CPHS grad Nick Tate wins NAIA National Championship in 100-99 OT upset

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Photo by: Brian Beard, Creative Images Photography

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Charles Page High School Class of 2011 graduate Nick Tate is a basketball National Champion after scoring 14 points for No.4 Mid-American Christian University in a 100-99 overtime nail-biter upset against No.1 Georgetown, Kentucky.

Things never came together for Tate's class in high school. The Sandites went 14-46 over the three years that Tate was at Charles Page, but that didn't stop the talented player from averaging 22.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game his senior year. He was the leading 6A scorer on the East side of the state and made the Frontier Valley All-Conference First Team, Tulsa All-Metro Second Team, and was an honorable mention on the Oklahoma All-State Team. 

In April of 2011, Tate signed to play with Oklahoma Christian University and was one of the top outside shooters in the entire Heartland Conference. He played in 28 games as a true freshman, started two, and averaged 8.6 points per game. He had the second-best shooting percentage on the team at 48.6% and scored a season-high 22 points with 13 rebounds in a win over Crowley's Ridge. He recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a NAIA playoff loss to eventual National Champion Concordia, California. 

His sophomore year he scored 13 points in a single period in a season-opening win over Central Bible College and went on to play in all 31 games and averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds with a 41.9% three-point shooting percentage. He hit a game-winning 18-foot turnaround buzzer-beater jump shot in overtime for a win over Arkansas-Ft. Smith and scored a career-high 23 points in a loss at St. Mary's, Texas, then led his team with 17 points in a win over Spring Arbor, Michigan in the NCCAA Championship quarterfinals in his team's first year in the league. That year he played in his first National Championship Title game, but lost to Shorter, Georgia in overtime. 

In his junior year he started 24 games and increased his scoring average to 14.4 points per game and was the second-leading scorer on the team. From there he transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and redshirted due to NCAA Division II transfer rules. Instead of playing his senior year at SWOSU, he transferred again to Mid-American Christian University for his final year of eligibility.

This season he started 32 games and played in 35 for the Evangels and averaged 26 points and 6.7 rebounds per game to help his team post a 28-9 record. In January he was named the Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week and in February he scored a career-high 33 against Southwestern Christian University.

The Evangels worked their way through the NAIA Division I Championship bracket this past week. Tate scored 10 points against Park and Biola, 3 in the quarterfinals against Cumberlands, 11 in the semis against Campbellsville, and 14 in the Championship game against Georgetown. 

Georgetown led for the entire game, once by as much as 14, till MACU ran 19-5 to tie the game up at 60 with 13:11 left. From there Georgetown was fighting to keep minor leads as the two teams exchanged baskets for the next 11 minutes. 

With 0:21 left, Chris Runnels hit a field goal to force overtime at 82-82. Georgetown hit four from the charity stripe to start the extra period, but MACU responded quickly, taking an 87-86 lead. The two teams exchanged the lead three more times before the Evangels finally won it. Trent Gilbert hit a three from the corner with less than five seconds to play for the Georgetown advantage, but Malcom Mann drove the distance and got off the buzzer-beater with a tenth-second left and the Evangels took home the first NAIA National Title in school history. Not only that, but it was the team's first ever National Title appearance in school history. 

Tate was a valuable piece of the puzzle in his team's Championship game, grabbing 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, in addition to his 14 points. He was also named NAIA Player of the Year. Not a half-bad senior year, if you ask me.

Moore scores 10 runs in bottom of the sixth, but Sandites hold on for 11-10 victory

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Story and photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

If Monday night's 7-6 victory over Moore was the Hollywood classic, Tuesday night's rematch was the action-packed reboot: same story, just far more explosions.

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (8-2) won their fourth-straight game Tuesday night at Moore (2-6), and their second straight against the Lions. Jake Ward (4-0) got the win on the mound and remains undefeated for the season. 

