Sandite Wrestling Opens Season with Double-Header Beatdowns of Glenpool & Skiatook

Kase Skaggs had the signature win of the night, defeating a returning State Finalist. (Photo by Scott Emigh).

The Charles Page High School boys’ wrestling team opened the dual season with a bang Thursday night in Skiatook, dominating 5A No. 15 Glenpool 72-0 and 4A No. 13 Skiatook 73-6.

The Sandites didn’t lose a single match, with Skiatook’s only points coming on a forfeit at 106 in the second dual of the night.

“Those are traditionally good wrestling teams,” said head coach Ty Bowling. “We thought it’d be good to start the season off against some traditional wrestling powers, so it was a good start for us.”

Sand Springs opened the season against Glenpool (1-3), Bowling’s former program.

106 was double forfeited, then Ayreson Reiss received a forfeit at 113. The next six matches were all decided by fall.

Kase Skaggs pinned Talan Williamson in 1:45, Jaxon Grigsby pinned Kamm Hart in 1:21, Matthew Moore pinned his foe in 2:27, Jayden Pait pinned Jacoby Constant in 1:52, Jesse Moore pinned Tyler Kent in 0:46, and Preston Reyna pinned Michael Lohr in 2:27.

Brody Ensten won a 13-2 major decision against Liam Saville, and Zander Grigsby had the biggest win of the night in 7-1 decision over returning State qualifier Trent Cole.

Jaxon Trotter won a 17-0 technical fall, Peyton Callis pinned Kaden Witzel in 0:45, Ali McCoy pinned Landon Pangle in 1:17, and Mason Harris pinned his opponent in 0:47 to complete the shutout.

The victory marked the second shutout and fourth 70-point margin of victory in the Ty Bowling era.

In the second dual the Sandites trailed 6-0 after forfeiting at 106, but Reiss tied it up immediately with a pin of Andrew Havens in 2:07.

The top victory of the night went to Skaggs at 120 with a 5-3 decision over returning State finalist Jagen Jones.

Jaxon Grigsby pinned Caleb Thompson in 0:43, Matthew Moore pinned Dominick King in 2:06, Pait pinned Landon Dodd in 0:28, and Jesse Moore pinned Maddox Tucker in 0:53.

Reyna got an 8-0 major decision against Ian Long, then the Sandites won the final six consecutive matches by fall to end the night.

Ensten pinned Johnny Leonard in 0:52, Zander Grigsby pinned Luke Sutton in 2:30, Hudson Sheppard pinned Eli Sutton in 1:00, Callis pinned Isaac Sherril in 0:43, McCoy pinned State qualifier Jackson Bailey in 4:53, and Harris pinned State qualifier Biggs Havens in 4:01.

The Sandites appear to have a loaded roster this season after returning 12 out of 14 starters from last year with some talented underclassmen vying for mat time.

“Guys are battling to make the lineup,” said Bowling. “We’ve got State qualifiers that are right now on the outside looking in.”

Next up on the dual schedule is a bout with 5A No. 5 Claremore (3-1) Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at Clyde Boyd Middle School.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Southwestern College Offers Sims & Smith

Tyler smith (#72) and Marcus Sims (#55) were both offered by Southwestern College. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Two Charles Page High School senior offensive linemen announced Saturday that they had received offers to play football at Southwestern College.

Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) and Marcus Sims (6’0”, 265 pounds) both announced their offers within five minutes of each other.

Southwestern is located in Winfield, Kansas and is an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

The Moundbuilders went 8-3 this past season under ninth-year head coach Brad Griffin.

Sims also holds offers from Langston University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University while Smith has been offered by McPherson College and Hendrix College.

Senior DE Dallas Elifrits (6’1”, 230 pounds) also announced an offer over the weekend, from McPherson College.

McPherson is another NAIA program competing in the KCAC. The Bulldogs went 5-6 this year under fifth-year head coach Jeremiah Fiscus.

Elifrits also holds an offer from Bethel College.

Ten total Sandites have received offers to play football at the next level.

