The Charles Page High School boys’ basketball team will tip off the season Tuesday, November 26th with a non-conference home game against Ponca City. Sand Springs has high expectations following their first back-to-back winning seasons in over a decade, and second-straight 9-5 performance in the loaded Frontier Valley Conference.
After years of being the bottom of the conference, the Sandites have been a no-nonsense contender since the arrival of Head Coach Eric Savage, making it to the Area playoffs five of the past six years, and to the State Tournament in 2018. This year the team will return 64% of its scoring power and 71% of its defense (rebounds/blocks/steals) from last season’s 17-9 unit.
Coaching Staff
Eric Savage coached Tulsa Memorial High School to a 305-93 record in twelve seasons with State Championship titles in 2003, 2008, and 2013, and a Runner-Up finish in 2010. He is 82-71 since taking the reigns in Sand Springs in 2013.
The first team of Sandites coached by Savage won as many games as the previous three years combined. In year two they broke even at 12-12, and in year three they had their first winning season in fifteen years.
Durrell Hawkins is also a Strength and Conditioning Coach and has previously worked as an OSSAA basketball official and Assistant Coach at Wagoner High School.
Justin Kingsley was a Class of 2005 Tulsa Memorial basketball player, and was a sophomore on Coach Savage’s 2003 State Championship team.
Kanyen Cole was a three-year starter at Collinsville, graduating in 2014, and was an All-Conference Second Team selection.
Q&A With Coach Savage
Which players do you expect to be leaders this season?
“We return three starters from last year’s team. Davon Richardson, Josh Minney, and Marlo Fox. I expect those three to lead, with help from Cason Savage, Jaeden Hurd, and Daren Hawkins.”
Which newcomers do you expect to make a difference?
"Jaeden Hurd, Cason Savage, and Daren Hawkins return with valuable experience from last year and will be impact players this year.”
Do you have your starters picked out for Tuesday yet?
“I have a good idea who the starters will be on Tuesday. Released at game time.”
Team strengths and weaknesses?
“Strengths: returning experience, size, and an All-State caliber player in Davon Richardson.
“Weaknesses: need to develop depth throughout the season. Several sophomores will have the opportunity to step in and contribute. We lost a lot of perimeter shooting with Cale (Savage) and Cole (Durkee) graduating. Looking for guys to step up and fill that void.”
In the past two years we’ve gotten over the humps of winning a Regional, and of making it to State. What are your goals and expectations for this season?
“Our ultimate goal is always a return trip to the State Tournament. I have high expectations for this team to build and continue the success of the past couple of years.”
Do you have any particular teams circled on the schedule? Who do you expect to be the toughest in the conference?
“I do not have a particular team circled on the schedule. We focus on the upcoming game, one game at a time. We’re working towards being ready for Ponca City on Nov. 26.
“Our conference is always tough. Even the teams at the bottom of the standings are capable of winning games. Booker T. Washington is the obvious favorite to win the conference. The rest of us will be in a fight to determine placing.”
Last year we split wins with both Sapulpa and Bartlesville in conference action, winning the first meeting and losing the second. What do we need to do to beat good teams twice?
“Beating good teams is hard to do once, even harder multiple times. A lot of factors go into that. Injuries, foul trouble, illness, home or away game, etc. It’s very hard to win on the road even if teams are equal in talent. Look at any college or pro schedule. We go into every game wanting to win, the reality is, you’re not going to win every game unless your team is just superior and it’s still hard. BTW has two high major college players, and another 6’9” D1 recruit and odds are they won’t have an undefeated season. Some of the best teams I’ve coached in 25 years have all lost several games in a season. There’s a lot of good players out there, especially in 6A and the schools we play night in, night out.”
Do you have a particular coaching style/philosophy? How has it developed over your career?
“My style and philosophy is to put my guys in the best position to win games. The style can vary year to year based on the caliber of players you have. I definitely want my teams to be good defensively, to play and compete hard every possession, and to be smart basketball players.”
Who are some of your coaching influences?
“Robert Sprague (retired) was my biggest influence as a coach. One of the best!”
Sprague was Head Coach at Memorial while Savage was an assistant from 1997 to 2001.
What is your life like outside of coaching/teaching? Hobbies, interests, family?
