Latta Panthers
Ada, OK 74820
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STATE TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS!
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Ben Johnson
No introduction needed. Here are the "expert" picks for state tournaments taking place this weekend. (Oh, and listen to the podcast while you're at it!)
Class 6A
Boys
Ben Johnson - Edmond Memorial: There are so many players to love in this field -- Putnam City West’s Rondel Walker, Sapulpa’s Camryn Dennis, Putnam City North’s Micah Thomas, Booker T. Washington’s Bryce Thompson and so many more. But Shane Cowherd is bringing a team with talent across the board. There’s a reason the coaches in the state have the Bulldogs as the top-ranked team, so I’ll side with Cowherd and Co. over Booker T. Washington in the finals.
Michael Swisher - Edmond Memorial: The Bulldogs snuck in after losing to Midwest City and squeaking by rival Santa Fe. They’ll play better this week and bring the trophy down south.
Whitt Carter - Booker T Washington: This will be a fantastic tournament filled with teams that can win it. But I’ll take the Hornets, as they have the experience in big games and are hungry for a title. They had to watch Memorial win two in a row in Class 5A and this year their get one of their own. Another side note, BTW’s Seth Hurd is my favorite and the most underappreciated player in the state.
Girls
Ben - PC West: Reckless abandon is what the Patrios will play with this weekend, just like they’ve done all year. Not a ton of big-time scorers for PC West, but last year’s runner-up will hoist the gold ball this year.
Michael - Putnam City West: No. 1 in Oklahoma. Nationally-ranked. Haven’t lost to a team from Oklahoma. Won’t this weekend, either.
Whitt - Putnam City West: They were right there last year and had their title taken in the waning seconds by Owasso. All they’ve done this year is go 23-1 with a loss to Skyline, TX and dominate the teams inside the state of Oklahoma. Their relentless style of play and approach will be the difference, as they finish on Saturday this time and cut down the nets.
Class 5A
Boys
Ben - Memorial: Boone twins. It’s that simple. The Chargers have been a dynamo in 5A with two straight titles and now going for a third. Northwest Classen is good, but can Davion Warden and Co. make it to the title game and then take down the Chargers? I don’t see it.
Michael - Memorial: Lenny Hatchett has Del City playing so well, but I can’t pick against Memorial. Neither should you.
Whitt - Memorial: Let’s all be honest, this is the easiest pick from any of the classes. Bobby Allison and gang are just on another level. The Boone twins will, once again, wow the crowds at the Mabee Center with their athleticism and impact on both ends of the floor. The Chargers get another one, sending Kalib and Keylan out with a bang.
Girls
Ben - Piedmont: Per usual, the 5A girls field is pretty much anyone’s for the taking. Rogers is dangerous, but then so is El Reno with Ashlyn Evans-Thompson leading the charge. Coweta is young but talented, and East Central is always a threat. But for this year, I’ll go with the Wildcats, led by Delanie Crawford (14.8 points a game) and Maci Attalla (13.6).
Michael - Piedmont: El Reno beating Ardmore at area put the bracket in a funk as it appears loaded at the bottom. Coach Carr’s team will emerge from that and then claim gold on Saturday.
Whitt - Ardmore: They suffered a surprising and tough loss to El Reno at the area tournament last week, but I think that may work to the Lady Tigers advantage by waking them up. This team rolled through the first part of the season, losing their first game in late January. Ardmore cuts down the nets and gets its’ third gold ball.
Class 4A
Boys
Ben - Kingfisher: Some unbelievable talent in this field -- Broken Bow’s Josh Jones (20.4 points per game), Central’s B.J. Jefferson (16), Elgin’s Conner Slater (16.3), Kingfisher’s Trey Green (17) and Heritage Hall’s Trey Alexander (24.8). And what’s scary is a lot of these teams will return a lot of talent next season. But for now, I’m zeroing in on a Kingfisher-Heritage Hall title game for a second straight year. This time the gold ball goes to Jett Sternberger, Matt Stone, Bijan Cortes and Co.
