Sandite Baseball Goes 2-1 at Bartlesville Tournament

The Charles Page High School baseball team went 2-1 at the Bartlesville Bruins Classic last week, winning 9-2 against Ponca City (2-12) and 5-2 against Enid (12-9) on Thursday before falling 6-4 to Sapulpa (16-2) on Friday.

Sand Springs out-hit the Wildcats 13 to 6 with Miller Tavaglione (3-1) earning the win on the mound. Tavaglione struck out six while surrendering five hits and six walks in 4 and 1/3 inning. Gatlin Gunn allowed only one hit with one strikeout in 2 and 2/3 innings of relief.

Wyatt Rutledge, Jace Arnold, Eli Buxton, and Alex Dudley recorded two hits apiece. Easton Webb and Sutton Cook had two RBIs each while Buxton and Jackson Stewart had two runs apiece.

Arnold (2-0) got the win against Enid with six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts in six innings on the mound. Rutledge recorded a save with two hits and one strikeout in the seventh.

The Plainsmen scored two runs in the top of the first and led till the fifth. Kayden Campbell got one back after singling in the third and scoring on a passed ball.

Gunn scored on a passed ball in the fifth to tie it, then Campbell, Isaac Sensintaffar, and Rutledge all scored on a passed ball as well. Campbell went 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs.

Campbell (3-1) took the loss to Sapulpa despite surrendering only three hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 4 and 2/3 innings.

Sapulpa scored two in the first but a three-run third inning put the Sandites on top after a bases-loaded walk and RBI singles from Dudley and Gunn.

The Chieftains tied it with a solo homer in the fifth then took the lead on an error and a single. Buxton scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the inning but that would be the last run for the Sandites.

A Monday district trip to Muskogee was canceled due to inclement weather but the Sandites (13-5, 4-2) will host a double-header against the Roughers (5-11, 0-6) Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

Sandites Maul Muskogee 75-59 in Regional Consolation Finals

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For the first time since 2021, the Charles Page High School boys basketball team is headed to the Area playoffs after a 75-59 victory over Muskogee Saturday night at the UMAC.

“It feels great after all the things we’ve been through over the past two years,” said junior forward Blake Johnson.

“We’ve had rough years, maybe not the best talent, but this year we’ve had the talent. We know what we can do. We have coach Savage coaching us hard. We knew we’ve just got to buy in and we can get to where we want.”

The path to Area was even tougher this year thanks to a new postseason format. After beating Southmoore 73-52 on Thursday, in years past the Sandites would have already clinched an Area appearance even though they lost 61-55 to Choctaw in the Regional Championship game on Friday. But this year the OSSAA added a Regional consolation bracket, making the road to State even tougher.

“We’re excited,” said head coach Eric Savage. “We thought all along that we could get to this point and we’ve been striving to take that next step. We’re thrilled to still have the opportunity.”

The No. 13 ranked Sandites (17-9) stormed out to a 17-2 lead against the Roughers (10-16) before Muskogee went on a run of its own and cut it to 22-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Muskogee actually won the second quarter, ending the half on an 11-3 run to make it 34-28 at the buzzer.

“They’re a prideful team,” said Savage. “They kept playing hard and jumping into press and getting up in us. We didn’t adjust to it too well, but we kept our composure and were able to settle down.”

Sand Springs went to its bench early, with 10 different players seeing action in the first half.

“We knew we’d have to go to our bench with the way Muskogee plays you,” said Savage. “Any depth that you can have and support offensively or defensively off the bench this time of year is huge.”

The teams traded blows early in the third quarter but the Sandites finally started to pull away down the stretch, closing on a 10-2 run and never again let Muskogee back within 10 points.

“I thought we really controlled the second half for the most part and didn’t get sped up as much as we did there in the second quarter,” said Savage.

Deke Thompson led all scorers with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 assists. The junior Jenks transfer has been a big part of this year’s success in both the regular season and postseason, averaging 19.2 points per game.

“He’s an overall leader of the team,” said Savage. “He was good driving the ball, passing off, and breaking the press tonight. He’s just a welcome player that’s heightened our level of play.”

Khalil Allen was also consistent force throughout the game for Sand Springs, shooting 7-of-8 for 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half.

