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Waurika Gridders Are Gunning For Third Straight District Title in 2020

By
Trey Smart
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0

Coming off back-to-back double-digit win seasons the 2020 edition of the Waurika Eagle football squad will be facing somewhat of a rebuilding task and a more daunting schedule.

Waurika has three games on the schedule that feature teams that have won state titles within the past five years – a couple of them have more than one gold ball in that time.

And, the Eagles will be competing in District B-3 with three new district foes – all of which were playoff teams a year ago.

Waurika will open the 2020 football season Friday night as they host old rival Grandfield on Norman West Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

While the Eagles lost a number of contributors to the success of the team the past two years, the squad is not devoid of plenty of talent that it will take to put together another successful season.

For the first time in a number of years there will be someone not named Mora at the quarterback position.

Sophomore Treyton Torrez will be directing the Eagle offense in 2020.

“Treyton is explosive out of the backfield and has been impressive so far,” said head coach Joe Allen, who begins his third season at the helm of the Eagles.

“He (Treyton) is always wanting to figure things out and asking questions,” Allen added about the sophomore quarterback. “He is a natural leader for us at quarterback.”

The top offensive returning starter for the Eagles is running back Kevin Garcia.

Garcia has been a mainstay in the Eagle backfield the past couple of years and in 2019 rushed for 1,187 yards a year ago.

Garcia was also impressive as a receiver from his jet sweep spot in the offense.  He also returned two kickoffs for scores a year ago.

“I really like to get him (Garcia) out in space and that is where he is more effective,” Allen noted about the 2019 all-district back.

Waurika will have plenty of talent at the receiver positions. Octavio Gomez will get the start at tight end for a few games after Houston Scott suffered an injury.

Mason Houston will be the wide receiver for the Eagles and Trent Arellano will back up Garcia.

Gabe Jenkins and Matt Arriola will see action at the tailback position for the Eagles.

“We have more skill position kids this year than the previous two years at Waurika,” Allen said. “We are two deep and there is not much of a drop off at those positions.”

The defense for the Eagles is loaded with talent and experience.

Slade Cathey and Arriola will join newcomer Cory Sampson along the defensive line that will be tough to penetrate for most Eagle opponents this season.

Arellano and Jenkins will be the linebackers and Torrez, Garcia and Houston will roam the secondary for the Eagles.

Jenkins collected 68 tackles as a sophomore last season

Gomez will see action at both cornerback and linebacker to give some relief for the starts.

The Eagles have 23 players on the roster and will have the luxury of having depth to face the challenging schedule ahead.

“We scheduled these teams to give our kids a sense of where we need to be,” Allen said. “We will find out early what it takes to be in the spot of a true contender.”

Waurika’s district for the next two seasons will be a bit tougher than the past couple of years. Tipton moved up from Class C where they have been a dominant team the past few years. Snyder joined the district and they have made a playoff appearance the past two seasons.

Waurika is tabbed as the runner up behind district favorite Snyder which would mean a home playoff berth in the first round of the playoffs.

The Eagles’ final tune up scrimmage slated for last Friday against Thackerville was cancelled because of the COVID-19 virus outbreak in Love County schools including Thackerville.

If the Eagles can stay healthy throughout the season, they could be equipped to make a deeper run in the playoffs than the past two seasons – even if the win-loss ledger is not as good.

Here’s a preview of the Waurika opponents for 2020:

Grandfield

Coach: Darren Lamar, 3rd year (4-15)

Preseason Ranking: Not ranked; 7th or 5th in District C-2

Last Year’s Record: 3-7

Last Playoff Appearance: 2017, lost to Tyrone, 76-30 in first round of Class C playoffs.

Last Meeting: Waurika 64, Grandfield 0, in 2019

First Meeting: Grandfield 9, Waurika 3, in 1922

Series Record: Series is tied at 19-19-3

BEARCAT BEAT: The Bearcats are like a lot of Class C eight-man schools in that they are fighting a numbers game. The Bearcat offense will be led by junior quarterback Ethan Hammer. At running back, Blake Houston returns to provide a threat any time he touches the ball. Grandfield returns four starters on the defensive side of the ball. The 2020 squad overall will be young and inexperienced and it looks like the string of losing seasons may continue for the Bearcats that currently have 12 players on their roster.

Laverne

Coach: Tanner Woods, 2nd year (9-3)

Last Year’s Record: 9-3

Preseason Ranking: Class B: VYPE (4th); The Tulsa World (2nd); The Daily Oklahoman (8th); 2nd in District B-1.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Alex, 44-30 in second round of Class B playoffs.

Series Record: These two schools have never met in football

Zero Week Result: lost to Cherokee, 28-20

TIGER TARGETS: Laverne will make the long drive from northwest Oklahoma to south central Oklahoma after posting back-to-back 9-3 seasons. The Tigers have been a contender in Class B for a number of years and won a state title in 2016 with a 15-0 record. Laverne also won state championships in 2012 and 2013 and over the past seven seasons has won 81 games while losing only 11 contests. The Tigers return seven starters on offensive side of the ball. Peyton Freeman returns to direct the offense at the quarterback position and the junior compiled 886 yards rushing a year ago and passed for 843 yards on just 47 completions. Overall the Tigers are loaded with talented returnees – most of whom are juniors – and will present a tremendous challenge for the Eagles in the second game of the season.

at Wilson

Coach: Kenny Ridley, 3rd year (14-6)

Last Year’s Record: 8-2

Preseason Ranking: Competing as an independent this year

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Snyder, 64-18, in the first round of the Class B playoffs.

