No. 3 Lady Sandites throttle Union 78-58, Kersgieter and Johnson score 17 apiece

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

CPHS 78 Union 58

1Q CPHS 28-13
2Q CPHS 19-14
3Q CPHS 23-10
4Q Union 21-8

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Kersgieter 17, Johnson 17, Pennington 14, Mutiri 13, McGee 7, Regalado 7, Collins 2, Taber 1. (Union) Malham 14, Thomas 8, Knapp 7, Choice 5, Moyer 5, Miller 4, Collins 4, Benson 4, Majidi 3, Burgess 2, Banks 1, Carr 1.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Mutiri 4, Johnson 2, Kersgieter 1, Regalado 1.
Defensive Rebounds: Mutiri 5, Kersgieter 4, Johnson 3, Taber 3, Pennington 1, McGee 1, Regalado 1, Grant 1, Solis 1. 
Steals: Pennington 3, Kersgieter 3, Mutiri 2, Taber 2, Johnson 1, McGee 1, Collins 1, Solis 1.
Assists: Kersgieter 5, Taber 2, Pennington 1, Johnson 1, McGee 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 1, Kersgieter 1, Johnson 1.
Fouls: Kersgieter 3, Johnson 3, Pennington 2, McGee 2, Regalado 2, Taber 2, Mutiri 1, Collins 1.

The No. 3 ranked Charles Page High School girls basketball team (14-0) continued their incredible season with a 78-58 victory over the No. 13 Union Redskins (9-6) Tuesday evening at the Ed Dubie Field-house. The Lady Sandites are one of only two undefeated teams left in Class 6A and they don't show any signs of dropping a game any time soon. The girls led by as much as 35-points before running the bench in the final stanza. Head Coach Dustin Morrow didn't play a single starter for the final six minutes and still rolled to a double-digit victory.

The Lady Sandites missed their first couple of shots and let Sadie Moyer draw first blood with a three-point field goal, but then they opened the floodgates. Gloria Mutiri and Sydney Pennington both posted two and Destiny Johnson scored five to make it 9-3 before DeAsia Thomas hit two from the charity stripe. From there the Sandites went on yet another nine-point run with three-straight goals by Kierra McGee before Thomas broke it up with a two to make it 18-7.

Holly Kersgieter scored five and Isabella Regalado sank her first three-pointer of the night to make it 27-9 before letting the Redskins back into contention. Union scored six-straight, but Mutiri got in the last word, 28-13. The second quarter was a tad closer, though still in the Sandites' favor and the home team carried a 47-27 advantage into half time, led by Kersgieter with 12 points and 7 assists and Mutiri with 11 points and 8 rebounds.

Johnson stole the show in the third quarter, scoring eight points in the first two minutes. Mutiri scored another basket but left the game with a hurt ankle three minutes into the half. By the end of the third quarter the Sandites were up 70-37. Johnson added two more baskets early in the fourth quarter, but by the 6:00 minute mark the last of the starters were retired for the evening. The Redskins won the fourth quarter 21-8, but were too far gone to make a comeback. 

Kersgieter and Johnson led all scorers with 17 points apiece, followed by Pennington with 14 and Taylor Malham with 14 for the Redskins. Eight Sandites got in the scorebook and twelve saw action, while twelve players posted points for the Redskins. Sand Springs will return to action Friday night at No. 9 Owasso (11-5), who just topped No. 14 Broken Arrow (9-7) 48-41 tonight. Union will host No. 19 Sapulpa (6-9) Friday night. 

Oklahoma Girls High School Basketball: Week Ten Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The official week-ten rankings have been released by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association and there's still three teams vying for the top spot. Three teams received first-place votes, two are undefeated overall, and five are undefeated in Class 6A. Last week we were 15-3 with our picks and sit at 82% this season.

No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (Previously No. 1)

Edmond Santa Fe (15-0) retained the top spot for the third-straight week and received their highest number of first-place votes to-date, with 26. The Wolves went undefeated at the John Nobles Tournament this weekend, defeating Southmoore (3-13) 59-28, No. 20 Ponca City (7-5) 64-47, and No. 6 Norman North (9-4) 55-42. 

Santa Fe holds the No. 6 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in Class 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 11 Norman (11-4) and Thursday when they host No. 17 Edmond North (9-6).

