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District Basketball Titles Are Few For Ringling Roundball Teams

By
Trey Smart
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0

Most everyone knows about the tremendous football tradition that has been established by Ringling over the past 45 years.

There have been several state titles won by the Blue Devil gridders, but the success has not carried over to the hardwood at the eastern most school in Jefferson County.

The Ringling basketball squads have never made an appearance in a state tournament. And, the Ringling boys have never played in an area tourney since that layer of playoffs began in 1970.

The Ringling boys and girls basketball teams have only played for a regional title a total of four times. Three of those regional championship games involved the Lady Blue Devils. Ringling lost all four of those games.

The Blue Devils have played in two regional loser’s bracket championship games, but dropped contests to Wynnewood and Healdton.

The Lady Blue Devils have appeared in the regional loser’s bracket title game four times and hold a 2-2 mark in those contests. The Ringling girls advanced to the area tourney after wins over Elmore City in 1989 and Healdton in 1986.

The Ringling girls have made four appearances in the area tourney, but hold just a 1-5 record. The only win came in a 1991 Class 2A area at Chickasha as Ringling defeated Apache, 69-47.

The last district title for the Blue Devils came in 2004 at the Class 2A tourney at Walters. Ringling handed Walters a 42-39 setback in the title game.

Ringling won its first district championship in 1946 at the Class B tournament hosted by Dundee. The Blue Devils edged Healdton, 17-16, in the semifinals and then downed Fox, 30-12, in the championship game.

While it is possible not all the district tourney results have been located, it is believed that the Blue Devils played in their first district tournament at Waurika in 1931. Ringling fell to Ryan, 21-19, in the first round.

The latest district tournament title for the Lady Blue Devils came in 2007 when Ringling rolled to a 48-31 victory over Healdton in the Class 2A tourney at Healdton.

Out of the 15 district titles claimed by the Lady Blue Devils, five of them were won because Ringling was the only entry in the Class A tournament played at Healdton from 1950 to 1954.

The first time the Lady Blue Devils won a championship game came in 1956 when Ringling defeated Fox, 38-29, in a contest played at Healdton.

The first result of a district tournament game played by the Ringling girls came in 1948 in the first round of the Class B fray at Healdton. The Lady Blue Devils fell to Dundee, 19-17.

It is possible Ringling’s girls competed in a district tournament before that, but the 1948 encounter is the first result that was located.

Both Ringling teams have played for a number of district titles, but that is because in recent years the Class 2A districts have featured only two teams.

Ringling most often played the district tournament at Healdton. The Ringling boys have played in the district tourney at Healdton a total of 30 times. The Lady Blue Devils have been in 25 district tourneys at Healdton.

Ringling first hosted a district tournament in 1951. The Lady Blue Devils were the only entry and the Blue Devils picked up a 25-21 win over Healdton and then fell to Wilson, 68-27, in the championship game.

The district tourney for Ringling has been played at Ringling a total of 10 times through the years with 2006 being the last time Ringling served as the host.

The last four seasons Ringling has competed in Class A, but prior to that Ringling was in Class 2A for 31 of the previous 37 years.

This past season the Blue Devils fell to Verden, 58-53, in the semifinals and it was the 75th loss for Ringling’s boys in district tournament play. The Lady Blue Devils won a first-round game over Verden, but fell to Canute, 92-53, in the title game.

Here is a summary of the playoff history for the Ringling basketball squads:

Boys

District Titles: 7

All-Time District Record: 34-75

District Final Appearances: 33

Most Frequent Opponent in District Finals: Wilson (9-12)

Longest Winning Streak: 4, 1962-1963

Longest Losing Streak: 16, 1965-1980

Most Points Scored: 80, vs. Elmore City-Pernell

Least Points Scored: 9, vs. Ardmore 1935

Girls

District Titles: 15

All-Time District Record: 36-56

District Final Appearances: 46

Most Frequent Opponent in District Finals: Lone Grove (0-8)

Longest Winning Streak: 4, 1989-1991

Longest Losing Streak: 6, 2011-2017

Most Points Scored: 72, vs. Wilson 1972 & Velma-Alma 1989

Least Points Scored: 13, vs. Walters 2011

Other Playoff Facts

Ringling Boys: Regional Appearances: 25; Regional Record: 10-28; Area Appearances: 0; Area Record: 0-0; State Appearances: 0; State Record: 0-0.

Ringling Girls: Regional Appearances: 38; Regional Record: 18-41; Area Appearances: 5; Area Record: 1-5; State Appearances: 0; State Record: 0-0.

NEXT WEEK: Terral playoff basketball history

Central High Uses Big First Half Subdue Cowboys

By
Trey Smart
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0

CENTRAL HIGH – Central High raced to a 52-14 victory over the Ryan Cowboys here last Friday night.

The Cowboys, 0-3 on the year, will return home tomorrow night (Friday) to host Thackerville in a homecoming contest.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with homecoming festivities beginning around 6:30 p.m. at the Bob Givens Sports Complex.

Ryan suited out only 11 players last week, but the Cowboys opened the game with a long drive that ended when they came up one yard short of a first down at the Central five-yard line.

The Cowboys had moved from their own 28 to the Central 12, but on the 10th play of the drive, the Bronchos stopped the Cowboys on fourth down.

Ryan forced Central High to punt but after picking up a first down the drive stalled at the Cowboy 37 and the Cowboys punted the ball back to the Bronchos.

This time Central High drove from their own 13 in five plays for the score. Ryan Minden took the ball into the end zone from 14 yards out, but the two-point conversion pass was intercepted by the Cowboys’ Racen Williams and Central was in front, 6-0, with only 30 seconds showing on the clock.