Michael - Kingfisher: I live in Kingfisher. I have to pay my bills. I have to pick the Yellowjacket. Oh, and they’re really, really good. And hungry. If they get by dangerous Elgin in the quarters, look out.
Whitt - Kingfisher: The class that everyone is excited for will take center stage at the Fairgrounds for all three days. Heritage Hall beat the Yellowjackets in the title game last year and are 26-0 this year. But the star-studded Kingfisher remembers that loss last March and will want revenge. They get it and send out their seniors with a second gold ball.
Girls
Ben - Anadarko: Top half of the bracket -- Holland Hall, Muldrow, Elgin and Classen SAS -- is STACKED. Again, STACKED. That’s part of the reason I went with Anadarko. The Warriors still have their work cut out for them, but I’m rolling the dice with Kaylee Borden (12 points a game), Averi Zinn and the rest of the Anadarko team to win its third gold ball.
Michael - Muldrow: Coaches tell me Classen SAS is as talented as they’ve seen in 4A in a while. And they’re young as they start three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior. That said, I’m going with Muldrow. Taylen Collins can match up with Littlepage-Buggs and Hannah Boyett can handle the pressure. And that’s just a semifinal. Don’t overlook Anadarko, either (it appears I am).
Whitt - Anadarko: A fairly wide open class, there are a handful of teams I could see winning it. I’ll go with the tradition-rich Anadarko, who beat one of the favorites, Classen, last Friday in the area finals. When the Lady Warriors get the press up and running, you better handle the pressure or things can unravel quickly.
Class 3A
Boys
Ben - Millwood: Kingston’s Jacob Germany is as good as it gets in this field, but I’ll side with the athleticism of the Falcons here. Give me Justin Wilson and Isaiah Williams and the rest of the Falcons.
Michael - Here’s hoping for a Kingston-Millwood final (all apologies to you other six). I’ve got personal ties to Millwood, so the fan in me is pulling for the Falcons all the way. The business side in me says Kingston won’t be denied.
Whitt - Millwood: I’ll take the Falcons to win the gold ball here. Several really good teams that you can pick here, including Kingston or Sequoyah on the other side. Ultimately, I think Millwood gets the winner of that eventual semifinal and beats them. Millwood has not lost inside the class this year and that won’t change this weekend.
Girls
Ben - Christian Heritage: Up from 2A, the Crusaders are still loaded. Tahlequah Sequoyah is probably the favorite, but I’ll side with Olivia Curtis and Rylee Langerman.
Michael - Sequoyah-Tahlequah: CHA has won the last two 2A crowns and is a sleeper, but this isn’t 2A and the Lady Crusaders aren’t as deep as they have been. Larry Callison rides into the sunset with another state championship.
Whitt - Christian Heritage: Another class with some big time teams, but I’ll take CHA to win another title as it took the jump up a class this season. They know how to win and ultimately get past Sequoyah in what would be an awesome semifinal. Side note, I am really picking my alma mater, the Sulphur Lady Bulldogs - in Toby Todd we trust.
Class 2A
Boys
Ben - Hennessey: Total guess here, so I’m siding with Hennessey, who -- along with Hooker -- has only lost twice this season.
Michael - Hooker: This is the most wide-open bracket in OKC, in my opinion. Any number of teams can win…and also get beat Thursday. Hooker is one of them.
Whitt - Dale: They are coming off a big win over Hooker last week to punch their ticket to the state tourney. They have played well inside the class this year, going 12-2, only losing to Cashion a month ago and Rock Creek back in January.
Girls
Ben - Dale: I’m programmed to believe that Dale wins everything when its in any state tournament field. Pirates win again.
Michael - Howe: No Cashion and no CHA this year, which have been Howe’s kryptonite the last three years. Dale is in the way, but Jalei Oglesby caps her stellar career with the gold ball.