Allen, Johnson, and Evans have formed a three-headed monster in the paint this year and combined for 24 points and 15 rebounds against Muskogee.

“Energy matches energy,” said Allen. “We just go out there and go strong.”

“One thing we’re really good at is we coach each other,” added Johnson. “We see each other, we see our mistakes…we sharpen each other.”

Sand Springs opened the postseason with a win over Southmoore (11-13) behind 15 points from Allen, 14 from Kason Evans, 13 from Thompson, and 11 from Kooper Kelly.

In the next game, however, the Sandites couldn’t quite complete the comeback against Choctaw after falling behind by 14 points in the third quarter. Thompson scored 19 points and Allen added 14 in the loss.

Sand Springs will return to action Friday at a time and location to be decided in a rematch with Southmoore. The Sabercats clawed their way to a regional consolation title after winning 88-36 against U.S. Grant and 74-65 against Bixby.

“I’d rather not have to play somebody for the second time in two weeks, but we’re happy to be playing,” said Savage.

CPHS 75 MHS 59

1Q: CPHS 22-12.
2Q: MHS 16-12.
3Q: CPHS 18-11.
4Q: CPHS 23-20.
Free Throws: CPHS 13-of-20, MHS 13-of-20.
Field Goals: CPHS 29-of-55, MHS 20-of-39.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 14, MHS 4.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 17, MHS 8.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 31, MHS 12.
Steals: CPHS 12, MHS 8.
Blocks: CPHS 1, MHS 1.
Fouls: CPHS 18, MHS 22.

Sand Springs Stats

Points: Thompson 23, Kelly 14, Allen 14, Johnson 6, Mitchell 5, Shope 5, Evans 4, K. Smith 3, T. Smith 1.
Offensive Rebounds: Johnson 4, Thompson 3, Allen 3, Evans 2, Mitchell 1, K. Smith 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Johnson 4, Shope 3, Roper 2, Kelly 2, Thompson 2, Allen 1, Evans 1, T. Smith 1, Fueshko 1.
Total Rebounds: Johnson 8, Thompson 5, Allen 4, Evans 3, Shope 3, Roper 2, Kelly 2, Mitchell 1, K. Smith 1, Fueshko 1, T. Smith 1.
Steals: Thompson 3, Roper 2, Mitchell 2, Allen 2, Evans 1, K. Smith 1, Fueshko 1.
Assists: Thompson 5, Roper 2, Allen 2, Fueshko 2, Mitchell 1, Evans 1, Johnson 1.
Blocks: Johnson 1.
Fouls: Evans 4, Roper 3, Allen 2, Thompson 2, K. Smith 2, Johnson 2, Mitchell 1, Kelly 1, Shope 1.

Muskogee Stats

Points: James 16, Thornton 13, Wilkerson 12, Webber 9, #10 5, Payne 2, Harvey 2.
Fouls: Thornton 4, Webber 4, James 4, Payne 3, Wilkerson 3, Beasley 3, Shinault 1.

Sandite Basketball Tips Off Tuesday at Home Against Edmond Memorial

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The Charles Page High School varsity basketball teams will tip off the season Tuesday night at the Ed Dubie Field House in a district double-header against Edmond Memorial.

The varsity girls will play at 6:30 p.m. while the boys will play at 8:00 p.m.

The girls are in their fifth year under head coach Josh Berry, who holds a 68-30 record at Sand Springs and a 166-143 record overall.

The Lady Sandites went 18-9 overall last season and 9-5 in the final year of Frontier Valley Conference play. They ended their season in the Area consolation finals, one round short of the State tournament.

The girls graduated Fayth Walker and All-State selection Hailey Jackson, but return Sakauri Wilson, Taiona Morris, and Kiaryn Taylor, who are all receiving attention from college recruiters. Abigaile Martin, Calla Fueshko, and Patience Pearce are all impactful returners.

The Sandites also picked up a big-time transfer in Hope Bump, a junior star at Claremore who was an All-Conference second-team selection in the Metro Lakes who averaged 18 points and 9 boards last season.

The boys went 10-14 overall and 3-11 in FVC play under head coach Eric Savage, who holds a 123-121 record after ten seasons at Sand Springs and a 428-214 record overall.