Central High dominated play in the second quarter with three scores.

The first drive came after another fourth down try by the Cowboys came up short. Central High took possession at the Ryan 32 and in only four plays went the distance. The scoring play came on a well-executed option play when Levin Young took the pitch from Minden and raced 27yards for the score. Jax Hansen ran for the two points giving the Bronchos a 14-0 lead with 11:06 left before the half.

A Ryan fumble that gave Central High the ball at their own 30 set up the next score. The Bronchos drove the 50 yards (Central High plays on an 80-yard field) in six plays and overcame two penalties to get the touchdown.

Hansen scored the touchdown from 15 yards out and Kolten Bethune caught a two-point conversion pass from Minden to increase the lead to 24-0 with 5:16 left in the second quarter.

On the ensuing drive the Cowboys could not pick up a first down and were forced to punt.

Central High took possession at its own 17 and six plays marched 63 yards for the score. Minden caught a 36-yard pass from Hansen and maneuvered through the Cowboy secondary for the score. Payton Spencer ran for the two points and Central High held a commanding 30-0 lead with just 1:30 left before halftime.

The Bronchos took the second half kickoff at the Ryan 38 after a failed onside kick attempt by the Cowboys. It took Central High only three plays to travel 38 yards. Young covered the final 15 paces for the score and Cooper Walters caught a two-point conversion pass from Minden to put Central High in front, 38-0.

The two teams exchanged possessions and after Ryan stopped Central High on a fourth down try, the Cowboys took over at their own 18.

Williams hit a wide open Caleb Perrin on first down and Perrin went the distance for a 62-yard touchdown pass. The try for two failed, but Ryan had trimmed the margin to 38-6.

Central High answered as they began a scoring drive at the Ryan 35. The Bronchos overcame two penalties in getting the touchdown. The final play of the drive came on Young’s 15-yard run for the score. The two-point pass was incomplete, but Central held a 44-6 lead with 7:06 to play in the third quarter.

The Cowboys did not quit, however, and they answered the score by Central High with a 61-yard drive in 13 plays.

Williams found Skyler Wickware in the back of the end zone and Wickware made the catch for the score from 11 yards out. The try for two failed leaving Ryan with a 44-14 deficit with just 29 seconds to play in the third quarter.

Central High scored for the final time as they took just 29 seconds to go 48 yards. Bethune caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Minden and Aidan Randall ran for the two points with only seven seconds left to play in the third quarter.

The Cowboy offense was a bit more effective in the contest as they rushed for 149 yards and threw for 173 yards.

Williams led the Cowboys in rushing with 69 yards on 19 totes, while Perrin had 68 yards on 18 carries.

The favorite target for Williams in the game was Wickware who finished with seven catches for 77 yards. Perrin had four catches for 85 yards.

Trey Bryant turned in another good performance for the Cowboy defense with 15 tackles. Perrin added 11 stops.

COWBOY CORRAL: This was the 38th meeting between Central High and Ryan – all eight-man encounters as Central High did not play football until 1978….Central High leads the series, 24-14….The 52 points for Central High is the third most points in the series with Ryan….Ryan is 0-3 for the first time since 2000…For some reason the officials changed the score at halftime taking two points off the board for Central High and it was never corrected, however, Central High did score 52 points in the game…Ryan’s senior quarterback Grayson Tomberlin did not suit out for the Cowboys and was slated for season-ending knee surgery last Wednesday.

Game In Figures

                                    RHS           CHS

First Downs               14              19

Yards Rushing         40-149     40-276

Yards Passing          173           141

Passes                       13-26        8-14

Passes Int. by          1                1

Fumbles, Lost          22              2-0

Punts                         2-31.5       1-45

Penalties               9-49          8-80

                  SCORE BY QUARTERS

CENTRAL – Ryan Minden 14 run (pass failed), :30.1, 1st Quarter

CENTRAL – Levi Young 27 run (Jax Hansen run), 11:06, 2nd Quarter

CENTRAL – Hansen 15 run (Kolten Bethune pass from Minden), 5:16, 2nd Quarter

CENTRAL – Minden 36 pass from Hansen (Payton Spencer run), 1:30, 2nd Quarter

CENTRAL – Young 15 run (Cooper Walters pass from Minden), 11:12, 3rd Quarter

RYAN – Caleb Perrin 62 pass from Racen Williams (pass failed), 8:38, 3rd Quarter

CENTRAL – Young 15 run (pass failed), 7:06, 3rd Quarter

RYAN – Skyler Wickware 11 pass from Williams (Wickware pass from Williams), :29.2, 3rd Quarter

CENTRAL – Bethune 38 pass from Minden (Aidan Randall run), 7.5, 3rd Quarter

                  INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Ryan: Rushing – Racen Wiliams 19-69, Caleb Perrin 18-68, Skyler Wickware 3-12; Passing – Williams 13-26-173-1; Receiving – Wickware 7-77, Perrin 4-85, Mason Adsit 2-11; Tackles – Trey Bryant 15, Perrin 11, Wickware 9, Williams 8, Joshua Denton 7, Carson Cooper 4, Adsit 3, Ethan Burden 3, Mike Regehr 3, Will Regehr 1.

Central: Rushing – Levi Young 9-110, Ryan Minden 9-47, Payton Spencer 4-46, Jax Hansen 6-36, Cody Zimmerman2-27, Aiden Randall 9-14, Jerry Allen 1-(-4); Passing – Minden 6-12-99-1, Hansen 1-1-36-0, Zimmerman 1-1-6-0; Receiving – Kolton Bethune 1-38, Spencer 3-37, Minden 136, Hansen 1-12, Cooper Walters 1-10, Coltin Ladd 1-6.

