OKC Player of the Week: T’aries Taylor, Northwest Classen
Hard to imagine, but I think the All-City Athletic Conference might be better this year than it was last year. Northwest Classen is a big part of the surge.
The Knights took third place in a loaded field at the Edmond Open over the weekend, with T’aries Taylor leading the team in scoring in two of the three games.
Taylor scored 26 in the opener against Tulsa Central and followed it up with 19 in the third place game against Lawton Mac to earn all-tournament honors at the Edmond Open.
With Taylor providing a reliable scoring option alongside point guard Jamil Donovan, the Knights will be a team to watch in Class 5A this season. At 5-1 on the season, NWC is up to No. 4 in this week’s rankings.
Other contenders
Talmadge Lawrence, John Marshall: Lawrence averaged 18.5 points in a pair of wins over Star Spencer and Bethany last week. DeMontrey Mitchell also scored 19 against Bethany.
Caleb Crayton, Northeast: Scored 20 in a close win over Centennial, then he and Gabe Houston each had 18 in a win over Chickasha at the Harrah tournament. Crayton had 17, behind 24 from Eric Peabody, on Saturday in a close loss to Choctaw.
Delford Robinson and Michael Ervin, Millwood: Robinson led the Falcons in scoring twice at the Millwood tournament, including 14 in the opener. Ervin had a team-high 12 in the third-place game, an 18-point win over Capitol Hill.
Nico Meadows, Capitol Hill: Meadows had 24 points against US Grant as the sophomore continues to make an early impact for the Redskins.
Tona Edwards and Brianna Pendleton, Northeast: Edwards had 25 against Centennial and Pendleton had 19 in a win over Putnam City. Edwards had 15 against PC and scored 22 of the team’s 35 against Carl Albert. Pendleton led the team with 17 in the championship loss to Del City.
Sharane Campbell and LaKeitha Watson, Star Spencer: Campbell, an OU signee, had 25 in a win over John Marshall and 17 to help Star take third at the Millwood Invitational. Watson had a team-high 20 in the third-place game.
Meshelle Parker, Northwest Classen: Scored 19 points in a win over Classen last Tuesday.
Dayla Threat, Millwood: Averaged 17.5 points over four games last week, helping the Falcons to a runner-up finish at their own tournament.
Te’era Williams, Douglass: Had a team-high 21 against Chickasha on Friday.
West Metro POW: Kyndall Dudley, PC West
Not a bad start to basketball season in the West Metro so far. And it makes it incredibly difficult to pick a player of the week.
But when it all shook out, the Putnam City West victory over Edmond Santa Fe was the biggest win. And senior guard Kyndall Dudley had the biggest impact down the stretch, so POW honors go to him.
It was hard to overlook what Mustang accomplished last week, beating No. 2 Putnam City and winning the Harrah Panther Classic. But I had higher expectations for Mustang than a lot of people, and I knew they’d pull off some wins like beating PC. There were a lot more questions around PC West, so to make that kind of statement in the first week of December was huge.
Dudley hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and two more in overtime of the Patriots’ 55-51 win at ESF last week. He finished with 17 points. Dante Lewis and Deonte Ogles both played key roles in the win as well.
Interestingly, the two teams leading the upset charge last week will face off tonight when Mustang hosts PC West.
Other contenders
Armon Provo, PC North boys basketball: It was hard to deny Provo yet again after he poured in 34 in the Panthers’ second game of the year against Choctaw. Provo tore it up over the summer and he has carried it into the season.
Ben Berry and David Glidden, Mustang boys basketball: Glidden scored 20 in the upset of PC, and Berry was the leading scorer in all three of the Broncos’ victories at Harrah, including a 23-point effort in the opener. Over the three games, he averaged 17.3 per game.
D’Anthony Perkins, Yukon boys basketball: Perkins scored 14 points in Tuesday’s 21-point rout of Edmond North, leading four double-figure scorers.