Last Meeting: Waurika 62, Wilson 34 in 2019

First Meeting: Wilson 14, Waurika 0, in 1921

Series Record: Waurika leads, 52-20-3, in known results

Zero Week Result: defeated Cyril, 56-32

EAGLE FLIGHTS: Wilson will try to repeat the success of last season, but they have chosen to go to independent status for the next two years which means they will not compete for post-season play. For Wilson to have success in 2020 they will depend on some younger players that played behind the experienced players from the past two seasons. The top returnee is Tre Richardson a senior lineman that will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. Two sophomores – Caylen Fulton and John Gunter – will be counted on to provide an offensive threat. The Eagles are entering the season with great enthusiasm and attitude, but will have to overcome the inexperience that will dot the lineup for the squad.

at Shattuck

Coach: Craig Hixon, 2nd year (14-0)

Last Year’s Record: 14-0, Class B State Champions

Preseason Ranking: Class B: VYPE (2nd); The Tulsa World (1st); The Daily Oklahoma (1st); 1st in District B-1.

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, defeated Regent Prep, 25-19, in Class B state finals.

Last Meeting: Waurika 25, Shattuck 8 in 1988 Class B quarterfinals (11-man)

First Meeting: Waurika 25, Shattuck 8 in 1988

Series Record: Waurika leads 1-0

Zero Week Result: defeated Tipton, 46-0

INDIAN NOTES: The fourth week of the season will provide another stern test for the Eagles as they travel to northwest Oklahoma to face the three-time state champion Indians. The program has dominated eight-man football in the 21st century winning six straight titles from 2003 to 2008 and have won 11 titles overall since 2003. The first state championship won by Shattuck came in 1991 when the Indians downed Ringling, 18-0, for the Class A crown. The Indians will put a strong and experienced offensive and defensive line on the field, but will also future a great deal of talent in the skilled positions on offense. Jayden Frazier is a 6-1, 185-pound senior running back that will benefit from the bulky offensive line. Coaches believe Frazier could play at the next level. As the Eagles draw near to district play this game will provide a gauge on how much progress the team has made.

Canton

Coach: Caleb Howell, 1st year

Last Year’s Record: 4-6

Preseason Ranking: Unranked; 6th in District B-1

Last Playoff Appearance: 2009, lost to Garber, 50-2, in Class B state finals

Series Record: These two teams have never met in football

Zero Week Results: defeated Okeene, 20-0

TIGER TALES: Canton has fallen on hard times over the past few seasons, but last year’s record was the best the Tigers have done since posting a 4-6 mark in 2012. Canton does return seven starters from the 2019 squad and four of those players are seniors giving the Tigers a boat load of experience. Seth Bromlow is a four-year starter that will play tailback, fullback and tight end and he will also be a ringleader on defense from the linebacker position. This game could give the Eagles some confidence as they head into the district season.

Cyril

Coach: John Williamson, 1st year

Last Year’s Record: 5-6

Preseason Ranking: Unranked; 5th or 4th in District B-3

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Waurika, 54-6, in the first round of the Class B playoffs

Last Meeting: Waurika 54, Cyril 6, in 2019

First Meeting: Cyril 56, Waurika 28 in 2012

Series Record: Series is tied at 4-4

Zero Week Result: lost to Wilson, 56-32

PIRATE PREVIEW: Cyril made its fourth straight playoff appearance last season and for the last several years the Pirates have been competitive. The Pirates return four offensive starters including sophomore quarterback Kole Carlson who threw for 1,267 yards a year ago. Up front the Pirates will feature a mixture of youth an experience s they will start one senior, one junior and two sophomores. This will be the first district test of the 2020 season for the Eagles and after a blowout loss to Waurika in the 2019 playoffs, the Pirates will be looking for some measure of revenge.

at Central High

Coach: Gerald White, 1st year

Last Year’s Record: 4-6

Preseason Ranking: Not Ranked; 6th in District B-3

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Burns Flat-Dill City, 54-6, in first round of Class B playoffs.

Last Meeting: Waurika 60, Central High 0, in 2019

First Meeting: Central High 50, Waurika 22 in 2012

Series Record: Series is tied at 3-3

Zero Week Result: defeated Paoli, 48-12

BRONCHO BITES: The last few seasons have been a struggle for the Bronchos as they have bounced between 11-man and eight-man football, but optimism is high in the Central High camp after they hired Tipton assistant Gerald White to man the sidelines at Central High for 2020. Ryan Minden returns from last year’s playoff team for the Bronchos and he will see action at tailback and receiver. Dylan Hargrove, a four-year starter for Central High, will be anchoring the offensive line and he will be counted on to provide leadership to some of the younger members of the 2020 team. Sean Klein, a 6-0, 280-pound senior, is another lineman that will give the Bronchos experience along the line on both sides of the ball. The Eagles cannot afford to look past Central High as they enter the closing stretch of the district schedule that features the three playoff contenders.

at Empire

Coach: Brant Hayes, 2nd Year (4-7)

Last Year’s Record: 4-7

Preseason Ranking: Unranked; 4th or 5th in District B-3

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Alex, 52-6, in first round of Class B playoffs.

