are now open. Norman’s Matilda Mossman is headed to Tulsa to become the head coach. And she’s taking Edmond Memorial’s Shane Coffey with her. Coffey will be an assistant.

Once you get over the shock of both leaving, it makes sense as the two have tremendous respect for each other after nine years of battles.

***

For nine years they’ve been rivals on the court, but they’ve always been great friends off the hardwood.

Now Matilda Mossman and Shane Coffey are going to try to build something together. Mossman was officially named the Tulsa women’s basketball coach Tuesday and has named Coffey one of her assistants.

Coffey and Mossman have battled each other at least twice a season for the last nine years with Mossman at Norman and Coffey at Edmond Memorial. The Bulldogs and Tigers are both in the Mid-State conference.

After spending three seasons as the sophomore boys coach at Memorial, Coffey took over the reins for the girls in the 2000-01 season and has brought the program back to prominence.

“He is going to be very successful as a coach at the next level,” Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley said. “He’s going to be tough to replace.”

Coffey’s teams reached the state tournament in his first four years as coach, winning The Oklahoman’s coach of the year honor in 2001. The Bulldogs also advanced to state the last two seasons and were eliminated by Midwest City in this season’s semifinals.

Coffey was 196-86 in his 11 seasons.

Mossman set the school record for wins at Norman with 191 victories, breaking the mark set by Oklahoma women’s coach Sherri Coale.

Mossman took the Tigers to the state tournament the last eight years, including a championship in 2005.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

And Norman took full advantage.

The Tigers ignited a 16-0 run that covered nearly 10 minutes of the third and fourth quarters as they turned a 41-30 deficit into a 46-41 lead. They went on to win 50-49 in a thriller.

While Yukon was firing in 3-pointers through the first two-and-a-half quarters, Norman’s Connor Madole hit a few of his own to help keep the game close. His length and ability to play inside or out made for a tricky matchup against the Millers, and he used that mismatch well. He hit five treys on his way to 21 points, but his biggest shot came at the free throw line with 10 seconds left to give the Tigers the final margin.

The Tigers get Edmond Memorial Saturday night in the regional winner’s bracket final. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs knocked off Norman 71-36, so the Tigers will try to change their fortunes against the state’s top-ranked team.

I’ll have a video interview with Madole coming soon, so check back for that.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Though the final scores might not suggest it, I did get to see some good competition at Del City Monday night. The Edmond Memorial girls jumped to a 10-0 lead and stayed in control most of the night on the way to a 60-44 win, but the boys game was much more competitive than the 61-42 final in favor of the Bulldogs suggests.

Del City was within four points midway through the fourth quarter, but Memorial’s depth and aggressive offensive style turned out to be too much.

Let’s break down these two games, then jointly celebrate the end of regular-season basketball, shall we?

Girls

Like I said, Memorial jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. To Del City’s credit, it never cashed it in, and hung around throughout. But the Bulldogs had too many scoring options, with four girls going for double-figures, led by Alie Decker’s 15.

The biggest positive of the night was erasing the bad feelings of last week’s mediocre performance against Southmoore.

“Our game before this against Southmoore, we played very sloppy, just nonchalant in a lot of phases of the game,” Memorial coach Shane Coffey said. “I didn’t want to go into the playoffs with that taste in our mouths. We played team basketball, which I think is critical at this time of the year.

“Being able to get up on them early, it enabled us to gain some confidence playing on the road — this is a tough place to play — and be able to dictate how the game was going to be played. I think they had to do some things defensively that they wouldn’t normally do because we had a lead on them.”

Memorial hosts a regional, opening against Putnam City West, with Choctaw and Putnam City in the other half of the bracket. First-round games start Thursday night.

“It’s a brand new season,” Coffey said. “All three of those other teams have done some quality things over the course of the year. We’re just all eager to get this playoff run started. Hopefully we can put together our best basketball at the right time of the season.”

Boys

In the last three days, I’ve seen two games matching a pair of top-10 boys teams (Edmond Santa Fe-PC West on Saturday was the other one), each pitting a top-tier team against one of the teams that makes up the huge second tier. And all these two games did was prove what I and several coaches have been saying since December: there’s never been more parity in 6A boys basketball than there is this year.

Maybe that’s an outlandish statement, especially considering I can’t really speak to the parity that might have existed in 1964 or ’77 or ’83 or… whenever. But the point is, the equality of the 6A field is hard to comprehend.

Del City was down four in the fourth quarter Monday night. PC West led Edmond Santa Fe in the fourth on Saturday. The only thing separating the top four from the next 12 is a little bit of depth, maybe an extra playmaker here or there, some confidence/calmness in late-game situations, and in the case of Monday night’s game, free throws.

Del City was 3-of-9 at the line in the second half, while Memorial was 18-of-21. Yes, there’s a big difference in the number of times at the line, and yes, the officiating was spotty, but those numbers also are a result of Memorial’s fast, aggressive style of play.

After an ugly first half — the ‘Dogs were up 22-21 at the break — Memorial ran it more in the second half, and controlled the game better.

Jordan Thomas had a game-high 14, with James Woodard and Obi Emegano adding 13 apiece, and Jordan Woodard scored all nine of his points in the second half.

One of the toughest things about the last two weeks for Memorial has been keeping focus on the actual games, after they had already claimed the No. 1 seed in the west for the playoffs.

“The last couple weeks, it’s just been one game after another that didn’t necessarily mean a whole lot, except for pride,” coach Shane Cowherd said. “You want to play hard for your school and for your teammates. But you’re trying to keep your eye on the objective at hand, also knowing it’s just natural to start thinking ahead to the playoffs, and trying to get ready for that, physically and mentally.”

After holding the No. 1 spot most of the season, you can tell that the Bulldogs are glad to have the regular season behind them so they can focus on the task they’ve been waiting for.

“We’re very excited to start a new season. The first season’s over with,” Emegano said. “We’re going into the playoffs ready to win it.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

And really, because this game has been postponed by two weeks, it’s just added to the drama. The teams have been dominant and this about as big a high-profile regular season matchup as you’re going to find. For both the boys and girls.

