July 30, 2019 Issue, Page 8 of 12

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Sports Page 8 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Elk City native competes in All-State basketball game only had a little time to One of those opponents prepare for the big event. was an old friend of South- Southard said that the ard’s, Kami Porter, who game was a two-day event plays for Woodward. South- with practices scheduled ard said the two were good on Tuesday and Wednes- friends and then Porter and day morning. She said that her family moved to Wood- the teams went through ward. Southard said it was brief practice sessions and the first time the two friends then played some pick- had ever played together. up basketball games and Southard, who will begin worked on their shooting. her studies at Oklahoma “Tt was really super fun,” Baptist University in the Southard said. “My squad fall, also got the opportu- was 4A and it was all of the nity to play against one of girls I played against in high her future teammates at school so we all kind of knew OBU, Madison Chambers Elk City Girls Basketball Coach Tim Ellison poses with Oklahoma Coaches Association girls 4A All-State player and recent Elk City High School graduate Melissa Southard during the OCAAIl-State game Wednesday in Tulsa.;Oklahoma Coaches each others’ strengths. We all from Muldrow played on Association girls 4A All-State player and recent Elk City High School graduate Melissa Southard (center) poses with her worked really well together. the All-State East squad. parents Joanie and Mike Southard during the OCA All-State basketball game Wednesday in Tulsa. Phofo submitted. Southard said one of the Southard said she got things she really enjoyed the opportunity recently to By William B. Carroll, complete as she helped to had been selected to com- Southard said the All-State was the opportunity to play meet her new teammates Sports Editor lead the Large School West pete in the event by the game was a lot of fun and with a lot of the girls she at a boarding camp hosted Recent Elk City High All-State team to an 80-41 Oklahoma Coaches Asso- that the idea throughout the had played against during by OBU July 14-18. She School graduate Melissa win over the East All-State ciation in a game that pitted event was forthe competitors her high school career. She described the boarding Southard had one more game team Wednesday in Tulsa. the state’s top 4A, 5A and to simply enjoy themselves. said it gave her a chance camp as super fun and said to finish before her high Southard, who gradu- 6A girls basketball play- Like with most all-star to become closer to them she couldn’t wait to begin school basketball career was ated in May from ECHS ers against one another. type games, the teams and grow new friendships. at OBU starting Aug. 17. 2019 KECO-Moran Equipment Horse Race Golf Tournament Golfers warm up Saturday for the afternoon portion of the 2019 KECO-Moran Equipment Horse Race golf tournament held at the Elk City Golf & Country Club. Staff photo by William B. Carroll No immediate gratification from this year's ChampU BBQ By Ryan Aber, The Okla- gin practicing in prepara- cruiting event on campus. people, and there's more to it Carter decommitted a redshirt this season after an homan, Oklahoma City tion for the Sept. 1 season And though this year's than just coaching. There's few months after that bar- injury -- the bulk of Okla- NORMAN -- The time to opener against Houston. event didn't have the in- relationships and taking care becue, committed to Texas concentrate fully -- of close But the weekend before stant gratification of imme- of their sons and making A&M on the weekend of homa's next recruiting class to it -- on the 2019 football the month-long leadup to diate commits as the other them young men and show- the next year's barbecue is likely already committed. events, Oklahoma's coaches ing them that we're here after going to College Sta- season is coming quickly. that was mainly about build- So this year's ChampU are hopeful it will still make for them 24 hours a day." tion instead of Norman In less than a week, Okla- ing to the future, as the an impression in the future. The weekend has pro- and then wound up sign- homa’s players will report Sooners hosted the fourth BBQ was focused _pri- The event began in 2016, duced plenty of fireworks ing instead with Alabama. back to campus and be- annual ChampU BBQ re- conceived as a way for in the past, none more so McClellan remains com- marily on future classes. coaches and recruits to bond than in 2017, when Okla- mitted to the Sooners, The Sooners currently Reserve football tickets over something that didn't homa landed a trio of com- though that status is seem- have two players com- involve football directly. mits quickly after the bar- ingly on shaky ground. As to go on sale in August There's no running 40s becue -- defensive end the No. 3 player in the state mitted in the 2021 class. Reserve seating for the tickets are $40 per seat for or going through drills Jalen Redmond for the 2018 of Texas visited his home Much like recruiting 2019 Big Elk football season to getting measured. class, 2019 cornerback Jef- state's flagship university the season and entitle the The weekend is a more re- fery Carter and 2020 run- last month and the top-tier classes can't be evaluated will go on sale in August. holder for admission to high laxed one, with games and ning back Jase McClellan. SEC programs, including for several years, this year's For those who had sea- son tickets last year, they school football games only. --used to create aconnection. quick decisions can fizzle. tinue to make a push for activities -- and a lot of food But sometimes those Alabama. The Sooners con- barbecue can't be evalu- must contact the Board Season tickets will be "The families love it. The Redmond's commitment the four-star running back. ated over the weekend, even of Education Office be- available at the BOE Of- recruits love it," Sooners stuck, and he signed with With 15 commitments fore Aug. 22 to renew their fice. Those interested recruiting coordinator and the Sooners, expected to in the 2019 class already if there were no eyeballs reserve seating __ tickets. inside receivers coach Cale make an immediate impact -- and only 11 scholarship coming from coach Lin- in ticket pricing options Reserve seating tickets Gundy said after last year's on defense before blood seniors on the roster not in- will go on sale to the pub- should contact the of- coln Riley's Twitter account event. "We get a chance to clot issues limited him to cluding linebacker Caleb lic on Aug. 23. Reserve fice at 580-225-0175. let them know who we are as just three games last season. Kelly, who is expected to on Saturday or Sunday.