Last Meeting: Waurika 56, Empire 22, in 2019

First Meeting: Waurika 48, Empire 0, in 1974

Series Record: Waurika leads, 22-11

Zero Week Result: defeated Wellston, 66-20

BULLDOG BARKING: Empire returns seven starters on offense and the plan is to use an up tempo offense for the 2020 season. Mitchel Monteith returns to guide the Bulldog offense at quarterback. Monteith passed for over 1,500 yards a year ago. Kaden Pekah will be the key cog along the defensive line for the Bulldogs after recording 48 tackles a year ago. Santos Benitez also returns along the defensive line and he was the leading tackler for Empire a year ago.

vs. Tipton

Coach: Travis White, 7th year (69-10)

Last Year’s Record: 9-3

Preseason Ranking: Class B: VYPE (unranked); The Tulsa World (8th); The Daily Oklahoman (12th); 3rd in District B-3

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Waynoka, 72-48, in Class C semifinals

Last Meeting: Waurika 29, Tipton 0 in 1989

First Meeting: Waurika 50, Tipton 0 in 1935

Series Record: Waurika leads, 7-2

Zero Week Result: lost to Shattuck, 46-0

TIGER TALK: Tipton will be looking to make its 14th straight playoff appearance but will have to do so in Class B instead of Class C were Tipton has been competing for the majority of those years. The Tigers have seven state titles in school history and five of those championships have come in the past eight years. For 2020, the Tigers will depend on a big and experienced offensive line and the experience of senior signal-caller Tayler Waugh who threw for 512 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Defensively, the Tigers will be led by senior defensive end Trey Mains who had 48 tackles and three sacks last season. The move to Class B may present some challenges for the Tigers early in the season but by the time they head to Cy Sloan Stadium, Tipton will provide a stiff challenge for the Eagles.

Snyder

Coach: Joe Garrison, 4th year (27-9)

Last Year’s Record: 8-4

Preseason Ranking: Class B: VYPE (8th); The Daily Oklahoman (10th)

Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, lost to Cherokee, 52-6, in the second round of the Class B playoffs

Last Meeting: Snyder 22, Waurika 20, in 2019

First Meeting: Waurika 23, Snyder 8, in 1982

Series Record: Snyder leads, 6-3.

Zero Week Result: defeated Corn Bible Academy, 52-6

CYCLONE COMMENTARY: The Cyclones nipped the Eagles a year ago in a contest that saw Waurika commit eight turnovers in a two-point loss. A couple of the offensive performers that hurt the Eagles a year ago are back for the 2020 campaign for the Cyclones including veteran quarterback Ryan Kelley who rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns a year ago against the Eagles and threw for another 123 yards. Jervon Galvan returns at tailback for the Cyclones and he scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversion last year against Waurika. The Cyclones have size and experience up front on both sides of the ball as well and that is why they are tabbed as the district favorite for the upcoming season. The district title could come down to this final game as the Eagles will be after their third straight district crown.

Lady Eagle Softballers Extend Winning Streak to Three Games

By
Trey Smart
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0

The Lady Eagles softball squad is putting together one of the best seasons in recent memory.

Waurika picked up a couple of victories last Thursday when Temple hosted the Lady Eagles and Geroimo.

Games that were scheduled for Monday against Frederick and Tuesday at Ryan were postponed because of rain.

The Lady Eagles and Frederick were in the second inning when rain and lightning halted the contest and after a delay another storm came through forcing the postponement.

Tuesday the Lady Eagles were set to take on Ryan, but additional rains overnight on Monday and Tuesday morning forced the game to be postponed.

In the first game last Thursday at Temple, Waurika held off Geronimo, 7-6. In the second contest, the Lady Eagles pounded Temple, 13-9.

The Lady Eagles are back on the diamond today with a contest at Grandfield.

The Lady Eagles will be on the road again Tuesday when they travel to Central High.

Next weekend the Lady Eagles will return to Temple for the Temple Invitational on Thursday and Saturday.

Waurika is 8-5 on the season heading into today’s game and just need one more win to equal the number of wins from the three previous seasons.

Waurika 13, Temple 9

The Lady Eagles used a 10-run third inning to build a big lead and held on for the win.

Temple scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning on three hits, an error and a pair of stolen bases including a steal of home. This gave the Lady Tigers a 3-0 advantge.

The Lady Eagles came back in the top of the second with a pair of tallies.

A lead-off single and a stolen base by Gracie Walling helped get the uprising started.

Alana Lewis followed with an RBI-double and she scored on Riley Howell’s run-scoring single. This trimmed the Temple lead to 3-2.

In the top of the third the Lady Eagles sent 16 players to the plate.

Aubree Showalter and Faith Roberson led off the inning with infield singles and scored on Walling’s double.

Lewis had another infield single and she scored on a single by Hope Cummings. Howell walked and Grace Hill produced a two-run single.

Faith Hill walked and eventually stole home to increase the lead to 10-3.

After two were out Roberson and Landry Forsyth came up with infield hits. Walling walked to load the bases and the back-to-back walks by Lewis and Cummings produced the final two runs of the inning that put the Lady Eagles in front, 12-3.

Temple answered with a four-run rally of their own in the bottom of third that narrowed the gap to 12-7.

The Lady Tigers added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to close the gap to 12-9.

The Lady Eagles added a run in the top of the fifth inning as Lewis drove in Roberson with a two-base hit.

The Tigers put the lead off runner on in the bottom of the fifth, but the next three batters were retired to end the game.

Eight Waurika batters had at least one hit in the game.

Walling and Lewis led the way with 3-for-3 performances.

Lewis had three runs batted in and Walling and G. Hill each had a pair of runs batted in.

Waurika 7, Geronimo 6

Waurika had a seven-run rally in the third inning and made it stand up in picking up the win against the conference tournament champion Lady Bluejays.

Geronimo got out on top with a three-run surge in the bottom of the first inning.

Two walks, a pair of fielder’s choices and an error led to the three runs.

In the top of the third inning Faith Hill led off with a single. Aubree Showalter singles and Faith Roberson reached on an error to load the bases.

