John Robert Simon at the helm for Putnam City North
Putnam City North's Dre Holman will be a big help to new quarterback J.R. Simon both as a receiver out of the backfield and as a workhorse running back.
The OSSAA board meeting on Wednesday and the thunderstorm on Thursday morning kind of got me off track in making the rounds to all the West Metro and OKC football practices I wanted to hit, and one of the victims was Putnam City North (I’ll be there next week, Panthers).
But I got a chance to visit with coach Bob Wilson on the phone and he sounds pleased with his team’s performance over the first few days of camp.
One crucial position over the next two weeks for the Panthers will be the development of their new quarterback.
Jace James graduated, and Joe Summers decided to focus on basketball, so that opened the door for a new starter.
Junior John Robert Simon has stepped in to fill the void for an offense with only a few returning starters.
“Right now, it looks like he’s the guy,” coach Bob Wilson said. “Alex Clark is backing him up. He’s a capable and athletic kid. J.R. is a good athlete who started for the basketball team as a sophomore and has a chance to be a good player.”
With talented running back Dre Holman and highly recruited left tackle Daniel Burton, the Panthers will focus on the run game, which should benefit Simon early in the season.
“Running the ball will be real important for us,” Wilson said. “If we can do that, it’ll give J.R. some time to adjust to the speed of the game.”
I know Holman is strongly committed to staying healthy this year, and he has the potential to be a workhorse, especially if the new starters on the offensive line can come together in front of him. Holman is a sleeper in the recruiting game, too. I’m sure a lot of coaches want to see him stay healthy as well, but he has a combination of power and speed that is hard to match.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Arizona offers PC North’s Daniel Burton
It seems Arizona coach Mike Stoops is looking hard at Oklahoma offensive linemen. Highly regarded prospects like Blake Belcher of Guthrie and Cayman Bundage of Douglass have already been offered by the Wildcats, and now you can add Putnam City North’s Daniel Burton to the list.
Burton, 6-foot-4, 275 pounds, received the offer from Arizona this week, bringing his total to three, along with Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern State. Coaches from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have visited the Panthers’ practices in recent weeks, and Oregon State is expected on the campus this week.
Burton is No. 15 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 rankings for 2012 recruits. He plans to attend camps at OU, OSU and Missouri this summer, and maybe a few more. He plays left tackle for the Panthers, but has the build and skill set to play any position on the line at the next level.
Currently, he’s focused on building strength, and maybe adding a little weight to his long frame.
“I’m at 275 now,” Burton said. “I’ve gained about 10 pounds since last season and I might try to gain five or 10 more, but I really just want to work on getting stronger.”
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Baseball: Putnam City North regional bracket
OK, these are all the ones I have. And if anybody knows any other 5A-6A ones, don’t hesitate to send ‘em along.
Class 6A Baseball
West
At Putnam City North
Wednesday
Game 1: Putnam North vs. Norman, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Putnam City vs. Moore, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
Basketball roundup: Stephen Clark, Armon Provo making news
A couple of quick items out of the world of boys basketball, including a pair of All-Americans and Armon Provo making a college decision.
Clark, Parker on sophomore All-America team
Two Oklahoma boys basketball players were selected to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America team released Thursday.
Douglass guard Stephen Clark was a third-team selection after averaging 15.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in helping the Trojans to a second consecutive state championship. He shot 34.2 percent (89-of-260) from 3-point range on the season.
Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker was selected to the MaxPreps second team, averaging 16.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Both players are being heavily recruited already. Parker has offers from Oklahoma State, Tulsa and Minnesota. Clark has an offer from Marquette, and has recently drawn strong interest from programs like Connecticut and Arkansas.
Both are playing summer ball with the local AAU team Athletes First. Check out the full MaxPreps Sophomore All-America team here.
PC North’s Provo picks Maryville
Putnam City North basketball standout Armon Provo has committed to play at Maryville University in St. Louis next season.
Provo, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 18.0 points per game as a senior, leading the Panthers within one game of the state tournament.
