News and Notes: Ready for action
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
2/19/13 at 3:36 AM
Bixby senior standout Stevi Parker was cleared to play in Saturday's regional championship game. That's providing the third-ranked Spartans (17-6) win Thursday's first-round game against Nathan Hale. Both games are at Bixby.
Spartans head coach Melody Stewart said the 6-foot University of Tulsa signee had the boot removed from her right foot after wearing it since being sidelined with a stress fracture in a loss at Muskogee on Jan. 15.
"She's excited about being able to run and jump on two legs again," Stewart said.
Parker averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds through the first 11 games. Since then, senior standout Christina Devers has shouldered much of the scoring load.
Stewart said Parker "does a lot more than score 15 or 20 points per game. It's the almost two charges per game she takes, and the probably four or five shots she alters. She just plays solid defense and handles the ball under pressure."
On the mend: East Central senior Bria Pitts underwent surgery last Wednesday on the third season-ending knee injury of her playing career, and said she's trying to make the best of a bad situation.
"I cried a couple of times at first, but I'm getting used to it, and I know what to expect (from rehabilitation) because I've been through it before," she said.
Pitts injured her left knee in a Feb. 4 loss at Bartlesville, the same one she blew out as a freshman. She injured her right knee in the state tournament last year.
The University of Arkansas signee said she was encouraged that the Razorbacks coaching staff is confident of her recovery and is still eager to have her on the team.
"We are excited for Bria to attend (UA)," head coach Tom Collen said through a spokesperson. "She is a really tough young lady and I'm certain she will battle back from her recent setback and be ready to go this fall."
UA team doctor Chris Arnold of Advanced Orthopedic Specialists in Fayetteville did the surgery.
Briefly: Crystal Lawson notched her 100th win as Holland Hall's coach with Friday's semifinal win over Houston St. John's in the Southwest Preparatory Conference tournament. She is 100-27 over five seasons, with three SPC titles and this year's runner-up finish. ... Jenks won the Frontier Conference ninth-grade title with a 40-26 win over Owasso. Union beat Sand Springs for the eighth-grade crown. ... Fort Gibson's Hannah Cantrell missed Saturday's district-final win over Jay while helping the Tiger girls swim team win a third consecutive 5A state title. She was part of the record-setting 200-meter freestyle relay. ... Kiefer's Taylor Harris needs 22 points to reach 2,000 for her career. The No. 19 Trojans open 2A regional play Thursday, facing No. 10 Ketchum at Foyil. ... Freshman Shaelyn Ward scored 18 points in Lincoln Christian's district win over Okmulgee.
Associated Images:
Bishop Kelley's Haley Stephens dribbles past Coweta's Kaitlyn Norton during a recent game at Bishop Kelley. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
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