So if you’re free Thursday night, head on down to Memorial. You know I’ll be there. It will be among my last games before state with swimming and wrestling hitting their championship weekends.

No. 2 Midwest City at No. 1 Edmond Memorial (Boys)

The stars will be out in this one. In this corner, you have the Bomber twins Trez and Trael Colbert. In the other corner, it’s the Woodward brothers (James and Jordan) of Memorial.

Oh yea, and you’ll also have Obi Emegano for Memorial, who has signed with Western Illinois. As for Midwest City, I really like how T.J. Noel and Cornell Neal have developed. Coach Dewayne Bradley is happy, too, mentioning his quest to find supporting players to the Colberts and Greg Austin is over.

“We don’t have one standout in the post, but as a collective group, I really like what we have,” Bradley said. “We’re definitely more than just those three.”

And so is Memorial. I’m thinkin’ this might be a good time for Jared Jobe to re-introduce himself to the basketball world. I really like Jobe’s game and think he is going to get some good looks.

The first showdown (Scott Wright was there) saw Memorial win at Midwest City in overtime. Jordan Woodard came up huge down the stretch. What is going to happen this time around?

No. 1 Midwest City at No. 3 Edmond Memorial (Girls)

Were the Bulldogs looking ahead to this one in a loss at Norman North on Tuesday? Are the Bombers THAT much better than everyone else in the field?

Midwest City has had the target on their backs all year and have risen to the challenge every single time. Seriously, there is no weakness on this team. Post stars Marisha Wallace and Kaylon Williams are among the best in the state. Ashley Clark has emerged as a great slasher and scorer. Reagan Widener guides the team without even having to attempt a shot. They’re scary good.

But Memorial at Memorial, well, that’s a fun environment. Alie Decker is an unquestioned star but this has been a big year for Brooklyn Bell and Sydney Hill. And they’ll need to come up huge against MWC, the only undefeated team in 6A.

Post play will be crucial so Margaret Butler is going to have to play big. Coach Shane Coffey said Butler is finally starting to trust herself enough to become more aggressive on the offensive end. If Butler gives the team 6-8 points, that’s a huge lift.

X-factor for Memorial is going to be Alyssa Hand. She takes it hard to the cup. If she can convert and/or get the Bombers in foul trouble, could be an intriguing contest.

Time for talking is over. Let’s do this already.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

In Class 6A, there are three games featuring top 10 teams against each other.

No. 5 Edmond North at No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (Friday)
This has my name written all over it. I missed Round 1 because I was at the Hennessey and Davis Class 2A football championship game. The Wolves won in the finals of the Edmond Open.

I missed round two because I hit another rivalry, this time being Heritage Hall and Casady. Santa Fe once again came out on top against North.

Round 3? Yep, not missing this one. Edmond North has really gotten into a groove. Sure the Huskies have five losses but not one of them is a bad loss. Excited to see Oklahoma State signee Elizabeth Donohoe again and really pumped for the atmosphere at Santa Fe.

No. 4 Norman at No. 3 Edmond Memorial (Saturday)
I was at Norman for the very first game of the season between these teams all the way back in November. Figured the Tigers would win, but Memorial played well in a hostile environment to open the year.

Norman, led by guard Kamra King, has won 11 of 13 games. The only two losses are to top-ranked Midwest City. Memorial, meanwhile, is 12-4 and has bounced back after suffering consecutive losses to Edlam rivals North and Santa Fe. Really feel like Alie Decker is starting to come into her own as one of the best in the state.

No. 10 Norman North at No. 7 Del City (Friday)
Intriguing matchup here as well. The Timberwolves are led by Tulsa signee Mariah Turner. However, as I’ve said before, they’re still searching for that signature win. Beating the Eagles would be a good start.

Del City, on the other hand, is coming off a solid road win at Southmoore. This is a team that I feel should be able to make it to the state tournament, especially being sent out East. Del City dominated Norman North at North in November.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Right now it’s five players. I expect the list to grow in the next couple of months, but a quintet of seniors isn’t bad.

Kameron Doolittle and Jeremy Langston are headed to NEO. Connor Myers is going to Weber State. Will Conant is off to Air Force. And Jeff Balkenbush will attend Fort Hays State.

Edmond Memorial's Bulldogs: Jeff Balkenbush, Kameron Doolittle, Jeremy Langston, Connor Myers and Will Conant.

And yes, I hope they do. Here’s my top 7 girls games in the OKC area that need to be made up:

1. Midwest City at Edmond Memorial – Assume this is No. 1 for both the boys and girls. Bombers are still undefeated, while Memorial has shown the ability to play with the big dogs but not yet beat MWC or Edmond Santa Fe.

2. Del City at Norman – Tigers have been lurking. Some early season losses may have had people forgetting about them. Del City was one of those teams to get Matilda Mossman’s girls early. Big statement game for either team.

3. Choctaw at Putnam North – As I’ve written about a lot the last couple of weeks, the Yellowjackets are coming on strong. But so, too, are the Panthers. Both teams are playing their best ball. Hope that delay doesn’t hurt them.

4. Millwood at Star Spencer – One more go-around for the OKCPS rivals. Millwood looks like the early favorite in 2A for the crown, while Sharane Campbell you know wants to lead one last run for the Bobcats.

5. Bethel at Dale – Ye old stompin’ grounds. Back in Shawnee, this was one of the big ones. And you know what? In the state, it’s still one of the big ones. Wildcats have rightfully earned top spot in Class 3A.

6. Shawnee at Carl Albert – Gioya Carter vs. Kelsee Grovey would be a nice matchup/shootout. But really, Tim Price’s club needs this win after losing three of its last four games.

7. Western Heights at Piedmont - Oh, another big Suburban Conference showdown. Dilan Webster is extremely talented, but I think she’s too unselfish for the Jets. Kylie Boggess has been big for the Wildcats.