Landry Forsyth picked up an RBI-single and Gracie Walling cleared the bases with a three-run triple.

Alana Lewis followed with a run-scoring double and she scored on an error that led Hope Cummings to reach base.

Grace Hill came up with a big two-run single to center field to close out the scoring and giving the Lady Eagles a 7-3 advantage.

Geronimo picked up a run in the bottom of the third after an error and an RBI-single to trim the LadyEagles’ lead to 7-4.

There was no more scoring until the bottom of the fifth inning. Geronimo led off with a single and the runner scored on a ground out to put the score at 7-5.

A two-bagger produced another run, but the Lady Bluejays could do no more damage.

Forsyth was the big hitter for the Lady Eagles as she went 3-for-3 at the plate and had an RBI. Lewis was 2-for-3 with a run batted in. Walling finished with three runs batted in.

Waurika Runners Post Impressive Performances in Initial Meet

By
Trey Smart
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0

The Waurika high school cross country squads opened the season last Saturday by competing in the Duncan Invitational at Duncan.

The Lady Eagles managed a fourth-place finish competing against several of the best teams in this part of the state – including two that will compete in a higher class.

Blanchard was the team champion with 46 points, while Merritt finished with 56. Waurika came in with 91 points.

In the boys’ competition, the Eagles finished 10th, but had to run against the likes of Duncan, Cache, Elgin and Lawton Eisenhower. Cache was the team champion with 45 points and Duncan finished second with 98. Waurika had 241 points – just one point behind Lawton Eisenhower.

Tallin Mora led the way for the Lady Eagles as she earned ninth place with a time of 13:34.21, which is her second best time ever.

Asia Smith also earned a medal by finishing 17th place with a time of 13:50.66.

Aubree Showalter came in at the 27th spot in the crowded girls’ field with a time of 14:53.21.

The fifth runner for the Lady Eagles, Faith Roberson, managed to finish 39th giving the Lady Eagles five runners in the top 40 of the meet. Roberson’s time was 15:40.11.

Brooklyn Barnes headed the junior varsity group for the Lady Eagles. Her overall finish of 55th was good enough to medal among the JV competitors. She finished the two-mile course with a time of 17:34.55.

Kaci Reynolds was 63rd (19:44.52) Savanna Ritter was 65th (20:27.45) and Hope Cummings was 67th (21:22.53) to round out the Lady Eagle competitors.

Waurika was competing against teams from Class 4A through Class 2A.

The Eagles had to compete in one division that included schools from every class – from Class 2A to 6A. Waurika held their own, however, against the bigger schools.

Cache Dunn paced the Eagles on the day with a 31st-place finish. His time was 20:00.30.

Gustavo Gomez was 51st with a time of 21:41.05 for the Eagles, while Trent Arellano earned the 62nd spot, but was just behind Gomez with a time of 22:20.17.

Alex Gomez was 64th (22:22.80) and Kevin Garcia earned 74th place (23:11.83) to round out the scorers for the Eagles.

Octavio Gomez (81st, 23:32.64), Malachi Dodson (117th, 29:06.55) and Colby York (121st, 30:24.30) rounded out the competitors for the Eagles in the meet.

Waurika will return to action Saturday when they travel to Madill for the Madill Cat Run.

Junior High Results at Duncan

Waurika Boys

Team Scoring: Elgin 63, Altus 73, Blanchard 74, Hollis 87, Duncan 106, Waurika 113, Cache 126.

15. Aiden Jenkins 13:45.33; 32. Jaxson Simmons, 14:58.83; 36. Ryder Watkins, 15:15.99; 38. Ledger Watkins, 15:53.63; 41. Austin Eck, 16:48.64; 

Waurika Girls

Team Scoring: Merritt, 47, Hollis 72, Comanche 50, Altus 108, Rush Springs 121, Blanchard 121, Duncan 184, Waurika 190, Ryan 226.

20. Charley Sellers, 12:38.21; 47. Niesca Camarillo, 14:15.78; 50. Destiny Foster, 14:36.96; 77. Gabby Gunter, 17:20.55; 85. Chancy Sellers, 18:19.99; 87. Paisley Young 18:28.27.

Cowgirl Harriers Finish Seventh In First Meet of the Season

By
Trey Smart
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0

A pair of outstanding individual performances highlighted the first meet of the season for the Ryan cross country teams.

The Cowgirls posted a seventh-place finish in the Class 4A-2A division with two runners earning medals and another battling a nagging injury during competition at the Duncan Invitational last Saturday.

Photo by Shelley Villarreal

The Cowboys took only one runner – Mason Adsit. The sophomore runner, however, recorded his second best time of his career which was good for 78th place in the crowded field of competitors.

His time over the five-kilometer course was 23:19.83.

Alicen Williams and Jasmine Villerreal led the Cowgirls to the seventh place team finish and both runners earned medals in the highly competitive meet.

Photo by Shelley Villarreal

Williams recorded a personal best time over the two-mile course. Her time of 13:54.22 was good for 18th place overall.

Villarreal, running in her first meet at the high school level, finished in 24th place with a time of 14:29.55.

Lilybet Harmon, the Cowgirls’ top returning runner from last year’s regional title team, has been battling an injury, but she still managed to finish 34th in the meet with a time of 15:16.21.

Rounding out the performances for the Cowgirls were Katelynn Dabbs who finished 58th with a time of 18:05.22.

Libby Carter was 69th in the race with a time of 24:42.01. Carter is a recent addition to the Cowgirl squad and has had limited time conditioning for a cross country race.

