January 23, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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January 23, 2021 Sports Trojanettes go 1-1 Trojans sweep two By Kerry Hookstra another three with a two from ors as she tossed down 25 with they righted the ship and took By Kerry Hookstra Jade Gray. Canute took a 27-23 10 by Beutler. Others scoring the third 10-8. Smith led the Canute traveled to Altus Jan. advantage to halftime. for the Trojanettes included: way with two field goals and Canute met up with Blair at Western Oklahoma State College in 12 to meet Blair in the Western A 17-8 charge in the third Thrasher-8, Gray-5, Sutton-5, three charity tosses. Beutler Altus Jan. 12 and they claimed a 56-39 decision. Cheyenne/Reydon Oklahoma State College Field put the Trojanettes in control. Janning-4, Drinnon-3, and added a basket and one from the came to Trojan Field House Jan. 15. Canute prevailed for a 67-59 House in order to accommodate Smith again set the pace hit- Cantwell-2. stripe. victory. alarger number of fans. The Tro- ting a pair of field goals and 2-2 Trojanettes-Cheyenne/ Final frame action featured Trojans-Blair janettes took care of business at the line. Meliah Sutton went A19-5 first quarter run put Canute in the driver's seat. Kelln Hen- a furious 21-6 charge by the derson with a 62-39 victory. Cheyenne/ downtown for a trey and added ‘The Lady Bears roared out to Trojanettes but they fell seven led the attack with an old fashioned 3-point play and three Reydon visited Canute Jan. 15 a deuce with a basket and 2-2 a 24-15 first quarter advantage. points short of forcing over- baskets. Colt Randall buried a trey and a deuce while Kyron Whinery and held off a determined sec- from the stripe for Beutler and Canute was led by Kylee Smith ond half rally to post a 59-52 2-2 gift shots by Janning, with a pair of baskets and 2-2 time. Smith ignited the attack had‘Theansecond old fashioned 3-point play and Keenan Smith hit a bucket. saw a 19-8Trojan advantage. Henderson stayed hot decision. Final frame action featured free throws. Taylor Beutler hit with a basket and five charity with three field goals. Colby Maddox draineda three plus a two with ‘Trojanettes-Blair an 18-8 Canute run. Beutler a bucket and 2-2 from the char- tosses. Gray drained a trey plus a two baskets from Smith and one by Whinery. Canute was up 38-13 First quarter play saw a 14-13 led the way with a three and a ity stripe while Sydney Thrasher going to halftime. deuce with a bucket and two free Canute edge. Kylee Smith led two. Jaicee Drinnon and Gray buried a trey and Jade Gray had throws from Beutler. Abby Jan- In the third the teams tied at 14-14. Henderson worked another the attack with four baskets. dialed long distance for a trey a deuce. ning worked an old fashioned old fashioned 3-point play and put in a bucket to lead the Trojans. Sydney Thrasher buried a trey apiece with Smith working an In the second Cheyenne/Rey- 3-point play and thrasher put in Smith connected for a pair of field goals and Bill Shelton dialed long with a deuce from Abby Janning old fashioned 3-point play. Em- don exploded on a 21-6 run. The afield goal. distance fora trey with a deuce by Whinery. and a free throw by Taylor Beu- ily Cantwell and Thrasher put in Trojanettes were perfect at the Greer paced the Lady Bears Final frame play saw the Broncs lead 12-4 as the Canute bench saw ler. a bucket each. line to account for their scoring with 19. Smith poured in 24 to action. Shelton and Dru Steffes hit a basket apiece. ‘The third was a 13-10 Troja- Sensabaugh and Johnson with Smith sinking 4-4 and Beu- lead all scorers with 13 by Beu- ‘Torrez tossed in 13 to pace Blair. Henderson poured down 20 to nette margin. Smith stayed hot pumped in 16 and 15 respec- tler 2-2. Halftime saw the Lady tler. Others scoring for Canute lead all scorers and Smith added 10 for the Trojans. Others scor- with three buckets and 2-2 at the tively to lead the Lady Broncs. Bears on top 45-21. were; Gray-7, Thrasher-5, and ne included: Randall-7, Whinery-7, Maddox-5, Shleton-5, and Stef- charity stripe. Thrasher drained Smith claimed game high hon- Canute was down 30 before Janning-3. fes-2. ‘Trojans-Cheyenne/Reydon An 18-11 advantage gave Canute early control in the first quarter. Colt Randall led the attack with three treys. Kelln Henderson had three baskets with a three by Kyron Whinery. Berry Tramel: Showa little