Will they all get made up? I don’t know. I hope so, but we’ll have to wait and see. If you know of any confirmed makeup dates, please send ‘em this way.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The story of how Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers faxed in his letter of intent to Weber State:

Obviously, nobody envisioned Signing Day to go like this. With Memorial closed, Myers had to find another outlet. OK, just go with his parents (or one of them) to their job and fax it in.

Nope.

The places of business for both his mother and father were closed. Try again.

OK, let’s call UPS because you know they have a fax machine. Good point. Family makes the call, and UPS is closed.

Attempt No. 3. Hmm, how about Kinko’s? Back in my HS/college days, the No. 1 spot to go to make color copies. But no luck for the Myers family as Kinko’s was closed.

Finally, the Myers clan ends up at a Homeland. Yes, a Homeland grocery store and faxes in Myers’ letter of intent.

Scott Myers, Connor’s father, said panic was starting to set in, but they got the job done.

Connor Myers was among the best defensive tackles in the state this year. I’ve joked with him before that if he was two inches taller, universities would have been banging down his door. I still believe it’s true, but Weber State has been a good home for Edmond kids.

However, the two other in-state recruits joining Myers at Weber State are not Edmond boys. Del City wide receiver Marquis Walters and Tulsa Edison’s Steven Carpenter are also going there.

And like I said, if you have similar stories, would love to hear them.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Their first game was an overtime thriller won by the Edmond Memorial boys, but who knows when we’ll see the rematch between the Bulldogs and Midwest City? What I do know is that game WILL be played.

“It’s a conference game. We always, always play our conference games,” Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said. “If this was a non-conference game, it might be easier to let go.”

This game will have a huge impact on the rankings. As it stands, Memorial is No. 1 and Midwest City is No. 2. If the Bulldogs sweep the Bombers, tough seeing MWC ever leap-frogging Cowherd’s bunch.

Now the problem becomes trying to find the right date. Cowherd and Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley said preliminary talks point toward a Monday showdown but that is far, far from being confirmed.

It’s not just trying to avoid any other activity conflicts, it’s also trying to make sure the gym is available. Between junior high and freshman basketball and other non-sports activities at the gym, it’s an absolute mess to try to find the right date.

Oh, the girls game should be dang good, too. Midwest City is undefeated and ranked No. 1, while Memorial bounced back with a win over Southmoore and stands pat at No. 3.

The Bombers routed the Bulldogs the first time around. But playing in Memorial, well, you just never know with that type of crowd.

Honestly, no rescheduling dates are really even being discussed because nobody is even sure when schools will be open. Good chance we might have a whole week wiped out. Who knows? Friday games don’t look too safe at this juncture, but we’ll all just have to wait and see.

One plus, said Cowherd, is maybe his team can get healthy. A couple of his players were really sick last week. I should know as I felt like all the sick HS kids gave their stuff to me over the weekend. Now? Might be ready to go again.

On a serious note, hope everyone is safe during this storm. When I know more on the basketball stuff, I’ll let ya know.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

11. Davion Pierson, Millwood (TCU) — The other local boy (not on Del City) going to Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs. Pierson’s dedication to his conditioning was key this year.

12. Daniel Davis, Norman North (Pennsylvana) — Went his separate ways with Stanford and has found a home in the Ivy League. Comfortable with decision.

13. Archie Bradley, Broken Arrow (Oklahoma) — Such a great baseball prospect that I would be shocked to see Bradley on OU’s campus in the fall though he said he really wants to be there.

14. Tyler Lockett, Tulsa Washington (Kansas State) — Played the role of recruiter himself in getting teammate Dante Barnett to join him in Manhattan.

15. Kameron Doolittle, Edmond Memorial (Northeastern Oklahoma) — Coaching changes proved crucial at Colorado and Tulsa. Still has a very upbeat attitude about his future.

16. Cody Miller, Lawton (East Central University) — A steal for the Ada-based program. Miller is about as solid as they come. ACL injury hurt his prospects.

17. Hunter Davis, Choctaw (Kansas State) — A late change from Tulsa to KSU, said he felt really comfortable in Manhattan.

18. Trevon Lewis, Midwest City (Texas State) — Midwest City assistant Jason Sexton said Lewis should be signing with Texas State, he’s another late sleeper if you ask me.

19. David Glidden, Mustang (Oklahoma State) — Proving again size doesn’t matter, Glidden could become a household name in a couple of years for the Cowboys.

20. Jake Love, Tonkawa (Kansas) — A solid senior season removed any doubts about Jayhawks taking a chance on Tonkawa product.

Wednesday: Nos. 10-1.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

21. Connor Myers, Edmond Memorial (Weber State) — Hit the visit circuit hard this month before deciding on Weber State. A lot of Edmond products are there.

22. Trent Martin, Jenks (Tulsa) — Martin has also put on his recruiting hat in trying to lure some other Tulsa area products to the Golden Hurricane.

23. Emilio Gatewood, Norman North (Undecided) — Senior season didn’t go the way Timberwolves were hoping, but still a great talent.

24. Brayle Brown, Shawnee (Louisiana-Monroe) — What a story. Spends most of the year at WR because of labrum injury and will still play QB. Great heart.

25. Isaac Maselera, Glenpool (Oklahoma State) — Flirted with changing his commitment to Tulsa before deciding to stay with the Cowboys.

26. Derrick Alexander, Tulsa Washington (Tulsa) — A late change from Louisiana-Monroe to Tulsa, but a change you could see coming. On the field, there were few equals to Alexander this season.

27. John-Phillip Hughes, Tulsa Edison (Oklahoma) — A great senior year was taken away from him by injury but still a find at tight end. Said he plans to walk-on for the Sooners.

28. Jabral Johnson, Lawton (Oregon State) — Went from Arizona to Oregon State. Close friends with Zimmerman and two have found a home.

29. Brandon Swindall, Millwood (Undecided) — Nothing more Swindall could have done on a field to show he deserves a shot. Some school is receiving an incredible ‘get.’ Does have an offer from New Mexico, though.