Blanchard won the high school girls division meet with 46 points, while Merritt was second with 56 tallies. Ryan’s point total of 151 was seventh among the eight teams in the meet. A total of 70 high school girls competed in the meet.

Ryan will return to competition on Saturday when they travel to Geronimo for the first meet ever hosted by the school.

Duncan Invitational Junior High Results

Boys

9. Andrew Scott, 13:18.24; 12. Koble Lewis, 13;38.58

Girls

Merritt 47, Hollis 72, Comanche 90, Altus 108, Rush Springs 121, Blanchard 121, Duncan 184, Waurika 190, Ryan 226

41. Lilah Regehr, 13:55.68; 65. Harleigh Loftis, 15:54.40; 71. Lynnlee Tomberlin, 16:29.08; 80. Alyssa Harrison, 17:58.46; 82. Heather Poage,18:03.02; 89. Kayleigh Hodges, 20:29.52

Hastings Was First Jefferson County School To Play For State Title

By
Trey Smart
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0

Hastings High School last played in a district tournament in 1958 – the final year Hastings had a high school.

But, the school was the first Jefferson County school to make an appearance in a state basketball tournament.

The town of Hastings, which was once known as Bayard, was established in 1902.

When the area was opened for settlement as part of the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache reservation, it was discovered the name of Bayard already existed in Indian Territory.

This forced the locals to come up with another name when the post office was established in 1902. Two residents suggested the community be named for their hometown – Hastings, Nebraska.

Hastings was a thriving community in those early years. Several businesses including a pair of banks, cotton gins and grain elevators along with a brick company were part of the new town.

There was even a Baptist college located in Hastings, but it was relocated to Mangum, Oklahoma by 1912.

The community hit its population high in 1910 when 727 residents were counted.

Since that time, the community has dwindled.

As early as 1914, however, Hastings had a high school boys’ basketball team.

The first district tournament appearance by the Bulldog roundballers came in 1924 when the squad lost to Lawton, 40-7, at Waurika.

No district tourney results are available from that time until 1929 when Hastings dropped a 19-17 decision to Waurika in the first round of the tourney at Waurika.

It was not until 1934 that the Hastings boys picked up their first win in district tournament play. The opponent and score are not available for the semifinal game.

The Bulldogs fell to Union Valley-Randlett in the finals at Walters, 34-30.

The first district title won by the Bulldog came in the banner year of 1939.

Hastings won three straight games to claim the district crown at Waurika.

In the first two games, the Bulldogs picked up wins over Ahpeatone and Union Valley-Ryan. Hastings edged Terral, 39-37, in overtime, in the championship game.

With the district title in hand the Bulldogs headed to the Class C regional tournament at Comanche to continue the quest for a state tournament berth.

In the first round of the regional tourney, Hastings eliminated Burrow School, located near Foster in Garvin County. Hastings moved into the regional finals with a 46-36 victory.

This set up a meeting with Orr, a small community in Love County, and the Bulldogs rolled to a 52-20 victory to qualify for the state tournament.

In the first round of the state tournament played at Central High School in Oklahoma City, Hastings met up with Caddo County school Bridgeport. Bridgeport came into the tourney as the second seed, but the Bulldogs whipped Bridgeport, 36-10, to move into the Class C semifinals.

The Bulldogs met Butner of Wewoka in the semifinals. Hastings held a slim 12-9 advantage at the half. Butner’s missed free throw with five seconds remaining in the game helped Hastings advance with a 21-20 victory.

Earlier in the contest Butner had called a timeout without possession of the ball which resulted in a technical foul. Roy Johnson, the star forward for the Bulldogs, calmly sank the free throw.

In the championship game Hastings met Nuyaka, which was located near Okmulgee.

Nuyaka came into the game undefeated and kept an unblemished record for the season with a 39-36 win over Hastings. Nuyaka finished 34-0 for the year.

Hastings actually led, 11-4, after the first quarter, but Nuyaka rallied in the second frame to take the lead at the half.

Johnson had 18 points in the losing effort for Hastings. Johnson and Elmer Kincannon were named to the all-tournament team for the Bulldogs.

That proved to be the only district title won by the Bulldogs and the only regional and state tourney appearance for the Hastings boys.

The first appearance in a district tournament for the Hastings girls came in 1929 when the Lady Bulldogs fell to Comanche, 25-6, in the quarterfinals of the tourney at Waurika.

After only one known appearance in a district tourney from 1929 to 1945, the Lady Bulldogs were able to pick up their initial district tourney win – a 34-30 victory over Addington in the tournament at Waurika.

The only district tournament won by the Lady Bulldogs came in 1957 – just a year before the high school was closed.

Hastings scored a 54-36 victory over Geronimo in the semifinals of the Class B tournament played at Walters.

In the championship game the Lady Bulldogs defeated Union Valley-Randlett, 55-37, to advance into the regional tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Marlow for the Class B regional and in the first round, Hastings managed a 41-34 victory over Middleberg.

In the semifinals, Hastings nipped Leon, 33-31, to earn a spot in the regional finals.

Sickles, which is now consolidated with Lookeba to form Lookeba-Sickles schools, edged the Lady Bulldogs, 44-42, in the finals and moved on to the state tournament.

While success for the Hastings basketball squads was limited, the town can always say they were the first from Jefferson County to make the state basketball tournament.

Here’s a brief summary of the playoff history of Hastings High School.

Cowgirl Fast-Pitch Squad Hopes To Rebound From Winless 2019 Season

By
Trey Smart
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0

It was a tough season last year for the Ryan High School fast-pitch softball squad.

The 2019 team was 0-19 for the fall season and is looking to improve that mark as the 2020 season kicks off Tuesday at Waurika.

