January 5, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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4 A g rS ipcourttlsu r e January 5, 2022 ‘Start doing some work’: After a day off, Mike Gundy will begin OSU’s defensive coordinator search Scott Wright, The Oklaho- stay at OSU for the extra year go with that position, because know that. I can listen to an of- “Would I do that again? their tight ends. man of eligibility granted by the coordinator positions are huge fensive guy for 30 minutes and Yes, because I don’t like to have “I knew there would be NCAA as a result of last year’s hires with me as a head coach, I know if I want to hire him or a play-caller on the ground. some adjustments because of SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Af- COVID-19 pandemic. because I don’t coach defense. not. Defense is different for But was that an issue? Yes. The that. But because they weren’t ter Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl vic- But Gundy said on Sunday I don’t really coach offense, ei- me.” communication wasn’t good a tempo team, those discus- tory over Notre Dame, Mike he expects cornerback Jarrick ther. I’m willing to let them do Gundy has internal candi- and there was too much talk. sions could take place during Gundy loudly proclaimed his Bernard-Converse, defensive their job. So that person has to dates to consider for the job, I think I did the right thing, the time they were getting pride in the Oklahoma State tackles Brendon Evers and Is- be able to control that room, primarily defensive line coach but I don’t know that I’d do it lined up. But it took a quarter, logo. rael Antwine, and defensive has to be highly intelligent and Joe Bob Clements, corner- again, because I don’t know and I was almost in head coach Now, as the calendar turns end Tyren Irby to return as has to be very savvy and quick- backs coach Tim Duffie and if we could ever make up the panic mode after the first to 2022, the OSU coach’s next well. thinking on gameday, in my safeties coach Dan Hammer- ground that we lost in the first quarter of just saying, ‘Hey, job is solidifying the list of Offensive lineman Hunt- opinion.” schmidt. quarter. We got busted a cou- we’re not doing this anymore.” people who will be wearing er Anthony announced his Former defensive coordina- Those three were the coach- ple times in the first quarter But the communication is- that logo in the fall. commitment to Nebraska tor Jim Knowles, who was set es involved in play-calling for where we got out-coached... A sues resolved themselves and That includes the defensive on Sunday morning, leaving to officially begin his work at the Fiesta Bowl — a process couple times, we just couldn’t OSU settled in to rally for the coordinator position, super- OSU with three players in the Ohio State on Sunday, showed that started out like a too- get it communicated — it was victory to cap a sensational 12- seniors who choose to return, transfer portal: safety Tanner Gundy what is possible from a many-cooks-in-the-kitchen just Jim Knowles not being win season. and the players going in and McCalister, defensive tackle coordinator as a gameday play- scenario, but smoothed out in here is what caused it.” “I heard communication out via the transfer portal. Jayden Jernigan and running caller. time for the Cowboys to allow Gundy said Notre Dame’s on the headsets before the de- Gundy discussed all of back Dezmon Jackson. “Jim was a great play-call- only one touchdown to Notre offensive style of play — a fenses were called, and that’s those things on Sunday morn- More portal movement, er,” Gundy said. “I have to de- Dame in eight second-half pos- more methodical approach, what I wanted,” Gundy said. ing before he and his team going in both directions, is a cide what’s best for us, and I’m sessions. rather than the up-tempo “I wanted everybody to be in- departed the Scottsdale Plaza virtual certainty, particularly gonna work hard on that over “We struggled in the first pace that many Big 12 teams volved, from the standpoint Resort to return to Stillwater. with players coming in to re- the next three to four days and quarter, but then in the sec- use — allowed for more com- that we hadn’t had anybody The super-senior and por- place those who leave. start moving. If we don’t pro- ond quarter, we were better, munication among the staff on our defensive staff that’s tal issues will solve them- The defensive coordina- mote from inside — and I hon- play-calling-wise, communica- before making a play call.”If called plays in a game, and call- selves, and have already begun tor position is Gundy’s most estly, right now, don’t know tion-wise,” Gundy said. “I had they were a tempo offense, ing plays in a game’s not easy. I to do so. pressing matter when he gets — then I’m sure I’ll interview three guys talking about play we could not have done that,” know that for a fact. Shortly after Saturday’s back to work. at least six or eight guys, just calls. We took two guys and Gundy said. “So I anticipated “So they worked together 37-35 win over Notre Dame, “I promised my wife that because it’s defense and that’s put them in the box, and took some issues, because it’s new as a group. They had great prac- senior safety Tre Sterling an- I would take at least one day not my gig. two guys that had normally and it’s