Bishop Kelley | Best of the Rest Blog

Remember how I wrote Monday was kinda slow? Well, not so much Tuesday. Knew it was a good sign when the first couple of coaches I saw Tuesday were of the football variety.

It didn’t slow down all day, and there were a lot of interesting news and notes from Day 2 of the coaches clinic in Tulsa.

A lot of the discussion is surrounding the re-districting (which will happen Wednesday at 3 p.m., for those wondering).

Purcell coach Mike Wilson said the fact there are 57 teams in the “super” 3A is going to really put a strain on scheduling.

“You’re looking at seven-team districts and that is going to cause a problem,” he said. “I think it’s a poor way to split it up, but we’ll find out.”

Another interesting fact comes from “my boy” Grant Gower of Deer Creek. Apparently, the Antlers can’t stop growing.

Deer Creek’s ADM has it right in the thick in 5A at just under 900 students. Gower told me Deer Creek will have 966 students this year.

Not only that, but plans for more elementary and middle schools are underway. It wouldn’t shock him if a few years from now, Deer Creek is up in 6A.

It’s a good point, but the problem right now with Deer Creek is the football stadium is of a 3A quality. And the press box, well, let’s not even go there.

“That thing would survive the second coming,” Gower said. “Nothing can tear that down.”

Either way, sounds like a real exciting time to be a part of the Deer Creek family.

Moving to Edmond North, and it’s tough to get that smile off of head coach Jeremy Dombek’s face right now.

After a disappointing 4-6 season (and losing its final two games to miss out on the playoffs), Dombek thinks this is his best squad since coming to the Huskies.

And why not? With Joe Aska and Qua’Don Henderson touching the ball and on the field at the same time, don’t be surprised to see Edmond North in the conversation in 6A.

Aska and Henderson didn’t see much time together on the field last year, but that won’t be the case this year.

And it doesn’t stop defensively as cornerback Xavier Smith has committed to Missouri. Smith enters the season as one of the best. He’s going to be a three-year starter and Dombek said there’s not much more Smith can do at this point in terms of learning the position.

Going east, had a chance to check up with McLoud and Eric Cardin. The Redskins are going to be hurting. Can’t believe the names Wayland Moore, Cody Phipps and Cody Ferrell won’t be there anymore.

Dillon Endecott, a DE-turned-QB, is going to lead the way.

McLoud is also the home of the ever-growing powerlifting championships and will be again this spring.

Cardin said 124 schools participated last year, and the numbers keep going up because some of the larger schools are now getting into it. The small schools have always been on board.

Wednesday will, of course, be busy with the districts but also hoping to see some more basketball coaches. Not too many around thus far.

***

And if you know me, you know I was at tennis Tuesday night. The Boneman is in awe of how beautiful the Case Tennis Center at the University of Tulsa is.

Wow.

Players of the year: Andrea Lewis, Bishop Kelley, and Duncan Fugitt, Edmond Memorial. Coach of the year: Skip Griese, Ada.

Had to check up on my summer stars. Putnam North’s Chris Haworth and Heritage Hall’s Julie Labarthe, Sarah Bowen and Carissa Villaflor are all doing well, according to their coaches.

I could watch Bishop McGuinness’ Katelyn Connelly and Lewis play all day. What a good match for the supposed “exhibition.”

Lewis won, 8-6, but I had to keep reminding myself to walk around and talk to people instead of just being camped out there.

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Enrollment numbers shaking things up…

Posted by bprzybylo

on July 22, 2009 at 1:42 pm

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in, hope everybody is doing fine. We’re just getting ready for the fall season to begin just like everybody else.

In the meantime, the OSSAA released the newest Average Daily Membership report this week, and there were definitely some movers.

The changes go into effect for all sports this season, except for football. Football will change next season.

Up top, the biggest news is the addition of Shawnee and Bixby to Class 6A. Tulsa East Central and Tulsa Memorial will both be dropping to 5A.

Since Shawnee is the old stomping grounds, spoke with softball/baseball coach Todd Boyer and boys basketball coach Ron Arthur about their feelings on moving on up.

Arthur said the biggest difference is the size of the players. Shawnee was already a pretty small team for a 5A school, but it just became a little bit smaller with the bump up.

He also said the biggest thing is really a mental block. “The mentality is something we’ll have to deal with. Sometimes you get caught up with the number before the “A,” and you can’t do that.”

It’s not just a challenge for the players moving up, it’s also a challenge for the coaches to get the kids prepared right, Arthur said.

The Boyer family seems like it’s been in Shawnee for ages, and Todd Boyer is taking the transition in stride.

