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

/

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.

Journey Armstead and Hailey Jackson Keep Winning With No. 1 Hutchinson

/

Journey Armstead posts a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists to lead the No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons 81-62 victory over Cowley on Wednesday in Arkansas City. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information).

ARKANSAS CITY – The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team passed its first test as the No. 1-ranked team in the NJCAA after completing a big road test on Wednesday night.

Paced by five players scoring in double figures – which included Journey Armstead's third career double-double – the top-ranked Blue Dragons pulled away in the middle two quarters for an 81-62 KJCCC victory over the Cowley Tigers at Scott Auditorium.

The Blue Dragons extended the fourth-best start and fifth-longest winning streak in team history to 24-0 overall and 18-0 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons play host to No. 21 Butler at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Armstead, a 2023 Charles Page High School alum, had her third career double-double with 14 points and a career-high-tying 10 assists. She also had a single-game career-high six steals and posted the 21st all-time 10-assist game in Blue Dragon history. She also had 10 assists vs. the Washburn JV and Pratt in 2022-23.

Hailey Jackson, a 2024 CPHS alum, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Despite shooting only 35.0 percent in the opening quarter, the Blue Dragons had three early 3-pointers to spark the offense. Armstead hit a 3-pointer for an early 7-2 lead.

The Blue Dragons started the second quarter on a 13-2 run, holding Cowley without a field goal for the first 3 minutes, 33 seconds of the quarter. The Dragons then went scoreless for 4 minutes, 11 seconds and Cowley cut the Dragon lead to 32-27 with 3:31 to play after a Destiny Yates' 3-pointer. Hutchinson turned the tables on Cowley, holding the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the quarter.

The Dragons outscored Cowley 25-16 in the third quarter. Leading 45-34, Jackson scored off a Cowley turnover, which started a 10-2 Hutchinson run.

Hutchinson led 61-43 after three quarters and maintained its comfortable lead through the final quarter. Cowley drew as close as 17 points twice in the final 10 minutes.

Armstead is averaging 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Jackson is averaging 12.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Both were All-State selections at Sand Springs.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Nine Sandites Sign College LOIs

/

#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.

Oklahoma 6A Week 12 Basketball Rankings

/

Girls

  1. Edmond North (19-1)

  2. Putnam City West (20-1)

  3. Choctaw (21-0)

  4. Edmond Memorial (18-3)

  5. Owasso (17-5)

  6. Sand Springs (15-6)

  7. Putnam City North (17-5)

  8. Bixby (17-5)

  9. Broken Arrow (15-7)

  10. Mustang (16-6)

  11. Edmond Santa Fe (12-8)

  12. Yukon (16-6) +1

  13. Union (13-8) +1

  14. Westmoore (14-7) +1

  15. Norman (13-8) -3

Boys

  1. Union (20-2) +1

  2. Owasso (19-3) +1

  3. Edmond North (17-3) -2

  4. Edmond Deer Creek (17-5)

  5. Moore (15-5)

  6. Edmond Memorial (15-6)

  7. Norman (17-4)

  8. Choctaw (17-4)

  9. Broken Arrow (16-6) +2

  10. Piedmont (16-6) -1

  11. Mustang (13-9) -1

  12. Lawton (13-8) +2

  13. Westmoore (13-8) -1

  14. Sand Springs (14-8) -1

  15. Edmond Santa Fe (12-8)

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

/

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.

Bump and Simone Lead Sandites to Dominant District Wins

/

A season-high from Hope Bump and some freshman firepower from Aaliyah Simone led to a perfect week for the Charles Page High School girls’ basketball team.

No. 6 Sand Springs (14-5, 8-2) won 69-43 against Enid (7-12, 2-7) on Homecoming Tuesday, 77-53 at Putnam City (8-12, 3-6) on Friday, and 51-36 against U.S. Grant (4-14, 0-11) on Saturday.

On Tuesday Sand Springs stormed out to a 22-4 first quarter lead and by halftime they led 43-17, their biggest such margins of the season.

Bump led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Taiona Morris with 11 as the only other Sandite in double digits. Sakauri Wilson and Simone added 9 apiece.

On Friday they had yet another dominant first quarter behind seven steals from Wilson. Morris scored the first three field goals of the game for an 8-1 advantage and by the end of the quarter the visitors were up 19-6.

They worked their lead up to 30-14 before the Pirates went on a 7-0 run to keep it within single digits at halftime.

By halftime Bump and Morris had three fouls apiece. Jordan Gilton fouled out in the third quarter, Morris fouled out early in the fourth, and Wilson fouled out with more than three minutes left to play, but it didn’t slow the visitors down as they still won the second half 47-32.

“It was a different atmosphere for us,” said head coach Josh Berry. “It was kind of a little wild so I’m just proud we got the win and we were able to come out of there unscathed and able to move on.”

Simone scored 12 points in the third quarter alone and ended the night with a career-high 23 points to lead all players, shooting 9-of-14 in the field and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe.

Wilson scored 19 points, Morris had 15, and Bump had 11 points with 9 rebounds in the win.

Against Grant on Saturday the Sandites were able to open the game on an 18-0 run over the first five minutes before the starters were benched and the visitors finally got on the board.

The starting five went back in the game to open the second quarter and worked their lead up to 33-7 before a full swap at the 4:00 mark. The Generals trailed 33-10 at halftime.

“We were just trying to make sure that nobody got hurt, we still do things the right way, and we get a win,” said Berry.

After taking a 28-point lead into the fourth quarter, the second string played out the duration of the game and the Generals whittled it back down to a more respectable 15-point loss.

Simone led all scorers for the second straight game with 20 points.

“She has had a couple of big games and that’s good for her,” said Berry. “I think it’s going to be good for us going forward. We know what the seniors can bring to the group and so now we get some more consistency from everyone else and it just depends on the night and how they’re guarding us on who’s going to have a good night for that night.”

Bump added 10 points to go with 6 rebounds and 5 steals while Tianna Butler had 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Now the winners of four in a row, the Sandites can put themselves in a position to win the district title this next week when they host No. 14 Union (12-7, 7-4) on Tuesday before traveling to No. 4 Edmond Memorial (15-3, 9-1) on Thursday.

Sand Springs was upset by Union 49-47 on the road in their last loss.

“That wasn’t our team that showed up the last time we played them,” said Berry. “If we play our game, I think we’ll be alright. We’re going to be in a dog fight. They’re playing good and it’s for district placement, so anytime you have that, you’ve got to get ready.”