Kyle Keener scores 19 in Sandites' 58-54 loss at Bixby

Kyle Keener led all scorers with 19 points Friday night in Bixby. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

BHS 58 CPHS 54

1Q Sand Springs 15-10
2Q Sand Springs 12-9
3Q Bixby 14-13
4Q Bixby 25-14

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Keener 19, Colt Savage 18, Cale Savage 6, Taber 6, Garbey 4, Golightly 1. (Bixby) Homan 18, Waggnor 14, Fiser 13, King 6, Hink 3, York 2, Moore 2.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Keener 7, Garbey 2, Cale Savage 1, Taber 1, Golightly 1, Price 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Colt Savage 7, Keener 4, Taber 4, Garbey 2, Cale Savage 1, Golightly 1, Price 1.
Steals: Wash 3, Keener 1.
Assists: Taber 5, Garbey 2, Keener 1, Cale Savage 1.
Blocks: Keener 2, Colt Savage 1.
Fouls: Keener 5, Taber 3, Wash 2, Price 2, Cale Savage 2, Garbey 2, Colt Savage 1, Golightly 1, Durkee 1.

By: Virgil Noah, Staff Writer

University of Central Oklahoma-signed senior Kyle Keener scored a team-high 19 points and collected 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season in Charles Page High School's attempt to spoil Bixby High School's Senior Night on Friday. The Sandites (11-12 overall, 5-9 conference) led for almost the entirety of the game but were unable to secure the victory and were defeated 58-54 after a late rally. 

The Spartans (11-12, 6-8) raced out to a 7-0 lead in the opening moments of the game getting layups from Sam Hink and Joey Homan, while Tre Waggnor knocked down a three-pointer. The Sandites then closed out the first quarter on a 15-3 scoring run. Keener knocked down a free throw, followed by baskets from Colt Savage and Jacob Garbey. Colt and younger brother Cale Savage both drained threes and Josh Taber got on the board with a layup to close out the opening stanza with the visitors up by five.

The second quarter saw more of the same as the Sandites outscored Bixby 12-9 in the quarter. Keener and Colt combined for all 12 of those points, and the Sandites headed into halftime leading 27-19.

Taber got the second half going with a layup and Waggnor answered with a conventional three-point play. Spartan Senior Forward Will Fiser got things going as well as Homan to score Bixby's last nine straight points in the quarter, while Colt did damage from the field and the charity stripe. Cale sank another triple and Keener scored in the post to send Sand Springs into the final eight minutes of play with a seven point advantage. 

Keener and Homan traded baskets to start the fourth followed by Fiser and Garbey. Homan then scored despite a foul and converted the and-one opportunity. A layup by Staton King trimmed the lead to just two points. Keener would score ten of his team-high 19 points in the fourth, the last of which gave the Sandites a 54-50 advantage. Bixby would hold Sand Springs off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game though, as Waggnor made back-to-back trifectas to seal the win for the Spartans. 

The Sandites will return to action next Friday at 6:30 p.m. when they play No. 9 Yukon (14-6) in the first round of the Norman North Regional playoff.

Union boys win Frontier Valley Conference, Sand Springs girls can clinch at Bixby

CPHS junior Colt Savage leads the conference with 22.4 points-per-game. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Another great season for the Frontier Valley Conference is coming to an end, but it's not quite over yet. While the Union Redskins have the boys' conference title all wrapped up, Owasso still has the potential to snipe it from the Sand Springs girls if the Lady Sandites fail to win at Bixby this Friday. The Sandites previously defeated the Lady Spartans 67-51 in January.

Girls' FVC Standings

No. 3 Sand Springs (19-1, 12-1) defeated Broken Arrow 54-32 and Bartlesville 42-32 last week, then hammered Muskogee 73-40 Tuesday for Senior Night. They will travel to Bixby Friday before hosting a Regional playoff against Stillwater, Broken Arrow, and Union. 