He said the only real noticeable difference for baseball is a depth issue. Class 6A schools normally just have more depth than most of the other schools.

Boyer was around when Shawnee made this jump in the early ’90s from 4A to 6A and subsequent drop to 5A.

Other things that caught the Boneman’s eye:

With Tulsa East Central and Tulsa Memorial dropping, how loaded is 5A for boys basketball? That’ll be some kind of battle if teams like Carl Albert and Guthrie can maintain their levels of success. Throw in Tulsa Edison and Kelley, and that’s a pretty intimidating group right there.

Harrah might be one of the biggest benefactors of the latest shake up. The Panthers were right at the fringe of 5A and are now the second-highest enrollment school in 4A, which should help out an already-proven girls basketball squad under Curt Knox. Add Washington in that mix, too, as the Warriors are dropping to 2A.

As for football, one thing that stands out to me is Star Spencer going down to 3A. The Bobcats have been formidable at 4A for a while. 3A will turn into a real dogfight with teams like Cascia Hall, Heritage Hall, Tuttle and Kingfisher, among others.

Bishop McGuinness staying at the top of 4A I’m sure will get the conspiracy theorists going again. The ADM for the Irish is 686.84, while Southeast (the lowest school in 5A) is at 702.20.

Still in the process of figuring out every school that either dropped or moved up with the latest numbers. Try to have that done Thursday.

Top football ADM’s by class for 2010-11: 6A – Broken Arrow, Tulsa Union, Jenks, Owasso, Mustang. 5A – Tulsa East Central, Booker T. Washington, Tulsa Memorial, Claremore, Tahlequah. 4A – McGuinness, Harrah, Miami, Tecumseh, Stilwell. 3A – Star Spencer, Locust Grove, Idabel, Weatherford, Roland. 2A – Comanche, Morris, Kansas, St. Mary, Jones. A – Hominy, Fairview, Crescent, Drumright, Hulbert. B – Depew, Dewar, Pond Creek-Hunter, Merritt, Geary. C – Cement, Coyle, Goodwell, Temple, Webbers Falls.

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Final tennis rankings (boys and girls)

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 19, 2009 at 10:48 am

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

The tennis season is over and so too is the speculation about all the rankings. Duncan coach Phil Barnes has passed along to me both the final boys and girls rankings as decided by the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association.

Girls

1. Bishop McGuinness: No surprise here. The Irish won their 11th straight title and totally deserve the honor. If this was an AP football/basketball poll, girls would receive all first-place votes.

2. Bishop Kelley: Won three straight titles before McGuinness came along in 5A and denied it. Andrea Lewis and Meredith Burns don’t have to take a back seat to anybody, and it was a joy to watch them play.

3. Duncan: Yep, when I said 5A was top-heavy all season, wasn’t kidding. First three teams are from the class. Melanie Barnes will anchor the crew next season.

4. Heritage Hall: Three and four are tough. Only because I’ve seen Heritage more would I flip ‘em. The 4A champs will have Julie Labarthe back, Carissa Villaflor grew tremendously as a player this season while Sarah Bowen might end up being one of the most athletic players the state has seen.

5. Edmond North: And here is your 6A champ. Rachel Mitcham will return at No. 1 singles and Huskies should be knockin’ on the door again.

6. Jenks
7. Edmond Memorial
8. Broken Arrow
9. Cascia Hall
10. Shawnee

Only change in my rankings would be Chargers at No. 3 and Duncan at No. 4. That’s it, pretty fair assessment of the season by the rankings committee.

Boys

1. Putnam North: 6A was the cream of the crop in the boys and no team was better when it mattered most than David Diefenderfer’s Panthers. Chris Haworth’s goal: back-to-back-to-back undefeated seasons.

2. Union: Almost as dominating as Haworth, No. 2 singles player Trevor Horstmann couldn’t be touched. Add in some great drama in the doubles play, and Union didn’t relinquish its four-year reign without a fight.

3. Bishop Kelley: Cruised to third straight 5A championship. One more year of Cale Hammond means good times for tennis fans and bad news for the rest of 5A.

4. Cascia Hall: Getting to be as dominant as McGuinness girls. Commandos are a well-oiled machine and Chase Tomlins will be going for that rarity of being a four-time champion next season.

5. Edmond Memorial: A sentimental favorite as I feel no team progressed from the beginning of the year to the end like Bulldogs. Randy Mays will still have a lot of weapons at his disposal next season.

6. Edmond North
7. Metro Christian
8. Ada
9. McGuinness
10. Heritage Hall

Based on familiarity again, would switch McGuinness and Ada. Already looking forward to next season as so many teams were so young this season that next year can’t help but provide even more drama.