Cowgirls’ Tough Season Comes to an End at District Tourney

By
Trey Smart
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0

 Competing in fast-pitch softball without an experienced pitcher usually is not a good situation.

The 2019 Ryan Cowgirl fast-pitch softball team experience that first hand during the recently completed season that saw the Cowgirls go winless in 19 games.

Without an experienced pitcher on the squad, coach Stan Mueggenborg looked to senior Samantha Good who had been a three-year starter at shortstop.

And, despite great effort throughout the season, according to Mueggenborg, Good could not carry the Cowgirls to one victory during the season.

Last Thursday the difficult campaign ended with two losses in the Class B District Tournament that was hosted by Big Pasture.

The Cowgirls lost the first game to Temple, 13-0, and then fell to Big Pasture, 18-4.

The game with Temple was close for three innings. Temple held a 2-0 lead after three innings, but the Lady Tigers exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to blow the game wide open.

Kodi Duke and Savannah Lashley had the only two hits for the Cowgirls in the contest.

The second game was much different as the Lady Rangers took a 3-0 lead after one inning and then blew the game open with 10 runs in the second inning to hold a 13-0 advantage.

Big Pasture added to the lead in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs to increase the margin to 15-0.

In the top of the fourth the Cowgirls put together a three-run uprising sparked by Good’s two-run home run. Lindsey Reake scored the other run for the Cowgirls on Katelyn Dabbs’ hit and the Cowgirls trailed 15-3.

The Rangers scored three more runs in bottom of the fourth that put the lead at 18-3.

In the top of the fifth the Cowgirls scored another run as Brooklyn Charmasson singled and later came around to score but it was not enough to end the game on the run-rule.

COWGIRL DIAMOND NOTES: The 19 losses in 2019 is the most losses in a season since the program started in 2000….There are nine years in which no final win-loss records are available….The Cowgirls have now lost six straight games in district tournament play….In 20 seasons the Cowgirls are 10-35 in district tourney games…This was the first year for the Cowgirls to play in a district tournament hosted by Big Pasture…Ryan is 2-9 in district tournament meetings with Temple…Ryan and Big Pasture have met only twice in district tournament play with each team winning one game…The 18 runs scored by Big Pasture was the third most allowed by the Cowgirls in 2019….Temple had upset Big Pasture, 3-2, in the first game of the tournament, but the Lady Rangers came back to win two straight over Temple and claim the district title….Big Pasture is ranked 16th heading into regional play.

Eagles Intercept Cherokee Threat to Earn Playoff Win

By
Trey Smart
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0

 In was a slow start for the Waurika Eagles last Friday night in the second round playoff contest with Cherokee, but the Eagles broke loose for a 58-14 win over the Chiefs with the aid of five Cherokee interceptions.

Waurika will hit the road for the quarterfinal round. The Eagles travel to Davenport on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

 The Eagles had a few turnover problems, too, as the first two Eagle drives ended with a fumble and an interception.

Turner Mora looking for an open receiver.
Photo by Curtis Plant

But the Waurika defense held its ground and forced Cherokee to punt on its first two offensive thrusts.

 After the second punt, the Eagles took the ball at the Waurika 18 and marched 82 yards in just eight plays for the first score of the game.

Turner Mora connected with Aaron Nitka and Hunter Wesberry on two big pass plays to help the Eagles advance down the field.

Kevin Garcia racing toward the end-zone.
Photo by Curtis Plant

Zac Brown capped the drive with a six-yard run and Colton Bryant ran for the two points to give the Eagles an 8-0 advantage with 1:40 left in the first period.

Cherokee answered the score after Kade Chace returned the kickoff to the Cherokee 44 yard line. It took the Chiefs five plays to get the game-tying score.

On the first play of the second quarter, Chace found 6-8 wide receiver Blake Hall in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Chace added the two-point conversion with 11:55 left before intermission.

Photo by Curtis Plant

The Eagles were forced to punt on the ensuing series and the Chiefs took over at their own 27-yard line.

The Chiefs drove down the field, but on a second down pass by Chace, Waurika’s Wesberry made a diving interception to thwart the drive and give the Eagles possession at their own two.

Disaster struck on the first play for the Eagles as they fumbled the handoff and Cherokee’s Damein Labato recovered just inside the end zone for the Chief touchdown. The run failed, but the Chiefs were in front, 14-8 with 7:23 left before the half.

The Waurika Defense.
Photo by Curtis Plant

This was only the second time this season the Eagles have trailed in a game, but they responded well to the challenge.

After a 12-yard kickoff return by Kevin Garcia, the Eagles were in business at their own 48. Overcoming a penalty, the Eagles drove the distance in seven plays with Mora getting the score on a one-yard plunge. Mora connected with Aaron Nitka for the two-point conversion and Waurika was back in front, 16-14, with 4:19 left in the second quarter.

Things began to turn south from this point as Treavor Green could not handle a pooch kickoff by the Eagles and Austin Dyer was there to recover the ball for the Eagles.

Cherokee forced another Waurika punt, but Payton Ream let the ball go through his hands and Edwin Garcia was downfield for the Eagles to recover the ball.

Coach Joe Allen talking with Turner Mora.
Photo by Curtis Plant

A Cherokee penalty on the play put Waurika at the Chiefs’ seven-yard line and in just two plays the Eagles’ Mora got the score from five yards out. Matt Arriolla ran for the two-point conversion giving Waurika 24-14 lead with 2:21 left in the half.