The picks:
ESF 50 Norman 44.
ESF 50 EDN 44.

No. 2 Choctaw (2)

Choctaw (12-1) is still undefeated in Class 6A and pulled in four first-place votes after hammering Putnam City (7-9) 71-43. The Yellowjackets hold the No. 1 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in 6A and will play three games this week. They will host No. 12 Midwest City (10-6) Tuesday and Lawton (3-8) Thursday, then will travel to Putnam City North (2-13) on Friday.

The picks:
Choctaw 54 MWC 41
Choctaw 70 Lawton 40
Choctaw 62 PCN 39

No. 3 Sand Springs (3)

Charles Page High School (13-0) pulled in a first-place vote for the sixth-straight week after going undefeated at the Coffeyville Interstate Classic. Kierra McGee led with 12 in a 67-15 win over Field Kindley and 14 in a 68-21 victory over Nathan Hale, while Destiny Johnson topped the team with 16 in the 53-39 Championship victory over Life Prep Academy. 

The Lady Sandites hold the No. 4 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 2 margin of victory in 6A and will host No. 13 Union (9-5) Tuesday before traveling to No. 9 Owasso (10-5) on Friday. 

The picks:
CPHS 54 Union 44
CPHS 54 Owasso 42

No. 4 Deer Creek (5)

Deer Creek (14-1) is still undefeated in Class 6A and swept their home tournament this past weekend. They defeated No. 6 Norman North (9-4) 44-41 earlier in the week, then topped Putnam City North (2-13) 73-33, Putnam City (7-9) 56-52, and No. 14 Mustang (8-6) 70-48 at the Bruce Gray Invitational. 

The Antlers hold the No. 7 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will travel to Southmoore this Friday. 

The pick: DC 54 Southmoore 40

No. 5 Putnam City West (4)

Putnam City West (14-2) is still undefeated in Class 6A, but suffered their second loss of the season at the Jenks/Union Invitational this weekend. Earlier in the week they topped No. 12 Midwest City (10-6), then they overcame Jenks (3-10) 62-52 before falling 59-49 to 3A No. 3 Holland Hall (16-0). In the consolation finals they topped the OKC Storm 62-46. Ce'Nara Skanes led the Patriots throughout the week with an average of 22 points per game.

The Lady Pats hold the No. 2 offense, No. 16 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will travel to Putnam City North (2-13) this Friday. 

The pick: PCW 80 PCN 43

No. 6 Booker T. Washington (7)

Booker T. Washington (13-4) came in runner-up this weekend at the Union/Jenks Tournament, defeating No. 15 Broken Arrow (9-6) 33-29 and the OKC Storm 59-30 before falling 50-38 to 3A No. 3 Holland Hall (16-0). 

The Hornets hold the No. 5 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in Class 6A and will host Daniel Webster (2-13) this Friday.

The pick: BTW 75 Webster 21.

No. 7 Norman North (6)

Norman North (9-4) fell 44-41 to No. 5 Deer Creek (14-1) and came in runner-up at the John Nobles Tournament, topping Lawton (3-8) 63-23 and Moore (8-7) 58-54, but falling 55-42 to No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (15-0). The Timberwolves hold the No. 10 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in Class 6A and will travel to No. 10 Edmond Memorial (11-5) Friday and No. 18 Yukon (10-5) Saturday.

The picks:
NN 48 EDM 44
NN 50 Yukon 47

No. 8 Westmoore (9)

Westmoore (13-4) went undefeated last week with several quality wins. They defeated Stillwater (4-12) 62-39, then won the Carl Albert Titan Classic. They topped 5A No. 11 host Carl Albert (9-6) 86-42, 5A No. 14 Del City (6-10) 73-56, and No. 12 Midwest City (10-6) 51-39.

The Jaguars hold the No. 3 offense, No. 14 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will host No. 15 Mustang (8-6) Friday.

The pick: Westmoore 55 Mustang 46

No. 9 Owasso (10)

Owasso (10-5) picked up a 51-43 victory over Bixby (4-10) last week, led by Terryn Milton with 22 points. The Rams hold the No. 18 offense and No. 19 margin of victory in Class 6A and will host No. 14 Broken Arrow (9-6) Tuesday and No. 3 Sand Springs (13-0) Friday. 

