Sandite of the Week: Beau Bratcher

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

This week, Sandite Pride would like to recognize CPHS junior Beau Bratcher as the Sandite of the Week for his outstanding performance at the Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Bratcher has had a stellar season thus-far, taking second at the Perry Tournament of Champions and 9th at the prestigious Kansas City Stampede.

He's undefeated in duals, has an overall record of 20-4 for the season, and is currently ranked #4 in 6A by okwrestle.com

In his opening match at this past weekend's tournament, he defeated #5 Caleb Wise (Broken Arrow) by 6-5 decision, but lost 5-1 in round two to Tuttle's 4A State Runner-Up Brik Filippo. 

Moving to the consolation bracket meant Bratcher had to wrestle twice as many opponents as most of his team mates if he wanted to make it to the 2nd place match.

He quickly pinned Piedmont's Fisher Johnson in 42 seconds, then pinned Juan Centeno of Altus in only 36 seconds. Next to fall was Choctaw's #7 ranked Jeff Spear, who lasted 1:22, followed by Hunter Jump of Lawton MacArthur, who fell in 1:45.

In the Consolation Semi-Finals, Bratcher was pitted against Stillwater's #6 ranked State-Qualifier Tyler Dieringer, whom he defeated 5-1. Earlier that same week, Bratcher defeated Dieringer 5-1 in the dual against Stillwater. 

In the third-place match, Bratcher once again had to wrestle Caleb Wise, and once again he won by a single point, edging him out 2-1.

Securing third place, he got to wrestle the loser of the championship match, Shane Brackup of nationally ranked #3 Blair Academy, and defeated him by 10-2 major decision to claim the title of Geary Invitational Runner-Up.

Bratcher's seven-straight wins is the second-longest win streak of any Sandite this season. Only undefeated Daton Fix has managed to win more than 7-straight.

Daton Fix wins Geary Invitational; Sandites place 5th

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Sandites are at near-full strength and demonstrated so at the oldest wrestling tournament in the country, the 72nd Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament 

The Sandites, ranked #2 in Duals and #3 in tournaments, initially entered the season to much hubbub on the national scene after being ranked #25 in the nation by Flowrestling and #37 by InterMat.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to hold on to those ranking for long due to a less than spectacular performance at the Kansas City Stampede. Not because they don't deserve the rankings, but because they were missing half their starters. The state-title run made by the Sandite football team, which shares many athletes with the wrestling team, left several state qualifiers and other great wrestlers out of shape and battered from the extended time on the gridiron. 

Head wrestling coach Kelly Smith wants to see his team make a state title run of their own, and made the decision to sit out more than half a dozen wrestlers for the first half of the season, to ensure their health down the line--when it counts.

After the winter break, however, Payton Scott, Trace Fleischman, Lane Lettich, and Delvin Jordan are back in action.

Five Sandites placed at the national-caliber event which featured nationally-ranked #3 Blair Academy of New Jersey, nationally-ranked #11 Tuttle, and OK 6A #1 Broken Arrow and #2 Choctaw

106 #8 Riley Weir (13-7) - DNP

  • pinned Dylan Morris (Duncan) in 4:18
  • pinned by #1 Colt Newton (Choctaw) in 1:12
  • pinned by Cale Johnson (Tuttle) in 4:45

113 #7 Michael Ritchey (8-8) - DNP

  • lost to (#2 in 106 5A) Gage Gomez (Altus) 2-0
  • defeated Ty Lutze (Edmond Memorial) 3-0
  • lost to #2 Paxton Rosen (Edmond North) 9-3

120 #6 Blake Sargent (15-7) - 6th Place

  • majored James Emmer (Rio Rancho) 9-1
  • defeated Mitchell Lance (Piedmont) 5-1
  • lost to (#1 in 126) Dalton Duffield (Westmoore) 13-5
  • lost to Mike Madara (Blair Academy) 4-3
  • lost to Montez Robinson (Ark City) 4-2