Treyce Tolbert hit a single on a hard ground ball to start the game, but was put out at second on a fielder's choice as Rhett Rutledge took first. Ward flied out to short, but Sandite of the Week Hunter Greathouse and Josh Taber were walked to load the bases. Trevor Tolbert singled to score Rutledge and Joey Montgomery sacrificed to bring in Greathouse for a 2-0 lead. 

Josh Detweiler singled for the Lions but was put out on a double play as Drew White grounded to Ward. Ty Fain was hit by pitch to top the second inning and Tyler McCallie singled. Fain was put out on the next play, however, as Treyce Tolbert reached on a fielder's choice. Rutledge sacrificed to bring in McCallie, but Ward grounded out to short and the Sandites went to field with a 3-0 advantage. They would come right back in soon after, however, as Ward only gave up one walk and no hits in the bottom of the second. 

The slow-rolling Sandite offense added yet another run in the top of the third. Greathouse singled but was put out on a fielder's choice that singled Taber. Trevor Tolbert advanced Taber to third on a sacrifice, and Montgomery doubled to bring the runner home. The bottom of the third fared no better for the host team as Conner Chapman and Masters were put out at first on dropped third strikes and Andrew Brewer flied out to Treyce Tolbert in center field.

In the fourth inning, Treyce Tolbert was walked, Rutledge doubled, and Ward brought Tolbert in on a sacrifice. Rutledge was left stranded. Detweiler singled for the Lions but was put out on a fielder's choice that put White on base. Joe Balak walked and Cooper reached on an error to load the bases. Two would be left stranded, however, as Matt Reeves and Cooper were outed on a double play.

Taber was hit by pitch to start the fifth, Trevor Tolbert struck out swinging, and Montgomery singled and was replaced by Cody Motes on base. Fain sacrificed to score Taber and the Sandites brought a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the inning. Logan Wint was walked, but Chapman and Masters both struck out swinging and Greathouse caught a Brewer fly in foul territory.

Both teams had their biggest offensive outputs in the sixth. McCallie, Treyce Tolbert, and Rutledge all singled to load the bases with no outs. Ward singled to score McCallie, Greathouse doubled to score Tolbert and Rutledge, and Taber singled to score Mack Thompson who was courtesy running for Ward. Trevor Tolbert flied out, Greathouse was put out at home on a fielder's choice as Montgomery reached first, but Taber scored on a passed ball for the 11th and final run of the evening for the Sandites. It would appear the game was all wrapped up and the Sandites had it in the bag.

That's when Moore exploded.

Detweiler doubled and White hit a homerun over the left field fence. Balak doubled and Greathouse relieved Ward on the mound. Cooper walked, Reeves reached first on catcher's interference, and the bases were loaded. Wint was walked to score Balak, Cooper scored on a Chapman single. Masters was walked, Brewer singled to score Alvarado (courtesy running for Reeves), Detweiler singled to score Chapman and Masters, and finally the Sandites found another out as White was struck out looking. The Lions weren't done yet, however. Balak hit yet another double, scoring Brewer. Detweiler and Balak came home on a throw as Cooper reached on error, and just like that it was 11-10 and the home team was putting up the most impressive rally attempt the Sandites had seen this season. 

In the top of the seventh, Jake Terry grounded out, Treyce Tolbert flied out, and Rutledge struck out looking. The Lions needed only two runs to win and they had just scored ten in a single inning. Greathouse saved the game striking out the side in order to hold the Lion rally fruitless for the second night in a row. 

The Sandites will return to action Thursday morning at 11:00 when they take on Hilldale (4-6) in the first round of the Bixby tournament.

 

 

 

Sandites split at Bixby, girls win 2-1, boys fall 2-0

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Story and Photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity soccer teams are on two different paths right now.

The Varsity girls have amassed a 4-1 record this season, shutting out three opponents and mercy-ruling East Central 10-0 in only 23:00. Their only loss is 1-0 to Metro Christian (4-1). The girls rebounded from the Metro Christian loss with a 5-0 shutout of the Enid Pacers (2-1) and a 2-1 victory over the Bixby Lady Spartans (1-2). 