No. 6 Owasso (16-6, 11-2) fell out of first place with a 56-51 loss to Bartlesville, but defeated Bishop Kelley 58-40 and Jenks 49-47. They'll need Sand Springs to lose at Bixby if they want to claim the FVC title now. They will host Union Friday for Senior Night and they will host Jenks, Midwest City, and Ponca City for their Regional.

No. 14 Bartlesville (13-8, 9-3) is still in the running for second place after topping Owasso 56-51 and Bixby 48-30, but no longer have a shot at the title since they fell 42-32 to Sand Springs. The Lady Bruins will play two games against Sapulpa before their Regional at Putnam City West against Sapulpa and Enid.

No. 15 Broken Arrow (12-10, 7-6) split wins last week topping Union 59-54 in overtime, but falling 54-32 to Sand Springs. They were then defeated 35-31 by Sapulpa on Tuesday. They will host Bishop Kelley Friday and will play their Regional at Sand Springs with Stillwater and Union.

No. 17 Union (12-10, 7-6) split wins last week, topping Jenks 68-55, but falling 59-54 to Broken Arrow. This week they defeated Bishop Kelley 73-33 and they'll travel to Owasso Friday before the Sand Springs Regional with Stillwater and Broken Arrow.

No. 19 Sapulpa (10-11, 6-6) split wins last week, topping Bishop Kelley 52-49, but falling 63-50 to Muskogee. They upset Broken Arrow 35-31 Tuesday and have two games left against Bartlesville. Their Regional will be at Putnam City West with Bartlesville and Enid.

Muskogee (9-12, 4-9) split games last week, falling 59-51 to Bixby, but topping Sapulpa 63-50. They fell 73-40 to Sand Springs Tuesday and will host Jenks on Friday. Their Regional will be at Booker T. Washington with Norman North and Bixby.

5A No. 17 Bishop Kelley (6-14, 2-11) fell 52-49 to Sapulpa and 58-40 to Owasso last week and 73-33 to Union on Tuesday. They will travel to Broken Arrow Friday. Their Regional will be at Collinsville with Nathan Hale and Del City.

Bixby (7-15, 2-11) split wins last week, topping Muskogee 59-51, but falling 42-39 to Jenks. They were then defeated 48-30 by Bartlesville on Tuesday and will host Sand Springs on Friday. Their Regional will be at Booker T. Washington with Norman North and Muskogee.

Top Scorers (Points-per-game)

1. Trena Mims (Muskogee) 19.7
2. Terryn Milton (Owasso) 16.4
3. Taylor Malham (Union) 15.7
4. Jalise Smallwood (Broken Arrow) 15.6
5. Maddie Bittle (Bixby) 14.2
6. Jena Williams (Bartlesville) 12.3
7. Haley Meely (Jenks) 11.9
8. Sydney Pennington (Sand Springs) 11.2
9. Gloria Mutiri (Sand Springs) 10.5
10. Kiarra Brooks (Sapulpa) 10.4

Frontier Valley Conference Schedule

2/17 Union at Owasso
2/17 Bishop Kelley at Broken Arrow
2/17 Jenks at Muskogee
2/17 Bartlesville at Sapulpa
2/17 Sand Springs at Bixby
2/20 Sapulpa at Bartlesville

Boys' FVC Standings

No. 1 Union Redskins (22-0, 13-0) officially have the Frontier Valley Conference Championship on lock with only one game left. Last week they hammered Jenks 73-49 and topped Broken Arrow 57-50 in the Tigers' last shot at stealing the title. They destroyed Bishop Kelley 83-49 Tuesday and they will finish the regular season on the road at Owasso. Then will host Ponca City, Muskogee and Owasso for the Regional playoff.

No. 8 Broken Arrow (16-6, 10-3) will have to settle for second place in the conference after defeating Sand Springs 63-57 last week, but falling 57-50 to Union. They beat Sapulpa 64-53 Tuesday and will finish the regular season with Bishop Kelley. They will travel to Booker T. Washington for their Regional playoff against Stillwater, Booker T., and Bixby.