Maryville just completed its second season at the NCAA Division II level, playing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Saints’ leading scorer last season averaged 11.4 points per game.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Jon Denney’s bat, Kyle Gibson’s glove recipe for Yukon success
I got to see Kyle Gibson pitched for Yukon at Edmond Santa Fe a couple of weeks ago. After a rough start, he settled down and showed why he is in the Millers’ rotation.
But what he did Monday in a 16-7 victory against Putnam North, arguably the hottest team around, was even more impressive.
He turned in one great play after another at shortstop. Yukon took a 10-2 lead, but the Panthers slowly crawled their way back into it.
Then we were stuck at 11-7 for two innings because Gibson made all the routine plays and then added a little something extra and made some top-notch quality plays.
It allowed Conner Sayers to throw a complete game, and it kept PCNorth at bay. Yukon’s bats woke up one more time with a five-run seventh inning and there ya go, 16-7.
Huge day at the plate for Jon Denney. Started the game with an RBI single. Next at bat was a three-run double. And then punctuated it with a three-run triple that all but iced the game.
Interesting dynamic with the wind in this one. I don’t think I saw the best of either team because of the conditions, but I’m glad I went out. Obviously way too windy for a video so apologize, Denney. You’re owed a video one of these days.
Also impressed by the play of Cooper Biggers for PC North. Slotted in the two-hole, had three hits, but I was surprised at his speed. Didn’t think he would be that fast.
The win by Yukon snaps the 10-game winning streak for PC North. Of course, with baseball, one game is nothing to get too worked up about. The teams play again Tuesday at Yukon, and the Panthers’ slate is full the rest of the week at the Shawnee Showdown.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Edmond North boys tennis team dominant at Tournament of Champs
Tennis
Tournament of Champions
At Heritage Hall
Boys
Team Scoring
1. Edmond North 32; 2. Metro Christian 23; 3. (tie) Heritage Hall, Putnam North 20. 5. Tulsa Union 18; 6. Tulsa Kelley 14; 7. Edmond Memorial 12; 8. Ada 9.
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.
Putnam North’s Chris Haworth ousted in USTA event
Still waiting to hear back from Putnam North’s Chris Haworth so I can’t really comment on the third set. After winning the first set, Haworth lost the next two in losing to Nikoloz Basilashvili of the country of Georgia.
The two met in the first round of the USTA/Jackie Cooper BMW Oklahoma Open at the OKC Tennis Center on Wednesday afternoon. Score was 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
I was able to see the first two sets, but I was unable to stay for the third but heard Haworth loss. When covering the tennis state tournament, I have to wander from court to court and keep up with many different storylines and schools.
Wednesday was nice because I just stayed with Haworth the entire way. After the first serve of the match by Nikoloz, I thought Haworth was in trouble. But Haworth was able to read Nikoloz’ serve well en route to a 6-2 victory in the first set.
Up 2-1 in the first set, Haworth saved two break points to take the 3-1 lead. Trying to serve out the set, Haworth was unflappable and showed no nerves.
In the second set, Nikoloz got off to a big lead only for Haworth to battle back. Knotted at two games apiece, Nikoloz won the the fifth game that saw six deuces. Nikoloz eventually built up a 5-2 lead before Haworth mounted his charge.
Serving at 4-5, Haworth saved one set point, held and broke Nikoloz for a 6-5 lead. Up 30-15 in the ensuing game was big call. I thought (and Chris thought) Nikoloz’ shot was wide. It was called in and the match went from double match point to 30-30.
Nikoloz brought his ‘A’ game in the latter part of the second half and definitely in the tiebreak, which he won 7-4. He started to use the drop shot very effectively and started to slam home some clean winners.
I watched Haworth win the first game of the third set before I had to leave. Great effort by Haworth, who received a wild card entry from tournament organizers.
Haworth, of course, is the two-time defending champion at No. 1 singles for the Panthers and has signed with Oklahoma State.
Like I said, haven’t been able to get in touch with Haworth yet. But when I do, I will update.