The boys, meanwhile, are sitting a 1-4, with their lone victory coming in a 4-0 shutout of Muskogee (0-4). From there they gave up losses of 4-0 to Metro Christian (4-1), 5-1 to Enid (3-1), and 2-0 to Bixby (1-3). 

The Spartans came into the Tuesday night match winless with losses to Bishop Kelley, Booker T, and Jenks, but finally found the win column with a pair of goals from Daniel Quiroga and Hunter Haugland. 

Like the girls game, the boys went into the second half scoreless on both sides, though it was the Spartans doing most of the pressing. Haugland got a sneaky corner shot halfway through the first half and instead of the keeper, it was Kristian Fairchild with the desperate save. 

Alex Hernandez took a shot with 19:02 left and landed it on top of the net. With 15:42 remaining, a Spartan shot narrowly swung wide and the home team continued the offensive press giving Edgar Soberano a pair of saves including a header with 0:42 left. 

Quiroga got the first goal of the game less than a minute into the second half, sending it into the top right corner for the first lead of the game. Jake Deloache nearly added another point a minute later but landed just a little bit wide. Haugland picked up where Deloache left off, however, and gave his team a 2-0 advantage four minutes later. 

There were a couple of close calls deep in the box at 28:16 from a bouncing ball that ultimately made its way over the goal. Less than a minute later Seth Ryan sent a shot high center. 

Worake Guy missed a pair of shots, one that was completely unguarded and would have been in had it not been a hair high, then another close miss minutes later. Miles Miller and Logan Cherry each took shots of their own but neither came close. 

Andrew Morrison set up Kaleb Brooks with a good look at 8:55 remaining, but the Spartan keeper snagged the save. The Sandites put forth their best offensive effort of the night in the final ten minutes, but were unable to rally despite several shots including an extremely close highball from Morrison. 

Kayla Foster and Kyndal Zicker score 2-1 victory over Bixby Lady Spartans

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Story and photo by: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Varsity girls have amassed a 4-1 record this season, shutting out three opponents and mercy-ruling East Central 10-0 in only 23:00. Their only loss is 1-0 to Metro Christian (4-1). Before Spring break the girls rebounded from the Metro Christian loss with a 5-0 shutout of the Enid Pacers (2-1) and a 2-1 victory over the Bixby Lady Spartans (1-2)

Kayla Foster has been the driving force in the last few games, scoring hat tricks against East Central and Enid. Foster, a senior Missouri University of Science and Technology signee, scored one goal in the Tuesday night victory, and Kyndal Zicker, a junior, scored one as well. 

It was a slow starter at the Bixby High School Soccer Complex. Zicker was deep in the box 4:00 in and actually got past the keeper, but some fancy footwork from a Spartan defender managed to sneak the ball back out to avert the Sandite score.

Kayla Foster took a sweet shot with 14:00 left but the keeper got a fantastic diving save and Sand Springs wouldn’t get another look till the second half. The Lady Spartans had a strong tailwind in their favor and spent the bulk of the first half in Sandite territory, but was unable to capitalize thanks to four great saves by Abigail Banks.

The second half should have been to the Sandites’ favor due to the wind, but it was actually the Lady Spartans who brought the strong offensive press, getting several close looks in the first ten minutes. Ally Spriggs took a hard close shot at the Sandite net that Banks barely deflected but quickly snatched up.

Mia Kitterman took an unguarded shot off an assist from older sister Ashlyn Kitterman that went slightly wide. Ashlyn Kitterman raced the keeper to the ball mere yards from the goal minutes later but was beat out.

11:00 into the half Brooklyn Eardley set up Foster deep in the box but the keeper dove right into the kick for the save. Less than a minute later, however, Foster finally got her shot and the Lady Sandites took the first lead of the game.

The veil over the goals had been lifted and next it was Ashlyn Kitterman finally finding her way into the goal with the game-tying shot seven minutes later. Zicker reclaimed the lead for Sand Springs 1:30 later and the Spartans would spend the next several minutes fighting desperately for a goal. Foster sent a free kick right into the keeper’s arms and the Spartans refused to give the ball back up.

