HIGH SCHOOL

High school football: Cleveland won't be as big a surprise winner this year

By MIKE MOGUIN World Correspondent

Cleveland felt like it could surprise people in District 4A-3 last year and it did with a runner-up finish for its first playoff berth since 2004. But the Tigers, who went 9-3, know that may not be the case for 2013.

Union tight end Carson Meier commits to Oklahoma

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Union tight end Carson Meier committed Wednesday to play football at the University of Oklahoma.

Wagoner football team may rely more on defense this season

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

After two consecutive appearances in the Class 4A state championship game, Wagoner ended the 2012 football season with a loss to Anadarko in the semifinals.

Tahlequah Sequoyah football team working around OSSAA sanctions

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

As Tahlequah Sequoyah's new head football coach, Shane Richardson said he's trying to make the best of a difficult situation.

Two-minute Drill: Wagoner Bulldogs

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Linebacker Roman Rodriguez is the top returning tackler with 59 last season.

Jenks' Keester named state Gatorade soccer player of the year again

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent

Jenks' Lizzie Keester has scored again.

For Broken Arrow football team, anything less than a title 'not enough'

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

For Broken Arrow linebacker Alex Bradley, two words describe his team's 2012 season.

Capable players await their turn for Coweta

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Coweta lost serious operators among last year's 18 senior football players, but coach Bubba Burcham said capable athletes are waiting in the wings.

Verdigris football team wants further success

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent

Verdigris' new coach, Tony Daniels, may not know all the names of his players yet, but he knows exactly the success the Cardinals have had over the last 15 years.

Paralyzed former Union football player gets $10,000 grant

By Staff Reports

The family of former Union football player Sterling Thomas received a $10,000 grant Monday from the College Football Assistance Fund.

Locals scattered among OCA All-State baseball lists

By Staff Reports

Austin O'Brien and Trae Bobo, who helped lead Owasso to a 36-0 record and the Class 6A state championship, were among metro-area athletes chosen to the Oklahoma Coaches Association's 2013 All-State baseball team.

Owasso duo heads All-State baseball team

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Austin O’Brien and Trae Bobo, who helped lead Owasso to a 36-0 record and the Class 6A state championship, were among metro-area athletes chosen to the Oklahoma Coaches Association's 2013 All-State baseball team.

Collinsville Cardinals looking good in practice

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

The Cardinals, however, have a returning starter at quarterback, Zane McElroy, and one of the area's top receivers, T.J. Johnson.

Switching away from full contact helping Comets avoid injuries

By MIKE MOGUIN World Correspondent

Injuries have been a problem for Bishop Kelley football in recent years when the season opener rolled around. Such was the case last season when its starting quarterback and running back were out.

Neph brothers team up to lead Owasso offense

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

One things's certain as the Owasso Rams go through spring football drills.

Bulldogs looking to build on momentum

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Okmulgee ended last season with two consecutive wins, matching its total over the previous 28 games.

Catoosa football builds from success

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent

Success may breed success, but it can also help build new athletic facilities. That's the case for Catoosa High School.

Fred Utter retiring from Holland Hall leaving legacy of service, support and loyalty

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

Holland Hall senior Bridge Craven broke an arm and sustained a knee injury during his athletic career.

Tulsa Metro Christian looks to fill QB void during spring practice

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Metro Christian wideout Danny Burke set the bar high for his senior season after a breakout year in 2012.

Oklahoma All-State golf team revealed

By Staff Reports

Broken Arrow, Bishop Kelley and Rejoice Christian will each be represented by two players at this year's All-State Golf Tournament.

Tulsa Memorial's new head coach Ryan Reed settles team jitters

By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

Memorial High School running back Kejuante Austin and his football teammates didn't know eight days ago who their head coach would be when spring practice started this week.

Verdigris, Berryhill and Owasso coaches celebrate titles

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Larry Turner and Brian Keith were two of the first coaches to congratulate Berryhill's Brian Hailey on winning the Class 4A baseball title Saturday in Shawnee.