126 #1 Jack Karstetter (15-6) - 2nd Place

  • teched Dakota Taylor (Ark City) 21-4
  • pinned Connor Harmon (Norman North) in 3:48
  • defeated Jesse Diaz (Tascosa) 9-4
  • defeated Bailer Thomason (Randall) 5-2
  • lost to (#1 in 5A 120) Montorie Bridges (Altus) 3-2

132 #1 (#3 Nationally) Daton Fix (20-0) - 1st Place

  • pinned (#6 in 145) Zach Johnson (Westmoore) in 3:11
  • pinned Dustin Chase (Duncan) in 1:40
  • majored Jake Beeson (Arkansas City) 18-8
  • teched Kyler Gonzales (Rio Rancho) 25-10
  • defeated (#15 Nationally at 126) Requir Van Der Merwe (Blair Academy) 5-3

138 #4 Beau Bratcher (20-4) - 2nd Place

  • defeated #5 Caleb Wise (Broken Arrow) 6-5
  • lost to Brik Filippo (Tuttle) 5-1 
  • pinned Fisher Johnson (Piedmont) in 0:42
  • pinned Juan Centeno (Altus) in 0:36
  • pinned (#7 in 145) Jeff Spear (Choctaw) in 1:22
  • pinned Hunter Jump (Lawton MacArthur) in 1:45
  • defeated #6 Tyler Dieringer (Stillwater) 5-1
  • defeated #5 Caleb Wise (Broken Arrow) 2-1
  • majored Shane Brackup (Blair Academy) 10-2

145 Cody Mathis (5-5) - DNP

  • pinned by #4 Blake Mattioda (Broken Arrow) in 3:48
  • pinned Cameron Dinga (Randall) in 1:44
  • pinned by Samuel Mora (Tascosa) in 4:50

152 #3 Payton Scott (6-2) - 4th Place

  • pinned Austin May (Duncan) in 0:26
  • pinned Taylor Wright (Del City) in 3:29
  • defeated (#1 in 5A 145) Elijah Tanner (Collinsville) 7-6
  • lost to #1 Joseph Messer (Norman North) 3-1
  • defeated Mikey Abuan (Altus) 5-3
  • lost to (#1 in 5A 145) Elijah Tanner (Collinsville) 3-1

160 #4 Zane Basma (12-8) - DNP

  • pinned Corey Webb (Tascosa) in 0:37
  • lost to (#1 in 5A 152) Nick Mahan (Lawton MacArthur) 5-2
  • pinned Jon McGill (Duncan) in 0:47
  • pinned by #1 Chase King (Choctaw) in 2:57

170 #2 Trace Fleischman (3-2) - DNP

  • lost to (#7 Nationally) Brandon Dallavia (Blair Academy) 16-1
  • pinned Ed Chavez (Rio Rancho) in 0:43
  • defeated Cooper Coil (Edmond North) 6-3
  • forfeited to Josh Arnold (Collinsville) 

182 #7 Lane Lettich (3-2) - DNP

  • lost to Matt Lamb (Del City) 8-5
  • pinned Jacob Muench (Geary) in 2:36
  • lost to Jimmy Stillerman (Blair Academy) 7-3

195 #9 Zach Sims (11-11) - DNP

  • pinned Keoni Chandler (Lawton MacArthur) in 1:20
  • defeated Connor Kinnaird (Duncan) 6-3
  • pinned by #3 Kaden Truelove (Mustang) in 1:25
  • defeated #10 Elijah Green (Enid) 7-0
  • lost to Teague Fox (Tuttle) 1-1

220 Delvin Jordan (4-2) - DNP

  • lost to Taven Birdow (Altus) 2-0
  • pinned Raen Rogers (Del City) in 0:47
  • pinned #5 Jon Martinez (Westmoore) in 0:18
  • lost to Nick Mosco (Blair Academy) 5-1

285 Gage Fain (3-9) - DNP

  • lost to #2 Gage Johnson (Norman North) 7-0
  • defeated Hunter Black (Stillwater) 8-5
  • pinned by Brandon Mason (Tuttle) in 2:21


#14 Lady Sandites double Green Country Defenders, 57-28

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sand Springs (6-2) emptied the bench on the Green Country Defenders (14-7) home-school team Friday night. Junior Sydney Pennington led the scoring effort, shooting 7-of-8 on field goals and adding a free throw for a team-leading 15 points. Freshman Holly Kersgieter also doubled with 10 points. 