The pick: Owasso 44 Broken Arrow 43.

No. 10 Edmond Memorial (11)

Edmond Memorial (11-5) topped Moore (8-7) 52-48 last week before competing in the Bruce Grey Tournament at Deer Creek. They topped the Deer Creek JV 39-24, fell 48-37 to No. 14 Mustang (8-6), then topped Putnam City (7-9) 56-37. 

The Bulldogs hold the No. 11 defense and No. 18 margin of victory in Class 6A and will host No. 7 Norman North (9-4) on Friday.

No. 11 Norman (8)

Norman (11-4) split wins last week, topping Southmoore (3-13) 57-38 and 5A No. 14 Del City (6-10) 38-33, but falling 36-35 to No. 12 Midwest City (10-6) and 54-50 to 5A No. 11 Carl Albert (9-6) in overtime. Bethany Franks led the Tigers against Carl Albert with 19 points.

The Tigers hold the No. 12 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will return to action Tuesday when they travel to No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (15-0) and No. 19 Moore (8-7) on Friday.

The pick: Norman 49 Moore 44.

No. 12 Midwest City (12)

Midwest City (10-6) split wins last week, topping Millwood (9-7) 41-38 and No. 8 Norman (11-4) 36-35, but falling 52-40 to No. 4 Putnam City West (14-2) and 51-39 to No. 9 Westmoore (13-4). The Bombers hold the No. 13 defense and No. 16 margin of victory in Class 6A and will travel to No. 2 Choctaw (12-1) Tuesday and will host Enid (5-10) Friday and 5A No. 14 Del City (6-10) Saturday. 

The picks:
MWC 55 Enid 25.
MWC 50 Del City 43.

No. 13 Union (13)

Union (9-5) topped Muskogee (5-8) 57-45 early last week, but had a rough time at their home tournament. They fell 53-49 to OKC Storm, and 39-32 to No. 15 Broken Arrow (9-6) before overcoming Jenks (3-10) 55-42. Taylor Malham averaged 16 points per game and posted 28 against Muskogee.

The Redskins hold the No. 14 offense, No. 20 defense, and No. 14 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will travel to No. 3 Sand Springs (13-0)  and will host No. 19 Sapulpa (6-8) Friday. 

The pick: Union 52 Sapulpa 46.

No. 14 Broken Arrow (15)

Broken Arrow (9-6) topped three conference foes last week. They defeated Jenks (3-10) 45-34, then competed at the Union/Jenks Tournament where they fell 33-29 to No. 7 Booker T. Washington (13-4) but topped No. 13 Union (9-5) 39-32 and No. 19 Sapulpa (6-8) 49-46. Jalise Smallwood averaged 11 points per game including 22 against Jenks.

The Tigers hold the No. 6 defense in Class 6A and will travel to No. 9 Owasso (10-5) Tuesday before hosting Muskogee (5-8) on Friday. 

The pick: Broken Arrow 49 Muskogee 48.

No. 15 Mustang (14)

Mustang (8-6) topped No. 18 Edmond North (9-6) 55-52 earlier in the week, then came in second at the Deer Creek Tournament. They defeated 5A No. 20 Bishop McGuinness (8-6) 63-41 and No. 11 Edmond Memorial (11-5) 48-37 but fell 70-48 to the host team.

The Broncos hold the No. 17 offense, No. 18 defense, and No. 15 margin of victory in Class 6A. They will return to action Tuesday at No. 19 Moore (8-7), then will travel to No. 8 Westmoore (13-4) on Friday. 

The pick: Mustang 47 Moore 46.

No. 16 Bartlesville (16)

Bartlesville (8-6) topped 5A No. 15 Bishop Kelley (5-8) 52-22 and took second in the Fort Gibson Tournament. They defeated Okay (13-7) 58-15 and 4A No. 5 Broken Bow (11-4) 47-43 before falling 43-29 to 4A No. 1 Ft. Gibson (14-0). Jena Williams averaged 14 points per game and Lauren Richter had 11.

The Bruins hold the No. 5 defense and No. 12 margin of victory in Class 6A and will travel to Muskogee (5-8) Tuesday before hosting Jenks (3-10) on Friday.

The picks:
Bartlesville 48 Muskogee 44.
Bartlesville 52 Jenks 41.