Bishop Kelley girls repeat as 6A soccer champs

By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent

Heading into Saturday's Class 6A girls state soccer championship between top-ranked Bishop Kelley and second-ranked Jenks, the matchup had all of the makings of a potential classic. On a sun-splashed afternoon at Tiger Field, the match lived up to its billing.

Perfection achieved: Owasso caps 36-0 season with 6A baseball title

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

People are always trying to achieve perfection, but most never do.

Claremore falls to Carl Albert in 5A baseball final

By JON POTTS World Correspondent

Verdigris claims 3A baseball title

By JON POTTS World Correspondent

Top-ranked Verdigris beat second-ranked Vian 7-1 in the Class 3A state championship baseball game Saturday afternoon at Edmond Santa Fe High School.

Edmond North sweeps to 6A tennis championship

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

On a day he rarely missed the sweet spot on his racket, Nate Roper had one gross mishit during Saturday's Class 6A singles final against Chase Gordon. The ball rocketed off his forehand and surely was destined for the fence 15 feet behind the baseline.

Hoose's title helps Cascia Hall win 5A tennis

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

A spectator happened by the Class 5A state tennis championship Saturday afternoon, watched Cascia Hall's Austin Hoose win a point and remarked: "Y'know, that kid hits the ball pretty good."

Riverfield's Clark wins 4A state tennis title

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

You expect a 14-year-old dude who has just won his first state tennis championship to channel Tom Hanks from "Bachelor Party," maybe rocket the ball into the parking lot home run derby-style.

Dale gets a 1-hitter, but Silo gets a state championship

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

A pitcher doesn't often lose when he throws a one-hitter, but it happened Saturday to Dale senior Evan Anderson.

Poteau tops Santa Fe South

By BRIAN PATRICK World Correspondent

Poteau defeated Santa Fe South 4-3 in double overtime to claim the Class 4A soccer title Saturday at the University of Tulsa's Hurricane Soccer and Track Stadium.

Edmond North wins 6A state soccer title

By MURRAY EVANS NewsOK.com

Not long after scoring the go-ahead goal on Saturday afternoon in the Class 6A boys soccer title game, Edmond North's Sam Brown hobbled off the field, but he and the rest of the Huskies felt just fine about 20 minutes later.

High school soccer playoffs

By Staff Reports

OKC Heritage Hall tops BTW for 5A boys soccer title

By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent

Perfection did not come easily for third-ranked Oklahoma City Heritage Hall on Friday night.

SLIDESHOW: Check out a slideshow from Friday’s game.

Grove's Michaela Werner cruises to 5A girls 3,200-meter state title

By KELLY HINES World Sports Writer

At the end of each lap, Mickey Werner shouted from the Miller Stadium stands to his daughter, telling her how many seconds she was ahead of her goal time.

Class 6A boys state tennis

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

It's a match race after one day in Oklahoma City, with Jenks trying to end Edmond North's three-year reign atop 6A.

Berryhill advances to 4A baseball final

By JASON KERSEY NewsOK.com

Berryhill junior Nick White recorded 13 strikeouts in his complete-game effort, and the Chiefs advanced to their second consecutive Class 4A state championship game with Friday's 7-4 semifinal win over Tuttle at Edmond Memorial High School.

Class 4A boys state tennis

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

Highlights: The question heading into the 4A state tournament: Can anyone take a set from No. 1 singles top seed Zeke Clark?

Edmond Deer Creek wins 5A girls soccer title

By MURRAY EVANS NewsOK.com

This soccer championship was so exciting for Edmond Deer Creek that its students couldn't wait until the trophy presentation was finished to rush the field.

High school state track and field

By Staff Reports

Slideshow: No. 1 Owasso wins, Broken Arrow rained out in 6A state baseball action

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

A rainout shouldn't affect the way his Broken Arrow Tigers approach the Class 6A state baseball tournament, head coach Shannon Dobson said.