No. 12 Sapulpa (14-6, 8-4) still has a shot at third place in the conference after defeating Bishop Kelley 67-60 last week, but they'll need to beat Bartlesville twice after falling 80-73 to Muskogee and 64-53 to Broken Arrow. They will play back-to-back games against Bartlesville and have to win both to guarantee third place. The Chieftains will travel all the way to Midwest City for their Regional against Bartlesville, Midwest City, and Enid.

No. 10 Muskogee (15-6, 8-5) is still in the running for third place after topping Bixby 68-65 and Sapulpa 80-73 last week, but after a 70-60 loss at Sand Springs, they'll need to beat Jenks on Friday. The Roughers' Regional playoff will be at Union against the Redskins, Ponca City, and Owasso.

No. 15 Owasso (14-8, 7-6) can only hope for fourth at best and they'll have to beat undefeated Union to do so. They topped Jenks 64-48 Tuesday and will host the Redskins on Senior Night. Their Regional will be at Union with Muskogee and Ponca City.

Sand Springs (11-11, 5-8) split wins last week, falling 63-57 to Broken Arrow, but topping Bartlesville 52-51. They then hosted Muskogee for senior night and prevailed 7-60. They will wrap up the regular season at Bixby on Friday. Their Regional will be played at Norman North with Jenks and Yukon.

Bixby (10-12, 5-8) split wins last week, falling 68-65 to Muskogee, but beating Jenks 61-48 and topped Bartlesville 58-54 Tuesday. They will host Sand Springs Friday for Senior Night. Their Regional will be at Booker T. Washington with Broken Arrow and Stillwater.

No. 18 Bartlesville (9-12, 4-8) fell 59-51 to Owasso and 52-51 to Sand Springs last week, then dropped a close 58-54 battle against Bixby this week. They will play Sapulpa twice before traveling to Midwest City for their Regional with Sapulpa and Enid.

5A No. 18 Bishop Kelley (7-14, 3-10) fell 67-60 to Sapulpa and 54-41 to Owasso last week, and were hammered 83-49 by Union on Tuesday. They will travel to Broken Arrow Friday in their regular season finale. Their Regional will be at Del City with Northwest Classen and Durant.

Jenks (3-16, 1-12) fell 73-49 to Union and 61-48 to Bixby last week, and 64-48 to Owasso on Tuesday. They will travel to Muskogee Friday for their regular season finale. Their Regional will be at Norman North with Yukon and Sand Springs.

Top Scorers (Points-per-game)

1. Colt Savage (Sand Springs) 22.4
2. Keenan Balance (Sapulpa) 22.0
3. Brooks Haddock (Muskogee) 20.0
4. Ethan Chargois (Union) 18.4
5. Julian Smith (Sapulpa) 17.5
6. Caleb Huffman (Broken Arrow) 17.4
7. Josh Proctor (Owasso) 16.4
8. Kyle Keener (Sand Springs) 16.2
9. Barron Tanner (Bartlesville) 16.0
10. TyReece Berry (Muskogee) 14.8

Sandites upset No. 10 Muskogee 70-60; Savage scores 26, Keener and Garbey post 15

CPHS senior Kyle Keener posted his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. (Photo: Morgan Miller).

CPHS 70 MHS 60

1Q Sand Springs 15-11
2Q All 10-10
3Q Sand Springs 19-18
4Q Sand Springs 26-21

Free Throws: CPHS 21-of-32. MHS 7-of-11.
Field Goals: CPHS 22-of-41. MHS 24-of-52.
Fouls: CPHS 14, MHS 22.