grace to the ‘The second stanza saw 15-15 tie. Aiden Brown paced the Trojans with a pair of treys and 3-3 free throws. Colby Maddox drained a three and Henderson sank three at the charity stripe. Canute was up OSSAA when state basketball playoffs 33-26 going to halftime. In the third the Bears took a 12-11 edge. Henderson led the Tro- jans with a three and two twos. Randall buried a trey and Keenan Smith tossed in one from the line. begin in February Offense took over in the final frame with Canute prevailing 23-21. Whinery ignited the charge with 7-8 charity shots. Brown drained two threes while Henderson put in two twos and Randall went 2-2 from the stripe with Maddox and Smith adding two free throws apiece. Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman have to do those things, because Some colleges and universi- can. Jay Smith pumpedin 26 for Cheyenne/Reydon to take game high honors. Henderson led the Trojans with 20. Brown, Randall of what the health people tell ties have hosted in the past, but ‘The state basketball playoffs Whinery tossed down 15, 14, and 10 respectively to put four sie High school basketball needs us," Jackson said. "Being inside, their facilities are largely closed are not a political event. They in double figures. Maddox connected for five and Smith added three. a favor. Not coaches. Not play- it's easier to spread the virus because of the pandemic and are not a cultural reckoning. ers. Not administrators. Not ref- that way rightfully can't justify opening ‘They are not a referendum on erees. Not fans. Statetournaments might be- for high school events while re- way of life, At their core, they ‘The sport itself needs a fa- gin on Tuesday, not Thursday, so maining shuttered to their own vor. It needs everyone to show that every game could be played students, a little grace as the Oklahoma at one site instead of using sat- So it's a patchwork assign- OU football’s Bob Kalsu, are about giving high school kids a chance at some cool expe- Secondary School Activities As- ellite venues for first-round ment for Jackson and his crew. riences, perhaps even leading to sociation tries to launch the games. That's actually a grand "Some of the host venues can a state tournament. state playoffs in February and idea anyway, since it allows ev- (usually) be people who earned "I'm not looking for any sym- OSU football’s Mike conclude them in March. We didn't get completion last ery state-tournament team to play in State Fair Arena or Tul- Gundy headline 2021 the right to host, but they may pathy," Jackson said. "But it have a very small gym," Jackson makes our job challenging. Our March, at least for classes 2A sa's Mabee Center. said. "Or they haven't been wear- conversations pretty much cen- making, we're not happy to masks, issues like that. Because can have the activity. We don't Oklahoma Sports Hall through 6A. And that stunk, we "Some of the changes we're ing masks, don't want to wear ter around, let's make sure we can all agree. So to finish this March, and make," Jackson said. "We're not of those factors, because they hand out gold balls to 14 teams, we all need to work together. talking about making them on a long-term basis. We're talk- are our playoffs, we're going to have to impose some minimum want to ever again not allow these kids to not have their ac- of Fame class "The expectation would be ing about having our kids hav- standards." tivities. We've got to do this that people would show some ing their activities, and do it asThe — Millwood-Community safely. grace," said OSSAA executive di- safely as possible,” Christian School flap last Friday "COVID numbers looking like Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman rector David Jackson. "But there You would think everyone highlights the cultural differ- they do, we have got to put some are a good number of people would understand. But not nec- ences that can be found between things in place, to make sure ‘The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced its latest class of that want what they want.” essarily. schools. Urban/rural. Large/ we're at least doing all we can Those people won't like some “Trust me, after having gone small. Public/private. Millwood to keep people safe, to where at inductees Wednesday. of the changes to the state play- through the fall season and foot- has been steadfast in following least reasonable people would Headlining the 2021 