Whitt - Latta: I’ll go with what many would consider a sleeper pick here, but give me the Lady Panthers. They are a long team and present a bunch of problems defensively. They will have to get past top-ranked Dale in the semis and it would be the rubbermatch between the two.
PODCAST: More basketball on tap this week
| Ben Johnson
Made a big podcast addition this week. Ben & Swisher are joined by the Oklahoman's Jacob Unruh.
Jacob & Swisher recap the highlights and the championship moments from the Class A & Class B state tournaments.
Then the guys break down the state tournaments from 2A through 6A. And of course, PREDICTIONS! (Most sure to go wrong, in Ben's case).
Have feedback for the show? Tweet at us - @michaelswisher or @benjohnsontul | Or email us at ben@skordle.com
And as always, thanks for listening!
Latta blanks Byng, edges host Tigers
Baseball | | Brian Johnson | The Ada News
TUTTLE – Randis Gray fired a five-inning, one-hit shutout and Tyler Dean went 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs batted in, four runs scored and a walk Thursday as the Latta Panthers shut out the Byng Lady Pirates 10-0 in the Tuttle Tournament. Latta then clipped host Tuttle 7-6 in a come-from-behind win. The Panthers, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, improved to 7-0 on the year, while Byng dipped to 5-6. Latta played Bethany Friday for a berth in today’s 7 p.m. championship game. Byng battled host Tuttle and Lawton Ike on Friday.
Vanoss becomes Latta's third shutout victim
Baseball | | Jeff Cali | The Ada News
The Latta High School baseball team is off to an impressive start to the 2018 spring season. Kyle Rogers pitched a four-inning no-hitter, and Tyler Dean pounded two home runs in Latta’s 15-0 win over host Vanoss Thursday evening. The Panthers are off to a 3-0 start and have recorded three straight shutout victories. Tyler Dean pitched five shutout innings in Latta’s 9-0 win over Ash
Smith shines in second half as Latta trips Hooker
Boys Basketball | | Jeff Cali | The Ada News
YUKON — Latta senior leader Trent Smith was, to say the least, frustrated while spending most of his time on the bench during the first half of a Class 2A State semifinal matchup with Hooker Friday night at Yukon High School. Smith took those frustrations out on the Bulldogs in the second half. The Latta playmaker scored 21 of his game-high 25 points over the final two quarters and stole a last-second inbound pass by Hooker as the buzzer sound to help the second-ranked Panthers trip No. 3 Hooker 42-41.
Latta girls upset No. 17 Am-Po
Girls Basketball | | Jeff Cali | The Ada News
AMBER — Latta senior Shaylee Senkel has a reputation. But don’t worry, it’s a good one.
Senkel is known to be one of the top on-ball defenders in Class 2A girls basketball. But her offense has been kind of an afterthought.
That is, until now.
NEW PODCAST: Break out the baseball bats...it's spring sports season
| Ben Johnson
Michael and Ben return with a quick glimpse into spring sports across Oklahoma. The guys talk about some recent news items in Oklahoma, and spend some time talking about Broken Arrow's announcement of a girls varsity wrestling team - the first program of its kind in Oklahoma.
Catoosa hiring Medrano as next head coach
| Ben Johnson
Catoosa is expected to hire Muskogee offensive coordinator Jason Medrano as the Indians' next head football coach at a special board meeting on Thursday. Medrano, a West Texas A&M alum, has been at Muskogee for 15 seasons, serving on the offensive side of the ball.
Muskogee finished 6-5 in 2018 and earned a spot in the Class 6AII playoffs, where it lost to Stillwater in the quarterfinals.
At Catoosa, Medrano would take over a program that was led by Aaron Meier for 10 seasons. Meier went 71-42 during his run, which included two separate semifinal appearances in Class 4A.