30. Chazten Gonzales, Del City (TCU) — One of the best dual-threat QBs around, he’s been solid with TCU all year and having Naff join him is great for both and TCU.

Tuesday: Nos. 20-11.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

It helped him make us his mind as Myers has verbally committed to Weber State, said his father, Scott Myers, in an e-mail Friday morning.

Myers, 6-foot and 287 pounds, was a first-team selection for Big All-City by The Oklahoman and was one of the leaders of a stout Bulldogs defense.

Myers also visited Florida Atlantic and Air Force in the last month. Myers said he likes the attitude of the Weber State coaches.

It also doesn’t hurt that former Memorial players David James and Anthony Morales are there. Edmond Santa Fe alums Willie Okwuonu, Alex Land and Trevor Pletcher are also at Weber State. Del City wide receiver Marquis Walters has also committed there.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Here’s a video with girls star Courtney Walker of Santa Fe. A Texas A&M commit, Walker scored a career-high 41 points in the 68-65 OT win:

And here is a video with Josh Richardson of Santa Fe. The Wolves gave top-ranked Memorial its first loss 69-66:

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Edmond Memorial came out smoking, leading 14-4 midway through the first. And then the Wolves woke up, particularly Josh Richardson.

Despite an incredibly slow start, Richardson scored 21 points as the Wolves went into Memorial and pulled out a 69-66 win to give the top-ranked ‘Dogs their first loss.

It was ‘game on’ from the second quarter on. Santa Fe went on a 17-2 run to start the second quarter and turned an 18-12 deficit into a 29-20 lead. That eventually led to a 33-28 halftime advantage.

The game had a huge momentum switch with 2:36 left in the third quarter. Richardson picked up foul No. 4 with Santa Fe leading 42-37. But the Wolves didn’t fold. Aaron Anderson made some big shots. Terrell Savala came up big as did Chad Johnson and Santa Fe took a 10-point lead to the fourth.

And then Obi Emegano woke up. Passive for most of the game, Emegano was a beast in the fourth quarter. He finished with a game-high 26 points. And before you knew it, 52-42 Santa Fe turned into 58-57 Memorial and Santa Fe coach Shawn Schenk dangerously close to getting a technical.

However, Richardson drained a three from the top of the key and Santa Fe never trailed again. Strange ebb and flows in this Edlam battle.

Jared Jobe did all he could, knocking down one big shot after another en route to 22 points of his own for the Bulldogs.

Loved the atmosphere and have a feeling this won’t be the last time these two teams see each other this season. Look for a video with Richardson on NewsOK on Wednesday.

This was the best game I’ve seen from Savala and Johnson. Michael Onuoha also battled foul trouble, but the nucleus of the Wolves is very impressive. It doesn’t get any easier at all for Santa Fe as Mustang comes to town Friday night. Ooh baby, should be good. Memorial will look to bounce back against Southmoore.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Or could it? I don’t know, but Tuesday night’s battle will be remembered by anybody that saw it. If you didn’t know who Courtney Walker was before (first, shame on you), you know now. The Wolves star scored 41 points in leading Santa Fe to a fun, drama-filled, crazy, electric 68-65 win in overtime.

And that’s without scoring in the first quarter. At one point in the second quarter, it was 27-11 in favor of Memorial. The Bulldogs hit their first eight shots of the game. It was insane.

However, Santa Fe weathered the storm. And eventually Paul Bass just let Walker do her thing. With Texas A&M reps in the house (Walker is an Aggie commit), she showed her whole variety of skills.

But what stood out to me most was the way she played Memorial star Alie Decker on defense in the fourth quarter. Decker is so good and much bigger than Walker, but Walker held her own.

In overtime, Walker scored 9 of the team’s 11 points to keep Santa Fe undefeated. However, those two free throws by Daisha Gonzaque were big time, too.

Some fun stats:

- Santa Fe erased a 16-point deficit to tie it up at 45-45. However, Sidney Hill drained a 3 on the next possession to give Memorial the lead back.

- Santa Fe took the lead 52-50 on a Walker 3-pointer.

- With the score 56-55 for Santa Fe, I thought Hill was going to the FT line to give the Bulldogs a two-point lead. Turned out – no basket, charging foul. Oh, couldn’t believe it. I don’t think anybody heard that call, it was so loud. Have no idea if it was the right call but have video of said play.

- Alyssa Hand of Memorial drilled two free throws with 3 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

- The Wolves never trailed in overtime. With 6.9 seconds left, Kelsey Glover’s attempt to send the game into double overtime fell short.

- Walker had 41 points. Gonazaque had 12 and Cameerah Graves had 10 for Santa Fe. Decker and Hill each 20 points, while Brooklyn Bell notched 11.

- Look for a video with Walker on NewsOK on Wednesday.

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Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Jordan Woodard and Edmond Memorial are up to No. 37 in this week's ESPN RISE Fab 50 boys basketball rankings.

Edmond Memorial made its debut in the ESPN RISE Fab 50 boys basketball rankings last week, and the Douglass Trojans have returned to the rankings again this week.

Douglass opened the season at No. 26 in the ESPN poll, but fell out after a November loss in Texas. At 11-4, the Trojans are back at No. 49.

After debuting in the top 50 at No. 42 last week, undefeated (as of this very moment, 25 minutes prior to tip against Edmond Santa Fe) Edmond Memorial is up to No. 37 in this week’s poll.

In the regional rankings, four state teams are in the Southwest Top 20, with Memorial at No. 9, Douglass at 13, Tulsa Washington at 16 and Midwest City at 18.

Here are links to the Fab 50 and regional rankings.

The carry-over from tournaments to Monday night has my week all jacked up, so I’ll get around to my usual Tuesday Power Poll on Wednesday this week. And it won’t hurt to see how that Memorial-Santa Fe game turns out first.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Wonder if Edmond athletic directors Tom Snider (North), Mike de la Garza (Memorial), Barry Blagowsky (Santa Fe) and Mike Nunley will get sick of each other.