The boys graduated Michael Foster, Jax Marshall, Kade Holland, Sam Hayes, and Luke Hooper, but will still return a talented lineup anchored by Alijah Roper, Kooper Kelly, Blake Johnson, and Khalil Allen.

Junior transfer Deke Thompson will be a high-profile addition from Jenks as an All-Conference Honorable Mention last season. Marcus Mitchell, Zane Fueshko, and Colin Shope all return a wealth of experience from last season.

The OSSAA shifted to district play this season, meaning the Sandites will say goodbye to old rivals like Sapulpa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Muskogee, Booker T. Washington, and Jenks. Shockingly, the Highway 97 Rivalry is not on the schedule this season.

Edmond Memorial will be the first district opponent for the Sandites in the new era. The Bulldog boys went 12-11 last season while the girls were 22-5.

The Lady Sandites’ last meeting with the Bulldogs was a 50-46 victory in the Area consolation playoffs in 2021. If the boys have ever played Edmond Memorial, it was before Sandite Pride’s records.

Postseason Preview: Sandites Host Lawton Friday

Charles Page High School is four-for-four in qualifying for the playoffs in the Bobby Klinck era and under the new playoff expansion implemented in 2022, they’ll get to host a first-round game for the second season in a row.

6A-II No. 5 Sand Springs (7-3) is set to host Lawton (3-7) Friday in only their second meeting ever. The first and only meeting was a 5A semifinal playoff game that Lawton won 14-10 in 1987.

The Bracket

The winner of Sand Springs vs. Lawton will advance to play No. 3 Choctaw (7-2), who gets a first-round bye. On the same side of the bracket is No. 8 Tahlequah (3-7) at Putnam City (4-6), with the winner playing No. 1 Stillwater (8-2).

On the other side of the bracket is No. 10 Putnam City North (4-6) at No. 6 Bartlesville (4-6), with the winner playing No. 2 Edmond Deer Creek (8-2), and No. 9 Putnam City West (5-5) at No. 7 Ponca City (5-5), with the winner playing No. 4 Muskogee (8-2).

The Contenders

Stillwater is the defending State Champion, though they’ve spent most of the season at the No. 4 spot after a head coach change and the graduation of many starters resulted in an 0-2 start. Since then, the Pioneers are 8-0 with a statement 30-20 win over Muskogee in the district title game. Last year was their second championship overall and their third finals appearance in the past five years.

Deer Creek is looking for its first State title since 2000 when the Antlers were still 3A. They made the finals in 2021 but were outmatched 63-14 by juggernaut Bixby. Deer Creek started the season 1-2, playing up a division against a trio of 6A-I schools. They closed the season on a 7-0 streak with a signature 25-20 win against Choctaw in Week 6.

Choctaw finished the year with four wins in a row after the close loss at Deer Creek. The Yellowjackets have made the finals in two of the past three years but are still looking for their first title since a Class B championship in 1960. They outscored fellow playoff teams Lawton, Putnam City, and Ponca City by a combined 171 to 39 in the final three games.

Muskogee has returned to its blue blood form the past two years in pursuit of its first title since 1986 and fifth overall. The Roughers are 4-0 in championship games but 0-6 in the semis since their last gold ball and looking to take that next step forward after getting stopped in the semis last year.

Sand Springs is in pursuit of its first State title since 1966 and first finals appearance since 2015. The Sandites have been turned away in the semis twice since then. The Sandites’ only losses this season have come to 6A-I No. 1 Bixby, then-No. 1 Muskogee, and current No. 1 Stillwater.

The Dark Horse

Bartlesville is undoubtedly the best team in the playoffs with a losing record. In three consecutive losses to Stillwater, Muskogee, and Sand Springs, the combined score was only 64 to 54. There was also a season-opening one-point loss to 5A No. 6 Claremore (9-1). The Bruins got back in the win column with a 51-20 domination of Tahlequah to close the regular season.

The Bruins have never made it to a State finals game and they haven’t made it past the quarterfinals since 2015.

The Hopefuls

Ponca City won a first-round playoff game last year for the first time since 1986 and is looking to take another step forward this season. The Wildcats have never won the gold ball and last played for it in 1965.

Tahlequah has qualified for the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons, but they haven’t gotten past the first round since 2020 when they were still 5A. They have never won a State title, falling in the 4A finals in 1989.