“I enjoy spending time with my wife and family. Being outdoors: on the lake, fishing and hunting.”
Returning Players:
6’3” senior Davon Richardson will anchor the team as he looks to improve on his prior year’s 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. The University of Central Oklahoma-commit started 23 games last year and shot 48.9% on field goals, 29.0% on threes, and 69.2% at the charity stripe. He also had 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.1 blocks with six double-doubles. He led the team in scoring on 15 occasions and had a season-high 26-point performance against Northwest Classen. As a sophomore he put up 44 in a game against Owasso.
5’11” junior Marlo Fox started all 26 games last year and averaged 9.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steal while shooting 44.7% in the field, 25.5% from three-point range, and 67.5% on free throws. He led the team in scoring against Ponca City, and had a career-high 17 against Broken Arrow.
6’4” senior Josh Minney started 25 games for last year’s squad, leading the scoring on two occasions with one double-double. He shot 45.8% in the field, 16.7% from three-point range, and 66.7% at the stripe, averaging 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 block, and 1.4 steals per game. He put up a career-best 23 points against Wichita.
6’6” junior Jaeden Hurd played 26 games and started 3, averaging 5.0 points and 3.3 rebounds with one double-double and one team-high. He shot 59.4% in the field and 58.8% at the stripe, and scored a career-high 18 points against Bixby.
6’0” junior Daren Hawkins played 23 games last year and averaged 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds, with a career-best 11-point performance against Bixby. He shot 37.9% on field goals, 16.7% on threes, and 61.5% on free throws.
6’0” junior Cason Savage played 22 games last year, averaging 1.6 points per game, while shooting 41.7% in the field, 33.3% on threes, and 88.9% on free throws. He scored a career-high 11 points against Bixby. The last of Savage’s three sons, he will have big shoes to fill after his brothers Colt and Cale put up 1697 and 650 career points, respectively.
Other players who could see action are sophomores Costen Brockman, John Keim, Cale Askew, Jason Clark, Trevor Stone, Ryan Shoemaker, and Ethan Oakley.
Q&A With Cason Savage and Davon Richardson
How long have you been playing basketball and what got you started?
Savage: I’ve been playing basketball since second grade. My dad definitely got me started.
Richardson: I’ve been playing basketball since about 2 years old. I always had a basketball in my hand, and my mom got me involved in basketball.
Favorite college/professional player?
Savage: My favorite college player has to be my brother Colt, and my favorite professional player is Lebron James.
Richardson: I don’t have a favorite. I like a lot of players and try to copy some of their game.
Do you play other sports, and if so, which is your favorite?
Savage: I love basketball and baseball equally.
Richardson: I don’t play any other sports, but I like to watch tennis and it is a very fun sport.
What is your favorite basketball memory?
Savage: My favorite basketball memory was when I was a freshman. I had the chance to get on the court and play with my two older brothers!
Richardson: My favorite basketball memory would probably be my highest scoring game.(Richardson scored 44 points against Owasso as a sophomore.)
Any pre-game rituals?
Savage: I always try to get a good nap in and I like to listen to old school music.
Richardson: No pregame rituals besides stay focused for the game.
Which team or tournament are you most excited to play this season?
Savage: I’m excited about the Memorial Tournament because it always brings back good memories.
Richardson: I’m excited to play Sapulpa this year. They are our rivals and it’s always a fun game.
What are some personal goals you have for the season?
Savage: (Did not answer.)
Richardson: Do the best I can for my team, make it to State.
What do you need to improve on from last year?
Savage: I definitely need to improve my shot this year.
Richardson: I would say shooting. I’m a way better shooter than what people saw last year, and I’m looking to show people that this year.
Which of your teammates do you expect to be a star this season?
Savage: Davon is our best player and we look for him to help us have a great year.
Richardson: I think Marlo Fox will have a break out year for us this season because we really need him to step up this year.
Who has been your biggest supporter?
Savage: My biggest supporter has definitely been my family. They have always been there for me.
Richardson: I would say my family.
Do you have any college plans or offers?
Savage: Right now I want to be the best basketball player I can be, but I have plans to pursue baseball for college.
Richardson: Yes, I am committed to UCO – go Broncos!