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

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 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 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.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Coffeyville Community College.

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

Baseball

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

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.

Girls Basketball

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

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.

Boys Basketball

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

Golf

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

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.

Lady Sandites Place 2nd at Bishop Kelley Invitational, Morris & Wilson Make All-Tournament Team

View fullsize

Yonnie Morris and Josh Berry with the Bishop Kelley Runner-Up trophy.

In a rematch of last year’s Bishop Kelley Invitational finals, this year it was No. 8 Owasso (5-1) that came out on top, defeating No. 7 Sand Springs 49-31 to dethrone the reigning champs.

“You’ve got to take your hats off to them,” said head coach Josh Berry. “They played well, they executed. We didn’t execute as well at times, but that’s kind of what happens when you have to change some stuff on the fly.”

The Sandites bullied their way to the finals with wins of 58-24 against Edison Prep (1-4) and 50-33 against Bishop Kelley (2-3), but lost Kiaryn Taylor to a knee injury against the Comets. She will go in for an MRI Monday to find out of the extent of the damage.

“We’ve just got to play a different style of basketball and what that may look like, we don’t know yet,” said Berry. “We’ve just got to find the best five that will give us a chance to win.”

Aaliyah Simone got her first start in Taylor’s absence and finished with 8 points, second only to Taiona “Yonnie” Morris’s 10 points.

Freshman Jordan Gilton was also called up for her first varsity action to provide some size in the paint.

“This was her first varsity game,” said Berry. “I think she gave us some really good energy, she provided some good physicality and a great attitude tonight.”

Sand Springs hung tough with the Rams throughout most of the game before suffering a fourth-quarter shutout.

Although they never once led in the game, they only trailed 14-11 after a deep buzzer-beater three from Simone to end the first quarter. Morris added another late three to end the half in a 26-23 deficit.

Sand Springs only trailed 38-31 to enter the fourth quarter but went 0-for-9 on field goals in the deciding stanza.

“We didn’t make as many shots as we have in the past,” said Berry. “The ball didn’t fall for us tonight and it fell them.”

Sand Springs did a lot of things right.

In their first meeting with the Rams, the Sandites gave up 15 offensive rebounds. On Saturday they only gave up 5. Last week the Rams secured 11 steals, but on Saturday they only had 5. In their first meeting the Sandites gave Owasso 26 free throws, but on Saturday they only gave up 17 opportunities.

Owasso had one big leg up on the Sandites, and that was three-point shooting. Sand Springs was 10-of-25 outside the arc versus Owasso’s 0-for-9 performance in the first game. But in the rematch Sand Springs was 3-of-17 while Owasso was 5-of-10.

Morris and Sakauri Wilson were both named to the All-Tournament team. Morris scored 36 points with 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 13 steals over three games while Wilson had 19 points with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 11 steals over two games after sitting out during the tournament opener.

Oklahoma State softball-commit Jayelle Austin led all scorers with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The teams will get yet another rematch on January 26th in district action but there are many more games to be played before then.

Owasso will host No. 19 Union (5-2, 2-0) in district play on Tuesday while Sand Springs will host Putnam City (4-2, 2-1).

“You don’t take anybody lightly because you never know how the ball’s going to fall,” said Berry. “We’ve got to play our ball. We’ve got to get back to that and see what happens on Tuesday.

Owasso 49 CPHS 31

1Q: Owasso 14-11.
2Q: Tied 12-12.
3Q: Owasso 12-8.
4Q: Owasso 11-0.
Free Throws: Owasso 12-of-17, CPHS 4-of-9.
Field Goals: Owasso 16-of-42, CPHS 12-of-41.
Offensive Rebounds: Owasso 5, CPHS 3.
Defensive Rebounds: Owasso 25, CPHS 12.
Total Rebounds: Owasso 30, CPHS 15.
Steals: Owasso 5, CPHS 8.
Blocks: Owasso 1, CPHS 4.
Fouls: Owasso 10, CPHS 13.