Speaking of drama, time for the All-City Team. A little more research, but like I said, pretty confident with the selections.

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Comets still scorchin’…

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 18, 2009 at 10:56 am

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

When it came to Class 5A in the boys state tennis tournament, my only question like I said was whether or not Bishop Kelley would sweep in earning its third straight title.

The Comets were denied at No. 2 singles by Jonathan Kraft of Bishop McGuinness, but that’s it.

Because of time constraints and everything going on at once, didn’t really get a chance to watch the No. 1 final of Cale Hammond vs. Evan McElwain of Booker T. Hammond won easier than I thought he would, too. Hammond is a special talent, for sure.

Tulsa Kelley winning wasn’t a shock, but I’ma say McGuinness tying for second was.

There are those that think Vicki Connelly isn’t that great of a coach because of the talent the girls have (think the Phil Jackson comparison in the NBA), but Connelly did a fantastic job this weekend with that boys team.

They played better than I’ve seen from them all year, and she kept Kraft’s head in the game after losing the second-set tie-breaker to Brennan Fox of Bishop Kelley.

The epic Union-Norman North doubles match just concluded, and I went right over to watch the third set of Kraft-Fox.

I’ll tell ya, you look at Kraft and think there is no way he is going to do anything to you. The No. 2 doubles team of Ryan Randolph and Jake Brown could almost step on the kid (maybe that’s too far), but Kraft showed the mental toughness of a senior in his freshman frame.

That third set was a thing of beauty (6-0), and his teammates were loving every minute of it.

Kraft and teammate John Byrne will definitely be on my radar all next season.

There’ll be a lot of votes for Donte’ Foster of Guthrie for being the best athlete in the state (deservedly so), but don’t overlook Randolph.

Quarterback for the football team, forward on the basketball team and a better-than-you-think tennis player. Wasn’t able to grab any more gold balls this year but placed second in all three team sports and placed third with Brown at No. 2 doubles.

Also really impressed by the mental toughness of Carl Albert. The Titans had every right to wither away and mope around after losing Austin Manger to a broken arm.

They fought hard every step of the way.

And Ada, the team the Boneman forgot. Skip Griese did an outstanding job this season of getting the best from his group of kids. Three thirds and a fourth was a best-case scenario for the Cougars.

Predicted Bishop Kelley, Booker T and McGuinness. Actual finish: 1. Bishop Kelley; 2. (tie) McGuinness, Ada; 4. Booker T. Didn’t realize the Hornets weren’t going to have a No. 1 doubles squad.

Academic achievement award goes to Tahlequah…again. This is the fifth year in a row and the fifth year of the GPA being 4.0.

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Boys Tennis Preview (what to watch for)

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 14, 2009 at 10:30 am

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Once again, we put our fate in the hands of Mother Nature and hope to conclude the boys state tennis tournament this weekend. We’ll see.

It’s been an exciting season so far with several teams/players really stepping up. You can be the best all season, but this is the weekend you need to bring it.

Class 6A

Oh boy, what a three-team race this should be between Putnam North, Edmond Memorial and Union.

I’ve seen Putnam North and Edmond Memorial several times and know how strong they are. Only saw Union once, but coach Kevin Gannon is one of the best in the state.

Player to watch: Chris Haworth, Putnam North. Really, I’m not his PR agent, but it does feel like I’ve written a lot about the sophomore throughout this season.

He’s made a lot of strides since being that freshman that lost a three-set classic to Omar Aly (formerly of Jenks) last year in the quarterfinals.

He’s grown six inches and more than that, he’s dealt with nerves and adversity and has been coming out on top time after time.

What will be interesting is to see if any of the other teams (Edmond North, Norman North, Jenks) upset some of the favorites.

I would not be shocked to see Edmond North, spurred by the girls title, perform better than it has all season.

Some names to watch: EM: Duncan Fugitt (No. 1 S), Omar Karim (No. 2 S). EN: Nick Jordan (No. 2 S), Eric Olson and Baylor Spring (No. 2 D). Norman North: Kevin Boyd and Sam Geurkink (No. 1 D). PCN: Wil Rodwell (No. 2 S). Muskogee: Brandon Finerty (No. 1 S).

Predicted order of finish: 1. Union; 2. Putnam North; 3. Edmond Memorial.

Class 5A

Not as much drama here as Bishop Kelley won’t be playing second-fiddle to anybody in this class.

Cale Hammond, at No. 1 S, leads the most loaded team in the field and the question will be if the Comets can sweep the field.

