May 14, 2019 Issue, Page 10 of 13

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Page 10 The Elk City Daily News- Elk City, Oklahoma, Tuesday, May 14,2019 New basketball coach brings passion to new position with Elks Hunt said he was excited as his father Clay Stephens Following his time at knew that even though the to introduce Stephens and is a long-time girls basket- Deer Creek-Lamont, he was season is months away, now told the players that under ball coach. Stephens said hired as the head coach at Stephens the team will have from an early age basketball Crescent High School where is the time to prepare. to work hard, play solid de- ‘was just a part of life. he served as head coach for Stephens said one of the fense and do things the right Stephens himself played four years. way to win games. his high school ball at “T really came into my things he really liked about “Tam excited for this Frontier High School in own at that time and learned the opportunity in Elk City opportunity and I am ready Red Rock, Oklahoma, and what worked for me as a to get going,” Stephens said then played college ball at head coach,” he said. is that the school has top to the players. “I played on Oklahoma Christian Univer- Following his stint at notch facilities. He also some really good teams as a sity. Stephens said during Crescent he jumped at the player myself and I believe the four years he was in chance to go to Weather- commended the school’s in taking what I learned and high school, his teams won ford where his father was administration and said that teaching it to my players.” three state titles and were already the girls basketball Stephens told the players runners-up the other year. coach. everyone had been very that his style is a fast break, At OCU, Stephens played Stephens his no stranger welcoming to him and his fast pace style with a domi- on a full-ride scholarship to Elk City basketball. nating man defense. He said and said one of his fondest During his two years in family, which includes wife while he knew it would be a memories was getting the Weatherford, Stephens had Payton Stephens. He noted new system for the players opportunity to play in the occasion to face the Elks he believed they could learn NAIA national tournament including twice this past that his wife is expecting it and apply it next season. in Kansas City. season. the couple’s first child June Hunt said what of the Stephens said that like his “This is a young group,” things he liked about Ste- father he knew he wanted he said. “What I like about 1 and that everyone in Elk phens was his pedigree, and to be a basketball coach, but them is you can tell they City has been supportive of Sam Stephens that he knew how to win. He felt his skills fit better with work hard and they are very also said Stephens would the boys game. competitive. You can tell the couple. bring hard work, structure His first job out of college they are fighters. I think He said one ofthe impor- By William B. Carroll Friday afternoon, the and discipline to the Elks. was as the head coach of the team is young and has Sports Editor recently hired Stephens met “Their loss is our gain,” Deer Creek-Lamont at only a good young core to build tant factors he also saw in with his team and spoke Hunt said about hiring 23 years of age. something special with.” EIk City is its desire to win. A few brief moments with them briefly about Stephens who most recently “Tt was a really good Last year the Elks fin- “This is definitely a place with new Elk City boys bas- himself and his philosophy. was the boys basketball learning experience, being ished a disappointing 5-20, ketball coach Sam Stephens He was introduced by Brian coach at Weatherford for ahead coach right out of but Stephens wasted no where people want to win,” and his passion and excite- Hunt, who is taking over the last two seasons. college,” Stephens said. time Friday as he passed out ment for his new role with as athletic director for Bill Stephens does have a “T really learned a lot in a information for summer ball he said. “That is exactly the Elks is noticeable. Weatherly, who is retiring. deep pedigree in basketball short amount of time.” and made sure the players where I want to be.” Relay team to compete at Meet of Champions By William B. Carroll ship meet, will be compet- Oklahoma Track Coaches in their respective events together all classifications team feel they have a strong Sports Editor ing today at 5 p.m. in the Association and brings can be entered into the of Oklahoma track and field chance. Senior Jolean Rob- Meet of Champions with the together top finishers from automatic qualifiers while athletes at one location for inson said the team’s goal The Elk City girls 4x100m hope ofproving they are the the respective classes for those placing third through a final end of year competi- is to finish at least in the top relay team, who recently best team in the state. ameet to determine the sixth can be entered as tion. This year’s event will three, although their goal is won the gold medal at the The meet, now in its best in the state. Athletes additional qualifiers. The be at Moore High School. of course to take home the Class 4A state champion- 10th year, is put on by the finishing first or second goal for the meet is to bring The members of the relay top prize. OU softball: Sooners earn top overall seed in NCAA tournament By Joe Buettner OU coach Patty Gasso stat- Dame and UMBC. The top-seeded Soon- NCAA tournament play 8, 2003. The Norman Transcript, ed in a university release. OU opens the regional ers are the only Norman after losing to Michigan in Tickets for the NCAA Okla. "Earning the No. 1 seedis a with UMBC, which won the Regional team ranked in the Big Ten tournament big accomplishment, and it's America East tournament. college softball's three ma- semifinals. Notre Dame (36- Norman Regional will go on Oklahoma's regular-sea- very difficult to do. A lot of The Sooners and Retrievers jor polls. 16) suffered a similar fate, sale at 10 a.m. today. All- son slate included few home hard work was put into this will play at 8:30 p.m. Friday. UMBC qualified for the losing to Florida State in the session general admission games -- 13 to be exact. season so far. This team is The game will air on ESPN2 NCAA tournament with an ACC tournament semifinals. tickets can be purchased The Sooner softball team highly motivated, and I'm and will follow a6 p.m. con- undefeated run through its OU is 6-5 in its all-time (49-2) learned it won't have excited for what comes next test between Wisconsin and conference tournament. series vs. Notre Dame. The online or by calling (405) to leave the 405 area code, for them." Notre Dame. The Retrievers claimed teams last met earlier this 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668. however, for the remain- It's the first time since If the Sooners top the their conference's automatic season in February at the If OU wins its regional, der of the 2019 season on 2013 and the second time Retrievers, they'll face the bid despite finishing 7-11 St. Pete-Clearwater Elite Sunday. in program history OU has winner of Wisconsin-Notre against America East oppo- Invitational. OU won 6-2. itll advance to the NCAA OU will host a regional earned the top overall seed. Dame on Saturday for a spot nents in the regular season. OU has won three of four Super Regional round (May site and was selected as the The NCAA Norman in Sunday's regional final. OU's meeting with UMBC all-time meetings against 24-26) against the winner of No. 1 overall seed in the Regional, scheduled to run Aloss to UMBC on Friday on Friday will be the first Wisconsin. The Sooners and NCAA tournament. Friday through Sunday, would put OU in an elimina- ever between the programs. Badgers haven't faced each the NCAA Evanston (Illi- "I'm proud of this group," includes Wisconsin, Notre tion game on Saturday. Wisconsin (40-12) enters other, however, since March nois) Regional. Delivered to your mailbox. Published Tuesday and Friday. 6 months 1 year Add the E-paper for *1 per month. Advertising Coupons