The Cowgirls will stage the home opener one week from today (Thursday) when they will play host to Big Pasture on Larry Ninman Field at the Bob Givens Sports Complex.

Youth will be counted on by third-year coach Stan Mueggenborg as last year’s team featured four seniors. This year’s roster has only three seniors.

But, while the Cowgirls may be short on experience, they will have more talent on the field.

Mueggenborg is looking to start as many as three freshmen, including the likely starting pitcher, Jasmine Villerreal.

“She (Villerreal) has good speed and has a good fast ball and has been working on some off-speed pitches,” Mueggenborg said.

With Villerreal in the circle for the Cowgirls, that leaves a hole at shortstop where Villerreal was slated to play when pre-season practices started a few weeks ago.

Three returning starters – Kodi Duke, Diamond Chazaretta and Linsdsey Reake will be counted on to provide the offensive punch for the Cowgirls.

“Diamond has been hitting the ball well and a lot better than last year,” Mueggenborg said of the Cowgirl senior.

Reake, who returns a first base for the Cowgirls, should provide some power as she will probably hit in the four spot.

“Lindsey has a great attitude and works harder than just about anyone,” Mueggenborg noted.

Emily Harris, a sophomore, will see some playing time in the circle for the Cowgirls and will hopefully provide some offensive punch.

Harris and Reake were cited by Mueggenborg as two of the hardest working girls on the team.

“We are a little more talented and faster than a year ago,” Mueggenborg said. “We have the opportunity to do some things on the base paths that we have not been able to do previously.”

That speed will not only be an asset to the Cowgirls on the base paths, but also in the field.

The Cowgirls will have a bit of depth as Mueggenborg has 13 players currently preparing for the upcoming season.

Kyla Este’Phillips is one senior that will hopefully provide some depth in the outfield when needed.

Carter Combs looks to be the starter behind the plate, while sophomore Libby Carter will probably be holding down the second base position.

“Libby loves playing softball,” Mueggenborg said. “She is here every day and works at it and has gotten better every year.”

Kaitlyn Dabbs, another speedster for the Cowgirls, will be joining Duke and Chazaretta in the outfield.

Alexis Shockley is the other infielder for the Cowgirls and will see action at both shortstop and third base.

Overall the Cowgirls may be better, but with the schedule loaded with teams that return most or all of their players from a year ago, the Cowgirls may find a difficult time finding the win column.

But, as the younger players progress through the early part of the season, Mueggenborg is hopeful the wins will eventually come.“We are going to hustle every chance we get,” said Mueggenborg.

Look for the Cowgirls to be a bit more competitive on the diamond, but without the experience in the circle and teams such as Geronimo, Grandfield and Waurika returning key players from a year ago, it will be tough for the Cowgirls especially early in the season.

Cowgirl Fast-Pitch Softball Schedule

August

11: at Waurika; 13: Big Pasture; 17: at Wilson; 20, 22: Southern Eight Conference Tournament; 24: at Geronimo; 25: Grandfield.

September

1: Waurika; 3: Temple; 8: Wilson; 10, 12: Temple Tournament; 14: at Grandfield; 15: Frederick; 17: at Big Pasture; 21: Empire; 24: District Tournament.

Lady Eagles Look To Build On Last Year’s Diamond Success

By
Trey Smart
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0

 A year ago first-year coach Everett Hodges put a young squad on the diamond for the Waurika fast-pitch softball squad and experienced limited success.

 The 2019 version of the Lady Eagles fashioned a 5-16 mark, but that was a vast improvement over the previous few seasons and the outlook for the 2020 campaign is optimistic as the Lady Eagles return all the starters for last year’s team.

Waurika will open the season Monday when they host Wilson and Big Pasture. The Lady Eagles will return to action Tuesday by hosting Ryan.

Grandfield will come to Waurika one week from today to close out a busy first week of the fast-pitch season.

Besides being long on experience, the Lady Eagles will also feature some depth for the first time in a number of years as 14 players make up the pre-season roster.

Leading out in the circle for the Lady Eagles will be Riley Howell. Liberti Simmons, Alana Lewis and Faith Roberson will also be counted on to provide Coach Hodges with some options with the pitching staff.

One of the areas of concentration in pre-season workouts has been at the plate and Coach Hodges thinks fans will see the difference.

All the leading hitters from last year return for the Lady Eagles including two seniors – Hope Cummings and Landry Forsyth. Gracie Walling will also be counted on to provide some offensive punch for the Lady Eagles.

Cummings, Simmons and Forsyth were all-conference selections a year ago for Waurika.

“This might be the first year I feel we can have all nine hitters in the lineup able to hit,” said Hodges in talking about the upcoming season.

“We also might have the fastest outfield in this part of the state with Simmons, Showalter (Aubree) and Barnes (Brooklyn),” added Hodges.

Simmons recently was cleared to play after a recent ACL injury.

Look for Faith Hill, MacKenzie Taylor, Alexia Henry and Harley Bradshaw to also provide help off the bench in the 2020 season.

“Our season sets up to have a little success early,” Hodges noted.

In reflecting on this year’s schedule Hodges believes with the strength of the pitching staff for the Lady Eagles they can compete with anybody.

“Ringling is always tough and Temple will be improved,” Hodges said.

Kassie Bohot is serving as an assistant coach this fall for the Lady Eagle fast-pitch squad.

With experience, depth and talent, the Lady Eagles are poised to have the best season in years and could possibly contend for their first district title in school history.