Banks narrowly snagged a shot at the corner by Spriggs at 22:52 and Ashlyn Kitterman sent a hard high shot off the corner just three minutes later. The Spartans got off another pair of shots inside the final 10:00 and Banks got her fifth and sixth saves of the half. The Sandites kept the ball in midfield for the duration and nearly finished 3-1 as Zicker took another shot moments near the buzzer, but the ball went wide and the girls settled for a 2-1 victory and their fourth win of the season. 

 

Ward hits homerun as Sandites hold off 7th inning rally for 7-6 victory over Moore, third-straight win

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Treyce Tolbert bats in Ty Fain with a sacrifice fly.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (7-2) started the season hot with four-straight wins before dropping two at the Best of the West tournament in Phoenix last week. A Monday-night victory over the Moore Lions (2-5) puts them back on track for a new streak, however, marking their third-straight win. 

Offensively the boys batted excellently with sixteen hits including a Mack Thompson double and a Jake Ward homerun, the first of the season for the Sandites. The team struggled on the field, however, giving up eleven walks, four errors, and three passed balls causing four unearned runs. 

Jake Terry is undefeated from the mound this season.

The Lions took an early lead as University of Oklahoma-commit Jake Terry (3-0) walked the first three batters before finally finding his rhythm and striking out two. Andrew Brewer came home on a Joe Balak sacrifice for the first run of the game.

The Sandites tied it back up in the bottom of the first as Josh Taber was walked onto loaded bases, bringing home Treyce Tolbert who was also walked.

In the top of the third the Lions reclaimed the advantage as Josh Detweiler singled to left field, advanced to second as Drew White was hit-by-pitch, and stole third on a passed ball. Casey Cooper hit a sacrifice to Sandite-of-the-Week shortstop Hunter Greathouse who collided with Thompson and allowed Detweiler to take home. Matt Reeves walked soon after, but he and White were stranded as Blake Perry struck out swinging. 

That's when Jake Ward stepped up to bat and sent a homerun over the fence to tie things up again. Greathouse and Taber singled that inning but both were stranded. The top of the fourth ended with no runs, no hits, no errors, and one strikeout and Sand Springs came in for their biggest offensive-output of the game.

Joey Montgomery hit a leadoff single to center field and was replaced on base by Ty Fain. Thompson hit a double, Fain came home on a sacrifice fly by Treyce Tolbert, and Thompson scored on a passed ball. It looked like the inning might come to a close as Rhett Rutledge flew out in foul territory and Ward went to the plate for two strikes. The slugger wasn't done yet, however, and singled to keep the game alive. Greathouse singled on an error, Taber batted in Ward on a right field line and Trevor Tolbert was walked to load the bases. Terry was hit-by-pitch to score Greathouse and Reeves was replaced on the mound by Logan Wint who struck Montgomery with the pitch to score Taber for a 7-2 advantage. Thompson flew out to end the inning with three stranded, but the Sandites had all the runs they needed to hold on to the win.

Jake Ward crosses home plate after hitting the first Sandite homerun of the season.

Detweiler doubled on a Ward fielding error to top the fifth, and came home on a Grayson Kuehl double to the left field fence. Ward, who was four-for-four at the plate, singled in the fifth but was put out at second on a fielder's choice as Greathouse grounded to short.

Terry walked two more in the top of the sixth, struck out one, and gave up two singles that were stranded. Taber, who also had a perfect OBP, singled and stole second, but was caught in a pickle between second and third as Gunnar Phillips singled on a fielder's choice. Trevor Tolbert struck out, Montgomery hit a single, but Thompson flew out to first to bring in the top of the seventh where the Lions would try their best to rally.

Josh Cordell (0-1) relieved Terry on the mound and gave up a single to Balak, walked Cooper and Wint, and struck out Reeves and AJ Moore. Balak came home on a passed ball, Keuhl (running for Cooper) was batted in by Conner Chapman who singled on a Greathouse fielding error, and Tom Alvarado (running for Wint) came in on a Brewer single.

