December 31, 2022 Issue, Page 6 of 8

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Sports 6 - The Elk City News December 31, 2022 Sooners’ receiver Drake OKC Thunder: Huge fourth Stoops to return for sixth and final season quarter leads Thunder to win Jesse Crittenden, The Norman Transcript It’s also a year that I'll never get back ifI don’t over Spurs choose to use it. It's a great opportunit ORLANDO, Flo. — Drake Stoops hadn't said Getting on the field Clemente Almanza Sports It was the final game of a the court and was escorted anything definitive about his future after this ‘The Sooners flew out to Orlando on Dec. 24 Writer, Muskogee Phoenix seven-game handstand, and through the tunnels. season. for the Cheez-It Bowl, but they brought four of the win marked the Thunder's Daigneault said the team His future with the team became clear on their 2023 signees with them: running backs OKLAHOMA CITY fourth during this stretch. It will know more about Poku- Monday, though it didn’t come from the red- Kalib Hicks and Chapman McKown, defensive Though both Oklahoma City now heads onto the road to tackle Ashton Sanders and defensive lineman and San Antonio are in the take on the Charlotte Hornets sevski’s lower-leg injury in the shirt senior receiver. It came from his father, Bob Stoops. Derrick LeBlanc. midst of rebuilds, one team on Wednesday, Dec. 29. next few days. ‘The former OU coach confirmed that Drake ‘The four future Sooners participated in the looked to be farther ahead on Here are three other In his absence, Darius Bazley Tuesday. thoughts from the Thunder's and Mike Muscala were given was returning for his sixth and final year of eli- Sooners’ open practice Tuesday, which included It was the Thunder, who 16-point win against the gibility next season while previewing the Soon- going through drills alongside the current play- used a 14-point advantage in Spurs. extended looks. After playing ers’ upcoming Cheez-It Bowl matchup against ers. OU cornerback CJ Coldon said it’s a great the fourth quarter to take a Battle of the young players four total minutes in the last Florida State on his Youtube channel. opportunity for the incoming freshman to gain 130-114 win at Paycom Center. While the Spurs weren't able 13 days, Bazley played 22 min- “He's told the coaches he’s going to return for experience. By the time Shai Gilgeous- to sweep their back-to-back, utes and finished with seven his next year and take his Covid year and work “It’s good for them and good for us, too, be- Alexander checked into the there were some individual points. Muscala also played 21 on some particular things that he feels he can be cause we need guys. We need depth,” Coldon fourth quarter with six min- bright spots for the young ros- better at,” Bob Stoops said during his discussion said. “It’s good for them so they can learn the utes left, the Thunder led by ter. minutes and finished with a with Brad McMullan. “At this point, that’s where system, how practice is before they really get 12 points — a stark contrast Jeremy Sochan, who went season-high 19 points. it’s at. He’s set to play another year.” Drake confirmed Bob’s report during his me- into it... It’s really good for those younger guys to the 95-93 lead the Thunder ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in- jury update dia availability Tuesday, though he joked that he that are here early just to practice and get in a had when he left the floor after draft, finished with 16 points, workout with us.” the third quarter. nine rebounds and four as- Before the game, Daigneault wasn’t even aware that his father has a Youtube Gilgeous-Alexander led the sists. Devin Vassell scored 20 channel. Feeling cheesy points. Keldon Johnson scored provided an update on Robin- way with 28 points on 9-of-14 Once the Sooners accepted the Cheez-It Bowl son-Earl, who's been out with “That’s a funny way to find out,” Drake said. shooting, including 10-of-11 19 points. invitation, OU punter Michael Turk was offered Drake said he hadn’t thought about his future from the free throw line, but “(Gochan) is a versatile play- an ankle sprain since Dec. 12. prior to the regular-season finale at ‘Texas Tech a unique opportunity. the rest of the roster played er,” Thunder coach Dangeault Daigneault said that Robin- last month, instead choosing to focus on the ‘The company signed four athletes participat- well. said. “He’s a guy that has a son-Earl is still a “ways away” present. But he eventually made his decision to ing in the Cheez-It Bowl and the Citrus Bowl toa Thunder rookie Jalen Wil- bright future.” return. name, image and likeness deal. The deal includes liams finished with 15 points, ‘The Spurs showed great from returning and that he is “I didn’t think it would be fair to start think- the opportunity for each athlete to stay in a nine rebounds and three as- poise following head coach still considered day-to-day. ing about what my next move is when we hadn't “cheesy” hotel suite that’s decorated in a Cheez- sists. Tre Mann scored 14 Gregg Popovich’s ejection in Since being out, Robinson-Earl finished the season yet,” Stoops said. “I wanted points while Aaron Wiggins the second quarter. Assistant has been spotted in some prac- to be all-in on that and have my mind focused It theme. added 12, and Josh Giddey fin- coach Brett Brown took over tice sessions putting in light there until I really started thinking about it. I ‘Turk was selected from OU and jumped at the ished with seven points, seven coaching duties for the re- knew I'd have time to talk to everyone I needed chance. rebounds and eight assists. mainder of the game. dribbling work. to talk to.” “The Cheez-It room is awesome,” Turk said. ‘The Thunder were hot Aleksej Pokusevski leaves In 26 games, Robinson-Earl His return next season is huge for the Soon- “['m thankful that I got it. It’s a good stay. Ev- from outside, shooting 13- with an injury is averaging 8.5 points, five re- ers. erything is cheesy. It's been fun.” of-24 (54.2 percent) from the In the opening two min- bounds and shooting 38.2 per- ‘This year marked Stoops’ best regular season ‘The only requirement for Turk is to post about 3-point line. They also had a utes, the Thunder's third-year cent from 3 on 2.9 attempts. to date with the Sooners. The former 2018 re- massive advantage at the free forward landed on the floor cruit caught 37 passes for 366 yards and three the room on social media. The OU punter has throw line, finishing 25-of-31 in clear pain and immediately Up next: The Thunder hit the touchdowns, adding eight carries for 48 yards. over 200,000 subscribers on Youtube and has compared to the Spurs’ 12-of- called for a substitution. Poku- road for a game against Char- His 37 receptions ranks second on the team successfully grown his online platform in recent 14, sevski needed help getting off lotte at 7 p.m. Wednesday. heading into Thursday's bowl game. years. His total stats in his four previous seasons? 