Following a Cherokee penalty on its first play, Wesberry picked off his second pass of the game and returned it to the Cherokee 24 giving the Eagles another golden opportunity.

The Eagles covered the distance in just four plays with Mora getting the touchdown on a two-yard run. K. Garcia ran for the two points and with just 40 seconds showing on the clock, Waurika held a commanding 32-14 lead.

Waurika sideline.
Photo by Curtis Plant

The second half belonged to the Eagles. The defense stepped up and thwarted three of the four Cherokee possessions by snaring interceptions. The other possession the Eagles held Cherokee on fourth down.

Meanwhile, the Waurika offense continued to churn out scoring drives to dominate the second half.

On Cherokee’s first possession of the second half, K. Garcia picked off an errant Cherokee pass and returned the ball 33 yards to the Cherokee 27 yard line.

K. Garcia went the distance on first down for the score to increase Waurika’s lead to 38-14 with 9:15 to play in the third quarter.

Waurika defensive player stopping a Cherokee runner.
Photo by Curtis Plant

 The next Cherokee drive also ended with an interception by Mora. He returned it 23 yards from the Waurika one, but a Waurika holding penalty set the Eagles back to the Waurika 15.

The Eagles engineered a 10-play, 85-yard scoring drive and the scoring play was a 22-yard pass from Mora to Nitka. After the two-point conversion failed, the Eagles held a 44-14 lead with 3:12 left in the third quarter.

Cherokee was able to pick up a first down on the ensuing possession, but the Eagle defense stuffed a fourth down and short run to take the ball over on downs.

This time it took the Eagles 12 plays to cover 60 yards for another score. Arriolla was heading into the end zone for the score but fumbled and Jordan Watkins fell on the loose ball for the Waurika touchdown. Mora ran for the two-point conversion giving Waurika a 52-14 lead with just 7:52 left in the game.

Front row (l-r) Mallory Adkins, Nicole Burton, Lexi Streeter, Tallon Mora, Faith Roberson,
Back row: (l-r) Kaci Reynolds, Emily Waid, Regina Bradley, Gracie Walling, Olivia Ralls, Madison Christian, and Kaitlyn Washburn
Photo by Curtis Plant

On the kickoff, Cherokee failed to field the ball and Mora raced down the field to cover the ball giving the Eagles possession at the Cherokee 28. On the first play, Mora raced 28 yards for the score. The two-point conversion that would have ended the game by the mercy rule failed, but with 7:44 remaining in the game the final margin was established.

Cherokee moved the ball to the Waurika 16 on the following possession, but K. Garcia ended that threat with an interception in the end zone and Waurika successfully ran off the final 3:07 of the game to secure the win.

K. Garcia picked up 170 yards on 14 carries for the Eagles, while Arriolla, who came in for an injured Bryant, added 105 yards on 11 carries.

Wesberry and K. Garcia each had two interceptions for the Waurika defense and that helped limit the Chiefs to only 58 offensive plays compared to Waurika’s 72 plays.

EAGLE FLIGHTS:

  After the Chiefs scored their second touchdown in the second quarter it marked only the second time all season Waurika has trailed an opponent….The 58 points scored is the second highest total by Waurika in a playoff game…The 1951 state championship team put up 65 points on Okemah in the state finals that year….The 170 yards rushing by K. Garcia is the top rushing mark for the season by a Waurika player….Mora’s four touchdowns on the ground was a season-high for the Eagle quarterback….It is also the most rushing touchdowns by any Waurika player this season…The 10 penalties whistled against the Eagles is the most this season and the 85 yards in penalties against Waurika is the most yards penalized this season….The 58 points scored by Waurika is tied for the third highest number of points scored in a game in 2018…Arriolla’s 105 yards rushing is also the top mark of the season for the freshman running back…The 374 yards rushing for the Eagles is the most this year and the first time they have topped the 300-yard mark mainly because only two games went the full four quarters during the season.

                                Game in Figures

                                CHS         WHS

First Downs             12            23

Yards Rushing         34-132     54-374

Yards Passing         102          133

Passes                     8-12         9-16

Passes Int. By          1              5

Fumbles, Lost          1-1           3-2

Punts                       2-33         2-39

Penalties                  4-30         10-95

                SCORE BY QUARTERS

Cheroke   0              14            0              0–14

Waurika   8              24          12            14–58

WAURIKA – Zac Brown 6 run (Colton Bryant run), 1:40, 1st Quarter

CHEROKEE – Blake Hall 12 pass from Kade Chace (Chace run), 11:55, 2nd Quarter

CHEROKEE – Damien Labato recovered fumble in end zone (run failed), 7:23, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Turner Mora 4 run (Aaron Nitka pass from Mora), 4:19, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Mora 5 run (Matt Arriolla run), 2:21, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Mora 2 run (Kevin Garcia), :40, 2nd Quarter

WAURIKA – Garcia 27 run (run failed), 9:15, 3rd Quarter

WAURIKA – Nitka 22 pass from Mora (run failed), 3:12, 3rd Quarter

WAURIKA – Jordan Watkins recovered fumble in end zone (Mora run), 7:52, 4th Quarter

WAURIKA – Mora 28 run (run failed), 7:44, 4th Quarter

                INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

CHEROKEE: Rushing – Chace 18-76, Payton Ream 16-44, Labato 5-12; Passing – Chace 8-17-102-5; Receiving – Ream 3-38, Hall 2-27, Jacob Mustard 2-14, Blaine Hellar 1-23.