Player to watch: John Byrne, No. 1 singles, Bishop McGuinness: Don’t the boys have to become better players going against the girls in practice? Seriously, though, the boys are a lot deeper than last year.

I expect to see Byrne playing in at least the semifinals and depending on his draw, if he can upset Hammond or Evan McElwain (Booker T.), might have a real story.

Also fun to watch the Irish doubles team of Ryan Randolph and Jake Brown. The basketball players are athletes first but have learned a lot about tennis in their few years together.

Big blow to Carl Albert, who will be without No. 1 singles star Austin Manger because of injury.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Bishop Kelley; 2. Booker T.; 3. McGuinness.

Class 4A

Another no-brainer here as Cascia Hall should coast to another team title. Chase Tomlins leads the solid Commando group.

Dick Villaflor lost almost his entire team from last year, but you know Heritage Hall will be among the top and competing in championships. That team is about a year away.

OCS, led by Austin Bell, will also be in the mix of things as the battle for second will be very interesting.

Also be keeping my eyes on Classen. Sparked by freshman Melissa Dang last week, the boys are pumped to equal her success.

Player to watch: Chris Chan, Classen. I remember being impressed with him as a freshman last year at No. 2 singles. He’s made the jump up to No. 1, and it’s a tough field. Don’t know how far he’ll go, but I know the team will be out there in full force to give him support.

For much more on Classen, read Friday’s Oklahoman.

Predicted order of finish: 1. Cascia Hall; 2. Heritage Hall; 3. OCS.

See ya out on the courts.

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The Boneman Tennis Invitational…

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 12, 2009 at 10:04 am

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

This will never happen, but it’s been itchin’ at me lately how some of the best tennis players are in the wrong class, and we don’t get to see the epic showdowns we deserve to see at the state tournament.

Since I have so much “power,” I have devised my eight-girl singles tournament with the right to be called “The Boneman’s Champion.” It’s an extremely prestigious honor that would rank right up there with a state title. No, seriously, it would.

No. 1 seed Whitney Ritchie, McGuinness, vs. No. 8 seed Jennifer Buntz, Jenks

The Class 5A champ (Ritchie) vs. the 6A runner-up (Buntz). Because of weather and scheduling, McGuinness and Jenks never met this season, oddly enough.

No. 4 seed Mia Lancaster, McGuinness vs. No. 5 seed Meredith Burns, Bishop Kelley

A match so great at the state tournament (Lancaster won) that we get to see it again. Like and appreciate the game of both girls immensely.

No. 3 seed Andrea Lewis, Bishop Kelley vs. No. 6 seed Rachel Mitcham, Edmond North

Here we have the 5A runner-up (Lewis) vs. the 6A champion (Mitcham). How would Lewis respond to the constant high-ball game of Mitcham and how would Mitcham respond to the power of Lewis?

No. 2 seed Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall vs. No. 7 seed Melanie Barnes, Duncan

And finally the 4A champ (Labarthe) vs. the third-place winner in 5A (Barnes). Since it’s my tournament, Barnes’ wrist is completely healthy, and we get to see her at her best. Labarthe’s arsenal is on full display every match, doesn’t matter who the opponent is. That makes her one of the favorites, easily.

One qualifying statement: the girls had to play singles this season at the state tournament. So as much as I would like to see Katelyn Connelly (McGuinness), Sarah Bowen (Heritage Hall) and Gaby Siegler (Jenks) compete in this “all-star tournament,” it wouldn’t happen.

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Irish eyes still smilin’…

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 11, 2009 at 9:36 am

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Don’t think there was ever a question about whether or not McGuinness could make it title No. 11 in a row. Absolutely loaded at each spot that it really wasn’t possible for another team to make a dent in 5A.

However, there were some real tense moments in the McGuinness singles championship matches with Whitney Ritchie vs. Andrea Lewis (Bishop Kelley) and Mia Lancaster vs. Meredith Burns (Bishop Kelley).

A selfish part of me was hoping that Lancaster/Burns match would have went three sets because that would have easily been the match of the tournament.

Lancaster smoked Burns in the first set, 6-1, but Burns found her footing and waged a great duel in the second set and even led 5-2 at one point before losing in a tie-breaker. I believe it was 7-5 in the breaker.

Ritchie had beaten Lewis, 6-0, 6-0, in their only official meeting before Saturday. She was up 6-2, 5-2, at the Cascia Hall Tournament before it was called off because of rain.

Lewis came out and made a strong statement (and not just because she was my Player to Watch). She was up 4-1, and Ritchie was in real trouble with the hard-hitting Lewis.