WRESTLING NEWS: Shawn Jones steps down at Broken Arrow; Rodney Jones takes over
| Ben Johnson
Shawn Jones is going out as a champion. On Monday, the Broken Arrow wrestling coach announced he is stepping down in order to try a new employment venture.
“I meant business when I got here,” Jones told Skordle. “We didn’t go 14 for 14, but we did pretty well.”
Jones’ reign comes to an end after a 14-year run, which included five team championships, four dual state titles and 36 individual champions. Broken Arrow wrapped up February with dual state and team championships.
“I didn’t know a lot of stuff until the press conference,” Jones said. “I didn’t keep track of a lot of that stuff.”
Included among Jones’ accomplishments was Zach Marcheselli becoming Broken Arrow’s first four-time state champion since Brandon Tucker at the turn of the century.
Reece Witcraft (132) and Emmanuel Skillings (195) also picked up individual titles for the Tigers in 2019. And before they claimed their gold medals at the state tournament, Jones had already accepted a job outside of coaching.
“I had something land in my lap,” Jones said. “I always said I would continue to do this until I can’t pass something up.”
Jones said he was entering the medical field, selling cardiothoracic devices.
“I have three girls, and they unselfishly let me do my thing,” Jones said. “But now it’s time for me to do something where I can be with them.”
Broken Arrow athletic director Steve Dunn expressed his admiration for Jones.
“We appreciate all that Shawn has meant to Broken Arrow athletics over the years and, we wish him and his family the very best in this new adventure,” he said. “We didn’t have to look very far to identify the next head wrestling coach. In fact, he has been interviewing for the job for the past 14 years.”
Jones’ brother, Rodney, will take over the Tiger wrestling program, and he’ll be only the fifth head coach of the program since 1990. Rodney Jones has served alongside Shawn Jones, and he’s a former three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma. Jones also served as an assistant coach at OU for five years before a one-year stint Mustang segued into his time at Broken Arrow.
“I don’t have the words to properly explain how excited and grateful I am for this opportunity,” Rodney Jones said. “There is absolutely no place like Broken Arrow. The opportunities this district provides our students and teachers is unmatched. It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this great program’s legacy and championship tradition.”
As for Shawn’s whereabouts when Broken Arrow starts wrestling during the 2019-2020 season, it won’t be hard to find him.
“I’m going to be a super fan, and since I have a connection I might be able to score some wrestling gear,” Shawn said before being asked if he’d sneak down into the coaching corner on the mats. “I’m going to be absolutely fine just sitting in the stands.”
PODCAST: Goodbye Basketball
| Ben Johnson
The guys put a bow on the high school basketball season & recap the weekend that was from State Fair Arena and the Mabee Center. Both Michael and Ben also name their tournament MVPs for each class.
Then they spend a few minutes talking about the newly-announced inductees to the Oklahoma Coaches Association' s Hall of Fame class. That, plus hitting the highlights on the All-State wrestling nominees.
As always, thank you for listening.
Email the show at ben@skordle.com | Tweet at us - @michaelswisher or @benjohnsontul
Totsy Manning announces retirement
Girls Basketball | | JACOB UNRUH | NewsOK
Memorial pulls off three-peat
Boys Basketball | | BEN JOHNSON | NewsOK
Kingfisher beats Heritage Hall for 4A title
Boys Basketball | | TIM GODFREY | Enid News & Eagle
Piedmont claims 1st title since '67
Girls Basketball | | TREY HUNTER | The Yukon Review
WRESTLING: All-State rosters announced
| Ben Johnson
The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced the 2019 All-State wrestling rosters on Tuesday morning.
