Yonnie Morris Leads Lady Sandites Back to State with 52-39 Upset of Choctaw

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On Friday, the Charles Page High School boys led Southmoore by 15 points early in their game before the Sabercats came back to win it in an Area elimination game.

The girls team nearly fell to the same fate. After surging out to a 16-3 first quarter lead against No. 3 Choctaw (24-2) in the Area consolation finals, the Sandites suffered an even more lopsided second quarter and trailed early in the third before rallying to a 52-39 victory.

“I didn’t want to lose,” said senior Northeastern Oklahoma A&M commit Tiaona “Yonnie Morris. “Everybody hyped up Choctaw. They were undefeated until they played Owasso.”

Things couldn’t have started more perfectly for No. 8 Sand Springs (21-7), who scored on layups from Sakauri Wilson and Morris for a 6-0 lead before a three-pointer from Adison Karaeer cut it in half.

After that lone bucket, the Sandites ended the quarter on a 10-0 run as the Yellowjackets shot 1-of-12 from the field.

“I think early on we did a great job of pressuring them,” said head coach Josh Berry. “We did a great job of talking, communicating, and just being together in one accord.”

Then Choctaw went on a 14-0 run to take a 17-16 advantage at the 4:10 mark of the second quarter.

“Second quarter we didn’t communicate as well,” said Berry. “They got on a run and they hit four or five threes in a row and that’s what kind of team they are. They can do that. Luckily we had some people step up in the second half, make some big shots, make some timely plays for us.”

After leading 21-19 at halftime, Choctaw built its lead to 29-22 on three-pointers from Oklahoma City University commit Brooke Curry and Oklahoma Baptist commit Katelyn Davis.

Then things shifted back to the Sandites, who went on an 11-0 run to end the quarter and would never trail again.

Morris hit back-to-back buckets before freshman Tianna Butler drained a corner three to tie it at 29-29 with 2:47 in the quarter.

Freshman Aaliyah Simone assisted on two buckets off turnovers, stripping a blocked shot and finding Butler for a floater before coming away with a steal that she sent downcourt to Hope Bump.

“I’ve been saying it all year long - those two are special freshmen,” said Berry. “They’re big time.”

Despite being back out front, the Sandites suffered a scare when Wilson went down with an apparent ankle injury on the final play of the third while Sand Springs was only up 33-29.

Wilson limped to the locker room for a moment but soon returned to the floor and was ready to sub back in.

“I never question that girl,” said Berry. “She’s a tough player. She’s been through many injuries many times and she always just gets right back up.”

After a three-pointer from Davis made it 38-34 early in the fourth, Sand Springs went on a 9-0 run and maintained a double-digit margin for the remainder of the game.

Morris led the Sandites with 16 points, followed by Bump with 14 and Wilson with 12. Davis was the only Yellowjacket in double digits with a game-best 17 points on five treys.

Sand Springs has made it to the doorstep of the State tournament four times under Berry and this is the second time they have managed to cross the threshold. The Sandites won an Area title in 2022 but lost in the consolation finals in 2021 and 2023.

“This is a special senior group right here,” said Berry. “They’ve been in this game four straight years, every year they’ve been in school, and we’re 2-2 now.”

“I’m more than happy for these girls. They’ve been through a lot this year - injuries, people come in, come out. It’s just been a hard year for them. I’m just glad that they get to experience this ride.”

“It’s a great feeling,” added Morris. “We really wanted to make it to State last year but we just had some circumstances where we weren’t clicking and it made it hard, but this year we really took practice seriously and Berry emphasized on the communicating and focusing a lot and we just got the job done.”

Among the obstacles for Sand Springs were season-ending injuries of Calla Fueshko, Abigail Martin, and KiAryn Taylor, and a long wait for OSSAA clearance for Bump, a junior Claremore transfer, who didn’t get to play till a month into the season.