The next two days they are going to be seeing each other a lot. I mean, really, a lot. The winter storm that hit the state affected basketball tournament, for sure. However, it is also forced the Edmond schools to reschedule the Three-Dog Night wrestling event.

What was Thursday got moved to Monday. Yep, Monday, the same night as when the three Edmond swimming teams compete against each other at Oklahoma Christian.

I got to cover the Edlam swimming event last year. It’s fun because of how unique it is. Coach Steve Riggs is totally hands off and just lets the boys and girls do their thing. He allows the captains of the respective teams to pick the lineups, and he sits back and announces.

I wish I could be there. And I wish I could be at Edmond North for the wrestling event. The Huskies have dominated the series lately, winning the last nine city championships. Andy Schneider has a dynamite club this year, and I would expect North to walk out with No. 10 in a row Monday.

But…all those weather delays will have me at Deer Creek to finish off the Bruce Gray Invitational. Can’t be in three places at once.

However, Tuesday, bam, I’ll be at Memorial when four of the best boys/girls basketball teams in the state go against each other.

Rivals Santa Fe and Memorial will be going at it. Memorial will look to give the Santa Fe girls their first loss of the season. Santa Fe boys will try to return the favor with the Bulldogs.

Not just the best teams, but you could make some all-star teams with talents like Courtney Walker of Santa Fe and Alie Decker of Memorial and Josh Richardson and Mike Onuoha of Santa Fe and Obi Emegano and Jared Jobe and James and Jordan Woodard of Memorial.

And this is all coming off an Edlam showdown Friday where the North girls dominated the Memorial team, and Memorial boys did the same to Jeff Tanner’s group.

All ‘n all, it should be a fun/crazy couple of days in Edmond, as if they aren’t that way already.

In his first competition of 2011, Edmond Santa Fe’s Gunnar Nixon showed he has started right where he left off in 2010.

Nixon had an impressive showing at the Arkansas Invitational, bringing home two individual championships.

The Wolves star won the high jump by eight inches and also posted a personal best time of 7.99 in the 60-meter hurdles to claim the gold.

Edmond Memorial’s Chase Sammons won the shot put competition by more than eight feet.

In fact, it was a double championship for the Bulldogs in the shot put as Gloria Mosely of Memorial also took home the girls individual championship.

Memorial boys relay teams fared well, winning the 800 relay and placing second in the 3,200 relay. Santa Fe won the 3,200. Memorial also received a second-place finish from Isaiah Duke in the 400.

Guthrie’s Emmanuel Robinson was second in the 60-meter dash and third in the 60-meter hurdles. Memorial’s John Teeters placed third in the 60 dash though his prelim time of 7.00 is the ninth best in the nation. He was a tad off at 7.03 in the championship round.

From being the head coach at Spiro to now being the head football coach at the University of Tulsa, it’s been a long road traveled by Bill Blankenship.

But one former colleague said Tulsa could not have chosen a better candidate.

“Holy smokes! That’s tremendous,” said Edmond Memorial athletic director Mike de la Garza upon hearing Blankenship was getting the job. “Bill understands the overall picture and can run a program. He’s a great choice.”

Blankenship was officially announced as the new head coach for the Golden Hurricane on Friday afternoon. Former coach Todd Graham resigned Monday to become the head coach at Pittsburgh. Tulsa was 10-3 this year and closed the year on a seven-game winning streak and ranked No. 24 by the Associated Press.

And it’s not like Blankenship hasn’t entered a coaching spot with high expectations before. Blankenship came to Memorial after Edmond’s state championship in 1989 and knew what the pressures were. But de la Garza said Blankenship did fine with the program.

After his stint at Edmond, Blankenship took over the Tulsa Union program and helped make it the dominant force it still is today.

“He set the groundwork at Union to make it a power,” de la Garza said. “He was doing all of that while being the athletic director and football coach. But he didn’t just make it a power, he made sure it was continuous.”

In his 14 years with the Redskins, he amassed a 154-26 record, including three state championships.

Blankenship has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach for Tulsa, serving as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also just completed his first season as senior associate coach.

“That was a pretty courageous step by Bill to go to Tulsa,” de la Garza said. “To be successful, you need courage. Bill has it, and he’ll definitely put in the time and effort.”

Bill Blankenship is the second member of the Blankenship family to earn a head coaching spot in the last month. Muskogee hired Bill’s son, Josh, as its head coach in late December.

Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had anything but a disappointing senior season for the Bulldogs and now he’s ready to focus on his recruiting.

Myers, a first-team Big All-City selection, is going to three universities in as many weeks. It’s starting this weekend at Weber State, where Myers already has an offer.

From there, it’s off to Air Force next weekend, and he’ll conclude his three-week whirlwind at Florida Atlantic the weekend of Jan. 21.

Hope to get Myers’ reaction to each stop along the way.

Oh, it’s gonna be some fun times for Edmond basketball teams the next two months. Both boys and girls teams have some incredible talent. Don’t be too shocked if you see me always at an Edmond game down the stretch (sorry).

Memorial
Boys: Clearly the best 6A team in the state…right now. Love this team and hope they keep it together. We knew about Obi Emegano, James Woodard and Jared Jobe, but I think it’s going to be sophomore Jordan Woodard that might push this team. Competition is going to be fierce, though.

Girls: This is the year Alie Decker becomes a household name. She already is in the Edmond circles, but Decker is a top-tier player, for sure. You add in the shooting of Brooklyn Bell and the always-consistent coaching of Shane Coffey, Bulldogs are going to be right in the thick of things.

Santa Fe
Boys: The pieces are there, but they’re just not fitting yet. With Aaron Anderson and Josh Richardson, the Wolves have two incredibly talented players. Trying to find those leaders at the guard position is going to be crucial. I’ll see the Wolves on Tuesday vs. Putnam North.

Girls: Is this the best girls team in the state? I’ve believed for two years Courtney Walker is the best player in the state. The girls are still so young from Daisha Gonzaque to Arielle Cooper to Cameerah Graves, but this team gels well together.