Here are the rosters and some notes on the honorees:
Large East
113: David Boucher (Bartlesville)
120: Laif Jones (Bartlesville)
126: Ty Nohelty (McAlester)
132: Reece Witcraft (Broken Arrow) - Two-time state champion headed to Oklahoma State
138: Spencer Schickram (Ponca City) - Won the Class 6A 138 title this season
145: Gage Hight (Glenpool) - Finished as a three-time runner-up for the Warriors
152: Ja’len Hernandez (Union)
160: Scott Patton (Sand Springs) - Runner-up at 6A 152
170: Isaac Strain (Tahlequah)
182: Talon Borror (Coweta) - Three-time state champion headed to Oklahoma
195: Elijah Tomlin (Union)
220: Korbin McLaughlin (Skiatook) - The 5A 220 champion this season to help Skiatook split the 5A state title with Collinsville
HWT: Caleb Orr (Jenks) - Runner-up in 6A heavyweight this season
Large West
113: Dominic Derr (Westmoore)
120: Jayston Cato (Carl Albert) - Runner-up at 5A 120 this season
126: Mitchell Lance (Piedmont) - Third place finish at 5A 126 this season
132: Colt Newton (Choctaw) - Finished third at 6A 132 this season
138: Cameron Picklo (Mustang) - Finished third at 138 this season
145: Kobi Gomez (Altus) - State champion at 5A 138 this season
152: Hunter Jump (Duncan) - State champion at 5A 160 after winning a state title at Lawton Mac as a junior
160: Rene Martinez (Putnam City) - Runner-up at 6A 160 this season
170: Zane Coleman (Choctaw) - Arizona State signee became a four-time state champion this season
182: Christian Maldonado (Lawton Mac) - State champion at 5A 170 this season
195: Carson Savage (Deer Creek) - Runner-up at 6A 195 this season
220: Jake McCoy (Edmond North) - Runner-up at 6A 220 this season
HWT: Josh Heindselman (Piedmont) - Became a two-time state champion by winning the 5A heavyweight crown this season
Small East
113: Kaleb Harris (Sallisaw)
120: Luke Montgomery (Bristow) - Finishied third at 4A 120 this season
126: Thaddeus Long (McLain) - Became the Titans’ first state champion since 1976 with a title at 4A 126
132: Wesley Scott (Pawnee) - Runner-up at 3A 132 this season
138: Price Perrier (Pawhuska) - Runner-up at 3A 138 this season
145: Trystian Shireman (Wagoner) - Finished third at 4A 138 this season
152: Hadyn Redus (Perry) - State champion at 3A 152 this season
160: Jacob Ahrberg (Cushing) - State champion at 4A 160 this season
170: Cade Shropshire (Checotah) - Two-time state champion for the Wildcats with the 3A 160 chamionship this season
182: River Simon (Vian) - Became a two-time state champion by winning the 3A 182 title this season
195: Eriq Simpson (Cushing) - Runner-up at 4A 195 this season
220: Drake Barbee (Blackwell) - State champion at 3A 195 this season
HWT: Teaguen Wilson (Perry) - Runner-up at 3A heavyweight this season
Small West
113: Remington White (Walters) - Former state champion was the 3A runner-up at 113 this season
120: Jaxon Miller (Comanche)
126: Logan Farrell (Tuttle) - Runner-up at 4A 126 this season
132: Kolton Smith (Bridge Creek) - Became the Bobcats’ first state champion by winning the 3A 126 title this season
138: Kobey Kizarr (Marlow) - State champion at 3A 138 this season
145: Val Park (Heritage Hall) - Became a three-time state champion by winning 4A 138 title this season
152: Alec McDoulett (Little Axe) - Runner-up at 3A 152 this season
160: Tyler Lavey (Marlow) - Runner-up at 3A 160 this season
170: Ethon Hamrick (Comanche)
182: Denver Dahlenburg (Hinton)
195: Carson Berryhill (Tuttle) - Won a second straight state championship by winning 4A 195 title this season
220: Cameron Gregg (Pauls Valley)
HWT: Ruben Guiterrez (Clinton) - Finished third at 4A heavyweight this season
**Photo courtesy of Austin Bernard/Owrestle.com