“A lot of people did have to step up, especially our two freshmen: Tianna and Aaliyah,” said Morris. “They had to step up and play big roles and we appreciate them for that.”

The State tournament will kick off Wednesday in Norman at the University of Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Center. Times and matchups have yet to be announced. Quarterfinals will be Wednesday, semifinals will be Friday, and the Championship game will be Saturday.

Joining Sand Springs in the State tournament will be No. 1 Edmond North (24-1), No. 2 Putnam City West (24-1), No. 4 Edmond Memorial (22-3), No. 5 Owasso (21-5), No. 6 Putnam City North (20-6), No. 9 Bixby (20-7), and No. 10 Mustang (20-7).

Sand Springs split games with Edmond Memorial and Owasso this season while losing its only meeting with Putnam City North in a close one.

The Sandites are in pursuit of their first State Championship since 1994.

CPHS 52 Choctaw 39

1Q: CPHS 16-3.
2Q: Choctaw 18-3.
3Q: CPHS 14-8.
4Q: CPHS 19-10.
Free Throws: CPHS 12-of-19, Choctaw 3-of-4.
Field Goals: CPHS 18-of-39, Choctaw 14-of-49.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 7, Choctaw 10.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 17, Choctaw 14.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 24, Choctaw 24.
Steals: CPHS 6, Choctaw 1.
Blocks: CPHS 6, Choctaw 2.
Fouls: CPHS 10, Choctaw 14.

Sand Springs Stats

Points: Morris 16, Bump 14, Wilson 12, Ti. Butler 7, Simone 3.
Offensive Rebounds: Bump 3, Wilson 1, Morris 1, Simone 1, Ti. Butler 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Bump 4, Ti. Butler 4, Wilson 3, Morris 3, Simone 3.
Total Rebounds: Bump 7, Ti. Butler 5, Wilson 4, Morris 4, Simone 4.
Steals: Wilson 2, Bump 1, Morris 1, Simone 1, Ti. Butler 1.
Assists: Wilson 3, Simone 2, Morris 1, Ti. Butler 1.
Blocks: Ti. Butler 3, Simone 2, Bump 1.
Fouls: Bump 3, Morris 3, Wilson 2, Simone 2.

Choctaw Stats

Points: Davis 17, Bro. Curry 8, Hawk 4, Karaeer 3, Pruitt 3, Duval 2, Pherigo 2.
Fouls: Davis 4, Bro. Cury 2, Bre Curry 2, Pruitt 2, Karaeer 1, Duval 1, Hawk 1, Pherigo 1.

Lady Sandites Topple Trojans 50-33 in Playoffs, Play Choctaw Saturday

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The No. 8 ranked Charles Page High School girls basketball team (20-7) used a balanced team effort and an explosive second half to take down No. 15 Jenks (15-12) in the first round of the Area consolation playoffs Thursday night in Sapulpa, winning 50-33 in a game they controlled from start to finish.

Sand Springs never once trailed, though the Trojans hung fairly close through the first half, only down 21-17 to start the third and 36-25 entering the fourth.

Back-to-back-to-back three pointers from Taiona Morris, Tianna Butler, and Aaliyah Simone early in the fourth put the game firmly out of reach.

“We made shots,” said head coach Josh Berry. “That third quarter we finally made some shots and made a couple threes, got a couple layups in, so it kind of opened up for them.”

It was the Sandites’ first meeting of the season with their former conference foes and their 20th consecutive victory over the Lady Trojans in a streak dating back to 2013.

The teams traded buckets to a 4-4 tie before a three-pointer from Sakauri Wilson gave Sand Springs the lead for the remainder of the game. Wilson also scored the Sandites’ first two buckets, on putbacks, and had 11 points and 4 rebounds in the first quarter alone.

Sand Springs dominated the boards early on but Jenks boxed out better after the first quarter and the two teams matched up fairly well in that regard.

Sand Springs had the better defense, however, and came away with 11 steals on the night while holding Rice-commit Jill Twiehaus to only 11 points.