North
Boys: Get my first taste of Husky boys basketball this weekend at the McGuinness Classic. Really want to see what first-year coach Jeff Tanner brings to the table. I know what he’s preaching, now I want to see it in action.

Girls: The loss to Stillwater notwithstanding, no reason for concerns for Kevin Korstjens’ girls. Elizabeth Donohoe remains one of the five best players in the state and TaNita Dewberry gives the team a solid second option.

Deer Creek
Boys: Is this team officially ‘my baby?’ I don’t know, I just love watching these boys play. You try watching coach Matt Bailey for one game and not come away more pumped up than what you were before. Garrett Hermanski and Jalen Burnett are anchoring this club. I’ll also see this team at the McGuinness Classic.

Girls: Rough start for Totsy Manning’s girls. A totally different team from last year’s incredibly talented club. The transfer of Kelsey Glover to Memorial hurt, too. I think this team will turn it around, especially when sophomore Ashley Gibson gets back.

This time we’re heading to Edmond. Very interesting dynamic here with a heavy North offense and a heavy Memorial defense.

Here ya go:

All-Edmond team
Offense
QB — Travis Townsend, North
RB — Alex Christensen, Deer Creek
RB — Jarion Tudman, North
RB — Kameron Doolittle, Memorial
WR — Garrett Molinsky, North
WR — Troy Davis, North
OL — Ross Stracke, Deer Creek
OL — Josh Crouch, Santa Fe
OL — Jacob Wright, Memorial
OL — Paul Kim, Deer Creek
OL — Lex Rosson, North

K — Camden Bohnert, North
P — Will Conant, Memorial

Defense
DL — Kyle Aschenbrenner, North
DL — Connor Myers, Memorial
DL — Jared Chambers, Memorial
LB — Ryan Adams, North
LB — Michael Coleman, Deer Creek
LB — Isaiah Byrd, Deer Creek
LB — Conner Bays, Santa Fe
DB — Jeff Balkenbush, Memorial
DB — Shawn McLaws, Deer Creek
DB — Trevan Smith, Santa Fe
DB — Gavin Fouts, Memorial

KR — Brandon Reece, Santa Fe

Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Christensen, Deer Creek
Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Myers, Memorial
Coach of the Year: Grant Gower, Deer Creek

Yes, I have three quarterbacks starting with Townsend actually playing the position and Christensen and Doolittle at RB. Eh, I think that team would work. Not a shock to see North featured heavily on offense and Memorial on defense. A lot of good players would have made this list but were injured (Phillip Sumpter of Santa Fe, Cale Olbert of Memorial, Colten Sander of Deer Creek, Jeremy Langston of Memorial). No doubts on my three awards, except defense could have been either Chambers of Myers. Knew it would be someone from Memorial. And how about the Edmond kickers? Bohnert, Conant and McLaws? Not too bad.

If you’ve seen Edmond Memorial’s Micha Hancock play volleyball just once, then you know you have watched something special.

And even if you didn’t know who she was coming into the match, you would leave knowing full well who she is.

The honors keep coming for Hancock as she was named the Gatorade/ESPN RISE Volleyball Player of the Year for Oklahoma for the second straight year.

Hancock led the charge as the Bulldogs won their second consecutive state championship in October.

“I have been coaching in Oklahoma for 20 years and Micha Hancock is the best all-around player we have ever had in this area,” said Santa Fe coach Will Ethridge. “There is not a weakness in her game. She is a strong setter and hitter and she plays defense extremely well. She is truly an amazing player.”

How’s this for ya? Hancock recorded 326 assists, 275 kills, 171 digs, 151 service aces and 41 blocks this year.

Hancock was also a member of the Youth Olympic team that went to Singapore in the summer. She has signed to play at Tulsa.

You could make a lot of arguments for the likes of Courtney Walker of Santa Fe and Elizabeth Donohoe of North, but I’m givin’ it to the youngster, Jordan Woodard of Memorial.

He came up huge in the win Tuesday at Midwest City and also played well in the Edmond Open championship victory against rival Santa Fe.

His upside is tremendous, and he’s only beginning to scratch the surface of what he can become. We’re definitely going to see what he has because the Bulldogs are going to get tested time and time again this season.

Great week for Memorial. The key is to not suffer that emotional letdown, interesting to see the maturity of this year’s group of kids for Shane Cowherd.

Other contenders

Courtney Walker, Santa Fe, Basketball: In a close game, took over with her quickness and defense to lead Wolves to the Edmond Open championship over North.

Elizabeth Donohoe, North, Basketball: There wasn’t much Donohoe didn’t do at the Open, scoring a tournament-high 68 points in the three games. Huskies snapped Cache’s 30-game winning streak Friday.

Obi Emegano, Memorial, Basketball: He missed some gimmes and still finished with 19 points in the championship and also made the Super 5 for the Edmond Open.

Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek, Basketball: Another good week for the junior. Get a good idea of where this team is at this weekend at the McGuinness Festival.

Andrew Dixon, North, Wrestling: Huskies placed fourth out of 30 teams with Dixon taking second place at 171 in the Mid-America Nationals Wrestling Tournament at Union.

Abbie Imes, North, Swimming: Continues to show she’s one of the best swimmers in the state, winning two individual titles at the Edmond/Norman meet last Friday.

Edmond Memorial boys won the Edmond Open championship Saturday with a 57-41 win vs. Santa Fe

The Edmond Memorial boys basketball team started the week with a statement win at Midwest City and closed it out with an Edmond Open championship.

Sparked by Obi Emegano and Jordan Woodard, the Bulldogs defeated rival Edmond Santa Fe in the championship 57-41 on Saturday night at Memorial.

Emegano and Woodward each had 19 points in the victory, while Josh Richardson and Aaron Anderson each had 12 points for the Wolves.

- Santa Fe is going to be good, but it needs a true point guard. There is no Drew Hall or Mahlon Jones on this team, but they’re going to have to find something that is like the equivalent.

- Hadn’t seen him a while and forgot what an athletic freak Josh Richardson is. He had a dunk that I can do no justice. Don’t know how he found the space to do it, but that’s Josh.