That’s why I talked about Ritchie’s heart because she hadn’t been tested all season and came through in spades when she finally was.

It might be pure coincidence, but both Ritchie and Lancaster played extremely better once their teammates came around.

The No. 1 doubles team of Katelyn Connelly and Emily Conrad took care of business and quickly went over to watch Ritchie. That’s when Ritchie took over.

Then all three of those girls and the No. 2 doubles team of Ashleigh Chiaf and Trinian O’Neil ran over to watch Lancaster in that tight second set.

Their whole team unity is a lot more than just a cute thing to say. It’s real. McGuinness finished 102-0 in their respective positions this season.

I picked Duncan to edge Bishop Kelley, and I was two points off as the Comets held off the Demons for second place. To say 5A was top-heavy would be the understatement of the tournament.

And tough break about Booker T. Washington’s Lili Johnson. She had split the first two sets with Lewis in the semifinals before cramping up and having to default that match and her third-place match with Duncan’s Melanie Barnes. Hate to see that happen at the state tournament.

Academic achievement award: Duncan, 4.0 GPA.

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Girls Tennis Preview (what to watch for)

Posted by bprzybylo

on May 7, 2009 at 12:29 pm

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Biggest thing to watch for is the weather. Here’s to hoping we get everything in this weekend.

As much as I love tennis, it’s the first sport that has to be called off with even the smidgest amount of rain.

Ever played on a slippery court? You like having healthy legs? Don’t play on a slippery court unless you want to mess up your knees, or ankles or hamstrings. It’s brutal.

But with that said, what should you be watching for this weekend at the state tournament?

Class 6A

Biggest question: Can anyone pose a real threat to Jenks? I don’t think so. Admittedly, haven’t seen the Trojan girls this season. Just been looking at the numbers and remember how strong they were last year.

Edmond Memorial has the best chance while Edmond North is solid, too. If you combined the schools, they’d be dynamite.

But as is, see it being Jenks-EM-EN finish.

Player to watch: Rachel Mitcham, Edmond North. The No. 1 singles field is about as open as can be.

With Jennifer Buntz of Jenks, Mackenzie Zaloudek of Enid and Lindsay Choi of Edmond Memorial, it’ll be a real battle for the crown.

When Mitcham is on her game, she’s the best. She’ll have to bring it this weekend.

Class 5A

Biggest question: Will McGuinness sweep? I’m not trying to be a jerk, but that is the drama for me. Whitney Ritchie and Mia Lancaster are some of the best juniors in the country (not just state) and the No. 1 doubles team of Katelyn Connelly and Emily Conrad would be singles players just about anywhere else.

This is a loaded field, though. Andrea Lewis of Bishop Kelley, Melanie Barnes of Duncan, Meredith Burns of BK immediately come to mind as real threats who could pull off an upset or two.

The real battle will be for second b/w Duncan and Bishop Kelley. And based on what I’ve seen, I’m going to go for a minor upset and say Duncan places second with BK closely behind.

Player to watch: I’ma say Andrea Lewis of Bishop Kelley. She’s a two-time state champion. When she played Whitney Ritchie earlier this year, she lost 6-0, 6-0. There were extenuating circumstances, but still, think Lewis will have a lot of pride if the two meet in the championship.

Class 4A

Biggest question: Will Heritage Hall’s new line-up prove dividends? Dick Villalfor changed up his crew late in the game, moving No. 2 singles player Sarah Bowen to No. 1 doubles and moving No. 1 doubles player Carissa Villaflor to the No. 2 singles spot.

He said it will give him the best chance at state in both positions but definitely an interesting move. Tough to question someone who has won as many championships as Villaflor.

Heritage Hall and Cascia Hall were pretty dominant at their regionals and have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2 throughout the season, and that order shouldn’t change here. Chargers come out on top.

Player to watch: Julie Labarthe, Heritage Hall. Was a little too young for Peta Maree Lancaster of McGuinness last year in the final. But I would have loved to have seen a Labarthe-Ritchie singles championship this year.

Oh well. Labarthe has been as good as advertised and is routinely posting at least one 6-0 set in just about every match she’s had lately.

Should be a fun weekend. See ya on the courts.

Covering the rest of the Sooner state with NewsOK’s High School Blog Network

District previews: Classes 6A-C

Football coaches out in full force…

Enrollment numbers shaking things up…

Final tennis rankings (boys and girls)

Comets still scorchin’…

Boys Tennis Preview (what to watch for)

The Boneman Tennis Invitational…

Irish eyes still smilin’…

Girls Tennis Preview (what to watch for)

Matt Patterson

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