Coweta outlasts Guthrie in 5A state baseball quarterfinals

By JON POTTS World Correspondent

Coweta head coach Pat Foster picked up his 500th win in dramatic fashion last week when his No. 12 Tigers held off a furious Tahlequah rally to post a 7-6 victory in a regional title game.

Jenks' Gordon focused on team

By JOSH HALEY World Correspondent

Jenks tennis star Chase Gordon has had a lot of high points in his high school career already. The one that stands out to him, however, may be surprising to others.

Little, Dobratz are solid in goal for Kelley, Jenks

By JOHN D. FERGUSON World Correspondent

They are the last line of any soccer defense.

Verdigris' dominant pitching highlights 3A state tournament quarterfinals

By MIKE MOGUIN World Correspondent

Knight leads Caney Valley over Latta

By JACOB UNRUH NewsOK.com

Staked with a 2-0 lead before even taking the mound, Caney Valley senior Kyle Knight did what ace pitchers are expected to do.

Oklahoma University signee Max McGreevy takes 6A golf title

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

On the second playoff hole, before McGreevy could christen a tournament-clinching putt, Heinen told him to make it.

Owasso falls in semifinals to Norman North

By BRIAN PATRICK World Correspondent

Defending state champion Norman North defeated Owasso 2-1 in a Class 6A state soccer semifinal Tuesday evening to return to the state title game.

Soccer roundup: Verdigris girls top Harrah in semis

By Staff Reports

The top-ranked Verdigris girls will play for the Class 4A soccer championship for the fifth year in a row after a 3-0 win at Harrah on Tuesday night.

Fort Gibson golfer takes second place, Ada boys take 4A golf title

By STAFF REPORTS NewsOK.com

Long-hitting Weatherford sophomore Quade Cummins shot 5-under-par 67 Tuesday to run away with the Class 4A boys state golf title.

Okla. Christian boys golfers finish runner-up for 3A state title

By STEPHANIE KUZYDYM NewsOK.com

Six members of Oklahoma Christian School's boys golf team stood on the green at Duncan Golf and Tennis Club smiling for their families' cameras.

Edmond North wins ninth straight 6A golf, Jenks second

By Staff Reports

Edmond North won a ninth consecutive Class 6A golf championship Tuesday at Karsten Creek and Jenks finished second.

Edmond North poised to win ninth straight Oklahoma golf title

By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

For 18 holes, Jenks looked like a team that could end Edmond North's streak of Class 6A state golf championships.

Elk City's Brock Walker plays through the pain

By SCOTT WRIGHT NewsOK.com

Considering the broken bone near the joint where his thumb meets his wrist, you'd think putts might be the easiest shots to hit.

Laverne freshman shoots 66 to take 8-stroke lead in 2A golf

By JOHN RITTENOURE World Correspondent

A pair of freshmen topped the leaderboard after 36 holes of golf on the opening day of the Class 2A state golf tournament at Emerald Falls Golf Club.

Oklahoma state baseball pairings set for 6A, 5A, 2A

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Caney Valley hasn't always been associated with excellence in high school baseball.

Baseball Player of the Week: Tristen Gagan

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Gagan, a junior, went 6-for-10 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in three games, helping the 2A No. 11 Trojans win their first regional title.

Boys Soccer Player of the Week: Aren Johnstone-Couch

By Staff Reports

The defender played tough defense in two playoff games. "He played his best game of the season (in the quarterfinal)," said coach Robert Wakeley.

High school state baseball pairings

By Staff Reports

At Shawnee

High school baseball notebook: Darkhorse

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

Blake Biggs was part of Broken Arrow's junior varsity team last spring while older brother Brady Biggs helped lead the Tigers to a 6A runner-up finish.

Familiarity reigns at Class 6A state baseball championship

By MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer

As Yogi Berra once said in another context, it's going to be "déjà  vu all over again" at this year's Class 6A state baseball tournament.