News and Notes: Vinita captures title

BY BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Monday, February 11, 2013
2/11/13 at 3:49 AM

Vinita clinched the Verdigris Valley Conference North Division title with a 76-69 victory over Miami, Okla., this past Friday. The Hornets (15-6) have won conference championships in three consecutive years, and this one has special meaning for coach Tony Roach.

Vinita was favored to win conference titles the past two years with standouts Jake Bullard and Jake Roach, who graduated after last season. This season, the Hornets were underdogs.

"A lot of people viewed us as rebuilding," Roach said on Sunday. "There are two types of teams - ones that have everything to lose and ones that have nothing to lose. We are the nothing-to-lose team this year. This is a hardworking team that refuses to lose, and it has been fun to coach."

Vinita has won 10 of its last 11 games after a 5-5 start.

Returning senior starters Gage Bertram and Garret Maxey are averaging 13.9 points per game. Vinita's leading scorer is sophomore guard Phillip Willis, who averages 14.7.

Vinita hosts Catoosa in a Class 4A playoff opener on Friday.

Giddens reaches milestone: Beggs coach Brent Giddens picked up his 300th career victory, 82-78, over Haskell in overtime on Jan. 29. Kruz Lynch scored 40 points for Beggs, which is 14-6.

Cleveland shows progress: After going 5-19 last season, Cleveland is showing improvement under second-year coach Daniel Brimmer. The Tigers are 9-12 after a 50-41 victory over Bristow on Friday.

"We've lost four games at the buzzer," Brimmer said. "Two of those have been against Cushing, so maybe we'll be due for one to go our way Saturday."

Brimmer was referring to Cleveland's 4A playoff opener against Cushing.

Derek Reeves, a 6-2 junior guard, leads Cleveland with 20.5 points and eight rebounds per game. He averaged 12 points last season.

"He's become a more complete player," Brimmer said. "We're a young team that's improving with every game."

The Tigers, however, get valuable contributions from their two seniors - Tyler Jones and Steven Donnelly. Jones, who was sidelined early in the season with a bruised thigh, averages 11 points per game.

"Tyler has come on lately, and Steven does a lot of things that don't show up in statistics, such as hustle plays," Brimmer said. "He also guards the opponent's best offensive player."

Associated Images:

At right, Bartlesville's Antonio Castillo (left) guards East Central's Stanvon Taylor during their game last month at East Central High School. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World