“She’s a great talent,” said Berry. “We just wanted to make her work for every single shot that she gets.”

While Wilson was limited offensively in the second half, her teammates stepped up and four different Lady Sandites finished in double digits.

Freshman Tianna Butler had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks while Hope Bump had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals.

“We have multiple people that can score the basketball so that’s a good thing,” said Berry. “Hopefully they all score the ball come Saturday.”

Morris started the night 0-of-9 on first-half field goals but dialed it in for the second half to score 10 points.

“She’s gotten so much better,” said Berry. “She just keeps getting better and better as the year goes on. I just tell her ‘keep playing hard, focus on that part of it, the ball’s going to find the hole eventually.’ She’s too good for it not to find the hole.”

Sand Springs will return to action Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Area consolation finals at Sapulpa against No. 3 Choctaw (24-1), who suffered its first loss of the season 34-31 against No. 5 Owasso (21-5) in the championship game.

“Great team, good coach,” said Berry. “It’s gonna be a battle. You go out there and you fight from start to finish. Whatever happens happens.”

CPHS 50 Jenks 33

1Q: CPHS 14-8.
2Q: Jenks 9-7.
3Q: CPHS 15-8.
4Q: CPHS 14-8.
Free Throws: CPHS 5-of-9, Jenks 6-of-17.
Field Goals: CPHS 19-of-52, Jenks 13-of-42.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 9, Jenks 10.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 14, Jenks 14.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 23, Jenks 24.
Steals: CPHS 11, Jenks 4.
Blocks: CPHS 4, Jenks 6.
Fouls: CPHS 14, Jenks 9.

Sand Springs Statistics

Points: Wilson 16, Ti. Butler 11, Bump 10, Morris 10, Simone 3.
Offensive Rebounds: Wilson 3, Ti. Butler 3, Bump 2, Morris 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Bump 4, Ti. Butler 4, Simone 3, Wilson 2, Morris 1.
Total Rebounds: Ti. Butler 7, Bump 6, Wilson 5, Simone 3, Morris 2.
Steals: Bump 6, Ta. Butler 2, Wilson 2, Simone 1, Ti. Butler 1.
Assists: Bumps 2, Morris 2, Wilson 1, Ti. Butler 1, Ta. Butler 1.
Blocks: Ti. Butler 3, Bump 1.
Fouls: Bump 3, Wilson 3, Simone 3, Ti. Butler 3, Morris 2.

Jenks Statistics

Points: Ifeoma 12, Twiehaus 11, Dodder 4, White 3, Anderson 2, Jones 1.
Fouls: Jones 3, Ifeoma 2, White 1, Dodder 1, Sykes 1, Zhang 1.

Lady Sandites Rout Ponca City in Regional Playoffs, Will Play Broken Arrow Friday

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The No. 6 ranked Charles Page High School girls basketball team (18-6) easily handled its first round playoff game against Ponca City (7-17) Tuesday at the Broken Arrow regional tournament, 45-28.

It was the Sandites’ third win in a row, sixth consecutive win against the Wildcats, and marked the fourth year in a row that the Sandites have won a playoff game.

Southwestern Oklahoma State commit Sakauri Wilson led Sand Springs to victory with her first double-double of the season, scoring 11 points with 10 steals.

“It was just a good job by a senior, stepping up on that end of it, but you’ve got to have a total team effort come Friday and be ready to go,” said head coach Josh Berry.

The first half was total domination as the Sandites held Ponca to a single field goal in each of the first two quarters.

Hope Bump took a steal coast to coast on the Wildcats’ first possession for a 2-0 Sandite lead, though Kyra Allison responded with a bucket of her own and briefly gave Ponca its only lead on a free throw soon after.

A three-pointer from Wilson kicked off a 15-0 run before Kaytum Lively broke up the run. Sand Springs closed on an 8-0 streak to make it 25-5 at the buzzer.