Lady Eagles Fast-Pitch Schedule

August

10: Wilson and Big Pasture; 11: Ryan; 13: Grandfield; 17: at Ringling; 18: at Velma-Alma; 20, 22: Southern Eight Conference Tournament; 27: Temple and Geronimo at Temple.

September

1: at Ryan; 3: at Grandfield; 8: at Central High; 10, 12: at Temple Tournament; 14: at Wilson; 15: Ringling; 17: Temple; 21: Velma-Alma; 24: District Tournament.

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

Waurika’s 1973 Boys Roundball Team Tops Playoff History

By
Trey Smart
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0

Waurika’s two high school basketball teams have a long history of success at the district tournament level.

The boys’ and girls’ teams have a total of 50 district titles between them. The Eagles have claimed 30 of those titles and the Lady Eagles hold 20 district championship trophies.

However, it was the 1973 Waurika Eagle basketball team that outshines all the other squads that have graced the hardwood at Waurika High School.

That 1973 team finished the season with an unblemished record – 28-0 – and claimed the state championship in Class 2A.

Jerry Marsh coached the Eagles that season and it is one of six boys’ teams that have made the state tournament in school history.

The Jerry Gipson-led Eagle squad narrowly won its first two games at the state tourney and then claimed the title with an impressive 66-58 victory over Boley at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City.

But, each of those state tournament appearances began at the district tournament.

In the 1973 season the Eagles hosted the tournament and rolled to victories over rivals Grandfield and Temple.

Waurika has hosted the district tournament 30 times since the school’s first district tournament in 1922. The vast majority of those tournaments came before 1960 when Waurika hosted the district playoffs for a number of years.

The 1973 team was not the only team to make the state tournament. Other squads that began their march to the state tourney at the district level included squads from 1965, 1981, 1983, 1989 and 1990. The 1989 club advanced to the finals before falling to Weleetka, 66-57.

The Lady Eagles have only one state tournament appearance and it came in 1991 when Waurika dropped a first-round game to Dale.

Since 2000 the Eagles have only three district crowns, while the Lady Eagles have secured four district titles.

The Waurika boys have enjoyed two periods of time in school history where impressive squads were put on the floor. From the 1989 season through the 1992 campaign, the Eagles won 82 games and lost only 23.

Capped by the state tourney title in 1973, the Eagles went three years losing only 10 games, while collecting 73 wins.

Overall girls’ basketball at Waurika has not flourished nearly as much as their male counterparts. Even the state tourney team of 1991 lost eight games, while winning 22 games.

The Lady Eagles have never had back-to-back 20-plus win seasons – at least from years where a final record was available.

Waurika’s girls have not missed a district tournament since 1958, but prior to that season the Lady Eagles had made only five district tournament appearances.

For several of those seasons – it is not known exactly how many – Waurika did not field a girls basketball team.

The first year the Lady Eagles competed in the district tournament was in 1929. Waurika defeated Sugden and Empire before falling to Union Valley-Randlett in the semifinals.

It was 1964 before the Lady Eagles laid claim to a district title. Waurika defeated Temple, 33-31, in the championship game of the tournament played at Temple.

The last district title won by the Lady Eagles came in 2017 when Waurika defeated Maysville, 62-17, to claim the crown.

Waurika’s boys first district tournament was held at El Reno. The Eagles lost to Ninnekah, 39-4, in what has been the lowest scoring district tournament game in school history for Waurika.

Waurika played in the district tournament for two more years, but did not make another district appearance until 1929. The Eagles made the most of the opportunity by winning a district title on their home floor in 1929.

Waurika defeated Hastings, 19-17; Terral, 22-14; Comanche, 23-22; and, Union Valley-Randlett, 23-20 to earn the first district title in school history.

The most recent district tourney title for the Eagles came in the 2006 season when the squad dropped Bray-Doyle, 66-50, in the championship game at Waurika. That team finished with a 24-6 mark and was also a regional champion.

The 2006 squad fell short of a state tournament run when it lost two straight games in the area tourney at Chickasha.

Here’s a quick summary of the history of district tourney play by the Waurika basketball teams:

Boys

District Titles: 30

All-Time District Record: 71-63

District Final Appearances: 57

Most Frequent Opponent in District Finals: Ryan (10-4)

Longest Winning Streak: 7, 1987-1992

Longest Losing Streak: 5, 1975-1979

Most Points Scored: 89, vs Big Pasture 1959

Least Points Scored: 4, Ninnekah 1922

Girls

District Titles: 20

All-Time District Record: 40-47

District Final Appearances: 52

Most Frequent Opponent in District Finals: Ryan (2-3)

Longest Winning Streak: 7, 1996-2001

Longest Losing Streak: 9, 1977-1885 and 2002-2010

Most Points Scored: 72, vs. Ryan 2016

Least Points Scored: 10, vs. Union Valley-Randlett 1929

Other Playoff Facts

Waurika Boys: Regional Appearances: 46; Regional Record: 42-45; Area Appearances: 10; Area Record: 11-8; State Appearances: 6; State Record: 7-5

Waurika Girls: Regional Appearances: 27; Regional Record: 23-33; Area Appearances: 11; Area Record: 7-10; State Appearances: 1; State Record: 0-1.

NEXT WEEK: Ryan’s playoff basketball history.

Four Jefferson County Thinclads Tabbed for All-State Honors

By
Trey Smart
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0

 In a year when nothing is normal, all-state honors for track took on a different look for the 2020 season.

With much of the season canceled including the regional and state track meets, the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association developed a process where athletes from the six classes of track were selected for all-state status.

Four of those athletes came from Jefferson County schools – three at Waurika and one at Ryan.