Sand Springs Statistics

Scoring: Morris 10, Simone 8, Ti. Butler 6, Wilson 5, Pearce 2.
Offensive Rebounds: Ti. Butler 2, Pearce 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Morris 3, Ta. Butler 3, Wilson 2, Ti. Butler 1, Pearce 1, Garrison 1, Gilton 1.
Total Rebounds: Morris 3, Ta. Butler 3, Ti. Butler 3, Wilson 2, Pearce 2, Garrison 1, Gilton 1.
Steals: Wilson 4, Ti. Butler 3, Morris 1.
Assists: Wilson 1, Morris 1, Simone 1.
Blocks: Ti. Butler 4.
Fouls: Wilson 4, Pearce 3, Morris 2, Simone 2, Ta. Butler 1, Gilton 1.

Owasso Statistics

Scoring: Austin 18, Stover 9, McGarrah 9, Yokley 6, Hill 4, Wilson 3.
Fouls: Yokley 3, McGarrah 2, Wilson 2, Stover 1, Austin 1, Tease 1.

Lady Sandites Rout Bishop Kelley 50-33 in Tournament Semifinals

Freshman Aaliyah Simone had a breakout performance against Bishop Kelley. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

For the sixth time in the past nine years, the Lady Sandite basketball team (4-1) is headed back to the finals at the Bishop Kelley Invitational, but it came at a cost.

The defending tournament champions defeated the host team 50-33 Friday night, but lost Kiaryn Taylor to a potentially season-ending injury.

“We don’t know the severity of it yet, but anytime you get hurt in your senior season, it’s a tragedy,” said head coach Josh Berry. “We’ve just got to pray for her, hope for the best, and see what happens.”

Fresh off a career-best 23-point performance on Thursday, the uncommitted senior was only just starting to scratch the surface of her potential, and she was a key piece of the Sandites’ State Championship aspirations.

“That means there’s got to be somebody else who steps up,” said Berry. “They’ve got to play harder. She did a lot for us talking and getting everybody in position, so somebody else is going to have to be in that role.”

The starting power forward had 6 points and 4 rebounds when she went down with 5:12 left to play in severe knee pain and had to be carried off the court.

The girls already owned a 44-26 advantage at the time of Taylor’s loss and held on to earn a rematch with No. 8 Owasso (4-1), who dealt Sand Springs its only loss of the season last week.

The Sandites never once trailed in the game, jumping out to a 12-7 first quarter advantage before taking a 25-12 lead into the locker room.

Aaliyah Simone hit her first career field goal from three-point range on an assist from Taylor to open the second quarter and went on to have a breakout game with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals.

“She’s another one that’s a big-time freshman for us,” said Berry. “She’s got a lot of potential, she’s just got to keep getting better day by day. She’s going to help us out now, but she’s going to help us out tremendously down the stretch.”

In the third quarter the Sandites led by as mitch as 36-14 before a late 7-0 run from the Comets kept things interesting. A late trey from Simone gave the visitors a 41-21 lead to enter the fourth.

Sakauri Wilson used Thursday’s mismatch against Edison Prep as a rest and recovery opportunity but returned to the lineup Friday to lead the team with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 steals, and 5 assists.

“She’s always on one-hundred percent whether she’s hurting or not hurting, feeling sick or not feeling sick, so that’s the good thing about her,” said Berry. “You know you’re going to get a hundred every time she steps out there.”

Tiaona Morris also had 14 points for the Sandites to go with 4 steals and 3 assists.

Sand Springs will face off against Owasso Saturday at 7:00 p.m. to defend their last year’s tournament title. It will be a rematch of last year’s 51-49 title game, also against the Rams.

“They’re a good team, well coached, we’ve just got to see if we learned from last Friday,” said Berry. “They’re definitely going to give us everything they can and we’ve got to be able to withstand it and make runs ourselves.”

On Thursday, the Sandites got a pep talk from a Bishop Kelley staff member who has some experience winning titles at Sand Springs.

The Comets’ freshman basketball and varsity golf coach, Linda Garrett, spoke to the Sandites in their locker room following their 58-24 victory.