The Sandites got off to their biggest first quarter lead of the year, scoring the first four baskets of the night before the Defenders finally got on the board with a two pointer from Melanie Williams. Within the first moments of the game, Pennington scored a layup off a steal that she made look far too easy, then scored the next basket on what looked to be an instant replay. Pennington would finish the night with six steals.

 The Lady Sandites turned that 9-2 lead into 24-6 by the end of the first period and started to run the roster in the second. The second quarter was a lot closer, but the home team still maintained a commanding 32-11 half-time lead.

One of the biggest problems of the night was accuracy. The Sandites only made 43% of field goal attempts and 50% of free throws. When you take Pennington's 7-of-8 out of that, however, the girls only connected 34% of the time. 

It's not uncommon for a team to play less than their best against lesser competition, however, and the Lady Sandites' performance was still more than enough to tie their highest-scoring first half of the season. 

The starters returned to action in the third quarter and once more Pennington scored back-to-back layups to kick things off for the home team. Ashley Duncan was next in on the action, sinking a pair of free throws for the Defenders. Duncan led her team with 13 points, shooting 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.

The Defenders managed to match the Sandites' meager 8-point fourth-quarter, but unlike the first time the two teams met this season, the Defenders failed to lead the Sandites' in a single quarter and ultimately fell to the Sandites for the second time this season.

In the season-opener the Lady Sandites registered a 59-39 win over the Defenders. Friday's game marked the Sandites' fourth 20+ point win and biggest point-differential of the season. 

The girls will return to action Tuesday night at #9 Owasso (9-2).

The JV girls won 33-28 bringing their season record to 3-1.

At half-time, the school recognized the accomplishments of the 2010-2011 Lady Sandites who were coached by Bob Banfield and won a Regional Championship.

#2 Sandites dominate defending Dual State Champions 51-10

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The #9 Stillwater Pioneers (3-2) might not be the team they were last year, losing seven state qualifiers, including a state champion. But only a fool would discount one of the most consistent annual powerhouses in the state. 

There's not a single pushover on that team, and not a single Pioneer gave up a major decision or tech fall. 

106 #6 Riley Weir (12-5)  received a forfeit for a 6-0 team lead. 

113 #7 Michael Ritchey (7-6) defeated Matt Norton by 3-0 decision for a 9-0 team lead.

120 #8 Blake Sargent (13-4) received a forfeit for a 15-0 team lead.

126 #6 Jack Karstetter (11-5) was tied 1-1 with #1 State Runner-Up Andrew Neiman but fell 3-1 in a sudden victory takedown in overtime. Sandites lead 15-3.

132 #1 Daton Fix (15-0) pinned Andrew Biggs in 1:05 for a 21-3 team lead.

138 Beau Bratcher (12-3, ranked #3 in 145) defeated #5 state-qualifier Tyler Dieringer by 5-1 decision for a 24-3 team lead. 

145 Cody Mathis (4-3) was defeated 17-8 by #5 Kendon Lee. Sandites lead 24-7.

152 Payton Scott (2-0) defeated #5 Connor Wilcoxen 5-2 for a 27-7 team lead.

160 #3 Zane Basma (10-6) lost 6-0 to #1 state-placer Christian Bahl. Sandites lead 27-10.

170 Trace Fleischman (1-0, #2 in 182) defeated Jase Hoffman 7-1 for a 30-10 team lead.

182 Lane Lettich (2-0, #5 in 160) defeated #5 Jace Brownlee 6-3 for a 33-10 team lead.

195 Zack Sims (8-9) pinned Jakob Ogden in 5:47 for a 39-10 team lead.

220 Delvin Jordan (2-0) pinned Aaron Veselak in 1:12 for a 45-10 team lead.

285 Gage Fain (2-7) pinned Kameron Linsenmeyer (#10 in 220) in 0:56 for a final score of 51-10.

Earlier this week the Sandites (3-0) defeated #10 Ponca City (4-1), losing only one match.