WAURIKA – Rushing – K. Garcia 14-170, Arriolla 11-105, Mora 14-54, Brown 9-39, Bryant 5-9, Austin Dyer 1- -3; Passing: Mora 9-16-133-1; Receiving: Nitka 3-62, Arriola 2-22, Hunter Wesberry 1-26, Brown 1-13, Bryant 1-5, K. Garcia 1-5

Cowgirl Softball Squad Picks Up Pair of Victories

By
Trey Smart
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0

It has been a busy few days for the Ryan Cowgirl slow-pitch softball squad after the team has struggled to get on the diamond because of weather and cancellations.

 The Cowgirls went 2-3 in the stretch of games with two wins over Big Pasture and losses to Thackerville, Geronimo and Grandfield.

 In the first game with Big Pasture, the Cowgirls captured a 4-0 victory over the Lady Rangers.

 Two singles by Justyce Keith and Brooklyn Charmasson helped the Cowgirls score two runs in the top of the second.

 Cassy Charmasson reached base in the top of the third and came around to score after a base hit by Samantha Good gave the Cowgirls a 3-0 advantage.

 In the top of the fourth, the Cowgirls added to the lead as Randi Linton and came around to score to put the Cowgirls up, 4-0.

 B. Charmasson picked up the shut out win for the Cowgirls and survived seven stranded base runners by the Lady Rangers.

 Later the same day the Cowgirls dropped a 14-2 decision to Thackerville as the Lady Wildcats scored five runs in the first inning and six more in the second inning.

 Thackerville added to the lead in the top of the third with three more runs for a 14-0 lead.

 The Cowgirls were able to scratch for two runs in the bottom of the third, but the game ended on the run-rule.

 Sadie Guzman led off the bottom of the third with a walk and scored, while C. Charmasson also walked and scored. The Cowgirls threatened for more runs to try to keep the game alive, but left the bases loaded.

 The Cowgirls took on Geronimo and Big Pasture a week ago Tuesday split the two contests.

 Geronimo blasted the Cowgirls for six runs in the first inning and coasted to an 11-1 victory over Ryan in just four innings.

 Keith accounted for the Cowgirls’ lone run in the game.

 The Cowgirls rebounded from the loss to pick up a 6-3 victory over Big Pasture.

 The Lady Rangers took a 1-0 lead after one inning, but the Cowgirls picked up three tallies in the top of the third to take the lead.

 Madison Rhodes, Kenzie Lewis and Linton all reached base for the Cowgirls and scored. The Cowgirls also stranded two runs in the inning.

 The Cowgirls added to the lead in the top of the sixth as Lewis, Good and Guzman each circled the bases for Ryan giving the Cowgirls a 6-1 lead.

 Big Pasture managed two runs in the bottom of the inning as seven batters came to the plate, but the Cowgirls ended the rally.

 Last Thursday the Cowgirls got into a slugfest with Grandfield and dropped a 21-10 decision.

 Ryan jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Lewis and Linton reached base and scored. Abbie Bolin added a basehit, but the Cowgirls could not do any more damage.

 Grandfield answered in the bottom of the inning as the first four batters came around to score and the Lady Bearcats added another run for a 5-0 lead after the first inning.

 The Cowgirls actually regained the lead in the top of the second inning as they exploded for eight runs.

 Eleven Cowgirls came to the plate in the inning and the first eight batters scored. Keith, C. Charmasson, Rhodes, Savannah Lashley, Keith, Linton, Good and Guzman all scored in the inning to give Ryan a 10-5 lead.

 The Bearcats responded, however, with 12 runs in the bottom of the second inning for a 17-10 lead.

 The Cowgirls could get nothing started in the third inning, while the Lady Bearcats added four more runs for a 21-10 lead heading to the top of the fourth inning.

 The Cowgirls tried to extend the game, but left the bases loaded and the game ended on the run rule.

 Ryan is now 2-4 on the year heading into competition at the Fletcher Tournament that begins play today (Thursday).

 The Cowgirls were to have met Verden in the first game.

 The host school, Verden, Chickasha, Big Pasture and Empire are among some of the teams in the tourney.

Eagles Fall in District Tourney Title Game to Rock Creek

By
Trey Smart
-
0

 The Waurika Eagles closed its 2019 baseball season in heart-breaking fashion by dropping the title game of the Class A District Tournament to Rock Creek, 7-6.

Last Thursday on the first day of the tourney the Eagles did manage one win in the tourney opener with a 10-6 victory over Ringling. Rock Creek had already defeated the Blue Devils so the loss to the Eagles eliminated Ringling.

This meant that Waurika or Rock Creek had to win two games to claim the district championship.

Late Thursday, Rock Creek got the first win, 11-3, setting up a championship round on Friday. The Eagles would have had to beat the Mustangs twice to win the tourney.

The Mustangs scored a run in the bottom of the seventh in the 7-6 win to claim the district crown.

Waurika finished the 2019 campaign with a 16-7 record.

In the final game on Friday Rock Creek took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

With the score tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, the Mustangs took the lead on a two-run home run.

In the top of the seventh, the Eagles fought back to get a pair of runs – one on Jordan Watkins’ sacrifice fly.

Bowden Forsyth
Photo by Curtis Plant

The Mustangs scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning to end the Eagles’ season and advance to today’s Class A Regional Tournament.

Hunter Wesberry was 3-for-4 in the game with a triple and two singles. Aaron Nitka finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.

Austin Dyer took the loss on the mound as he surrendered eight hits and struck out five in the game.

In Thursday’s nightcap of the tournament the Eagles fell behind early and could not launch a serious threat during the game.

Peyton Fletcher was the starting pitcher for the Eagles, but he gave up six runs on four walks and a hit and did not retire a batter.