“I thought we actually didn’t play that well,” said Berry. “Defense, we did okay. We didn’t play the way and with the energy that we’re used to playing with. I think if we would have played that way it would have been an even bigger first half for us.”

Ponca’s offense came alive in the third quarter as Allison scored 8 points and the Wildcats trimmed their deficit to 36-19, but Sand Springs got the edge in a wild turnover-ridden fourth quarter.

“They did some things to kind of slow us down,” said Berry. “We’ve got to go back and fix some things and we’ve got to be better come Friday because that’s not going to get the job done.”

“They were able to take advantage of us not being locked in and being in the right defensive positions.”

The Sandites had their biggest lead at 41-19 early in the fourth before running the bench.

Sand Springs will return to action Friday at 3:30 p.m. against host No. 8 Broken Arrow (17-7) who defeated Enid 75-33 in their first round game. The Sandites are in pursuit of their first Regional title since 2022 and eighth overall.

CPHS 45 POHI 28

1Q: CPHS 12-3.
2Q: CPHS 13-2.
3Q: POHI 14-11.
4Q: Tied 9-9.
Free Throws: CPHS 6-of-7, POHI 8-of-12.
Field Goals: CPHS 18-of-52, POHI 10-of-37.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 8, POHI 8.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 18, POHI 20.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 26, POHI 28.
Steals: CPHS 22, POHI 14.
Blocks: CPHS 3, POHI 4.
Fouls: CPHS 11, POHI 12.

Sand Springs Statistics

Points: Wilson 11, Simon 9, Bump 8, Ti. Butler 8, Morris 6, Pearce 2, Ta. Butler 1.
Offensive Rebounds: Bump 2, Wilson 1, Morris 1, Simon 1, Ti. Butler 1, Ta. Butler 1, Pearce 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Morris 5, Bump 4, Simone 3, Ta. Butler 2, Wilson 1, Ti. Butler 1, Pearce 1, Gilton 1.
Total Rebounds: Bump 6, Morris 6, Simone 4, Wilson 2, Ta. Butler 3, Ti. Butler 2, Pearce 2, Crain 1.
Steals: Wilson 10, Bump 3, Morris 3, Simone 2, Ti. Butler 2, Ta. Butler 2.
Assists: Ta. Butler 2, Wilson 2, Bump 1, Morris 1.
Blocks: Ti. Butler 1, Young 1, Gilton 1.
Fouls: Bump 2, Morris 2, Simone 2, Ta. Butler 2, Wilson 1, Young 1, Pearce 1.

Ponca City Statistics

Points: Allison 13, Lively 4, Northcutt 4, Collins 2, Good 2, Miner 2, Pool 1.
Fouls: Allison 3, Collins 2, Good 2, Carlisle 2, Lively 1, Northcutt 1, Miner 1.

Lady Sandites Rout Bartlesville, Will Travel to Broken Arrow for Regionals

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Bartlesville didn’t contest the tip off and didn’t bring any pressure on the opening possession as Sakauri Wilson took the ball down the court and passed it off to Kiaryn Taylor.

The senior Ranger College commit tapped in the easy bucket and immediately burst into tears after making her final appearance in black and gold.

Taylor tore her ACL in a December 8th matchup with Bishop Kelley but got to suit up one last time in Tuesday’s 55-39 Senior Night rout of Bartlesville (11-11) at the Ed Dubie Field House.

It was the regular season finale for both teams, but for the Sandites it was a tune-up game with nothing to win or lose after already clinching the three-seed in the district.

“I think we did a fair job tonight, we kind of executed against the zone,” said head coach Josh Berry. “We’ve got to do a better job of finishing some plays that we’re leaving out there, but we can figure that out going forward and defensively we need to get some things tied up.”

After giving Kennedy Nubel an uncontested basket to tie it at 2-2, the Sandites went on an 8-0 run and ended the first quarter up 22-6.