- For me, the story was Jordan Woodard. A sophomore who really got his first taste of varsity pressure this week. He admitted as much after the game, how crucial this week was for him personally. Now he knows he can compete on the big stage with the big boys.

- Emegano had another solid game. I would love to see a 1-on-1 battle with Emegano and Richardson (hey, I can dream, right?). Two players that have so much talent.

- Memorial took control in the second quarter, ending it on a 12-3 run to take a 15-point lead into halftime. After Santa Fe got it down to 33-23, Emegano and Woodard hit back-to-back buckets and the game never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

- James Woodard made a couple of big threes that really got the crowd going. It was an electric atmosphere to start. It tailed off a tad when it became evident the Wolves didn’t have a comeback in them. Definitely looking forward to the rematch.

- James Woodard, Richardson and Emegano all made the Open Super 5. Joining them were T’aires Taylor of third-place NW Classen and Lawton Mac’s Quinton Paras.

- Look for a video with Jordan Woodard on NewsOK this weekend. After two trips to Stillwater for football and this basketball game – consider me done. I’m out, tired, fellas.

No. 1 Edmond Memorial rallies from 13 down in the fourth quarter to knock off No. 3 Midwest City on its home floor, hitting four of four free throws in the final 13 seconds to avenge the overtime loss to the Bombers in the first round of the state tournament (well, sort of, though let’s not equate December wins to March wins).

Had to be the biggest drama of the night, right?

Wrong.

Three metro-area games go overtime, with Shawnee nipping Western Heights, Norman North taking down Southmoore and the big one — Putnam City West winning 55-51 at No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe.

That’s a huge win for the Patriots, simply to show themselves and the rest of Class 6A that just because Tyler Neal and Amric Fields are gone, the Pats aren’t going to be a doormat.

Guard Kyndall Dudley hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and overtime to spark the win and Dante Lewis had 10 boards and three blocked shots as the pair of seniors carried PC West to the victory.

“All our kids stepped up and made big plays,” first-year PC West coach Lenny Bert said. “They left their heart on the floor. After the game in the locker room, it wasn’t some big celebration. It was like we were supposed to win. It’s good to get that feeling early, because it showed us we can beat a legitimate team and gives us the belief that we can be good if we do what we’re supposed to do.”

Mustang didn’t need overtime to take down No. 2 Putnam City at PC. David Glidden scored only six points in a loss last week, so I wondered if maybe the ankle he injured in the final football game was still an issue. Then he busts out for 20 against the Pirates. Robert Shaw added 14 and Zac Grismer had 13 in the win.

Back to Memorial-MWC… these are two really good teams who will be hanging around in March. Memorial’s Obi Emegano is a horse, but we all knew that. The Bulldogs play some tough defense, too.

Sophomore Jordan Woodard is a budding star who will only get better. For such a young kid to step to the free throw line with 6.1 seconds left and a one-point lead and be able to hit two free throws — he was 2-of-4 at the line before that — was very impressive. He and his brother, James, are both very athletic and will make it tough for teams to figure out how to defend the Bulldogs this year, especially with Emegano.

“It’s hard to guard (Emegano) one-on-one,” Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said. “And if you foul him, he’ll make you pay at the line.”

He certainly did Tuesday, hitting 14 of 16, including two with 12.9 seconds left.

The Bombers look about the same as last year. Not huge inside but very tough on defense to create easy offense, and they can get going on some serious 3-pointer streaks. They might even have a little better depth than last year, too.

There was plenty more drama around the metro area last night, and a few big performances as well. Bridge Creek’s Ryan Spangler had 46 points, 26 rebounds, seven assists and six blocked shots in a rout of Crooked Oak. Armon Provo had his second straight 30-point game, scoring 34 against Choctaw, and his night ended when the Panthers held a 33-point lead after three quarters. And Deer Creek’s Garrett Hermanski scored 38 in a win over Chickasha.

We’re only two weeks into the season. How much better can this year get?

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

I HATE the Edmond Open…hate it. It’s always that dang week in December where it’s the final week of football, and I can never see the basketball.

It’s that way once again. Busy with football this weekend but hoping that somehow I can see the boys final at 8 p.m. Saturday at Memorial. The girls bracket is dynamite, the semis are going to be insane.

Boys (At Memorial)
Thursday
Game 1: Edmond Memorial vs. Santa Fe JV, 3:30
Game 2: Tulsa Central vs. NW Classen, 6:30
Game 3: Lawton Mac vs. Edmond North, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Tulsa Rogers vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 8 p.m.

Friday
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 3:30
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6:30
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 8 p.m.

Saturday
Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, 3:30
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 6:30
Game 12: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 8 p.m.

Girls (At North)
Thursday
Game 1: Santa Fe vs. Tulsa Rogers, 3:30
Game 2: Bishop McGuinness vs. Edmond Memorial, 6:30
Game 3: Cache vs. Tulsa Central, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Edmond North vs. Southmoore, 8 p.m.

Friday
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 3:30
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6:30
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 8 p.m.

Saturday
Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, 11 a.m.
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 12:30
Game 11: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 2 p.m.
Game 12: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 3:30

We are fully entrenched in basketball for the Edmond schools. And frankly, that’s a good thing. There are so many good Edmond basketball teams this year — they’re all going to keep me on my toes.

To start the year no team had a tougher assignment that Shane Coffey’s Memorial girls at Norman. But junior Alie Decker has shown how much she has matured and how she is ready to be the team leader.

Decker scored 19 points in the road win against the Tigers and followed that with a 19-point win against an overmatched Moore team.

All Edmond teams are in for major battles this weekend at the Edmond Open. I hope to get a chance to be there. It will be tough, though, with football still left.

Other contenders

Brooklyn Bell, Memorial: It’s Decker leading the way, but Bell has been dynamite in the first week of the season with her fantastic shooting.

Obi Emegano, Memorial: He’s going to hear a lot of stuff from opposing fans, but he handled it well in Week 1 with impressive outings at Norman and vs. Moore.