Garrett was the head coach at Sand Springs in the 1990s and led the Sandites to back-to-back State finals appearances, winning the program’s only gold ball in 1994.

“It was great,” said Berry. “It was just letting them see what a Sandite is from a Sandite coach that’s done it before, that’s been on championship teams.”

“They really like it, they responded well. I think it gave them a little boost of energy.”

Bishop Kelley (2-2) will play No. 15 Mustang (3-2) Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in the third-place match. Mustang fell 47-38 to Owasso in its semifinal.

CPHS 50 BK 33

1Q: CPHS 12-7.
2Q: CPHS 13-5.
3Q: CPHS 16-9.
4Q: BK 12-9.
Free Throws: CPHS 3-of-5, BK 10-of-22.
Field Goals: CPHS 19-of-47, BK 11-of-37.
Offensive Rebounds: CPHS 5, BK 12.
Defensive Rebounds: CPHS 15, BK 16.
Total Rebounds: CPHS 20, BK 28.
Steals: CPHS 17, BK 11.
Blocks: CPHS 1, BK 3.
Fouls: CPHS 17, BK 11.

Sand Springs Statistics

Points: Wilson 14, Morris 14, Simone 9, Ti. Butler 6, Taylor 6, Ta. Butler 1.
Offensive Rebounds: Wilson 1, Morris 1, Taylor 1, Ta. Butler 1, Simone 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Wilson 4, Pearce 3, Taylor 3, Ti. Butler 2, Morris 1, Ta. Butler 1, Simone 1.
Total Rebounds: Wilson 5, Taylor 4, Pearce 3, Morris 2, Ta. Butler 2, Ti. Butler 2, Simone 2.
Steals: Wilson 7, Morris 4, Simone 4, Ti. Butler 2.
Assists: Wilson 5, Morris 3, Taylor 1, Ta. Butler 1, Ti. Butler 1.
Blocks: Taylor 1.
Fouls: Taylor 4, Morris 3, Ta. Butler 3, Simone 2, Pearce 2, Wilson 1, Ti. Butler 1, Crain 1.

Bishop Kelley Statistics

Points: Strandmark 10, Jolin 5, Rabb 5, Blankenship 5, Grisaffe 4, George 2, Weber 1, Dale 1.
Fouls: Grisaffe 3, Weber 3, Evans 2, Jolin 1, Strandmark 1, Rabb 1.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Dallas Elifrits Offered by Bethel College

Dallas Elifrits (left) was recently offered by Bethel College. (Photo by Charity Emigh).

Charles Page High School senior Dallas Elifrits recently announced that he has received his first offer to play college football.

The defensive end was fifth on the team in total tackles this season with 64 and had a team-leading 10 tackles for loss to earn All-District honors following an 8-4 season.

Elifrits was offered by Bethel College, an NAIA program competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Threshers went 6-5 last season under second-year head coach A.B. Stokes.

In addition to Elifrits, nine other Sandites have received offers to play at the next level, including senior lineman/TE Evan Williams (5’10”, 215 pounds) who committed to play at Bethel College on November 10th.

Senior offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Hendrix College.

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 also holds 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 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.

Softball

Junior RHP/IB/OF Addison Hughes holds offers from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Coffeyville Community College.

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

Baseball

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

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.

Girls Basketball

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

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.

Boys Basketball

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

Golf

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

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.

Sandite Recruiting Report: Addison Hughes Offered by Coffeyville Community College

Addison Hughes announced on X Wednesday that she has received her second offer to play softball at the collegiate level.

The junior RHP/IB/OF visited Coffeyville Community College in Kansas and was officially offered by the Ravens.

Coffeyville is an NJCAA program competing in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. The Red Ravens went 6-38 last season under first-year head coach Meredith Smith.

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.

She also holds one offer from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

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

Baseball

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

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.

Football

Senior offensive lineman Tyler “Tank” Smith (5’10” 285 pounds) holds offers from McPherson College and Hendrix College.

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 also holds 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 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.

Girls Basketball

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

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.

Boys Basketball

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

Golf

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

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.