Bartlesville actually won the second quarter 6-4 after the Sandites only went 2-of-14 from the field, but the lid on the basket was lifted for both teams in the third quarter, which Sand Springs won 15-13.

The Bruins never got back within 11 points of the home team after the first quarter, with Sand Springs taking its biggest lead at 37-17 late in the third.

It was the Sandites’ tenth consecutive win against Bartlesville in a streak dating back to 2018.

Sand Springs is now 17-6 overall for its tenth consecutive regular season with a winning record. The girls went undefeated at home for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

“Great season for the seniors,” said Berry. “The seniors have been a great group for me - they’ve been here four years, been a part of a lot of winning and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Sand Springs celebrated Taylor, Wilson, Taiona Morris, and Patience Pearce in between the boys and girls games. Taylor, Wilson, and Morris will each continue their basketball careers at the next level.

Wilson led all scorers with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 8 assists. Hope Bump added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals while Morris had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Mikka Chambers was the only Bruin in double digits with 10 points.

Last week the No. 6 ranked Lady Sandites went 2-1, falling 59-44 on the road to No. 4 Edmond Memorial (20-3) in Thursday’s district championship game.

The girls previously defeated Memorial 41-33 in the season opener and 58-54 at the Carl Albert tournament, but couldn’t pull off the threepeat despite leading 28-26 at halftime.

Bump scored 12 points in the first half but was held scoreless in the second as the Sandites were outscored 33-16. Wilson also scored 12 and Morris had 9 in the loss.

They bounced back on Friday with a trip to U.S. Grant (4-17) where they easily won 64-25 behind 20 points from Bump, 19 from Morris, and 10 from Tianna Butler.

Sand Springs will return to action Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Broken Arrow Regional against Ponca City (7-16). On the other side of the bracket is No. 9 Broken Arrow (16-7) against Enid (8-14).

Bartlesville will play No. 8 Bixby (17-6) in the first round of the Owasso Regional.

Unlike past years, the loser of the first-round matchups will not be eliminated from the postseason and will instead advance to a Regional consolation bracket.

CPHS 55 BHS 39

1Q: CPHS 22-6.
2Q: BHS 6-4.
3Q: CPHS 15-13.
4Q: Tied 14-14.
Free Throws: CPHS 9-of-12, BHS 9-of-15.
Field Goals: CPHS 21-of-54, BHS 13-of-42.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 9, BHS 7.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 20, BHS 14.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 29, BHS 21.
Steals: CPHS 12, BHS 4.
Blocks: CPHS 3, BHS 2.
Fouls: CPHS 15, BHS 12.

Sand Springs Stats

Points: Wilson 14, Bump 13, Morris 11, Simone 7, Pearce 4, Ti. Butler 4, Taylor 2.
Offensive Rebounds: Bump 3, Morris 2, Ti. Butler 2, Wilson 1, Simone 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Wilson 5, Morris 5, Ti. Butler 5, Bump 2, Crain 2, Pearce 1.
Total Rebounds: Morris 7, Ti. Butler 7, Wilson 6, Bump 5, Crain 2, Pearce 1, Simone 1.
Steals: Bump 4, Wilson 3, Morris 3, Ti. Butler 1, Simone 1.
Assists: Wilson 8, Ti. Butler 1.
Blocks: Bump 1, Pearce 1, Simone 1.
Fouls: Bump 4, Simone 4, Wilson 3, Ti. Butler 2, Morris 1, Ta. Butler 1.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Nine Sandites Sign College LOIs

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#55 Marcus Sims, middle, signed with NWOSU and #2 Kenneth Page, right, was offered by NSU. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Nine seniors from Charles Page High School signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports Wednesday morning at the Ed Dubie Field House on National Signing Day.

For the football team:

Offensive linemen Mason Harris, Marcus Sims, and Marcum Sims and linebacker Keagan Gilman signed to play at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Marcus, a 6’1”, 270-pound guard picked Northwestern over offers from Southwestern College, Langston University, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Marcum (5’11”, 225-pounds) didn’t announce any other offers prior to committing to Northwestern on Tuesday, nor did Harris, a 6’0”, 260-pound center.