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Metro Conference awards for boys basketball
Metro Athletic Conference Awards
Coach of the Year: Alan Green – Mustang
Most Valuable Player: Josh Richardson – Santa Fe
Offensive Player of the Year: Dominique Raney – Putnam City
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Berry – Mustang
Newcomer of the Year: Tavionne Pennon – Putnam City West
1st Team
Dominique Raney – Putnam City
David Glidden – Mustang
Armon Provo – Putnam City North
Kyndall Dudley – Putnam City West
Ben Berry – Mustang
Aaron Anderson – Santa Fe
2nd Team
RonQuis Lewis – Putnam City
Joe Summers – Putnam City North
Dante Lewis – Putnam City West
Michael Onuoha – Santa Fe
Matt Burton – Yukon
3rd Team
D’Anthony Perkins – Yukon
Deonta Samilton – Choctaw
Terrell Savala – Santa Fe
Jacob Strassle – Mustang
Kevin House – Putnam City West
Honorable Mention
Trey Thomas – Putnam City, Zac Grismer – Mustang, Keipher Hotella – Choctaw, Ed Baker – Edmond North, Ricco Smith – Putnam City North, JR Simon – Putnam City North, Zac Brown – Choctaw
Metro Conference awards for girls basketball
2011 MAC Girls Basketball Awards
MVP- Elizabeth Donohoe- Edmond North
Offensive- Courtney Walker- Edmond Santa Fe
Defensive- LaShawn Jones- Putnam City
Newcomer- Mallory Brothers- Mustang
Coach of the Year- Paul Bass- Edmond Santa Fe
1st Team All Conference:
1. Elizabeth Donohoe- Edmond North
2. Courtney Walker- Edmond Santa Fe
3. LaShawn Jones- Putnam City
4. Joh’vonna Mitchell- Putnam City North
5. Layton Hurley- Choctaw
2nd Team All Conference:
1. TaNita Dewberry- Edmond North
2. Mallory Brothers- Mustang
3. Jade Hardy- Yukon
4. Whitney Dunn- Mustang
5. Anna Kimsey- Edmond North
Honorable Mention:
1. Alexis Watson- Putnam City North
2. Daisha Gonzaque- Edmond Santa Fe
3. Sydney Wyatt- Choctaw
4. Cameerah Graves- Edmond Santa Fe
5. MacKenzie York- Yukon
6. Sarah Magness- Putnam City West
7. Allison Altman- Putnam City West
8. Kelsey Abraham- Putnam City North
9. Jamie Moore- Putnam City
10. Jasmine Sievert- Choctaw
11. Kiersten Deckard- Yukon
12. Jamiece Nelson- Putnam City
13. Amanda Biorato- Mustang
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
Metro Conference wrestling honors
Conference Team Champion: Edmond North
103 First Team: Cooper Finch (Yukon)
103 Honorable Mention: Nick Cosgrove (PC West)
112 First Team: Lloyd Crownover (Yukon)
112 Honorable Mention: Jordan Armstrong (Ed North)
119 First Team: Derek White (Ed North)
119 Honorable Mention: Brett Dunning (Santa Fe)
125 First Team: Kyle Garcia (Choctaw)
125 Honorable Mention: Hunter Bright (Ed. North)
130 First Team: Tanner Hamilton (Mustang)
130 Honorable Mention: Brandon Coleman (Putnam City)
135 First Team: Connor Adams (PC North)
135 Honorable Mention: Jacob Armstrong (Ed North)
140 First Team: Weston Slater (Mustang)
140 Honorable Mention: Bryce Hendricks (Ed North)
145 First Team: Blake Lawson (Choctaw)
145 Honorable Mention: Chris Nelson (Ed North)
152 First Team: Marshall Dickson (Choctaw)
152 Honorable Mention: Ted Baker (Putnam City)
160 First Team: Lance Dixon (Ed North)
160 Honorable Mention: Logan Thomas (Yukon)
171 First Team: Marcese Dickson (Choctaw)
171 Honorable Mention: Mitch Wilson (Putnam City)
189 First Team: Austin Schafer (Ed North)
189 Honorable Mention: Carson Mathews (Yukon)
215 First Team: Andrew Dixon (Ed North)
215 Honorable Mention: Elie Rushing (Putnam City)
285 First Team: Hunter Davis (Choctaw)
285 Honorable Mention: Lantz Parks (Yukon)
***
Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com
