Orton won’t play in Faith 7 game
By Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
As late as Thursday, former Bishop McGuinness forward Daniel Orton expected to come back to Oklahoma to play in the Faith 7 game at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee on June 6. But, at the request of the Kentucky coaching staff, the Kentucky signee won’t represent Oklahoma in the game.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Orton said. “But my coaches don’t want me to miss any school.”
Orton, who has been in Lexington and participating in summer school since May 13, was the headliner of a Oklahoma roster which includes Red Oak’s Lane Adams and Stringtown’s Tyrus McGee.
Local fans still have plenty of reasons to attend.
Oklahoma State signees Reger Dowell and Roger Franklin of Duncanville join Oklahoma signee Tommy Mason-Griffin of Houston Madison on the Team Texas roster.
Last year, OU’s Big 12 freshman of the Year Willie Warren sent a early message to college basketball fans with 41 points and a slam dunk contest victory at the Faith 7 game.
Ford recruits to style
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
First-year Oklahoma State basketball coach Travis Ford has done a stellar job recruiting during his initial year in Stillwater. He pulled in the No. 16th ranked class in the nation, according to ESPN.com, the No. 12 class according to Rivals.com and the No. 18 class according to Scout.com.
Point guard Reger Dowell and small forward Roger Franklin of Duncanville, Texas join guard Fred Gulley from Fayetteville, Ark., forward Karron Johnson of Durham, N.C., point guard Raymond Penn of Richmond, Texas and Torin Walker of Columbus, Ga.
What do you notice about the class???
LOADED WITH GUARDS. And if you watched the Cowboys play in Orlando, you can see why. Ford often had Keiton Page on the floor with Byron Eaton.
And he’s playing Obi Muonelo at power forward. Obi didn’t play the post at Edmond Santa Fe but he’s playing it now. While it’s not the ideal situation for Obi or Coach Ford, it shows OSU’s commitment to playing fast with versatile athletes and little concern about “position”.
Dowell and Penn are each ranked in the Rivals top 150 and I’d expect to see them on the court at the same time quite a bit during their careers. And Gulley’s a sharp shooter in the mold of Keiton Page.
Johnson is the headliner of the class but I think Franklin is a sleeper. He’s a tough player who doesn’t wow you but does the things to help win games. I’ve seen Roger up close and personal when Team Texas came to Norman last summer. Everyone raves about Franklin as a player and teammate. He’s got the versatility to play down low if needed but is also very comfortable on the perimeter. Much like Muonelo.
Overall it’s a very good class for the Cowboys and fits their style of play.
Here’s a youtube clip of Roger Franklin in action:
Wondering where Terrence Boyd ended up?
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
For those interested in where Terrence Boyd ended up, the former Norman High basketball standout will play for San Diego High this season. Boyd will join 2010 top prospect Jeremy Tyler at San Diego High.
The 6-5, 225-pound shooting guard claims offers from Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Marquette, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Baylor, Western Kentucky and UConn among others. Oklahoma has also shown strong interest.
Boyd ranks No. 50 on the Rivals150 and No. 40 on the ESPN100. Recent internet reports have Kentucky and USC as the leaders in Boyd’s recruitment.
I haven’t talked to T-Boyd in a while but I will try to track him down to see if OU and OSU are completely out of it.
In the meantime, here’s a clip of T-Boyd playing for Norman as a freshman. And the quick guard wearing No. 21 for Norman? That’s right… OU standout freshman receiver Ryan Broyles.