Josh Richardson and Courtney Walker, Santa Fe: Did exactly what they’re supposed to do in victories against Stillwater and Mustang. Excited to see the Wolves again.

Jeff Tanner, North: Giving it to the new boys coach. That was the type of statement he was hoping to make, opening with a good win against a formidable Choctaw club.

Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek: Maybe a game the Antlers lose last year? Hermanski scored 24 points in leading Deer Creek to a tough win against Harrah.

Ahhh, first taste of hoops. Kinda sweet to open the year out at Norman for a much-anticipated matchup between Norman and Edmond Memorial.

Always a good battle when the Tigers and Bulldogs go at it. Round 1 for this year (like last year) goes to Memorial.

Memorial 53, Norman 41 – Girls

- Big night for Memorial’s Brooklyn Bell. Norman had cut the margin to 40-35 midway through the fourth when Bell nailed back-to-back three-pointers. She has a real pretty shot. Coach Shane Coffey said she is one of the best shooters around…I don’t doubt him. Bell finished with 15 points.

- Alie Decker did what she is supposed to and what I’ve gotten so accustomed to seeing her do. She led the way with 19 points and cleaned up the glass for the Bulldogs.

- Great game from junior Alyssa Hand. She has to track Norman’s Kamra King all night and kept her in check for the most part. Hand also scored 11 points.

- Speaking of King, great to see her back. She scored a team-high 16 points and still showed that explosiveness and quickness that has been her trademark. Had a couple of real nice steals that led to transition buckets, but it was tough for Norman to penetrate the Memorial defense.

- Really liked what I saw from Kim Hayes for the Tigers. She poured in 10 points and looked really smooth out there

- Coffey was thrilled to get out of there with a win. Loved how his team played in the second half and showed the qualities of a championship team. Memorial isn’t there yet, but boy was Tuesday the right first step.

- Look for a video with Decker on NewsOK on Wednesday.

Memorial 78, Norman 44 – Boys

- This game was actually 36-31 a minute into the third quarter. Then, well, I don’t know, Bulldogs simply took over.

- Leading that charge was Obi Emegano. He scored 12 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. He was saddled with two fouls early in the second quarter and wasn’t much of a factor…

- …But that’s OK when you have Jordan Woodard. I’ve heard all summer about this sophomore, now I know why. We know about James Woodard, but Jordan might be better than his brother right now, which would be quite the feat.

- Norman was up 19-17 after the first quarter and played inspired ball in coach Jeff McCullough’s first game. Tigers should be OK.

If you have All-District teams, go ahead and send ‘em.

6A – 1 All-District Selections

Coach of the Year:            Steve Huff        Midwest City
Offensive Player of the Year:        Louis Durant        Lawton Ike (RB)
Co-Defensive Player of the Year:    Connor Myers        Edmond Memorial (DT)
Co-Defensive Player of the Year:    Dan Davis        Norman North (LB)
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year:    Justin Durham        Lawton Ike (OG)
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year:    Jesse Venzor        Midwest City (OG)
Defensive Lineman of the Year:    Brad Ross        Putnam City North (DT)

Tanner Hessman        QB                Choctaw
Corey Bennett            RB                Choctaw
Aaron Fournier        DB                Choctaw
Hunter Davis            DE                Choctaw
Brandon Drain            DE                Choctaw
Connor Myers            DT                Edmond Memorial
Jared Chambers        DE                Edmond Memorial
Kameron Doolittle        QB                Edmond Memorial
Jacob Wright            OL                Edmond Memorial
Jeff Balkenbush        DB                Edmond Memorial
Will Conant            Kicker/Punter            Edmond Memorial
Connor McElveen        DB                Edmond Memorial
Grant Bohuslavicky        LB                Edmond Memorial
Cale Olbert            RB                Edmond Memorial
Logan Ezell            OL                Lawton Ike
Nathan Locker            RB                Lawton Ike
Wayne  Tanner            OL                Lawton Ike
Adrain Woodard        WR                Lawton Ike
Dillon Pulliam            LB                Lawton Ike
Marty Northern        DL                Lawton Ike
JR. Hernandez            DL                Lawton Ike
Baccari Jackson        DB                Lawton Ike
Deshon Whartley        DB                Lawton Ike
Taylor Scott            DB                Lawton Ike
David Cowan            LB                Moore
Ryan Crain            DL                Moore
Vova Razryvin        QB                Moore
Kevin Ross            OL                Moore
Trystyn Kirby            OL                Moore
Greg Austin            QB                Midwest City
Trevon Lews            DE                Midwest City
Cameron Hishaw        DE                Midwest City
Carlos Morales        LB                Midwest City
Cortrez Colbert        WR                Midwest City
Jesse Venzor            OL                Midwest City
Landen Carson        OL                Midwest City
Cajun Cox            RB                Midwest City
Cortrael Colbert        WR                Midwest City
Ryan Wright            WR                Midwest City
Claude Donald        WR                Midwest City
Dan Davis            LB                Norman North
Raymond Demby        RB                Norman North
Caleb Cline            OL                Norman North
Daniel Moses            LB                Norman North
Derek Morton            DL                Norman North
Emilio Gatewood        DB                Norman North
Zac Pierce            LB                Norman North
Covin Conrady        WR                Putnam City North
Sam Wolfe            RB                Putnam City North
Brad Ross            DL                Putnam City North
Abe Almatasem        DE                Putnam City North
DeQuantae Colbert        DB                Putnam City North
Jace James            QB                Putnam City North
Billy Prater            DB                Putnam City North
Andy Bates            OL                Putnam City North
Eric Granado            WR                Yukon
Kaiden Horn            WR                Yukon
Kollin Retter            WR                Yukon
Jake Doyle            DE                Yukon
Terry Jones            RB                Yukon
Jordan Edwards        DB                Yukon
Ty Garza            DB                Yukon
Carson Mathews        LB                Yukon
Jake Henderson        LB                Yukon
Andrew Edwards        DE                Yukon