No. 17 Edmond North (18)

Edmond North (9-6) fell 55-52 to No. 14 Mustang (8-6) last week, but swept the NEO Tournament. They blew out Miami (1-11) 80-28, topped 4A No. 11 Roland (13-3) 49-37, and edged out Coweta (6-9) 45-44. 

The Huskies hold the No. 11 offense, No. 12 defense, and No. 11 margin of victory in 6A. They will travel to No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (15-0) Friday. 

No. 18 Yukon (17)

Yukon (10-5) fell 59-32 to No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (15-0) early last week, but swept the Jones Tournament. They topped John Marshall (5-9) 68-45, Bethel (8-8) 62-34, and 3A No. 17 Jones (10-2) 47-42. 

The Millerettes hold the No. 16 offense, No. 17 defense, and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will host Stillwater (4-12) Friday.

The pick: Yukon 59 Stillwater 43.

No. 19 (tied) Moore (unranked)

Moore (8-7) fell 52-48 to No. 11 Edmond Memorial (11-5) and 58-53 to No. 6 Norman North (9-4), but topped Durant (4-10) 56-37 and No. 20 Ponca City (7-5) 52-51. The Lions hold the No. 20 offense and No. 19 defense in 6A and will host No. 15 Mustang (8-6) Tuesday and No. 11 Norman (11-4) Friday. 

No. 19 (tied) Sapulpa (19)

Sapulpa (6-8) had a rough go over the last week, falling 61-36 to No. 3 Sand Springs (13-0), 55-44 to 3A No. 3 Holland Hall (16-0), and 49-46 to No. 15 Broken Arrow (9-6), but picked up a 64-50 win over Jenks (3-10). Kiarra Brooks averaged 11 points per game, followed by Taylor Dement and Ray Osborn with 9 apiece.

The Chieftains hold the No. 19 offense in 6A and will host Bixby (4-10) Tuesday before traveling to No. 13 Union (9-5) Friday. 

Dropped Out: Ponca City (20)

Cheyenne Walden is named first-ever 4X Gatorade Runner of the Year

CHICAGO (January 23, 2017) — In its 32nd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Cheyenne Walden of Charles Page High School as its 2016-17 Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Walden is the first Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Charles Page High School, and it is her fourth time being selected. 

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Walden as Oklahoma’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January/February, Walden joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Lukas Verzbicas (2010-11, 2009-10 Carl Sandburg, Orland Park, Ill.), Megan Goethals (2009-10, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Mich.), Jordan Hasay (2008-09, Mission College Prep., San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Chris Derrick (2007-08, Neuqua Valley, Naperville, Ill.).

The three-time returning Gatorade Runner of the Year, the 5-foot-4 senior won her fourth-straight Class 6A state meet title this past season with a course-record time of 17:55.6, breaking the tape 40.8 seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor and leading the Sandites to an eighth-place finish as a team. Walden finished 34th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final and became the first Oklahoman to twice qualify for NXN Final. She also took 11th at the Foot Locker South Regional championships.

In addition to her four Cross Country titles, she is also a three-time State Champion on the track. She won gold in 2015 for the 3200 meter run, and won both the 1600 and 3200 in 2016.

Diagnosed with central auditory processing disorder and dyslexia, Walden speaks to youth groups about her learning challenges and working to overcome them. She has also volunteered locally at the Sand Springs Children’s Home and as a youth running coach. “Cheyenne had a great year,” said David Ayres, Bartlesville High head coach. “She is an amazing competitor and pushes herself every race. She trains hard, eats right and knows what it takes to succeed. She is one of the best Oklahoma runners ever and it’s an honor to watch her run and to be on the same field as her.”

Walden has maintained a weighted 3.76 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross country on scholarship at Oklahoma State University this fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Four-time winner Walden joins Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Alex Davis (2012-13 & 2011-12, Plainview High School), Noemi Hernandez (2010-11, Westmoore High School), Jori Davis (2009-10, Piedmont High School), Andrea Lewis (2008- 09, Bishop Kelley High School), and Sara Vaughn (2007-08, Union High School) as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Walden will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support. 12 spotlight grants – one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit www.gatorade.com/poy.