Ron’Quis Lewis, Putnam City boys basketball: Lewis scored 24 in the loss to Mustang. At 6-foot-6, Lewis already has an offer from Western Kentucky and his stock will continue to climb with games like this.
Ashley Callahan and Amanda Biorato, Mustang girls basketball: Callahan scored 16 and Biorato 15 in the overtime win over Putnam City.
LaShawn Jones, Putnam City girls basketball: Jones had 24 in the loss to Mustang and 34 total over two games at the Harrah tournament.
Joh’Vonna Mitchell, PC North girls basketball: Averaged 14.5 points over four games last week, including 21 in an eight-point win over Durant Friday.
Moore Player of the Week
Player of the Week: Moore Zone
Kaylan Haywood, Southmoore
Haywood led the SaberCats in scoring at the Edmond Open over the weekend, totaling 35 points. Her 13 points in the tourney opener against Edmond North and her 12 points in Saturday’s finale against Edmond Memorial were both team-highs. She managed double figures in every game and helped the SaberCats to a 69-20 win over Tulsa Central on Friday.
Norman Player of the Week
Norman Player of the Week: Hayley Scott, Norman North
Norman North girls basketball player Hayley Scott set the tournament single-game scoring record at the Altus Lady Bulldog Classic. The senior scored 35 points in Thursday’s first-round win over Childress (Texas). She scored 12 points in a win over Wichita Falls (Texas) and added 11 in the championship game against Western Heights. Norman North won the tournament title.
Private schools honor: Heritage Hall football seniors…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Granted full access by the Heritage Hall coaching staff for the 3A championship against Kingfisher allowed me to see the things I normally don’t.
One of those was the group of Charger seniors huddling together separate from the rest of the team for one last final speech about what they mean to each other and what this season meant to them.
I won’t reveal anything that was said as that moment was for those nine seniors. Coach Andy Bogert would always have the seniors stand up first after the postgame talks, and he did it one more time Friday night.
And though a lot of talent resides in that spectacular junior bunch, those kids were quick to point out the leadership of the senior class and how that made all the difference starting from last year’s loss to Pawhuska.
The nine seniors: Graham Busby, Cooper Cloud, Shaun Tkach, Coby Brownrigg, Sami Horani, Dru Bullard, Blaine Kennedy, Andrew Johnson and Bill Johnston.
Seniors were members of 14-1, 15-0, 8-5 and 15-0 seasons.
Other contenders
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall: If you don’t know by now, Shepard scored all four of the Heritage Hall touchdowns and all in the second half of a classic 28-21 win over Kingfisher.
T.J. Holland, OCS, Basketball: He’s done it again. Man does he look sharp early on this season. Road win at Casady, followed by a tournament championship at Luther…not bad.
Alexa Lienhard, McGuinness, Basketball: In an incredibly brutal Edmond Open, the Irish beat Memorial and Cache with Lienhard doing significant damage.
Matt Silver, Casady, Basketball: I really like the potential of Silver this season. Cyclones were able to bounce back from OCS loss for consolation championship at Luther.
Edmond honor: Jordan Woodard, Memorial…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
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.
Mid-Del honor: Mariah Jackson, Del City…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
After a year of not playing a role in the 6A picture, Karri Sears’ girls are back. The Del City basketball team made a big statement by winning the Panther Classic at Harrah this weekend.
Gone are Toni Young and Desiree Jeffries that led the Eagles to the title. Now dominating the gym are Mariah Jackson and Toni Smith.
Jackson scored 24 points and Smith pitched in with 17 more as the Eagles defeated Northeast in the championship game. After a slow first quarter, Del City came on with an 18-4 advantage in the second quarter to take control of the game.
Those three wins came off the heels of beating another top 6A team in Norman on Tuesday night. There is reason to be excited once again for Del City girls basketball.
Other contenders
Cherrell Price, Carl Albert: It might take a little bit longer before Tim Price’s girls find their rhythm, but a fourth-place finish at the Panther Classic isn’t the worst result ever.