Sara Ballard, Nic Alvarado and Turner Mora are the three all-staters from Waurika and Juliet Spangler is the all-state selection from Ryan.

The Oklahoma Track Coaches Association took nominations from coaches for all-state honors and the best performances from the 2019 season were taken into account. Only seniors were selected for all-state for the 2020 season.

Normally, the winners of each event in each class at the state track meet are given all-state status in track.

Less than a dozen student-athletes from each class were selected for the elite honor and in Class A – which Ryan and Waurika are classified for outdoor track – eight girls and 11 boys were named to the squad.

Spangler has been an integral part of the Cowgirl track program for the past four years. A promising senior season opened with Spangler winning the 1,600 meters and finishing second in the 3,200 meters. She was part of the gold-medal winning 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter relay teams in the only meet this past spring.

Spangler was a big part of the scoring that gave the Cowgirls the meet title at Maysville in the only competition for 2020 and she played a role in helping the Cowgirls to tie for the meet title at the Waurika 8-Man Invitational in 2017.

The former Cowgirl, who will be taking her talents to Cowley County Junior College in Kansas to play basketball, holds the third best time in school history in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

Juliet Spangler

Spangler was part of the 1,600-meter relay team that holds the school record of 4:40.70 set at the 2019 Class A State Track Meet. She was also part of the 3,200-meter relay team that set the school mark of 10:52.01 in the 2019 Red River Invitational at Waurika.

For her four-year career at Ryan Spangler has won four 1,600 meter titles, five 3,200 meter titles, one 1,600-meter relay title and four 3,200-meter relay crowns. That is a total of 14 gold medals.

Spangler also won a total of 27 silver medals and 11 bronze medals. She placed in events – meaning fourth through sixth place – a total of 21 times.

Spangler’s dad, Steve, served as her coach in track, cross country and basketball all four years of her high school career.

Ballard has been a mainstay for the Lady Eagles in cross country and track, however, her senior season was cut short by an injury.

The 2020 Waurika graduate excelled in the long jump for Coach Joe Masoner’s Lady Eagle thinclads. In her career she won the event once, finished second on two occasions and was third three times.

Sara Ballard

Ballard also placed a total of eight times in the long jump in three seasons.

In the 100 meters, Ballard won two bronze medals and placed five other times. She also scored in the 200 meters and the high jump in meets.

Ballard also was part of the 400-meter relay team, the 800-meter relay team and the 1,600-meter relay team for the Lady Eagles.

Alvarado was a consistent performer for coach Roger Jessie’s Eagle thinclads in his four seasons competing in the sport.

In the only competition for 2020, Alvarado helped three relay teams – the 400-meter, 800-meter and 1,600- meter squads – to place at the Velma-Alma Invitational. The 400-meter relay team was fifth, while the 1,600-meter relay captured fourth place. Alvarado helped pace the 800-meter relay to a bronze medal performance in the meet.

In Alvarado’s career, the outstanding three-sport athlete was a key participant in the 800-meter relay that saw great success for the Eagles.

He helped lead the squad to four gold-medal finishes – including a regional title – and four runner up finishes.

He helped Waurika earn a bronze medal in the event during his career and helped the squad place in three other meets.

Nic Alvarado

Alvarado was also part of the 400-meter relay that claimed two meet titles, one silver-medal finish and two bronze medal performances in his career. Results from his freshman season and his participation in the relays was not available.

Individually, Alvarado most often represented the Eagles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. He has one silver medal in the 100 meters and has placed in the event two other times. He also has placed in the 200 meters on two occasions.

Mora comes from a legacy of athletic prowess at Waurika. His older brother Turner, his sisters, Tara and Tatum and his dad Guy preceded Turner on the oval. And, his younger sister, Tallin, still has two more years to continue the family’s tradition of athletic excellence.

The four-sport athlete has enjoyed not only a stellar track career at Waurika, but also a tremendous football career as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. Turner was the player-of-the-year in Waurika’s football district this past season and helped lead the Eagles to a 21-3 mark the past two years including two district titles.

Turner Mora

Mora’s track accomplishments are many over the past four years.

In the only meet in 2020 at Velma-Alma, Mora led the Eagles’ 800-meter relay team to a third place finish and was part of the 1,600-meter relay that notched fourth place. He was also fourth in the long jump.

The 1,600-meter relay team has been outstanding for the Eagles for the past four seasons and Mora is just one of the reasons for the success in that event. In his freshman season, the 1,600-meter relay won the state title and in 2018 the Eagles were second.

In four years in just the 1,600-meter relay, Mora was part of at least nine meet titles, three silver medals and one bronze medal. Mora was part of the squad that placed four other times. Some of the results from his freshman seasons were not available.

Mora was also part of all the other relays at one time or another, but the most frequent participation came in the 800-meter relay. Mora helped the Eagles to four gold medals in the event, along with three silver medals and two bronze medal finishes. He was part of helping the Eagles place in the event three other times.

Individually, Mora competed in the long jump and 400 meters for the Eagles. He holds five gold medal finishes in the 400 meters along with one runner up finish and four bronze medals. He also placed one other time. In the long jump, Mora acquired two silver medals and placed in four other meets.

Mora and Alvarado were also part of the Coach Jessie’s Eagle track squad that won the 2017 Class A Regional Track Meet. Both were also part of the 2019 Eagle team that finished second at the Class A regional. The two competitors helped the Eagles secure the meet title in the Waurika 8-Man Invitational all three years of their careers.

Boise City had four members of the Class A all-state squads making Cimarron County and Jefferson County the only two counties in the state with four all-state track athletes from the Class A list.

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