The Oklahoman’s Super 30 revisited, Pt. I
Back in August, we unveiled the Super 30 for the Class of 2011. Here’s where they’re all going as we get closer to Signing Day:
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
Kentrell Brothers, Connor Myers, John-Philip Hughes shine at NUC…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It’s not a shocker to keep hearing these three names excel. The surprising thing is that Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers and Tulsa Edison’s John-Philip Hughes still aren’t getting the recognition.
According to Barry Every, a recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, Myers, Hughes and Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers were all very impressive at the National Underclassmen Combine two weekends ago at the University of Oklahoma.
I especially liked what he wrote about Myers because I’m in total agreement about it. Every said it’s tough for Myers to get noticed because he’s playing a position (defensive tackle) that’s tough for colleges to find. Myers has offers from Air Force and Weber State, feels like he should have more.
Not much more you can say about Brothers. The Bluejays star has racked up one big honor after another the entire summer, and the ball feels like it’s in his court at this point.
Hughes came out of nowhere this summer, and I’m glad he’s getting some recognition. He looks clunky out there, but he’s extremely gifted and should start to get some offers and interest.
For Every’s full report, including the top names for 2012 and 2013, here ya go.
Oklahomans well represented in NUC Ultimate 100…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The crazy summer for Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers is not over just yet. Brothers will be joined by Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers and Tulsa Edison’s John-Philip Hughes as the three senior representatives from Oklahoma at the National Underclassmen Combine Ultimate 100 Top Prospect camp.
The two-day events runs at OU on Saturday and Sunday. There is no testing as it is strictly competition-based. Saturday runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Sunday is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be position drills, 1-on-1 drills, 7-on-7 competitions.
Douglass’ Cayman Bundage and Yukon’s Corben Jones lead the Oklahoma invitees for the junior class.
Senior invitees:
Kentrell Brothers, LB, Guthrie
Connor Myers, DL, Edmond Memorial
John-Philip Hughes, TE, Tulsa Edison
Junior invitees:
Brandon Cromp, LB, Jenks
Javon Bowler, CB, Union
Cayman Bundage, OL, Douglass
Corben Jones, QB, Yukon
Kasey Key, QB, Owasso
Brent Wilson, QB, Ponca City
Ashton Anderson, DL, Jenks
Derek Deeds, WR, Yukon (already in Virginia for another camp but will still attend)
Orion Jones, DL, Jenks
Good luck and congrats to all.
Ed Memorial: Connor Myers with strong camp…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I mentioned Edmond Memorial’s Kameron Doolittle participating in the Southwest’s Ultimate 100 last weekend in Duncanville, Texas.
However, he wasn’t the lone Bulldog or Oklahoman who made the trip. Memorial defensive stud Connor Myers had a very impressive day for the one-day showcase. He’s a beast, can’t say it enough. His size turns people away while his performance on the field makes people re-think their position.
Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers was named the top linebacker. I don’t know what else he can do to up his profile at this point. He’s done everything right this summer.
When it came to juniors, just as coach Willis Alexander said, Douglass OL Cayman Bundage had a brilliant outing. I’m very intrigued to get a chance to see the Trojans. They lost so much, but I’ve heard some real strong positive things from people that have seen them.
And I’ma give a shout out to OKVarsity.com guru Justin Mitchell. He turned my head toward Tulsa Edison’s John-Philip Hughes at the one-day event at LaFortune Stadium. He’s such a big, big man, about 6-4 and 240. Right now he’s playing tight end. If he’s got the hands, he’ll make one heckuva TE.
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And in baseball recruiting news, Archie Bradley is going to have some company at Oklahoma as fellow Tiger pitcher Mason Hope committed to OU on Wednesday night, he confirmed via message.
OKVarsity.com camp: QBs come out to play…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This feels like ages ago after Millwood’s Josh Turner committing to Texas for football and Edmond Memorial’s Drew Dahlberg committing to Oklahoma for baseball all in the same time period.
But a ‘long’ time ago (try Saturday early afternoon), I was pumped about the one-day camp that OKVarsity.com held at LaFortune Stadium in Tulsa.
For the record, that was my first time at the Stadium, not bad. More than 50 players participated in the three-hour event.
Without question, the quarterbacks were the story of the day. Not necessarily because of their performances (though they were good), but because six top QBs were there: Del City’s Chazten Gonzales, Jenks’ Sawyer Kollmorgen, Shawnee’s Brayle Brown, Yukon’s Corben Jones, Booker T.’s Jordy Albert and Bridge Creek’s Ryan Spangler.
That was the first time I’ve seen Jones and Albert so now I get it. Albert was one of the QBs in the Steve Clarkson Dreammaker Tour while Jones is just going to be a junior at Yukon. Spangler is so tall – something you really can’t appreciate until you see him. It will be interesting to see if his future is in football or basketball.