class are OSU football coach Mike Gundy offs. Jackson and his staff are ball itis not that way," Jackson health department guidelines and late OU football player Bob Kalsu. Also inducted will be former working tirelessly to stage the and recommendations. CCS has understand and cooperate with tournaments in this pandemic- a ASSAA basketball headaches admittedly has not followed us." OU women's basketball player Stacey Dales, former Wichita State stricken year, and while details are many in anormal year. Orga- them much at all. ‘That's the key. Let's be reason- baseball coach Gene Stephenson, former Oklahoma Christian Uni- haven't been finalized, several nizing the early rounds all over But everyone comes together able. Let's cooperate. Let's all versity men's basketball coach Dan Hays and NCAA/NEL official Roy changes are possible or likely. the state, using school facilities for the playoffs, and someone understand there are no good Clymer. Masks mandatory for fans in with school personnel but with has to be in charge. That some- options when it comes to this ‘The class will be introduced at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame's gymnasiums. association oversight, never is one is the OSSAA, with a staff blasted virus. Just some options Social distancing required. easy. Now add in the COVID hired by a board of directors better than others. quarterly luncheon on a date that has yet to be determined. Gyms capped at 50 percent protocols and issues, and it's a from the member schools. So The OSSAA is just trying to ‘The induction date for the 2021 class is set for Aug. 2, though a capacity. thankless task. the OSSAA is the schools. get the games staged. Let's all venue has yet to be determined. Game times in regional and For instance, many schools ‘And that's why grace would go pull together so thousands of area tournaments spread out, don't want to host tournament along way. You don't have to like kids can make memories and 14 Here is this year's class: likely with gyms cleared after games this year. Some don't the protocols, thinking they are Roy Clymer: Growing up in Drumright, Clymer became a basket- every game, so that fan bases want to adhere to the regula- going too far or not far enough. teams can win a gold ball. from four schools don't congre- tions. Some don't want to deal But please take a deep breath Berry Tramel: Berry can be ball standout who received a scholarship in 1956 to New Mexico gate at one particular time. with the complaints if they do and remember that decision- reached at 405-760-8080 or at State. In 1962, he moved to Tulsa where his officiating career began "We feel like we're going to adhere. makers are doing the best they [email protected]. at the YMCA. He moved into high school officiating and quickly rose the ranks. Clymer spent 14 years as an NEL back judge who called playoff games every season but one. He was a longtime NCAA bas- Berry Tramel: Elijah Harkless ketball referee, too, who officiated the 1978 national championship game between Duke and Kentucky. Stacey Dales: Dales was a two-time first-team All-American at OU, leading the Sooners to their first Final Four in 2002. She was named has brought a blue collar to the Big 12 Conference player of the year in 2001 and 2002, finishing her career with 1,920 points and 764 assists, a Big 12 record. Dales was selected third overall in the 2002 WNBA Draft, and after her playing career ended, she moved into sports media. She is now a OU basketball reporter for the NEL Network. Mike Gundy: The OSU football coach is one of only eight active coaches in college football with more than 100 wins at his current school, Since taking over in 2005, the Cowboys have gone 129-64 Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman 50 Tuesday night at Lloyd Noble any night," Harkless said. "You make it very easy for me." and been to a bowl every year but one. Gundy, a native of Midwest Center. might not make some shots. But Starting with Kuath, the 6-11 City, quarterbacked the Cowboys from 1986-89, throwing for 7,997 Elijah Harkless showed up in And Harkless has become a the energy, the blue-collar men- center who has had to play an Norman with a vow to do the box-score stuffer. His K-State ity, you can have that every even bigger defensive role with yards and becoming the program's all-time leading passer at the dirty work. And in OU basket- Tine was stunning — 13 re- ingle