Gilman (5’10”, 190 pounds) picked Northwestern over Bethel College. He had 58 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries this season.

Marcus and Gilman were All-District selections this year while Marcum was an All-District Honorable Mention. Harris was an All-District and OCA All-Star selection.

Northwestern is an NCAA Division II program competing in the Great American Conference. The Rangers went 1-10 this year in a rebuilding season under first-year head coach Ronnie Jones.

The assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the program is Jason Medrano, who coached offensive line at Sand Springs for two seasons before joining the Rangers.

The four seniors will be reunited with fellow Sandites Blake Jones, Drake Fain, Kyle Morrall, and Jacob Blevins, who also followed Medrano to Northwestern.

Offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10,” 285 pounds) signed with Hendrix College, a Division III program in Conway, Arkansas.

The Warriors compete in the Southern Athletics Association and went 3-7 last season under 11th-year head coach Buck Buchanan.

Smith was an All-District selection and chose Hendrix over offers from McPherson College and Southwestern College.

Lineman Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) signed to play at Bethel College, an NAIA program in North Newton, Kansas.

The Threshers went 6-5 last season in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Championship under first-year head coach A.B. Stokes.

Several other football players have received offers but have yet to commit or sign.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) holds offers from Oklahoma Baptist University, Hendrix College, Oklahoma Wildcats Prep, and Kansas Wesleyan University.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds two offers from Northeastern State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Senior defensive end Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Bethel College.

Sophomore lineman Ryley Kester (6’4” 270 pounds) holds offers from North Texas, UNLV, Houston, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he also holds a Division I football offer from UNLV.

Sophomore receiver Brock O’Dell (5’10” 170 pounds) holds one college offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Junior receiver Kooper Kelly holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Girls Basketball

5’10” forward KiAryn Taylor signed with Ranger College, an NJCAA program in Ranger, Texas.

Taylor averaged 8.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals over the first five games of the season before tearing her ACL. She chose Ranger College over Cleveland Community College, Western Texas College, and Lincoln Trail College.

The Rangers are 4-19 this season under first-year head coach Mark Morefield.

5’7” guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris signed with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, an NJCAA team in Miami.

Morris is averaging 10.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game this season, leading the team in scoring six times.

5’3” senior guard Sakauri Wilson signed a letter of intent to play at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Wednesday, November 8th.

Boys Golf

Zane Downey signed with Southern Nazarene University, an NCAA Division II program in Bethany, Oklahoma.

The Crimson Storm competes in the Great American Conference, taking third place in the GAC Preview tournament in September and seventh in last year’s GAC Championship in April. They are coached by Derrick Taylor in his 13th year.

Downey was an Academic All-Conference selection last year, placing as high as third at the Muskogee tournament last season.

Mason Ward signed with Coffeyville Community College, an NJCAA program in Kansas. The Red Ravens placed 10th in the KJCCC Championship last season under fourth-year head coach Conner Murrell.

Ward was an Academic All Conference selection in 2022 and an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2023 as a State qualifier. Ward took first place at the Jenks S.L.A.M. event last year.

Baseball

Senior RHP/OF Cole Pearson (6’2” 150 pounds) signed to play at McPherson College next season.

McPherson is an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs went 37-16 overall and 26-7 in conference play last season. The program is led by Chris Dawson in his first year.

Six Sandite baseball players signed letters of intent to play college ball on November 8th.

Senior INF/RHP Jackson Stewart (5’11” 195 pounds) signed with McPherson College.

Senior RF/LHP Kayden Campbell (5’9” 165 pounds) signed with Cowley County Community College.

Senior right-handed pitcher Eli Buxton (6’6” 185 pounds) signed with Arizona State University.