I kinda strayed away from the usual suspects as took this opportunity to get to know some of the Tulsa-area kids who I won’t get to see too often.
Tulsa East Central had a couple of real standouts in WR Dinazzio Teague and DE Ashton Dandy. I felt Teague had one of the best camps of anybody there. But keep in mind, I didn’t get to pinpoint all 50 kids, and it was easier to gauge how the QB/WRs were doing than anybody else.
What impressed me most about Teague wasn’t so much his speed (though he is fast), but it was his ability to get separation from the defenders. Teague is receiving interest from Texas Tech, among others.
Dandy will be playing DE for the Cardinals but looks more suited to be at linebacker in college. Very impressive physically (passed the eye test) and also had a strong day.
Muskogee already has one top DB for this year in Kyler Harris, but I was impressed by the work ethic and ability of junior Victor Williams. For my money (which isn’t much, by the way), Williams and Teague’s battles were the highlight of my day.
Over at Tulsa Edison, it was John Phillip Hughes who caught my eye. He’s a big boy, about 6-4 and 230 pounds or so, but he showed some real good movement.
Some of your Super 30 kids were in attendance: It was good to see Derrick Alexander of Booker T. and Trent Martin of Jenks. Steven Carpenter of Jenks was there but did not participate. He may have stolen the show if he’d been healthy.
Caught some linemen drills, not too much. I admit I couldn’t identify most of the Tulsa-area ones, but it was good to see Westmoore’s Tyler Newton and Bethany’s Darren Davenport and Hennessey’s Derrick Luetjen again. Newton has a real motor to go with his nice size.
There were 15 juniors there, and I paid close attention to Midwest City’s James Flanders and Putnam North’s Dre Holman. Really think before the end of this year those two names are going to be mentioned at all times when talking about the best of 2012.
Special thanks to OKVarsity.com publisher Justin Mitchell for orchestrating the event and all his assistance.
Look for videos with Westmoore’s Tyler Newton, Del City’s Chazten Gonzales and Yukon’s Corben Jones on NewsOK in the next day or two.
Girls tennis: Irish, Chargers, Huskies/Trojans reign supreme…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, one of my favorite weekends of the year is in the books. There didn’t look like there would be much drama in the Class 5A and 4A girls tennis team race.
There wasn’t.
Bishop McGuinness rolled in 5A while Heritage Hall earned three of the four championships Saturday at the new look OKC Tennis Center.
Now if you’re talking 6A, yea, that was some fun as Jenks and Edmond North tied for the championship. North earned two titles while Jenks earned one and was the runner-up in the other spots.
6A
That was fun. Admittedly, I wasn’t able to get to see as much of the 6A stuff as I would have liked to. However, did enjoy watching the Huskies and Trojans battling it out on side-by-side courts as North’s Ann Pepper defeated Gabrielle Siegler while Jenks’ Lisa Waldron returned the favor against Rachel Mitcham.
The race went about as expected and big ups to Enid as the Pacers earned third place, highlighted by a dominating weekend by No. 1 doubles Kathryn Dillingham and Mackenzi Zaloudek.
Waldron made tremendous strides this year and really became the heart of that Jenks squad. That second set vs. Mitcham was some intense stuff as neither held more than a two-game lead the entire way. Great battle.
That championship experience paid off for North’s No. 2 doubles of Reagan Reed and Natalie Price. The girls didn’t win regionals but did when it mattered – for the second time in a row.
Look out for Broken Arrow, that team is going to be good next year.
For your 6A notes, here ya go.
5A
No surprise that McGuinness dominated. But it might be the last year…might. I mean how do you replace Mia Lancaster, Emily Conrad and Whitney Ritchie?
At any rate, 12 straight titles is impressive. And when the lights shone brightest, the girls played their best. Ritchie and Trinian O’Neil didn’t lose a game in the final.
Lancaster, playing a really good and healthy Melanie Barnes of Duncan for the first time, dropped one game in each set while Conrad was almost beyond impressive. The No. 2 doubles team Ashleigh Chiaf and Abby Hodges rolled as well.
Duncan once again was the hard-luck loser as the Demons prob would have won the championship in the two other classes.
And I’ma give credit to the Carl Albert doubles team of Sallie McLaurin and Laura Miller for beating the Edison duo of Haley Martin and Abby Tolson. I didn’t think they would, but the placing worked out just like the seeding.
For 5A notes, here ya go.
4A
The Chargers did what they thought they would do, but it was a great story out of Perry as the Maroons tied for second with Cascia Hall. That’s a program that is really on the rise.
As for Heritage, it begins with Julie Labarthe. She didn’t lose a game in all four of her matches and set the school record with 36 love (6-0) sets in a season.
Junior Carissa Villaflor has really started to turn my head. She used to be a nice supporting player, but she’s turning into a monster as well, cruising to the title.