6A No. 1 Sand Springs defeats 3A No. 1 Perry 48-18 to win Ram Duals Championship

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Team Places

1. 6A No. 1 Sand Springs
2. 3A No. 1 Perry
3. KS 6A No. 1 Manhattan
4. Lebanon, MO
5. 6A No. 12 Claremore
6. 6A No. 6 Union
7. 5A No. 4 Collinsville
8. 3A No. 4 Comanche
9. Pittsburg, KS
10. 6A No. 9 Mustang
11. 5A No. 10 Deer Creek
12. Har-Ber High
13. Bentonville, AR
14. Owasso
15. 3A No. 5 Vian
16. Springdale, AR
17. Enid
18. Bartlesville
19. Midwest City
20. Salina

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Dylan Avery (Perry)

The No. 1 ranked Charles Page High School wrestling team (15-0) won their second-straight dual over another No. 1 ranked team to clinch the 2nd Annual Ram Duals title Saturday afternoon in Owasso. After topping Kansas No. 1 Manhattan 53-24 in the semifinals, they rolled to an equally impressive 48-18 victory over 3A No. 1 Perry (14-2). Sand Springs won ten of fourteen matches and never trailed.

Noah Almy (17-15) made his mark on the Maroons, handily outscoring State Qualifier Kort Davis 18-2 for a technical fall in 4:23. Zane Basma (18-2 season, 80-27 career) pinned Zack Lowry half a second before the first buzzer, then Hayden Cramer (7-7) narrowly avoided a fall and was saved by the buzzer against State Qualifier Kohl Owens. He picked up a takedown of his own early in the second period, but couldn't escape the pin the next time he went down and fell in 3:18.

The Maroons scored another victory at 195 with a back-and-forth 8-6 decision by State Qualifier Robert Spiekers over Gage Fain (23-11, 36-33), but Delvin Jordan (33-2, 64-14) made up for it by pinning Teaguen Wilson in 0:57. The Sandites forfeited heavyweight, but got bonus points at 106 as Riley Weir (30-6, 51-18) majored State Runner-Up Alex Valencia 12-0.

Tanner Ward (25-9, 101-21) lost an 8-4 decision to freshman Dylan Avery, but Michael Ritchey (28-8, 57-32) scored a big win at 120 with a 4-0 victory against State Champion Cale Betchan.

The Maroons' last big shot to get back into contention fell with State Runner-Up Brycen Justus who was defeated 8-2 by Blake Sargent (28-8, 90-22). Perry forfeited to Daton Fix (35-0, 153-0) and Jack Karstetter (21-1, 94-16) topped State Qualifier Riley Cinnamon 8-5 to clinch the dual at 36-18 with two matches left.

Beau Bratcher (34-6, 125-29) pinned Logan Patton in 1:29 and Payton Scott finished things up with a pin of State Qualifier Jace Burdick in 1:33. 

The Sandites will return to action Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. when they host 5A No. 4 Collinsville () at Clyde Boyd Middle School.

ROUND ONE: No. 1 Sandite Wrestling dominates Midwest City 69-9 at Ram Duals
ROUND TWO: No. 1 Sandite Wrestling shuts out No. 5 Vian 66-0
ROUND THREE: No. 1 Sandite Wrestling wins fifth shutout of the season, 80-0 over Springdale
ROUND FOUR: No. 1 Sandite Wrestling thrashes No. 12 Claremore 65-12
QUARTERFINALS: Tanner Ward picks up 100th win in 59-12 victory over 3A No. 4 Comanche
SEMIFINALS: No. 1 Sand Springs tops Kansas No. 1 Manhattan 53-24 with ten match wins

No. 1 Sand Springs tops Kansas No. 1 Manhattan 53-24 with ten match wins

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Oklahoma can officially claim to be better than Kansas after the No. 1 teams in each state went head-to-head Saturday afternoon at the Owasso Ram Duals. 6A No. 1 Sand Springs (14-0) came from behind to top the No. 1 Manhattan Indians in ten of fourteen matches. 

Senior State Runner-Up Beau Bratcher (33-6, 124-29) won a 3-0 decision over two-time State Champion Mason Wallace to kick things off in the Sandites' favor, then the Indians put the Okies on their toes as State Qualifier Jalin Harper pinned Payton Scott (28-2, 49-10) in 3:38 to put the Sandites in an unusual position: behind. With an average dual score of 66-8, the Sandites haven't trailed all season long, but Manhattan led for five-straight matches before Sand Springs found their feet in the lower weights.