106 Riley Weir won by 3:15 fall

113 Michael Ritchey won 7-5

120 Blake Sargent won 5-2

126 Jack Karstetter won 13-4

132 Daton Fix won by 1:48 fall

138 Beau Bratcher won 6-0

145 Cody Mathis won by 4:55 fall

152 Payton Scott won by 3:00 fall

160 Zane Basma won by 2:32 fall

170 Bryton Beck won 12-0

182 Lane Lettich won 3-1

195 Zack Sims lost 3-1 by sudden victory

220 Delvin Jordan won 3-1

285 Gage Fain won by 2:42 fall

Haddock and Savage combine for 39 in loss to Union

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Photo: Virgil Noah, Staff

It's not often that two players can outscore an entire team, but for much of Tuesday night's home loss to #7 Union, it looked like Brooks Haddock and Colt Savage might just do it. Midway through the third quarter, the #11 Charles Page varsity basketball team held a 42-35 lead over the visiting Redskins--35 of those were scored by the two ferocious sophomores. Two Sandites had tied all nine of Union's scoring players to that point. 

Unfortunately, the pair ran out of scoring steam, and no other Minuteman managed to double--not even the 6'6 junior Kyle Keener who had averaged nearly 12 points per game till that point. 

Credit that to Union.

The brutal outpouring from Haddock and Savage wasn't due to an easy opponent. Far from it. The number two team in Frontier Valley is a major contender for the 6A state title this year, going 2-1 in the recent Tournament of Champions at the Oral Roberts Mabee Center. 

Union got off to an early 7-0 lead before the Sandites rallied to a 13-11 lead that Union tied at 13 just before the buzzer.

Once again the Redskins went on a run, scoring 11 unanswered points before the home team got it back in gear. Only Haddock and Savage scored in the second period, and Union took a narrow 26-24 lead into the half.

Arvionte Nichols tied things up to start the third with a pair of free throws, then Haddock scored ten and Savage added 6 more to take a 42-35 lead.

The Redskins narrowed to 45-43 going into the final period, then opened up the canons, shooting 7 unanswered and doubling the Sandites 14-7 for the win. Sand Springs went down swinging, attempting to rally with a pair of Savage free-throws and a Thompson three-pointer to take the lead back 52-51, but Nile Felton responded with a three of his own and Ethan Charquois went 3-for-3 from the charity stripe to effectively end the game. 

Charquois finished with a team-high 17, joined by Adrian Rodriguez and Mo Garcia in double status. 

Defensively, Nichols and Keener were giants for the Sandites, with Nichols grabbing the most rebounds and Keener connecting for the most blocks. 

This is only Sand Springs's second loss of the season after a 7-0 run came to an end last week at the Ardmore tournament finals where 5A #2 Carl Albert defended their undefeated status. It is their first conference loss, placing them 2-1 in Frontier Valley and third in the standings. 

The dribblers will return to action next Tuesday at #11 Owasso who is currently #1 in conference standings. 

The JV game wasn't nearly the battle that Varsity was. The average Union player had a good 6 inches on the Sandites making rebounds few and far between for the home team. 

Jacob Garbey led the Sandites with 11 points, followed by Caleb Wash with 8.

For the Redskins, Michiah McQuarters lead with 13 with Jordan Flood right behind him shooting 11. 

Sand Springs was neck-and-neck with the Redskins in the second and fourth periods, but Union more than doubled them in the first and third, and held off any rally attempts for a 58-40 final score. 

JV falls to 1-2 for the season and will next see action Friday night at home against the Green Country Defenders at 5PM. 

Sandite of the Week: Colt Savage

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Photo: Morgan Miller, Staff

This week Sandite Pride would like to recognize Colt Savage as the first Sandite of the Week in 2016.

The sophomore hooper averaged more than 18 points per game in the Ardmore Tournament last week, scoring a team high 18 against Greenhill Prep, 16 against 5A #5 Ardmore, and a team-high/career-high 21 points against 5A #2 Carl Albert and was named to the all-tournament team. 

He also scored 19 in last night's loss to #7 Union with a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.

Savage has only failed to double once this season and is second in team scoring for the season with 140 points, averaging  15.5 per game.