The No. 1 doubles squad of Sarah Bowen and Kelsey Grace played a tough, tough match with Cascia’s Bernie Clement and Michele Mesmer. Real good stuff from both teams with Heritage pulling it out. Cascia returned the favor at No. 2 doubles where Cascia’s Samantha Fuller and Abby Jordan took out Heritage’s Sarah Gretsch and Sarah Moll.
For 4A notes, here ya go.
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The renovated OKC Tennis Center is on its way. There are still some big kinks to work out (namely when it comes to results), but it was a real pleasant atmosphere this weekend.
The clubhouse area is great and like how much more visible it is to find a court now. Everything was completed Thursday and came out OK.
Look for all the tennis videos you can handle on NewsOK this week. Talked with McGuinness’ Emily Conrad and Mia Lancaster, Heritage’s Julie Labarthe and Edmond North’s Ann Pepper.
Boys regionals Monday with state Friday and Saturday.
Irish: Whitney Ritchie, Trinian O’Neil rise up to occasion…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It was dubbed by me as the tennis match worth the price of admission. And if you had a chance to watch it on Court 8, you might tend to believe that.
However, the Bishop McGuinness doubles team of Whitney Ritchie and Trinian O’Neil did not allow there to be any drama in a 6-1, 6-2 victory against the very talented team of Haley Martin and Abby Tolson of Tulsa Edison.
The key was the start as the Irish absolutely blitzed the Eagles early, taking a 5-0 lead before you could even blink. In particular, Ritchie (gunning for her fourth state title), came out ready to dominate.
This was the first time I’ve seen Martin, and she really is as good as advertised. She has some solid ground strokes. Most importantly, she knows how to keep the ball low, which is so crucial against players with the talent of McGuinness.
After the Eagles took a 2-1 lead in the second, McGuinness closed it out in style by winning the final five games. There was one absolute ridiculous point where Ritchie was able to get to a ball near the fence and force a Martin error. Tough to explain.
We’re rolling along here on Day 2, but it will be tough to beat that type of buzz that was in the air for that one. The drama should be in 6A, though, where who knows who will win it between Edmond North and Jenks.
Tennis: Girls state preview…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Oh ye tennis gods, all I ask is a weekend of no rain and getting everything in. Friday begins the state tennis tournament at the OKC Tennis Center (my home away from home).
Here’s some thoughts and insights on what I believe will happen. And look for a story on Edmond North’s Ann Pepper in Friday’s paper.
6A
Last year’s champs: Edmond North
The Huskies have a great shot at repeating this year. I’m expecting an all Edmond North-Jenks singles final with Rachel Mitcham against Lisa Waldron of Jenks at No. 1 and Pepper vs. Gabrielle Siegler of Jenks at No. 2.
Broken Arrow’s Jodi Blackim will have something to say about that and Enid might go and mess up everything, too.
Edmond Memorial was able to earn both doubles regional titles against rival North, which I found very interesting. The Bulldogs might end up keeping the Huskies off the top spot.
Prediction: Jenks wins a nail-biter, followed by Edmond North, Enid and Edmond Memorial.
5A
Last year’s champs: Bishop McGuinness
There is no drama in this as the Irish should cruise to their 12th straight state championship. However, there will be drama at No. 1 doubles with Whitney Ritchie and Trinian O’Neil of McGuinness who could possibly take on Tulsa Edison in the championship.
Edison has Haley Martin, one of the best players in the state (and nation, for that matter). Martin has had Ritchie’s number on the Missouri Valley circuit, so it would make for one heckuva championship. Martin is teamed with Abby Tolson.
Also will be interesting to see how Duncan’s Melanie Barnes does if she gets a crack at Mia Lancaster of McGuinness. The depth and dominance of the Irish can’t be questioned, though.
Ritchie and No. 2 singles Emily Conrad are going for their fourth state titles while Ashleigh Chiaf and Lancaster are gunning for their third championship. Insane.
4A
Last year’s champs: Heritage Hall
Definitely expect the Chargers to take at least three of the four titles here. Nobody can touch Julie Labarthe and Carissa Villaflor should be able to handle things at No. 2 singles (though I got a hunch Mt. St. Mary’s Victoria Vaughn and Perry’s Lauryn Sullins will play a role).
At No. 1 doubles, Sarah Bowen of Heritage is so strong that it doesn’t matter too much who her partner is though Kelsey Grace is dang good in her own right.
Should be a fun weekend, and you’ll know I’ll be back each night with thoughts.