Scoring: (CPHS) Colt Savage 26, Keener 15, Garbey 15, Taber 8, Price 5, Wash 1. (MHS) Haddock 30, Davis 9, Mims 8, Parks 5, Berry 4, Cherry 4.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Keener 3, Colt Savage 1, Garbey 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Keener 8, Colt Savage 8, Taber 3, Price 2, Garbey 1, Cale Savage 1, Wash 1, Krehbiel 1. 
Steals: Colt Savage 3.
Assists: Taber 5, Keener 2, Colt Savage 1.
Blocks: Keener 3.
Fouls: Keener 4, Taber 4, Colt Savage 3, Cale Savage 1, Price 1, Wash 1.
 

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Muskogee isn't typically a rival for Sand Springs, but after junior standout Brooks Haddock transferred there right before the season began, the No. 10 ranked Roughers (15-6 overall, 8-5 conference) became public enemy number one. The Roughers defeated the Sandites (11-11, 5-8) 47-42 earlier this season, but the Charles Page boys got payback on senior night at the Ed Dubie Field House with a controlling 70-60 performance. The Sandites took the lead midway through the first quarter and never gave it up. 

Haddock led all scorers with thirty points, but junior Colt Savage was right behind him with 26. No other Roughers broke double digits, but Kyle Keener and Jacob Garbey scored fifteen apiece for the Sandites. Keener, a senior signed to the University of Central Oklahoma, pulled in eleven rebounds for his third double-double of the season. 

Haddock entered the court to much bedlam from the student section and dropped a three on the Roughers' second possession, but Josh Taber followed up with a two for the Sandites, then Garbey hit a free throw and Savage sank a three for the 6-3 lead. Haddock and TyReece Berry hit a pair of twos to reclaim the advantage, but it would be the last time the visitors would lead. Matthew Price hit a three for the lead and the Sandites never looked back. By the end of the first quarter the home team had a 15-11 advantage.

The two teams were perfectly matched in the second quarter. Sand Springs led by as much as 25-17 towards the end of the period thanks to baskets from Savage and Taber, but Haddock and Keondre' Davis cut it to 25-21 at halftime.

The third period started out as a three-way shootout between Haddock, Savage, and Keener, who pushed the score to 32-28. Keener scored nine in the third period and the Sandites finished 44-39.

Davis scored the first point of the final stanza on a free throw, but Garbey hit a three pointer, then Keener rebounded and scored two on the next possession to complete his double-double. Haddock scored fourteen points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to save his team. The Roughers entered the double with 3:21 left and the Sandites scored ten points from the charity stripe after that point, with Savage hitting two to end the game with a double-digit victory.

The Sandites will conclude the regular season Friday at Bixby (10-12, 5-8), who they already defeated 76-71 earlier this season. The Roughers will host Jenks (3-16, 1-12) Friday for senior night. Muskogee already handled the Trojans 85-59 earlier this season. 

Sandites upset No. 18 Bartlesville 52-51 behind Keener's 18 points

(Photo: Morgan Miller)

CPHS 52 BHS 51

1Q Bartlesville 19-12
2Q All 22-22
3Q Sand Springs 7-5
4Q Sand Springs 11-5

Scoring: (CPHS) Keener 18, Colt Savage 16, Cale Savage 8, Taber 5, Garbey 3, Wash 2. (BHS) Tanner 21, Gronigan 19, Dina 9, Bilger 2.

(Sand Springs only) 
Offensive Rebounds: Colt Savage 2, Keener 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Colt Savage 6, Keener 4, Price 2, Wash 2, Cale Savage 1.
Assists: Colt Savage 3, Taber 3, Keener 2, Garbey 2, Durkee 1.
Steals: Taber 5, Cale Savage 2, Keener 1, Colt Savage 1.
Blocks: Keener 3, Cale Savage 1, Garbey 1.
Fouls: Colt Savage 4, Keener 2, Taber 2, Cale Savage 1, Garbey 1.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School boys basketball team (10-11 overall, 4-8 conference) isn't ranked, but they probably should be. The polls are closed for the season since the playoff pairings were released last week, but since they were last released the Sandites gave No. 8 Broken Arrow (15-6, 9-3) a run for their money, then topped No. 18 Bartlesville (9-11, 4-7) 52-51 to avenge a pair of losses earlier this season. 