Senior OF/LHP Miller Tavaglione (6’2” 190 pounds) and senior INF/RHP Jace Arnold (6’2” 180 pounds) signed with Allen County Community College.

Senior INF Wyatt Rutledge (6’2” 170 pounds) signed with Northern Oklahoma College at Enid.

Softball

Senior RHP/INF Kelsi Hilton signed an LOI with Southern Nazarene University on November 8th.

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes announced on X this week that she has received an offer to play at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. She also holds offers from East Central University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Coffeyville Community College.

Boys Basketball

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson holds one offer from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Soccer

Two senior soccer players signed LOIs on November 8th.

Senior Ava Watts signed to play Division I soccer at Texas A&M-Commerce.

Senior Kate Webb signed to play at University of the Ozarks.

Coaches, players, and parents can send recruiting updates to sanditepridenews@gmail.com.

Sandites Split With Union: Girls Win 37-33 Behind Wilson's 16 Points

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Although the two meetings between Sand Springs and Union were very similar this year, the end results couldn’t have been more different as the No. 6 ranked Lady Sandites (15-5, 9-2) paid back a January upset with a 37-33 victory over No. 14 Union (12-8, 7-5) Tuesday night at the Ed Dubie Field House.

A dog fight from the very beginning, neither team ever led by more than six points in the defensive battle that was the Sandites’ lowest scoring victory in at least a decade.

“It was great defense on both ends,” said head coach Josh Berry. “We both missed some shots, but that’s what happens. This was a big-time game…both groups gave it all they had and fortunately we came out on top this time.”

Union previously upset the Sandites 49-47 just two weeks ago, but despite that loss, the Sandites still have hopes of a district title if they can knock off No. 4 Edmond Memorial (15-3, 10-1) Thursday on the road.

“They know it’s there, they know what we’ve got to do, they know what kind of challenge it’s going to be to beat somebody like that three times,” said Berry.

Sand Springs previously bested the Bulldogs 41-33 in the season-opener and 58-54 at the Carl Albert tournament in late January.

“It doesn’t matter how many times you play them, you’ve got to play that way every single time,” said Berry. “It’s a new game. We’ll go up there and give it all we’ve got and that’s all we can do.”

In Tuesday’s game the Sandites jumped out to a 4-0 lead on baskets from Aaliyah Simone and Tianna Butler, but Union soon make it 5-4 on a three-pointer from Bella McSwain.

Butler briefly regained the lead for the home team, but Aaliyah Smith scored back-to-back buckets and the visitors stayed out front till the 4:09 mark of the second quarter when Hope Bump tied it at 18-18.

Tianna Butler gave her team another lead with 2:21 in the half but a putback from Smith tied it again and a trio of free throws put the visitors out front till a buzzer-beater three from Tayja Butler made it a 23-23 tie at halftime.

Simone, who scored 43 points over the two previous games, was in foul trouble for most of the game after drawing three in the first half and a fourth early in the third, limiting her scoring to the one bucket that opened the game.

Tianna Butler and Sakauri Wilson put the Sandites up 27-23 before Union went on a 9-0 run late in the third. Tiaona Morris broke that streak and got the Sandites back within a point to open the fourth.

The Sandites ramped up their defense from there, only surrendering a single free throw in the final stanza while Wilson scored six points in a row to close the game.

Wilson ended the night with 16 points, 8 steals, and 6 assists in her 11th time this season leading the team.

“I love her. She’s a special kid and a special talent,” said Berry. “She’s done it on both ends for us, she’s finished games. I’m just excited for her.”

The Lady Sandites will tip off at 6:30 p.m. in Edmond and will also play Friday on the road at U.S. Grant (4-15, 0-12).

The No. 13 ranked boys (13-7, 5-6) suffered a 67-43 loss in their game against No. 2 Union (19-2, 11-1), falling in an early hole that they could never quite claw their way out of.

Although the Sandites never once led, they hung close enough to keep hope alive till late in the game.