OBCA All-Region Teams
Here are the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association’s boys All-Region Teams:
Region One
Chris Fitzpatrick, Enid
Trevon Hartfield, Watonga
Seth Heckart, Woodward
Jabe Karr, Okarche
Bryce Lamer, Garber
Dakota Martin, Chisholm
Chris Mustain, El Reno
J.D. Pugh, Texhoma
Rhett Radcliff, Forgan
Hayden Vencl, Garber
Player of the Year: Tyler Miller, Garber
Coach of the Year: Dusty Torrey, Garber
Region Two
Chris Boyd, Okemah
Patrick Buntt, Frontier
Bryan Champion, Perkins
Tyler Dean, Prague
Jordan Gipe, Yale
John Lazenby, Glencoe
Alex Moore, Cleveland
Chase Mongold, Ponca City
Kalian Watkins, Preston
Dillon Worley, Mason
Player of the Year: Ralston Moore, Pawnee
Coach of the Year: John Lazenby, Glencoe
Region Three
Parker Ballard, Pryor
Robert Boyles, Claremore
Jake Bullard, Vinita
Dakota Caudill, Claremore
Cale Elam, Oktaha
Oren Faulk, Muskogee
Courtney Gaston, Fort Gibson
Jon Griggs, Tahlequah
Devon Rinehart, Gore
Pud Ross, Locust Grove
Billy Waltrip, Fort Gibson
Player of the Year: Courtney Gaston, Fort Gibson
Coach of the Year: Gary Hendrix, Fort Gibson
Region Four
Derrick Bull, Altus
Nick Herrington, Erick-Sweetwater
Tevin Johnson, Binger-Oney
Dee Robinson, Lawton MacArthur
Kas Sanders, Fletcher
Gavan Steinmetz, Fort Cobb-Broxton
Josh Sweat, Big Pasture
Tanner Thompson, Cache
Dane Thrash, Cheyenne
Clay Walker, Hammon
Player of the Year: Levi Richardson, Mangum
Coach of the Year: Jeff Carlisle, Mangum
Region Five
Jared Beal, Norman North
Tanner Bell, Purcell
Blaine Brooks, Blanchard
Corbin Byford, Bray-Doyle
Trey Cohee, Ardmore
Conner Davey, Washington
Kyle Forehand, Lexington
Zach Hibbard, Lindsay
Gary Inglett, Plainview
Shea Longman, Newcastle
Dalen Qualls, Stratford
Player of the Year: Ryan Spangler, Bridge Creek
Coach of the Year: Jason Sanders, Bridge Creek
Region Six
Jordan Burrell, Valliant
Dwight Camp, Red Oak
Jimmy Doolin, Dale
Jordan EagleRoad, Talihina
Kchris Griffin, Haworth
Kolby Johnson, Caddo
Dylan Lemley, Roff
Taggart Lockhart, Talihina
Dayne Parker, Roff
D.J. Shanklin, Hugo
Player of the Year: Cale Jackson, Bethel
Co-Coaches of the Year: Kale Simon, Roff; Troy Miller, Holdenville
Region Seven
Adrien Anderson, Tulsa Memorial
Desmond Butler, Tulsa Edison
Jack Cameron, Tulsa Kelley
Quan Carter, Tulsa Union
Tharone Chilton, Tulsa Washington
Steven Hamilton, Tulsa Edison
Braeton Hightower, Owasso
Damian Hooks, Tulsa East Central
Jake Toupal, Broken Arrow
Drew Wilson, Tulsa East Central
Player of the Year: Cameron Downing, Tulsa Memorial
Co-Coaches of the Year: Eric Savage, Tulsa Memorial; Beau Wallace, Tulsa East Central
Region Eight
Stephen Clark, Douglass
Trez Colbert, Midwest City
Larry Cunningham, Carl Albert
Obi Emegano, Edmond Memorial
Amric Fields, Putnam West
Xavier McClish, Midwest City
Dominique Raney, Putnam City
Josh Richardson, Edmond Santa Fe
Kendre Talley, Star Spencer
Jameel Whitney, McGuinness
Player of the Year: Tyler Neal, Putnam West
Coach of the Year: Terry Long, Douglass
5A Girls Playoffs
The OSSAA released the Class 5A girls playoff brackets today. The first round will be played Thursday, Feb. 25.
WEST
At Carl Albert
Lawton MacArthur vs. Northwest
Carl Albert vs. Capitol Hill
At Western Heights
Ada vs. Ardmore
Western Heights vs. Guthrie
At El Reno
Altus vs. Duncan
El Reno vs. Chickasha
At Deer Creek
Southeast vs. Durant
Deer Creek vs. Noble
EAST
At Tulsa East Central
Skiatook vs. Tulsa Kelley
Tulsa East Central vs. Tulsa Hale
At Tulsa Edison
Claremore vs. Tulsa Rogers
Tulsa Edison vs. Pryor
At Tulsa Memorial
Coweta vs. Collinsville
Tulsa Memorial vs. Tahlequah
At Tulsa Washington
Grove vs. McAlester
Tulsa Washington vs. Tulsa Central