The Mustangs made the 6-0 first inning lead stand the rest of the way.

The Eagles only had three hits in the game – one each by Nitka, Watkins and Colton Bryant. Nitka and Jordan each had doubles with Nitka driving in a run with his two-bagger.

In the tournament’s second game on Thursday, Waurika took the lead for good with five runs in the fourth inning.

Waurika had the lead in the second inning when Wesberry picked up a run-scoring double.

The Blue Devils seized the lead in the top of the third inning, but the Eagles came back in the bottom of the third to take the lead in the game for good.

Senior Baseball Players were recognized at Monday’s Baseball Game.
Seniors pictured with their parents and/or those special in their lives (l-r) Chad Black, Gatlin Black, Miranda Black, 
Zachary Brown, Michelle Salazar, Colton Bryant, Heather Bryant, 
Bobby Dyer, Austin Dyer, Lisa Dyer, Megan Allen, Gavin Fitzgerald, Coach Joe Allen, Aaron Nitka, and Sloan Roberson
Photo by Curtis Plant

One of the big hits in the inning was Bowden Forsyth’s run-scoring single.

Watkins also doubled to score two runs and a Ringling error produced another run to put Waurika on top, 6-3, after four innings.

The Eagles continued to pad the lead and held off the Blue Devils the rest of the way.

Zac Brown, Forsyth and Watkins each had two hits for the Eagles. Watkins finished 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Dyer, Fletcher, Wesberry and Forsyth all had doubles in the game.

The Eagles helped produce the 10 runs on the base paths as they stole 10 bases during the game.

Nitka picked up the win on the mound despite giving up six runs of which only two were earned. Nitka struck out nine Blue Devils in four innings of work. Fletcher pitched three innings in relief and recorded the save.

SEASON ENDING NOTES: The 16 wins by Waurika in 2019 is the most by a Eagle baseball squad since the 2012 season when Waurika finished with an 18-7 mark….The 16 wins by coach Joe Allen’s squad is also tied for the eighth most wins since baseball returned to the high school sports menu in 1987 (with four seasons missing final records)….The district tourney runner up finish was the best performance in a district tourney since 2012 when the Eagles last won a district championship in baseball….The 16 wins is the fourth best by a first year coach since 1987.

Cowgirls Set to Enter District Tourney After Fletcher Tournament

By
Trey Smart
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0

The Ryan Cowgirl slow-pitch softball squad will take a 4-6 mark into today’s Class 2A District Tournament at Central High.

 The Cowgirls will compete in the district tourney with the host school, Snyder and Geronimo. Central High is the top seed in the tournament, but the Lady Bronchos have lost three of six games in the past few days.

 The Lady Bronchos still have a 23-4 record – including games played through Monday – heading into the district tournament. That is 17 more games than Ryan has played.

 Geronimo and Snyder sport similar records to the Cowgirls, but have also played nearly double the number of contests as Ryan.

 Action was to have gotten underway today at 11 a.m. with the Cowgirls taking on Central High followed by the Geronimo-Snyder contest.

 The tournament is double-elimination, but is slated to be completed today. The winner of the tournament will advance to the regional tourney.

 The regular season was difficult for the Cowgirls in more than just wins and losses.

 Three of the scheduled games with opponents were cancelled because they could not field a team.

 Two other scheduled games were postponed because of weather issues.

 Last week the Cowgirls competed with 13 other teams in the Fletcher Invitational Tournament and played nearly as many games as they had in the entire regular season.

 In the tournament’s opening contest with Verden, the Cowgirls fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and could never get the big hit needed to spark a rally. The Cowgirls left 11 runners stranded.

 Justyce Keith scored the only Cowgirl run in the bottom of the fourth inning in the 3-1 loss.

 In the next round, the Cowgirl bats came alive early against Lawton Christian School. The Cowgirls scored three in the bottom of the first inning after LCS had put two runs on the board in the top of the inning.

 The Cowgirls got on top in the second inning with a four-run uprising to hold a 7-2 lead.

 The Lady Crusaders tried to rally in the fourth and fifth innings by scoring one run in each inning, but were retired in order in the top of the sixth to give the Cowgirls a 7-4 victory.

 The win set up another match with Verden.

 Verden took the lead in the top of the second with a run, but the Cowgirls answered in the bottom of the inning with runs by Abbie Bolin and Brooke Charmasson.

 The Cowgirls gave up two runs in the top of the fourth to the Lady Tigers giving Verden a 3-2 advantage.

 Ryan mounted a rally in the bottom of the fourth scoring four runs and leaving two Cowgirls stranded on the bases to secure a 6-3 lead.

 Verden added a run in the top of the fifth after two were out, but the Cowgirls retired the final batter before the rally could continue and picked up a 6-4 victory.

 The Cowgirls were eliminated by Chickasha last Friday, 9-3, as the Lady Chicks picked up their first victory of the season.

 Chickasha scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first inning with four tallies. The Cowgirls escaped further damage by getting the third out with the bases loaded.

 In the bottom of the second, the Lady Chicks added to the lead with four more runs to give the Cowgirls an 8-0 deficit.

 The Cowgirls struck for two runs in the top of the third inning with Kenzie Lewis and Samantha Good getting base hits and eventually scoring to cut the margin to 8-2.

 Chickasha added another run in the bottom of the fourth and the Cowgirls tried to rally in the top of the fifth, but could come up with only a single run.

Former Ryan Basketball Coach Helping Preserve Sports History

By
Trey Smart
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0

…. Sports Museum Located In Downtown Guthrie Chronicles Oklahoma Sports

Tucked away in three buildings in historical downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma is a little-known destination for any sports enthusiast – particularly if you are from Oklahoma.