Noah Almy (16-15) was pinned in 1:22 by State Qualifier Zephry Killham. Zane Basma (17-2, 79-27) responded by pinning State Qualifier Chance Henderson in 1:25. State Qualifier Robert Houston picked up another fall for the Indians in 2:52 over Hayden Cramer (7-5), then the Sandites finally took the lead with pins from Gage Fain (23-10, 36-32) and Delvin Jordan (32-2, 63-14). Fain topped Christian Schlepp in 4:48 and Jordan picked up his 25th pin of the season in 25 seconds against State Qualifier Hunter Christensen. 

The Indians got back in the lead with a fall at heavyweight as State Runner-Up Eldon Picou pinned Dominique Pipes (2-5, 2-7) in 0:15, but those would be the last points Manhattan would score.

Riley Weir (29-6, 50-18) picked up his 50th win with a pin of Tate Sauder in 0:53. Tanner Ward (25-8, 101-20) received a forfeit. Michael Ritchey (27-8, 56-32) pinned State Qualifier Joe Braun in 1:52. Blake Sargent (27-8, 79-22) pinned State Qualifier Abraham Sanchez in 1:28. Daton Fix (34-0, 152-0) worked up a 24-9 tech fall against freshman Bubba Wilson, and Jack Karstetter (20-1, 93-16) won a 9-3 decision over State Runner-Up Devin Norris to finish the dual.

Sand Springs will battle 3A No. 1 Perry (14-1) at 2:30 in the championship round. Perry boasts one State Champion, two State Runners-Up, and eleven total State Qualifiers--nearly identical to the Sandite lineup. The Maroons' only loss this season was to 4A No. 1 Tuttle (9-0), who is nationally ranked by FloWrestling at No. 11. The Sandites are fifteenth in the nation and have already topped Perry at both the Perry Tournament of Champions and the Kansas City Stampede, but there were few head-to-head matches between the teams at either tournament. 

Tanner Ward picks up 100th win in 59-12 victory over 3A No. 4 Comanche

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The initial bracket posted by Owasso was incorrect and the Sandites found themselves pitted against 3A No. 4 Comanche (13-2) instead of Union, but it didn't make much of a difference. The top-ranked Sand Springs wrestling team (13-0) rolled over the Indians as easily as they rolled over the Redskins and every other opponent they've faced this season.

Senior Jack Karstetter (19-1 season, 92-16 career) worked up a 17-2 technical fall over Ethan Hamrick in only 3:31, then Beau Bratcher (32-6, 123-29) pinned Christopher Armijo in only 46 seconds.

Payton Scott (28-1, 49-9) won a 13-5 major decision over Kamren Vanbuskirk, but Comanche put points in the board with a 5-1 decision from State Qualifier Ryan Aker over sophomore Noah Almy (16-14). The teams exchanged falls from there as Zane Basma (16-2, 78-27) pinned Chaz Allen in 2:36 and State Qualifier Dailen Presgrove pinned freshman Hayden Cramer (7-5) in 43 seconds. Konnor Doucet picked up another win for the Indians, topping Gage Fain (22-10, 35-32).

From there it was all Sandites as Delvin Jordan (31-2, 62-14) rolled to a 20-5 tech fall over Rowdy Rhone in 2:06. Sophomore Dominique Pipes (2-4, 2-6) picked up his first fall of the season in 4:49 against Jacob Martinez. Riley Weir (28-6, 49-19) won a 7-3 decision over Jaxon Miller. Tanner Ward (24-8, 100-20) joined the hundred club with a pin of Sean Williams in 0:39. Michael Ritchey (26-8, 55-32) pinned Rylan Poston in 2:50, Blake Sargent (26-8, 78-22) pinned Tristan Glancy in 0:31, and Daton Fix (33-0, 151-0) finished things off with a pin of Trevor Cusumano in 1:47.

Next up the Sandites will take on their toughest opponent of the season in Kansas No. 1 ranked Manhattan High School, who just topped Lebanon, Missouri (20-4) 38-30. Manhattan boasts ten State Qualifiers, two State Runners-Up, and one State Champion.