Smith, Star Spencer overcome Kingston in OT for 9th state title

3/12/2018 |  Ben Johnson

OKLAHOMA CITY — Latarryus Smith got hot, and he quickly remembered instructions from Star Spencer coach Lance Cudjoe.

“My coach always tells me, ‘if they don’t have a hand in your face, shoot the ball,’” Smith said. “So I kept shooting the ball.”

Just what Class 3A No. 3 Star Spencer needed.

The senior guard scored 10 points in overtime while leading the Bobcats to a 64-55 triumph over top-ranked Kingston on Saturday at State Fair Arena. The victory for Star Spencer landed the Bobcats their ninth state championship, a year after losing to Douglass in the finals.

“It feels really good,” said Smith, who connected on 7 of 12 field goals, 5 of 8 3-point attempts and 9 of 11 foul shots. “It feels a lot better than last year.”

Smith’s heroics in extra time almost weren’t necessary, but Jordan Owen’s jumper at the end of regulation was off, setting the stage for Smith to become Kingston’s worst nightmare.

“The most dynamic guard in 4A and below — maybe in the state of Oklahoma,” Cudjoe said. “I had to teach him about sharing the ball, but he can get a shot anytime he wants.”

Smith finished with 28 points and hauled in five rebounds.

For Kingston (26-3), Jacob Germany had a team-high 20 points in the Redskins’ quest to win the school’s first basketball title. Germany finished 8 of 9 from the field, but he knocked down only 4 of his 11 free throw attempts.

RJ Weeks was Kingston’s only other player to score in double figures with 13 points.

The championship for Star Spencer, who also had 12 points from Brandon Zeno, claimed its first crown since 2009 when it took down Bishop McGuinness for the 4A title.

“Last year, we felt like we should have won it,” Cudjoe said. “This year with God’s grace, we did.”

Box Score

No. 3 Star Spencer 64, No. 1 Kingston 55

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	Final
Star Spencer	15	8	12	15	14	64
Kingston	9	9	15	17	5	55

Star Spencer (22-7): Latarryus Smith 28, Brandon Zeno 12, Jayden Winder 7, Denis Mitchell 4, Malik Gilliam 4, Jordan Owens 3, Brian Swain 2, Corey Robinson 2, Deandre Parker 2.

Kingston (26-3): Jacob Germany 20, RJ Weeks 13, Jacob Whipkey 9, Conner Brister 8, Stoney Lowe 5.

Week 3 Picks

9/18/2020 |  Ben Johnson

Last week…

Michael Swisher: 10-2

Ben Johnson: 10-2

Whitt Carter: 9-3

Overall

Swisher & Ben: 28-8

….

….

Whitt: 24-12

Week 3 games

Metro Christian at Holland Hall

Jones at Lincoln Christian

Thomas at Cashion

Heritage Hall at John Marshall

Cherokee at Shattuck

Booker T at McGuinness

Muskogee at Coweta

Noble at Piedmont

Clinton at Millwood

Beggs at Chandler

Alex at Davenport

Pond Creek at Medford

Norman North at Yukon

Berryhill at Cushing

Our picks….

Whitt

Holland Hall
LIncoln
Cashion
Heritage Hall
Shattuck
Booker T
Muskogee
Piedmont
Clinton
Chandler
Davenport
Pond Creek
Norman North
Berryhill

Swisher

Holland Hall

Lincoln

Cashion

Heritage Hall

Shattuck

Booker T

Muskogee

Piedmont

Clinton

Beggs

Davenport

Pond Creek

Norman North

Berryhill

Ben

Holland Hall

Lincoln Christian

Cashion

Heritage Hall

Shattuck

Bishop McGuinness

Muskogee

Piedmont

Clinton

Beggs

Davenport

PC-Hunter

Yukon

Berryhill

SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 3 (2020)

9/16/2020 |  Michael Swisher

By John Hardaway - YEAH I LIKE BBQ, SO WHAT

Someplace I really like to eat AND someplace to eat if you’re going to the Game of the Week

Texlahoma BBQ

121 E. Waterloo Road, Suite 8, Edmond, OK 

“Hey look!... it’s another BBQ place for the blog” ….. Absolutely it’s another BBQ place and there will probably be more in the future, so you might as well just settle in.

Texlahoma is one of the best BBQ joints in the entire OKC metro area AND the state of Oklahoma. 

Located in far North Edmond, just 20 minutes from Cashion, it stakes a well-deserved claim as one of the best! 

Why, you might ask? 

Well, simply put, they are producing some the highest quality cuts of sliced brisket you can get in our state. 

As I have said before, sliced brisket is the separator from good to great BBQ places and they are doing it right at Texlahoma.

The other smoked meats are really solid as well as I’m a big fan of the turkey and jalapeño sausage. 

My go-to menu item is the signature “D.H Sandwich” that you see pictured below.

It’s absolutely incredible and is basically a sampler platter on a bun: Sliced brisket, pulled pork and smoked sausage garnished with a rib on top, or what many of my friends would call a rib “kicker.” 

As for a side, there is only one option, one as Oklahoman as it comes, fried okra. 

I will say this without hesitation and I think many of my friends, and fans of Texlahoma would agree, they have THE BEST Fried Okra in Oklahoma.

I can’t explain it and I don’t know how or why, but it is… so just trust me.

The mac and cheese is pretty darn good as well. 

So if you looking for a great BBQ spot in the north OKC metro area or heading to Cashion for the GOTW, I would highly suggest Texlahoma. 

I would encourage a follow of their Facebook page or even call ahead because hours can vary. 

They also have an exceptional food truck, so if you see it parked, you should pull in and take advantage of that gift placed right at your lap. 

Something to cook at your house this weekend- Spatchcock Chicken

Funny name, super easy and great way to grill/smoke chicken! 

I did some spatchcock chickens several times during the extended COVID spring/summer break and each time I thought this method was even easier and better than the previous time. 

This can be done on any smoker/grill (gas or charcoal) and it really produces a highly favorable and juicy whole chicken that can feed the whole family, or maybe just 1-2 highly motivated eaters (what?). 

Here are the really simple instructions or you can Google “Spatchcock chicken” and find the preparation and cooking process as well:

Step 1 – Thaw and then remove the entire middle spinal column of the whole chicken. This will require and strong and heavy duty knife. You should then be able to lay the entire chicken skin side up. 

Step 2 – Oil/Butter the entire outside and then season with kosher salt/cracked pepper/whatever other seasonings you like. 

Step 3 – Flip over and do the same to the entire inside. You CANNOT over-season the inside in my opinion. 

Step 4 – Put it on the grill or smoker skin side up and let it cook throughout. The cooking method you are using will determine cooking temps, but internal at the thigh and breast should be at 165.