extremely difficult to tices the last three weeks, and nounced that he would be de- off,” Gundy said. “But then I “I can kinda tell, but I’m been there and put them on call plays. And it’s even more once they settled in, I thought claring for the NFL Draft, and have to start doing some work. not gonna try to pretend that I the ground. difficult with them because of they were really good.” some others are likely to fol- I need to go back and look at low. this (Fiesta Bowl) tape. I need Senior defensive end Brock to evaluate our staff. Martin is the only player to of- ficially announce his plan to “And then think through what’s the best direction to Thunder vs. Mavericks: Five takeaways from OKC’s loss to Dallas as Josh Coaches Corner Giddey sets an NBA record By Kerry Hookstra Joe Mussatto, The Okla- a step forward on the health It’s sometimes difficult to Daigneault could return Elk Coaches Corner homan front, it took two big steps describe the Aleksej Pokusevs- soon Basketball went through scrimmages during Christmas Break back. ki experience, but his first-half with success and improved play. The Elkettes and Big Elks host Mike Wilks filled in for Josh Giddey, at 19 years Giddey returned to the sequence against the Maver- Anadarko Jan. 4. Both squads will compete in the Hinton Invita- and 84 days old, is the young- starting lineup Sunday after icks perfectly summed up his Mark Daigneault on Sunday tional Jan. 7-9. Ft. Cobb-Broxton, ranked 10th in Class B, and a est player in NBA history to missing three games while in game. night for the fourth consecu- traditional small school powerhouse is the first opponent for the record a triple-double. health and safety protocols — Pokusevski caught a long tive game. Big Elks at 5:40 p.m. Newcastle is the first round opponent for the Giddey reached the feat making his triple-double even pass from Giddey, and he was Based on NBA protocols, Elkettes with both schools coming to the contest with similar re- with four minutes left in the more impressive. all by himself at the basket. cords. fourth quarter Sunday night But as the Thunder got But Pokusevski botched the Daigneault could be back on against Dallas. Giddey back, it lost top play- dunk. the Thunder sidelines Wednes- Oiler Coaches Corner Giddey, who finished with ers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Pokusevski ran back down day night at Minnesota. OKC 17 points, 14 assists and 13 (health and safety protocols) the floor, collected a steal, and Merritt had no scrimmages for the Oilerettes while the Oilers is off on Monday and Tuesday. rebounds was spectacular in and Luguentz Dort (left knee had another transition oppor- had a pair of opponents and showed improvement throughout. “Right now it’s just follow- the Thunder’s 95-86 loss to the soreness). tunity. Merritt hosts their 13th Annual Classic Basketball Tournament Mavericks at Paycom Center. Darius Bazley, Tre Mann This time he finished his ing protocols, but his spirits Jan. 7-9. The Oilers open with Wellington, TX, at 7:35 Jan. 7. First Giddey rallied the under- and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl dunk. are high,” Wilks said. “Seems round opponent for the Oilerettes is the OKC Knights Home School manned Thunder in the fourth — all in health and safety pro- That’s Poku, entertaining to be doing well. We’ll hope to squad at 6:00 p.m. quarter. OKC cut the lead to tocols — remained out. even when he’s not trying to four points in the final min- Acting head coach Mike be. get him back soon.” Trojan Coaches Corner ute before Mavericks forward Wilks started a 24-and-under Maledon’s effort Vaccinated players and The season resumes for Canute Basketball after making im- Maxi Kleber drilled a dagger lineup in Giddey, Ty Jerome, Theo Maledon’s line wasn’t coaches can test out of quar- 3-pointer. Aleksej Pokusevski, Aaron pretty. He was 2-of-8 and the We Are Proud Of provements during Christmas Break scrimmages. They open Jan. 4 antine after six days, recent- with a visit from Hobart. The Trojans and Trojanettes head to Seil- Giddey is 56 days younger Wiggins and Isaiah Roby. Thunder was outscored by 19 points when he was on the ly shortened from 10 days. Each Of You On Your than Hornets guard LaMelo Among them, Roby had the ing for the Ward Center Classic Jan. 7-9. The Trojans hit the court Ball was when Ball recorded a most career starts (38) coming floor. Daigneault entered protocols against the host Seiling squad at 1130 a.m. while the Trojanettes Accomplishments! encounter Drummond in a 10:00 a.m. contest Jan. 7. triple-double last season. Here are four more take- into Sunday. The Mavericks got Luka But Maledon, amid a sea- last Tuesday. son of struggles, showed some “We’ve been in constant aways: Doncic back from a 10-game pop against Dallas. We want From to wish youryou a great at friends season! Protocols update absence. He collected three steals of your hardwork contact through this whole time,” Wilks a difficult Angela Murray Gavin Olson Just as the Thunder took Poku gonna Poku and was assertive with the ball. said. and challenging year. Elk City High School Elk City High School Aisia Belote James Musick Elk City High School Elk City High School Good Luck Teams! Have andFun This exciting Year! things! Austin Great Plains Pruitt| 1300 S. 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