Marisha Wallace, Midwest City: In a big battle with Edmond Memorial, Wallace was dominant as Bombers blew out a solid Bulldog club.
A.J. Holland, Del City: Panther Classic was also kind to Tim Stogsdill’s boys. Holland led the charge to a third-place outing, beating a very good Woodward team Saturday.
West Metro POW: Dominique Raney, Putnam City
What a way to start the year. No. 2 Putnam City and No. 9 Putnam City North opened the basketball season with a thriller at PC North last Friday, the Pirates winning an 85-79 decision between two teams who will see each other a few more times this year.
Dominique Raney got off to quite a start himself, scoring 30 in the Pirate victory. The athletic 6-foot-5 senior will be asked to do a lot more on this team, which doesn’t have the interior presence of last year’s squad. He’ll handle the ball a lot more and he’ll be asked to lead the offense.
Raney said he’s letting his father and coach A.D. Burtschi handle most of his recruiting right now so he can focus on the season, but he’s got a chance to be the state’s top recruit this year — especially if he keeps putting up numbers like this.
Other contenders
Armon Provo, PC North boys basketball: Had the Panthers been able to pull off the upset, here’s your POW. Provo poured in 35 in the loss to PC.
Mackenzie York, Yukon girls basketball: York was the only player in double-figures as Yukon opened with a 15-point win over PC West.
Alexis Watson and Joh’Vonna Mitchell, PC North girls basketball: Watson scored 15 and Mitchell had 14 as the Panthers won a thriller in overtime against rival Putnam City.
LaShawn Jones, Putnam City girls basketball: The Oklahoma State-bound Jones scored 18 in the narrow defeat to PC North.
Send West Metro POW nominations to Scott Wright at swright@opubco.com
OKC Player (Team) of the Week: Douglass football
No reason to nit-pick in trying to find one player who was more valuable to the Douglass Trojans winning the Class 4A state football championship with the 20-13 overtime victory against Wagoner Saturday night in Stillwater.
It could have been Aliston Cobb, with his 240 rushing yards and two TDs. Or Donnell Ward and Marcus Caddell for the passing connection on the winning TD, as well as their stout pass defense, including Ward’s two interceptions. Or Erik King for his interception in overtime to seal the victory. Or the offensive line for their run blocking. Or the defensive front for their seven sacks. Or…
OK, so you get it. A state championship is a team effort, and that was truly the case for the Trojans Saturday night. Everyone played well, and they all get the honor as the OKC Player of the Week… though I’m sure the gold ball is all the congratulations they needed.
Other contenders
Kevonte Richardson and Brandon Swindall, Millwood football: Richardson, the Falcon QB did all he could, overcoming two early interceptions to have a strong performance, despite the loss. Swindall had six grabs for 120 yards and a TD, as well as another interception — his state-leading 18th on the year.
Marquis Buxton-Hill, Douglass boys basketball: The 6-foot-9 senior poured in 27 in the Trojans’ rout of US Grant in the All-City Conference opener.
Eric Peabody, Northeast boys basketball: Peabody had 28 points as the Vikings pulled out a 70-67 win over Wichita Falls-Hirschi.
DeQuante Taylor, John Marshall boys basketball: Taylor scored 18 to lead the Bears to a season-opening win over Heritage Hall.
Nico Meadows, Capitol Hill boys basketball: Scored 23 and 18 points as the Redskins opened the season with a pair of wins.
Te’era Williams, Douglass girls basketball: Williams had 22 in the opener, a 42-point win over US Grant.
Tona Edwards and Brianna Pendleton, Northeast girls basketball: Scored 15 and 14 sports, respectively, in NE’s rout of Wichita Falls-Hirschi.
D’Carla Kirk and Kebrina Hartfield, Centennial girls basketball: Kirk had 16 and Hartfield 14 in the Bison victory over ASTEC.
– Send POW nominations to Scott Wright at swright@opubco.com
Edmond honor: Alie Decker, Memorial…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
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.