The Lions were down by one with two outs and two on base when Detweiler flew out to Taber in right field and the Sandites secured the win. Sand Springs will travel to Moore for a rematch Tuesday night at 6:00. 

Sandites come from behind for 8-3 victory over Coconino at Best of the West Tournament

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School baseball team (6-2) finished their run at the Best of the West tournament in Phoenix with an 8-3 come from behind victory over Coconino (2-11). The Flagstaff, Arizona team lead 3-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, but the Sandites' bats exploded in the fifth and sixth for three runs in each.

Hunter Greathouse (1-0) got his first win on the mound this season, pitching nine strikeouts and only giving up three hits. 

Coconino took an early lead with a run from Turner Gasperone, who was walked by Greathouse and batted in on a sacrifice by Rylee Snopek in the first inning. Greathouse struck out Marcus Romo and Cristo Tabares, stranding Trevor Bong, who singled.

The Sandites retaliated quickly as Treyce Tolbert and Rhett Rutledge singled and were joined on base by Jake Ward who was struck by the pitch. Joey Montgomery scored Tolbert, but was outed with Ward in a double play groundball scoop from Gasperone at short to Damien Kern at second to Snopek at first. Greathouse grounded out to second and the Panthers came in to bat tied up at 1-1.

Coconino grounded out two and Greathouse struck out Luke Nelson to bring the Sandites back in with no hits, no runs, and no errors, but they were unable to capitalize on a Josh Taber single as he was caught stealing second. Trevor Tolbert struck out looking and Jake Terry grounded out to third to bring the inning to a close.

Gasperone singled again for the Panthers, but was left stranded on second as Greathouse struck out the final two batters. The Sandites then stranded Rhett Rutledge (single) and Ward (hit by pitch).

Greathouse hit Snopek and gave up a single to Tabares to start the fourth and the runners advanced on a sacrifice by Braydon Wong. Todd Furr reached first on a fielder's choice as Trevor Tolbert put out Snopek at home. Cristian Casados replaced Todd Furr, Ty Furr replaced Tabares, and the bases were loaded as Nelson was walked. Greathouse walked Wes Garner and Gasperone to score Ty Furr and Casados and the Panthers were up 3-1. Romo reached on a dropped third strike, but Nelson was put out at home to end the Panther offense.

Greathouse singled in the bottom of the fourth and was replaced on base by Tyler McCallie. McCallie made it to third on a Josh Taber single, then came home on a Trevor Tolbert sacrifice. Terry singled with a groundball to short, but was caught stealing second. Taber was stranded as Ty Fain lined out to short. 

Coconino's next three batters grounded out and the Sandites finally found the momentum they needed in the bottom of the fifth. Treyce Tolbert flied out to start, but Rutledge hit a hard groundball to left field for a single. Ward was hit by pitch for the third time (OUCH!) and Montgomery was struck out. Greathouse singled to load the bases with two outs. Mack Thompson replaced Ward, McCallie replaced Greathouse, and Rutledge walked in as Taber was hit by pitch. The Panthers replaced Nelson on the mound with Romo, to little avail, as Trevor Tolbert singled to score Thompson and McCallie. Taber was stranded as Terry grounded out to short, but the Sandites had a 5-3 lead.

Greathouse struck out the side in the top of the sixth. Fain was walked, Treyce Tolbert reached on an error, Rutledge singled to score Fain, then Ward singled to score Tolbert. Mongomery was hit by pitch to load the bases and was replaced by Cody Motes. The Panthers changed pitchers again, this time to Snopek. Greathouse sacrificed to score Rutledge for a final score of 8-3. The game ended with the bases loaded as Trevor Tolbert was walked, but Terry grounded out.

The Sandites went 3-2 in the spring break tournament with losses of 7-0 and 2-1 to Sunrise Mountain and Chaparral High, respectively, and wins of 3-1 and 14-2 over Greenway High and Notre Dame Prep.