After trailing 33-15 at halftime, they went on a 9-2 run to cut it as close as 35-24. After a three-pointer from Deke Thompson, Kason Evans came away with a steal and it felt like momentum was firmly with the Sandites.

Unfortunately, the takeaway was nullified after a technical foul on the Sandites and a pair of Union free throws broke up the momentum.

Sand Springs won the third quarter 17-15 but Union went on a 14-1 run over the middle part of the fourth to put the comeback firmly out of reach.

Thompson led all scorers with 21 points and 5 rebounds in his 12th 20-point game of the season. The junior Jenks transfer is averaging 19.75 points per game this season.

CPHS 37 Union 33 (Girls)

1Q: Union 14-13.
2Q: CPHS 10-9.
3Q: Union 9-6.
4Q: CPHS 8-1.
Free Throws: CPHS 4-of-9, Union 7-of-10.
Field Goals: CPHS 15-of-48, Union 12-of-34.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 5, Union 4.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 13, Union 21.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 18, Union 25.
Steals: CPHS 9, Union 3.
Blocks: CPHS 2, Union 1.
Fouls: CPHS 13, Union 15.

Sand Springs Stats

Points: Wilson 16, Ti. Butler 8, Bump 4, Morris 4, Ta. Butler 3, Simone 2.
Offensive Rebounds: Morris 3, Bump 1, Simone 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Morris 5, Ti. Butler 3, Simone 2, Bump 1, Wilson 1, Gilton 1.
Total Rebounds: Morris 8, Ti. Butler 3, Simone 3, Bump 2, Wilson 1, Gilton 1.
Steals: Wilson 8, Morris 1.
Assists: Wilson 6, Morris 1.
Blocks: Ti. Butler 2.
Fouls: Simone 4, Bump 2, Wilson 2, Gilton 2, Morris 1, Ti. Butler 1, Ta. Butler 1.

Union Stats

Points: A. Smith 10, E. Smith 7, Bettis 6, McSwain 3, Edwards 3, W. Smith 2, Woodard 2.
Fouls: McSwain 4, Woodard 3, Bettis 2, W. Smith 2, E. Smith 2, A. Smith 1, Edwards 1.

Union 67 CPHS 43 (Boys)

1Q: Union 16-9.
2Q: Union 17-6.
3Q: CPHS 17-15.
4Q: Union 19-11.
Free Throws: Union 7-of-13, CPHS 9-of-18.
Field Goals: Union 26-of-51, CPHS 15-of-48.
Offensive Rebounds: Union 10, CPHS 9.
Defensive Rebounds: Union 22, CPHS 13.
Total Rebounds: Union 32, CPHS 22.
Steals: Union 4, CPHS 7.
Blocks: Union 1, CPHS 5.
Fouls: Union 21, CPHS 16.

Sand Springs Stats

Points: Thompson 21, Evans 8, Allen 6, Kelly 5, Roper 2, Johnson 1.
Offensive Rebounds: Evans 3, Thompson 2, Allen 2, Johnson 2.
Defensive Rebounds: Roper 3, Thompson 3, Allen 2, Johnson 2, Evans 2, Fueshko 1.
Total Rebounds: Thompson 5, Evans 5, Allen 4, Johnson 4, Roper 3, Fueshko 1.
Steals: Young 2, Roper 1, Johnson 1, Evans 1, Shope 1, K. Smith 1.
Assists: Kelly 1, Evans 1.
Blocks: Johnson 4, Evans 1.
Fouls: Roper 3, Allen 3, Thompson 2, Johnson 2, Evans 2, Young 2, Kelly 1, Shope 1.

Union Stats

Points: Madrid 15, Fuller 13, Gilyard 13, Gunn 11, Chappelle 6, Chaney-Jones 5, Flemons 2, Ugbah 2.
Fouls: Dorsey 4, Flemons 4, Gunn 3, Madrid 3, Malham 2, Chaney-Jones 2, Gilyard 1, Chappelle 1, Bond 1.