November 27, 2023

Sandite Basketball Tips Off Tuesday at Home Against Edmond Memorial

November 27, 2023/ Scott Emigh

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.

November 23, 2023

Holly Kersgieter Surpasses 1,600 Career Points at University of Kansas

November 23, 2023/ Scott Emigh

Charles Page High School 2019 alum Holly Kersgieter is solidifying her place in the history books as super senior at the University of Kansas.

Kersgieter was a Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention after averaging 13.8 points and 6 rebounds last season with a team-best 66 steals.

The Jayhawks are 2-1 on the season, sandwiching a 91-85 loss to Penn State (5-1) with an 88-46 win over Northwestern State (0-4) and a 70-61 win over Kansas City (2-3).

In the season-opener against Northwestern, Kersgieter was 6-of-9 in the field for a team-high 17 points, moving up to No. 10 on KU’s career scoring list. She made five treys to help her team set a new single-game school record with 16 total three-pointers.

In the loss to Penn State she was 9-of-14 for a team-best 24 points, 4 boards, 6 assists, and a steal to reach 1600 career points.

She was 6-of-12 against Kansas City for 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal.

Kansas will return to action at the Cayman Islands Classic on Friday with a 4:00 p.m. game against No. 9 Virginia Tech (3-1), followed by a game against No. 6 UConn (3-1) on Saturday.

Isabella Regalado, also from the class of 2019, wrapped up a four-year playing career last year at Missouri Valley College and is now a graduate assistant at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, an NCAA Division II program in Durant.

The Bison are 4-2 on the season thus far and will kick off league play with their Great American Conference opener against Southern Nazarene on November 30th.

Hailey Jackson (Class of 2023) and Journey Armstead (2022) have Hutchinson Community College off to a 7-0 start on the season, including a conference win.

The Blue Dragons won their season opener 87-56 against Eastern Oklahoma State College (4-3). Jackson had 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists while Armstead was 5-of-5 for 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.

Jackson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double in an 82-43 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (2-4). Armstead had 8 points and 5 boards.

Trailing 26-23 after the first quarter, the Dragons quickly turned things around in a 107-63 rout of Neosho County CC (5-2). Armstead scored 12 points with 6 assists while Jackson had 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Jackson had 13 points and 3 rebounds in a 106-33 decimation of Labette (0-5) while Armstead had 6 points, 6 boards, and 3 steals.

In an 83-65 win over Redlands (4-2), Jackson scored 12 points with 7 rebounds while Armstead had 12 points with 4 rebounds in a win that elevated the Dragons to No. 22 in the NJCAA rankings.

The Dragons’ first big test came in a 72-20 upset of No. 11 Dodge City (7-1), the reigning KJCCC champions. Hutchinson trailed 10 points in the final 3:20 of the game when Armstead led a rally with 8 points over that period.

Armstead scored a season-high 17 points with a career-high 9 rebounds, along with 4 assists and 2 steals. Jackson had 8 points and 7 rebounds.

In their most recent game, the No. 15 Blue Dragons won 80-54 against Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa (1-7). Armstead was 6-of-8 for a team-high 14 points and 4 assists. Jackson had her second double-double of the season, going 8-for-8 at the free-throw line for 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Hutchinson will return to action on Saturday with a conference home game against Colby Community College (3-3).

November 20, 2023

Sandite Recruiting Report: Kiaryn Taylor Offered by Cleveland Community College

November 20, 2023/ Scott Emigh

5’10” senior small forward Kiaryn Taylor announced on social media Monday that she had received an offer to play collegiate basketball at Cleveland Community College.

CCC is an NJCAA program in Shelby, North Carolina. The Yetis are a first-year program led by Scooter Lawrence, who previously coached the Shelby High School basketball team to a State Championship and multiple conference titles. Cleveland is 1-2 at press time in its inaugural season.

Taylor also holds offers from Western Texas College, Ranger College, and Lincoln Trail College. She is one of three Lady Sandites with plans to play at the next level.

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

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

On the boys’ side, 6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson recently announced his first college offer on Monday from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The Sandites will kick off the season on Tuesday, November 28th, against Edmond Memorial. The district home games will start with varsity girls at 6:30 p.m. and varsity boys at 8:00 p.m. at the Ed Dubie Field House.

Golf

Senior Mason Ward announced his commitment to Coffeyville Community College on Monday, November 13th.

Softball

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

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds one offer from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

Football

Senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) committed to play at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas on November 10th.

Senior offensive lineman Marcus Sims (6’0”, 265 pounds) has received offers to play at Langston University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Sophomore quarterback Easton Webb (6’3” 175 pounds) is committed to playing baseball at Oklahoma State University, but he recently received a Division I football offer from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

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

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

Senior offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) holds one college offer from Hendrix.

Senior linebacker Owen Floyd (6’0” 190 pounds) has earned two offers this season from Hendrix and Oklahoma Wildcats Prep.

Senior running back Kenneth Page (6’0” 190 pounds) holds one offer from Northwestern Oklahoma State.

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

Baseball

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

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.

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

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.

November 15, 2023

Sandite Recruiting Report: Ward Commits to Coffeyville, Hughes Offered by Wesleyan

November 15, 2023/ Scott Emigh

Charles Page High School senior Mason Ward committed to playing golf at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas on Monday.

“After a great talk with Coach (Conner) Murrell, I have decided to continue my academic and golf career at Coffeyville Community College,” tweeted Ward.

“I want to first thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank my family for always believing in me and pushing me to be the best player I can be. I also want to thank Dale Kinser for always helping and supporting me my whole life. Thank you John Thurber for supporting me and help reminding me I have the best caddie and teammate I could possible have (Jesus).”

“Thank you to Grammy for always watching and supporting when you can. Thank you to Uncle Mike for always teaching me and guiding me in the right direction in life and in golf. Thank you to my coach Matt Webb for always reminding me to keep a good attitude no matter what happens. And lastly I want to thank everyone who has supported me and followed me throughout my golfing career.”

“Time to get to work. Grind doesn’t stop here.”

The Coffeyville Ravens compete in the NJCAA and the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. They are led by fourth-year head coach Conner Murrell. Coffeyville finished in 10th place at the NJCAA Central District Tournament last season with one National Championship qualifier.

Ward led the Sandites in four different tournaments last season.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes announced on X Tuesday that she has received her first college offer from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

Hughes was an All-District selection this past season as the Lady Sandites went 19-15 overall and finished as Regional Runners-Up. She went 12-7 in the circle, finishing the year with two perfect games, 115 strikeouts, and a 2.89 ERA.

Wesleyan is an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference out of Bartlesville. The Eagles had a program win record of 39-12 last season under third-year head coach Shawn Woods, finishing second in the KCAC tournament.

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

Basketball

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

5’7” senior guard Taiona “Yonnie” Morris recently announced her commitment to play at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

5’10” senior small forward Kiaryn Taylor holds three offers from Western Texas College, Ranger College, and Lincoln Trail College.

6’4” junior guard Deke Thompson recently announced his first college offer on Monday from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.