Sandites Win East Central Oklahoma Classic, Deke Thompson Named MVP

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The Charles Page High School boys’ basketball team won the East Central Oklahoma Classic last weekend in Ada for its first regular season tournament title since 2019. The Sandites have now won seven games in a row for their longest streak since 2020.

On Thursday the Sandites rolled to an 87-47 win against Hugo (5-9) for their third consecutive victory by 40 points or more with a season-best performance from three-point range, shooting 11-of-24.

Deke Thompson III scored a team-high 25 points with 8 rebounds, followed by Kooper Kelly with a season-high 16, and Kason Evans with 11 points and 9 boards.

On Friday the Sandites had to gut out a 50-46 win against 4A No. 10 McLain (11-3), dealing the Titans their first in-state loss of the season.

Thompson once again led the team, this time with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Blake Johnson scored 14 and Evans added 10.

In Saturday’s finals the Sandites won 51-35 against host 4A No. 7 Ada (9-2), snapping the Cougars’ six-game win streak.

Thompson scored 16 points with 12 rebounds for his second double-double and ninth team-high of the season. Evans scored 15 points and Kelly added 10.

Thompson was named the MVP of the tournament and is averaging 20.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 steals, and 2.1 blocks on the season.

Johnson and Evans were also named to the All-Tournament team. Johnson is averaging 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while Evans is averaging 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds.

The Sandites had their Tuesday night district games U.S. Grant canceled on Tuesday due to weather and are scheduled to return to action Friday at Bartlesville (1-7, 1-4), weather permitting.

Sandite Sports Weekly Roundup: Kelsi Hilton wins Diamond State Tournament

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The Sand Springs girls varsity wrestling team took 25th place at the Inola tournament over the weekend with two medalists. Kelsi Hilton took second place at 130 pounds with three pins while Kreedence Behnke placed sixth at 100.

The junior varsity boys placed 10th at Inola with two medalists. Ayreson Reiss scored two pins and a technical fall in a runner-up performance at 106. Preston Callis was runner-up at 165 with four pins.

Hilton took first place at the Diamond State Lady Invitational over winter break, pinning three opponents for her first regular season title.

Laila Mirza and Madison Chambers placed third, Gracie Young was fourth, and Addilly Shotwell and Kreedence Behnke were sixth in Springdale.

The Keystone Kids crowned seven champions and 10 runners-up at the Bedlam Battle in Stillwater.

Brackton Upton, Maddix Spencer, Bryson Pope, Kasen McAffrey, and Trey Tunnell all won their divisions while Kydon Harness won in two divisions.

Jett Galloway, Na’Kya Canady, Caemon Young, Ryker Dawes, Jayce Parks, Eric Foust, Hudson Waag, Carsten Reiss, Wes Wilson, and Samuel Moore all took second place.

Boys Basketball

The Sand Springs varsity boys (6-3) have already matched last season’s win total with a third-place performance at the East Central Classic in Ada over the weekend.

On Thursday the Sandites won 51-42 against Ardmore (4-7) behind a 13-point performance from Michael Foster and 11 points from Blake Johnson.

They slipped against host Ada (8-3) on Friday, however, in a close 46-43 battle after leading 26-18 at halftime and 34-29 to start the fourth. Kooper Kelly scored 11 to lead the Sandites.

In the placement round Kelly was once against the team leader with 11 points in a 53-45 win over 3A No. 8 Hugo (10-4). Kelly was named to the All-Tournament team.

Girls Basketball

Hailey Jackson became the second player under Josh Berry to join the 1,000 point club at Sand Springs as the Lady Sandites (8-4) placed sixth at the Putnam City Invitational.

The senior star scored 28 in a 50-46 loss to No. 17 Norman North (6-5) on Thursday and added 17 in a 49-34 win over Muskogee (2-6).

In Saturday’s placement match with 4A No. 7 Harding Prep (12-2) Jackson scored 25 and put herself over the 1,000 mark with a third-quarter free throw. The Sandites lost that game 57-47.

Sakauri Wilson scored 13 and Kiaryn Taylor added 12 in the win over Muskogee, and Wilson added 17 against Harding.

Sandite basketball will return to action with conference road games at Union on Tuesday and will host Owasso on Thursday.

Football

Several Sandite football players are receiving college offers. Jacob Blevins, Kyle Morrall, and Ryley Kester have all been recruited by Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Former Sandite offensive line coach Jason Medrano has been hired as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at NWOSU.