Putnam City West is making its first postseason appearance since 2016 and looking for its first win since 1994. The Patriots won their lone title in 1981 in Class 4A and haven’t made it to the finals since then.

Putnam City North won a playoff game as recently as 2020 but missed out on the postseason last year. The Panthers won their only gold ball in 1991 in Class 5A and made their last finals appearance in 2001 in 6A.

Putnam City is looking to win its first playoff game since 2007. The Pirates won three titles in four years from 1974 to 1977 but haven’t made the finals since that 4A run.

Lawton was an early 6A-II power, making finals appearances in 2014 and 2016 after the 6A split. They lost both of those games to Bixby. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2017, however. The Wolverines own two gold balls, last winning a 5A title in 1987.

Undefeated Sandite Freshmen Win Frontier Valley Conference, Beat Sapulpa 42-24

For the third time in the past four years, the Sand Springs Class of 2027 football team has laid claim to a conference championship after wrapping up a 9-0 freshman campaign.

The Sandites ended their junior high careers with a 42-24 rout of Sapulpa in a Highway 97 Rivalry game Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium to secure the Frontier Valley Conference National West League Championship for the second straight year.

“What we’re trying to build here at Sand Springs is a winning culture,” said head coach Thomas Parks.

“With these kids winning these conference championships and the team before them winning the conference championship - when they get into high school, all they’re going to be used to is winning, and that’s a good thing for the varsity Sandites.”

This class of Sandites also won the Indian Nations Football Conference AA Division during their sixth grade year.

“Sixth grade we went all the way undefeated,” said kicker Kaidyn Cowan. “That was a sight to see.”

But in seventh grade the Sandites were split into two separate teams and neither was able to make the postseason after dividing their top players.

“Eighth grade we came back, we were still trying to get used to each other again,” said Cowan. “There wasn’t that much teamwork in it, but we got it done.”

The Sandites went 7-1 last year, losing only to Carver Middle School, with whom they split games and shared the conference title.

This time around, however, they finished alone atop the throne after winning 20-0 against Muskogee, 12-6 at Bartlesville, 14-6 against Booker T. Washington, 26-8 at Sapulpa, 30-6 against Union, 44-22 at Muskogee, 28-0 against Bartlesville, 26-14 at Booker T. Washington, and 42-24 against Sapulpa.

“They’re tough and they’re resilient,” said Parks. “There’s been times where things didn’t go our way but we never got too down, we always came back, we always had an answer.”

“We weren’t going to back down from anybody, no matter who we played. We always showed up and played Sandite football. If we play good Sandite football, it’s good enough to beat anybody we come across.”

In the season finale against Sapulpa the Sandites took an 8-0 lead to open the second quarter on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Dom Forbes to Boston Kissee and a two-point run by Kendell Page.

After Kaden Pope recovered an onside kick for the Sandites, Gabe Harris cashed in a 39-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0, but Sapulpa would soon respond.

After putting together a six-play, 74-yard scoring drive, the Chieftains forced a quick turnover on downs and were driving downfield again with the potential to tie things up. But Gabe Harris had other plans, intercepting Sapulpa for a 74-yard pick six.

“Gabe’s been a really good player for us,” said Parks. “Early in the year he faced a little adversity but he kept showing up, kept working hard, and became a dynamite running back and a dynamite player in our secondary. I love Gabe Harris and everything about him.”

Page converted a two-point run and the Sandites averted the momentum shift, taking a 22-6 lead into the half.

The Sandites opened the second half with an onside kick recovery and cashed in immediately. From an empty backfield with a five-receiver set, Forbes shocked the Sapulpa defense with a 60-yard touchdown draw on the first play from scrimmage.

Sapulpa responded with a 56-yard scoring run of its own on the very next play, but Dawson Jamison stuffed the quarterback draw to prevent the two-point play.

Joseph Farmer returned the ensuing kick 73 yards to set up a two-yard touchdown dive by Page and once again the momentum stayed with the Sandites.

“This year is (Farmer)’s first year in Sand Springs,” said Parks. “He’s been an absolutely amazing addition to this team. He can play offense, he can play defense, return kicks, cover kicks - he does everything. He’s a coach’s dream as a player.”

Page added another two-point run to make it 36-12.