41 Turk said his favorite thing about the room is catches, 521 yards, four touchdowns. Gabriel makes return to the Cheez-It robe. Stoops became a much bigger part of the of- But ultimately, the redshirt senior is excited fense in his first season under offensive coordi- nator Jeff Lebby, which played a key role in his for the bowl game, which also marks his final Florida in preparation for decision. But he also wanted to help the Soon- collegiate game. ers’ move on from their disappointing 6-6 mark “('m just feeling thankful and feeling blessed in the regular season and improve things in Year and thanking the Lord that he brought me so 2 under head coach Brent Venables. far,” Turk said. “I'm excited to, Lord-willing, fin- Cheez-It Bowl “Coming back in and wanting another year ish strong,” in coach Lebby’s system, playing under coach Venables, stuff like that,” Stoops said on why Up next: The Sooners face off against Flori- he decided to stay. “And then also going out on da State in the Cheez-It Bowl at 4:30 p.m. CT top and attempting that next year. Just leaving ‘Thursday at Camping World Stadium in Orlan- Tarik Masri, The Norman has made an instant impact at in this position. I've learned a better taste in my mouth whenI leave here. do, Florida. Transcript Florida State. a lot this year, just about my- “(He was a) great teammate, self, but also the journey of life Providing comfort and, Supportfor End of Life cholces ‘A chaotic, whirlwind year has led Oklahoma quarter- never doubted his success,” Gabriel said about Tatum on and the ups-and-downs, but Im just grateful for the whole back Dillon Gabriel back to the Monday. “He’s a great player journey because I truly feel Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- same state that he started in. and just a very good football like I've gotten stronger and sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illn ss, such as cancer ‘A year ago, Gabriel was player. He's talented and can learned a lot through this pro- among the biggest names in do a lot of things on the foot- cess. Just to be standing here or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical the transfer portal after fin- ball field.” isa blessing” details and emotional challeng: of caring for a dying loved one. ishing sixth in school history The Sooners (6-6) were ‘The Seminoles’ defense will with 7,223 yards passing in forced to settle for an invita- give Gabriel and the Sooners’ For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: just over two seasons. tion to the Cheez-It Bowl after offense one of their toughest On Monday, Gabriel spoke being left out of the New Year's tests of the season. Carrie Perry, RN/ Admin: trator to the media for the first time Six for just the second time Florida State ranks 13th in since returning to Florida since 2014. the country in total defense, Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care ahead of the Sooners’ bowl Gabriel was an All-Big 12 allowing 307.2 yards per game game against No. 13 Florida honorable mention selection and 4.73 yards per play. State. after finishing in the top three ‘The defense has been partic Some of the most common conditions art “A lot of good memories, in the conference in passing ularly devastating against the Jancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) for one, and also just so good yards, passing touchdowns, pass, where they rank second + End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) © End Stage Amyotrophic weather here in Florida so passing efficiency and yards in the country, allowing 158.9 Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that’s a good time,” Gabriel per attempt. Still, the Sooners’ yards per game. * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HI said about his return. “Like offense struggled with consis- Florida State enters the * End Stage Neurological Di e such as Parkinsoi or Alzheimer’s I said I'm just excited for the tency throughout the regular game on the heels of a five- opportunity and to play in the season and the passing game game winning streak that Cheez-It Bowl against a good was no exception. indudes back-to-back wins carrt FSU team. We're all excited to The Sooners finished sec- without allowing an offensive Perry RN Professional, Passionate be here.” ond in the conference in total touchdown against Miami and ‘Thursday's game will be the offense, but were last in trips Syracuse. Advance, Attentive... first time Gabriel has faced the to the red zone and among the “Really talented,” Gabriel Seminoles, but the redshirt ju- middle of the pack in offensive said about the Seminoles’ de- Our Difference Is Our Care nior will have some familiarity touchdowns scored. fense. “Just a lot of good play- with a few ofthe players on the “T really had no expectations ers and they play very well. I'm other side of the line of scrim- going in other than just trust- pretty familiar with my guy Ta- Have you ever considered becoming mage. ing God and the path that he tum, so good to see him again, a hospice volunteer? Linebacker Tatum Bethune has for me,” Gabriel said about but like I said a lot of talented was Gabriel's teammate at transferring to Oklahoma. guys and they've played really A fulfilling experience in the spirit UCF for three seasons and “('m just super blessed to be well this whole season.” of giving and receiving. Have an awesome shot to share? 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