The Territorial Capital Sports Museum is located in three adjoining buildings in Guthrie. Those buildings, along with many others in the downtown area, are on the National Register of Historic Places.

And, the museum has a local connection – it was founded by and is managed by former Oklahoma high school coach Richard Hendricks – who made Ryan one of his coaching stops in his basketball coaching career.

Hendricks coached at Ryan in the 1966 and 1967 basketball seasons.

The museum features 13,000 square feet of space full of displays that feature sports artifacts and educational items related to the state of Oklahoma.

UP FRONT – Pictured is the various artifacts near the entrance of the Territorial Capitol Sports Museum in Guthrie. The museum is located in downtown Guthrie and it houses tons of sports memorabilia related to people that call Oklahoma home.
(Photo by Trey Smart)

The museum is also home to the Oklahoma High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame and features a gallery devoted to around 50 members of the Hall of Fame.

The Oklahoma Sports Museum Association is the operator of the museum and was founded in 1993.

The purpose of the museum is to preserve Oklahoma sports history including the traditional sports of football, basketball, baseball, but there are also large displays from rodeo, the Olympics and ice hockey.

It is the largest collection of sports artifacts in Oklahoma.

The museum annually presents the Warren Spahn Award to the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. The award, created in 1999 by Hendricks, honors Spahn, who resided in Oklahoma. Spahn holds the MLB record for wins by a left-handed pitcher.

“This all began one year when I was assistant principal at Guthrie High School,” said Hendricks in a recent interview at the museum.

“I had brought in Fergie Jenkins (former major league pitcher) and Hubert “Geese” Ausbie (former Harlem Globetrotter) to speak during Red Ribbon Week about staying away from drugs and building character,” Hendricks shared.

Jenkins at one time owned a ranch near Guthrie and he pitched for the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, while Ausbie is from nearby Crescent and he was part of the Globetrotters from 1961 to 1985.

“And, the idea of putting together the museum got going at that point,” Hendricks added.

The museum honors athletes from all parts of Oklahoma and teams that represent Oklahoma from the Oklahoma City Thunder to all minor league teams that have existed.

There is also a display with all the Heisman trophy winners and a statue of Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller.

“The creator of Miller’s statue did some of the work right here at the museum,” noted Hendricks, who was able to talk non-stop about the many things located in the museum.

“We have a section honoring Camille Herron from Norman. She is an ultra-marathon runner and she recently set the world record for the 100 mile race,” Hendricks said. “She is a three-time Olympic Marathon trials qualifier.”

OKLAHOMA CONNECTIONS – This display of major league baseball jerseys belonged to former MLB managers that have connections to Oklahoma. The display is one of the many things found in the Territorial Capitol Museum in Guthrie.
(Photo by Trey Smart)

Some of the displays go back to prior to 1900 and there is an extensive collection of baseball artifacts featuring Oklahomans Paul and Lloyd Waner – the only brother combination in the Baseball Hall of Fame that are from Harrah.

There are also displays featuring former major league baseball players Mickey Mantle, Pepper Martin (who was born in Temple) and Dizzy Dean – just to name a few.

One of the most impressive displays is a collection of jerseys from many major and minor league teams – both past and present.

“This guy called me one day and said he had some jerseys he wanted to donate,” Hendricks shared. “I thought it might be seven or eight and it turned out to be 90.”

“We are really fortunate to have so many outstanding people come through this state,” Hendricks reflected. “We have so many outstanding athletes for our size of state in all sports.”

“Oklahoma has a great tradition and outstanding teams,” added Hendricks.

Hendricks has been in charge of the museum since it opened.

“It was great to be able to do this after retiring from education,” Hendricks said. “It has been a great thing for me to do.”

Hendricks was born in Wichita, Kansas, but grew up in Cherokee, Pryor and Cordell. His father was a Baptist minister and his dad helped open Baptist Hospitals in Pryor and Cordell.

“I am 80 years old now and we are really hoping for a major corporate sponsor to help guarantee the future of the museum,” said Hendricks, who had coaching stops at Stigler, Ryan, Lone Wolf, Ft. Cobb, Grandfield, Cordell.

Hendricks came to Guthrie in 1976 and remained at the school until retiring in 1993 and taking over the responsibility at the museum.

Some of his greatest coaching accomplishments came in the two years Hendricks directed the Cowgirl and Cowboy basketball programs for Ryan.

He took over a girls team in 1966 that had won the Class B state title the previous year and the Cowgirls returned four starters from that squad.

“We were always battling Sterling,” Hendricks said. “We were ranked one and two all year and met them twice in the regular season – we won at our place and they won at their place.”

“We begged the OSSAA (Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association) to put us in different regionals, but they didn’t,” Hendricks explained.

Sterling defeated Ryan in the regional finals that season, 42-41, to advance to the state tournament.

That Cowgirl squad finished 21-4 and won the district title and finished ranked fourth in the state.

The 1967 squad carved a 19-5 record and was also the district champion, but fell in the first round of the regional tournament.

“Both years we were one of the top teams in the state,” Hendricks said. “Our boys were not quite at that level but we had some really good players.”

Hendricks mentioned several of his former players such as Pernell Howard (now Williams), Barbara Huff, Sandy Knowles, Gayle Ellis and Sharon Ellis.

“Pernell would have been a good forward, but she dominated on defense,” said Hendricks about the former all-stater that played six-on-six girls basketball.

Hendricks referred to his short stay at Ryan throughout the interview.

“We have nothing but good memories about Ryan,” noted Hendricks. “There were a lot of good people and good kids – good character kids.”