“Kendell didn’t get as many carries as he would probably like,” said Parks, “but whenever he was in there he did his job, he did it right, he ran the ball hard, and there are definitely more carries coming that kid’s way if he keeps showing up and doing what he’s supposed to do and producing the way he did for us.”

The Sandite defense came up big on the ensuing possession with Nikyllien Crisp and Hunter Fields getting a tackle for loss, followed by a tackle for loss and a sack from Grady Harris to back the Chieftains up to fourth-and-23.

“Grady’s the type of kid that shows up every day, does what’s right, does his job,” said Parks. “He’s not looking for the accolades, he’s not looking to get noticed, he just wants to do right by the team. He’s the ultimate team player.”

The Sandites shifted Kissee to quarterback and brought Christian Headley into the backfield late in the third and the two methodically worked their way downfield for a two-yard touchdown run by Headley for the final Sandite points of the game.

Sapulpa added a 45-yard touchdown pass on their next drive but Charles Palmer sacked the Chieftain quarterback on the two-point attempt. The Chieftains ended the game with a 73-yard hook-and-ladder for a touchdown as time expired.

Forbes ended the game 2-of-5 passing for 62 yards and had five carries for 78 yards and two total touchdowns.

Pope had two receptions for 45 yards, Gabe Harris had four carries for 62 yards, and Kissee had four carries for 62 yards to go with his 56 receiving yards.

“Boston Kissee is another one of those players that’s a coach’s dream,” said Forbes. “He can play offense, he can play defense, he plays on both of our special teams, he comes to every meeting, he shows up and works hard. I never have to worry if Boston Kissee is doing the right thing. When he gets in at quarterback I have complete trust that our offense is not going to take a step back at all.”

Defensively the Sandites were led by Grady Harris with seven tackles while Caiden Ruhland and Crisp had three apiece.

After the game Cowan gave one last postgame speech to his team reminding them of the bond they forged over the past several years.

“We’re closer than brothers, closer than best friends, closer than anything,” said Cowan, who expects big things from his teammates in the coming years.

“I just hope it’s going to be great and we can get some more championships.”

Junior High Runners Shine at Frontier Valley Conference Championship

The Sand Springs cross country program wrapped up the regular season Tuesday in Muskogee with the Frontier Valley Conference Championship.

The varsity boys placed ninth out of ten teams, led by Rafi Huff with a 5K time of 19:02 for 37th place out of 62 runners. Rhys Foster led the JV team in 25:12 for 82nd place.

Kelsi Hilton was the lone varsity runner for the girls, finishing the 5K in 22:00 for 24th place out of 54 runners. Blakelee Meeker placed 57th in the JV run in 28:38.

Chloe Grona led the junior high girls with a two-mile time of 12:44 for 4th place out of 117 runners. Josie Grona wasn’t far behind with a time of 13:07 for 9th place.

Cole Higgins led the junior high boys to a 7th place finish, running the two-mile in 11:19 for 6th place out of 119 runners.

The varsity runners will return to action on Saturday, October 21st in North Tulsa. The 6A-East Regional Championship will be held at O’Brien Park near Turley with 6A girls starting the day's events at 9:00 a.m.

Varsity Girls
24th - Kelsi Hilton - 22:00

Junior Varsity Girls
57th - Blakelee Meeker - 28:38

Junior High Girls
4th - Chloe Grona - 12:44
9th - Josie Grona - 13:07
59th - Lexi Boone - 16:17
109th - Vivian Burr - 19:52

Varsity Boys
37th - Rafi Huff - 19:02
41st - Dallas Potter - 19:13
53rd - Anshun Syong - 20:07
57th - Jessen Cox - 21:14
59th - Kordel Hartmann - 21:41
61st - Jaxon Perry - 22:14
62nd - Gavin Corbin - 23:05

Junior Varsity Boys
82nd - Rhys Foster - 25:12
89th - Malachi Waldrup - 26:54

Junior High Boys
6th - Cole Higgins - 11:19
20th - Wyatt Shaw - 12:00
27th - Corbin Wesson - 12:29
44th - Canyon Carnahan - 13:05
76th - Presley Gunnery - 14:21
91st - Daniel Stuckey - 15:07
101st - Brier Hartman - 15:24