Bartlesvile defeated Sand Springs 53-39 in the season opener and 63-53 at the Coffeyville Interstate Classic. However, the Bruins have lost their last four-straight games, while the Sandites have won three of their last four including 5A No. 18 Bishop Kelley (7-13, 3-9), and only lost by three points at No. 15 Owasso (13-8, 6-6). 

Friday night at the Ed Dubie Field House the Sandites came back from a fourteen-point deficit and outscored the Bruins 18-10 in the second half. The Bruins' Barron Tanner led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Andrew Gronigan with 19, but the Sandites were right behind them led by Kyle Keener with 18 and Colt Savage with 16. Six Sandites got on the scoreboard while only four posted points for Bartlesville.

The Sandites hit back-to-back threes from brothers Cale and Colt Savage to start the game, but Bartlesville scored nine-straight before Keener broke things up with a dunk. Keener is a senior signed with the University of Central Oklahoma for next season. The visiting team continued to rack on the points for a 19-12 advantage to end the quarter. 

The second quarter was a shootout with both teams scoring 22 apiece. Keener scored twelve of those points, Colt Savage added four, and Cale and Jacob Garbey hit threes to cut things to 41-34. The worst the Sandites trailed was 38-24, but they made five of the final six baskets.

Tanner came out of halftime fired up for the Bruins and sank two from the charity stripe before hitting a layup. Colt Savage hit two field goals and two free throws for seven-straight points to close the third quarter 46-41. Josh Taber scored five in the fourth quarter, and the Sandites held their visitors to five points for the second-straight period to clinch the win. 

Sand Springs has two games left in the regular season. They will host No. 10 Muskogee (15-5, 8-4) Tuesday for senior night, then will travel to Bixby (9-12, 4-8) on Friday. The Bruins will host Bixby Tuesday, then will play back-to-back games against No. 12 Sapulpa (14-5, 8-3). 

Sand Springs is currently seventh in conference standings, while Bartlesville is sixth. Undefeated No. 1 Union (21-0, 12-0) has the Frontier Valley title on lock with only two games left. 

CPHS junior Colt Savage scores 1,000th career point at Broken Arrow

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School added another member to its 1000-point club Tuesday night at Broken Arrow High School, as junior Colt Savage scored a game-high 24 points in a close 63-57 loss to the eighth-ranked Tigers. 

SEE RELATED: Savage and Keener combine for 46 in close loss at No. 8 Broken Arrow

The 6'3" uncommitted guard has led his team in sixteen of the nineteen games he's played this season, and is currently averaging 22.42 points-per-game. Not only is he the leading scorer for Sand Springs, he's the leading scorer for the entire Frontier Valley Conference by a 1.2 margin over Sapulpa's Keenan Balance. 

Savage is the elder son of fourth-year Head Coach Eric Savage, previously of Tulsa Memorial. Coach Savage coached the Chargers to three State Championships in twelve seasons and holds a career record of 348-144. Clearly basketball runs in Colt's DNA. 

Colt was the number-two scorer on the team as a freshman, averaging 10.29 points-per-game with a season-best 18 points against the Wichita Defenders. He led his team in six games that year and finished with 247 points. He was second on the team again last year, averaging 14.46 points with a season-best 25 against Nathan Hale. He led the team eight times and finished with 347 points as the Sandites celebrated their first winning season in sixteen years. 

As impressive as those first two years were, he has already dwarfed those performances and is at 426 points, bringing his career total to 1020. He set a new career-high of 34 points against Bixby, then scored 30 against Owasso. He is also averaging 6.6 rebounds per game and has recorded two double-doubles this year.

As a sophomore, Colt was named to the Ardmore Invitational All-Tournament Team, and he was named to the Interstate Classic All-Tournament team the past two years. 

The last Sand Springs player to cross the 1,000 mark was Sydney Pennington, who did so last year as a junior. 