“Glen Martin (the superintendent during Hendricks’ tenure at Ryan) was really good to work with,” Hendricks said.

Hendricks and any of the dedicated museum volunteers will greet you at the door, show you around the galleries and tell you the fascinating stories of Oklahoma’s sports history and its heroes.

The next time you may be looking for a day trip – plan on visiting Guthrie and this hidden gem – the Territorial Capital Sports Museum in downtown Guthrie.

Waurika Drops Pair to Velma-Alma’s Ranked Roundballers

By
Trey Smart
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0

 Waurika hosted the Velma-Alma Comets Tuesday night for a doubleheader encounter and the visitors came away with a pair of victories.

The Lady Comets bested the Lady Eagles, 44-33, while the Comets toppled the Eagles, 53-29.

The Lady Comets are 7-0 and ranked 17th in the latest Class A rankings. The Comets are now 5-1 and are ranked sixth in Class A.

The Lady Eagles dropped to 3-3 with the loss and the Eagles are now 4-2.

Waurika will close out the December portion of the schedule with a Friday matchup with Grandfield on the Bearcats’ home court. Tipoff for the girls’ game is 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Waurika will return home and face Big Pasture. The girls’ game will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Waurika gym.

The Lady Eagles were in front of the Lady Comets after one quarter of play, 14-10.

In the second quarter, however, the Lady Eagles went ice cold and scored only two points. Fortunately, the Lady Comets only managed eight points, but it was enough to give them an 18-16 lead at the half.

The third quarter was a battle with Velma-Alma coming out of the period with an 11-10 advantage to lead 29-26 heading into the final quarter.

The Lady Comets outscored the Lady Eagles, 15-7, to secure the victory in the fourth quarter.

Velma-Alma had three girls in double figures and all three were responsible for the Lady Comets’ fourth-quarter surge.

Jaycee Kimbrough and Shain Ille each had 13 points, while Destinee Wofford added 12 points.

Waurika’s Tallin Mora had 13 points including eight in the first quarter to help the Lady Eagles hold the lead. Asia Smith added 10 points for the Lady Eagles.

The Eagles simply could not keep pace with the talented Comets.

The Comets jumped out to a 13-8 lead and increased the margin to 31-15 by the break.

In the third quarter the Comets put the game away with an 18-6 run to open up a 49-21 lead going into the final frame.

Waurika outscored the Comets, 8-4, in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of reach by that time.

Treyton Torrez led the Eagles in scoring with seven points.

Southern Eight Basketball Honorees Shine in All-Star Game

By
Trey Smart
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0
Dawson Tomberlin (left) and Mackenzie Lewis (right) of Ryan were presented scholarships Monday during the conference all star games. The two Ryan seniors were awarded the scholarships based on participation, academics and entering an essay on how high school athletics have influenced their lives. (photo provided)

The annual Southern Eight Conference All-Star basketball games were played at Temple last Monday night and both games came down the wire.

In the girls’ contest, the White team made up of players from Big Pasture, Temple and Ryan came out on top, 50-49, over the Dark team that consisted of players from Waurika, Grandfield and Geronimo.

In the nightcap, the Dark squad (players from Big Pasture, Waurika and Ryan) used 11 three-pointers, including one in the final seconds, to get a 64-63 win over the White team which was comprised of players from Geronimo, Temple and Grandfield.

Steve Spangler, the head coach of the Ryan girls, directed the White team, while Kalee Baxter of Waurika coached the Dark team.

In the girls’ game, the White team overcame the 18-point performance of Waurika’s Madison Roberson, to get the victory.

The White team got off to a 15-9 lead after the first quarter thanks to Ryan’s Juliet Spangler’s five points.

However, the Dark team came back in the second frame to narrow the lead to 30-28 at the break.

The Dark managed to grab the lead at 43-41 heading into the fourth quarter, but it was the scoring efforts of the Ryan duo of Lily York and MacKenzie Lewis that rallied the White team to the victory.

Dawson Tomberlin (left) and Mackenzie Lewis (right) of Ryan were presented scholarships Monday during the conference all star games. The two Ryan seniors were awarded the scholarships based on participation, academics and entering an essay on how high school athletics have influenced their lives.
(photo provided)

Topping the scorers for the White team was Ryan’s Samantha Good with nine points. Spangler finished with seven, York had six and Lewis added five points.

Nine of the 10 members of the White team scored.

Adding to Roberson’s game-high point total was Grandfield’s Laylee Ramirez that totaled 13 points in the losing effort.

Asia Smith of Waurika contributed two points, while the Lady Eagles’ Lexie Streeter played but did not score.

The Cowboys’ Judd Matthes coached the Dark team to the narrow victory thanks to Big Pasture’s Dalton Groves’ long-range trey with three seconds to play to decide the contest.

The Dark team managed a 14-11 lead after the first quarter, but the White squad snared a 30-29 advantage at the half.

The Dark outscored the White, 17-15, in the third quarter to hold a slim one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The two teams battled on even terms in the fourth quarter with Groves’ trey ultimately giving the Dark team the win.

The Dark team was able to gain the victory thanks to four three-pointers in the final quarter including two from Ryan’s Skylar Parkhill.

Groves and his Big Pasture teammate Conner Boydston led the Dark team with 11 points apiece.

Parkhill finished with eight points and his teammate, Dawson Tomberlin, added three points.

Among the Waurika players, Cache Arellano had eight points, while Kevin Garcia and Seth Cathey each totaled seven tallies. Turner Mora scored two points to round out the Waurika contingent.

Ryan’s Tomberlin and Lewis were each awarded a $250 scholarship by the conference.

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