night." time. balll practices, Harkless showed bounds, six assists, three steals, Harkless’ energy is such, Kru- Hill and Manek out. Kruger de- Dan Hays: In 33 seasons as the men’s basketball coach Oklahoma the willingness to do the same. to go with eight points. In Hark ger wouldn't even commit to cided not to start Victor Iwuakor Christian, Hays won 653 games, more wins than any coach in school But in games, not so much. Jess' 31 minutes of play, OU out- returning Manek to the starting to prevent serious foul trouble, In his first five games since the scored the Wildcats by 30. lineup. Manek was back with the and it's worked out. history. His overall college coaching record when he left OC in 2016, NCAA granted him eligibility "He came in with the idea of Sooners against KSU but played Kuath said he knew Harkless 724-470, which includes five seasons at Northwestern Oklahoma for his transfer from Cal State- being a blue-collar guy, intensity only 11 minutes. Northridge, Harkless looked high,” Kruger said. "Been mak- “We'll take a look at it, for was capable, State, is the most wins by a men's basketball coach at any four-year mostly lost. The 6-foot-3 guard ing progress, but today obvious- sure," Kruger said. "Regardless "Since summer, he's always Oklahoma college. He also ranks tied for 42nd in wins among coach- had eight steals but hardly dis- ly he was very very comfortable. of who starts, Brady's going to been showing that dog side of es at four-year college at any level. tinguished himself otherwise. He was great. Rebounded the be in there a lot. See how he re- him," Kuath said. "He can play in Bob Kalsu: A star football player at Del City High where the foot- Offensively, Harkless made just basketball, got us in transition. sponds from a physical-condi- this league with us, he hustles, ball stadium is named in his honor, Kalsu became an All-American four of 17 shots and missed all Good to see him kind of let it go tioning standpoint.” five of his 3-point shots. and play with that level of confi- Either way, Kruger has found he works hard. He's just like offensive tackle at OU in 1967. He was drafted in 1968 by the Buf- ‘Then Brady Manek and Jalen dence he did today." an extra player. Harkless is no that. He comes to fight day in falo Bills, but after a standout rookie season, he opted to fulfill an Hill were sidelined by COVID-19 ‘The Sooners were struggling great scoring threat — he's aver- day out. I like that about E.J." ROTC obligation by accepting his commission and deploying to Viet- protocols, Lon Kruger's rotation offensively until turning up aging 3.8 points a game at OU, Harkless’ offense remains got really thin really fast with a after averaging 7.7 in two years a work in progress. He nailed nam. Kalsu was killed in action on July 21, 1970, the only pro US. the tempo late in the first half. game at Kansas upcoming, and De'Vion Harmon scored nine at Northridge. athlete to die in Vietnam. Kruger had to think fast. points on four fast-break bas- “I think it's pretty cool to kind a corner 3-pointer vs. Kansas Gene Stephenson: A native of Kansas, Stephenson attended Guth- So he put Harkless into the kets as OU took a 32-24 lead. of help fill Brady's shoes," Hark- State, but his other 3-point starting lineup, as a defacto ‘The transition scoring contin- less said. “Those are big shoes to make was a sheepish bank rie High School where he was a multi-sport standout. After play- ower forward, and the results ued in the second half, with fill. Keep this train going for us shot from the wing. No matter. ing baseball at Missouri, he became on one of the most successful ave been superb. OU played Harkless feeding Kur Kuath for to be better every single game." Guards who grab 13 rebounds, college baseball coaches of all time. He spent 36 seasons at Wichita tough at KU, before losing 63- a dunk and Harmon for a layup Harkless has at times ended 59, then has posted back-to- on back-to-back possessions up guarding much-bigger play- dish six assists and hold up de- State, won a national title and amassed 1,837 victories, second-most back routs of Texas Christian that produced a 56-38 score. ers and admitted he's not accus- fensively inside will always have among major college coaches. He also produced numerous major and Kansas State, the latter 76- "| believe energy can be there tomed to it, "but my teammates arole, leaguers, including Joe Carter and Casey Blake,