SEE RELATED: Sandite Junior Sydney Pennington scores 1000 career points

Savage and Keener combine for 46 in close loss at No. 8 Broken Arrow

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

BAHS 63 CPHS 57

1Q Broken Arrow 21-16
2Q Broken Arrow 15-5
3Q Sand Springs 16-7
4Q All 20-20

Free Throws: CPHS 15-of-22 BAHS 12-of-24
Field Goals: CPHS 19-of-45 BAHS 21-of-43
Fouls: CPHS 18, BAHS 20

Scoring: (CPHS) Colt Savage 24, Keener 22, Garbey 9, Taber 2. (BAHS) Huffman 14, Dennis 13, Hall 9, Lane 8, Smith 6, Everette 4, Boyer 4, Ensminger 3, Gonzales 2.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Keener 6, Colt Savage 1, Price 1, Garbey 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Keener 8, Colt Savage 2, Price 2, Cale Savage 1, Garbey 1, Golightly 1.
Steals: Keener 3, Taber 1, Cale Savage 1.
Assists: Taber 1.
Blocks: Keener 3. 
Fouls: Price 5, Keener 4, Taber 3, Colt Savage 2, Garbey 2, Wash 1, Golightly 1.

Sand Springs won the second half, but they couldn't win the war. No. 8 ranked Broken Arrow (15-5) hosted the unranked Sandites (9-11) Tuesday afternoon, and were nearly caught sleeping. After rolling to a 36-21 halftime advantage, they barely stayed above water in the final stretch.

The Sandites tried to hang tight with their foes throughout the first quarter, but trailed by seven multiple times before a two-point shot from Josh Taber cut it to 21-16 at the end of the period.

Broken Arrow brought the rain to start the second quarter, as Braden Boyer, Camryn Dennis, Cory Lane, and Taylor Gonzales all hit field goals to make it 30-16 before Colt Savage broke the streak with a pair of free throws. Jacob Garbey scored the only other Sandite points of the quarter on a three pointer, and the Tigers took a 36-22 advantage into the locker room.

Whatever Coach Savage said to his boys at halftime worked and they came out to score the first seven points of the second half. Tony Hall regained the double digit lead with a three-pointer, Keener hit a two, Boyer hit a pair from the free throw line, then the Sandites went on another seven-point run. Caleb Huffman hit a pair of free throws to end the quarter, but Sand Springs won the third 16-7.

Huffman started off the final stanza with a three, but Savage scored six-straight to make it 46-43. Huffman posted another three, followed by a pair of free throws from Garbey, then Dennis hit a two. Keener scored five-straight and the Sandites were officially within a point.

Then came the foul war. Keener committed two fouls in a row. Dennis sank both of his. Boyer missed his fortunately, but the Tigers went right back to the line on a foul from Savage. Dennis missed his 1-1, but Huffman rebounded for two. Keener was next to go to the line but missed his second shot, rebounded, and missed the field goal.

Dennis hit a layup on the next possession, then Taber sent Major Smith to the line for two.

With 48.6 left, Savage scored a layup to cut it to 59-53, then Keener blocked a shot on the Tigers' corresponding possession and returned it for two. Price fouled Smith, who made one, then Huffman rebounded the second and sent it to Lane for a bucket.

By this point both teams were in the double and Huffman was next to the line and made one. Savage rebounded the second, but it was too late in the game, and his deep three fell short and the home team prevailed 63-57 after tying 20-20 in the fourth.

Savage led all scorers with 26, followed by Keener with 22. Keener's 22 tied his career-high, and he also pulled in 14 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Huffman and Dennis were the only Tigers in double digits, but nine players got on the board for Broken Arrow, as compared to four for Sand Springs.

The Sandites will return to action Friday when they host No. 18 Bartlesville (9-9), who has already beaten them 53-39 and 63-53 this season. The Tigers will host No. 1 Union (20-0), who defeated them 60-56 in December.