Class 5A Area assignments announced

The East and West have been determined for the 2010 high school basketball playoffs and no surprises with the announcements. The East appears to be strongest for both the girls and boys, but many thought the same a year ago. Here is the breakdown for Class 5A.

Class 5A West Area

Ada, Altus, Ardmore, Capitol Hill, Carl Albert, Chickasha, Deer Creek, Duncan, Durant, El Reno, Guthrie, Lawton MacArthur, Noble, Northwest, Southeast, and Western Heights.

Class 5A East Area

Bishop Kelley, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, Grove, McAlester, Pryor, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Tulsa Central, Tulsa East Central, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Hale, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Rogers, and Tulsa Washington.

My Thoughts

Currently Western Heights, El Reno, Guthrie, and Ardmore in boys action have the inside track of hosting the four regionals from the West with a few weeks remaining in deciding. On the East side, Tulsa Edison, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa Washington, and Tulsa East Central all but have wrapped up the East regionals.

Carl Albert, Capitol Hill, and NW Classen may have a say before that final game goes into consideration.

For the ladies, Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa East Central, McAlester, and Claremore are leading the charge to host. In the West, Carl Albert, El Reno, Deer Creek, and Ada have the advantage more then halfway into the season. The East has eight teams in the Top 12 according to the coaches rankings.

Booker T football coach resigns

In 2008 the Booker T. Washington Hornets won the 2008 state championship, but the 2009 season was filled with controversy and that has resulted in head coach Antawain Jimmerson resigning his post Monday.

Jimmerson, who coached the Hornets in the 2002 state championship against Guthrie, was surrounded by eligibility violations which resulted in multiple forfeits. The forfeits cost the highly ranked Hornets a playoff spot.

Jimmerson was the head man for 10 seasons and was suspended indefinitely from his coaching duties and his position as athletic director in October due to the use of more than 40 ineligible student-athletes. He did not coach the final two games of the season. Jimmerson also resigned as athletic director.

Guthrie shows that they are state material

For the third straight year the Guthrie boys basketball program took part in one of the elite large school tournaments in the state and came out as they did the previous two seasons. State tournament potential qualifiers.

Guthrie has been to the tournament the last four seasons and if the Jays team that played in the Titan Classic shows up in late February and early March they will be attending their fifth.

The Jays picked up wins over No. 3 Ardmore and No. 6 (6A) Midwest City this past weekend before falling short to No. 1 (4A) Douglass. Side note: if Douglass was a touch more sufficient at times they may be the best team in the state regardless of class.

Guthrie, Ardmore, Western Heights, El Reno, Carl Albert, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen are the current teams that appear to be state material on the west side of the state. Of the six teams, Guthrie will have played five of them in the regular season.

West side teams and fans, don't have any good news to report this week. The East side of the state's third best team East Central Cardinals, maybe fourth best and maybe one of the top two teams, took down 6A's No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe for the Jenks/Union Tournament championship.

Carl Albert and El Reno are teams that I believe Guthrie wants to avoid in a regional, or area tournament. Granted its going to be tough no matter what team it is in a playoff setting, but those two teams I just assume be at another gym.

The jury is still out on Western Heights, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen. I know how good those teams are in January and early February, but I also know how good El Reno, Carl Albert, and Ardmore are in regional and area play.

Devon Hall showed how good he can be for this Jays team during the Titan Classic. His inside play can be a difference down low, but he has shown he can be consistent at times with the 15 foot shot.

Kentrell Brothers has shown that he can put points on the board when needed as he forms into basketball shape. The 26 points against Piedmont was nice, but I was more impressed with his point production against better competition.

The guard play is improving and that is what I and everyone was looking for in this squad. Tim Zupo is coming onto the scene for Coach Pete Papahronis and is a nice addition to this team.

All the tournaments are over and now we have a solid month of games left before we get out the brackets and start playing games that determine your next day.

Current 5A West Power Rankings: 1. Western Heights 2. El Reno 3. Guthrie 4. Ardmore 5. Carl Albert 6. Northwest Classen 7. Capitol Hill

Who has the best basketball gym?

I was thinking the other day. Who has the best basketball gym (Event Center, arena, field house) in the Suburban Conference. I have compiled my list that includes: the floor, surroundings, locker rooms, concession stand, and seating. Share your thoughts and rankings by commenting below.

1. Carl Albert - all the seating you could ever ask for, plenty of space on the playing floor, all the locker room, training room, and hospitality room space you could ever want, and you can still watch the game if you go to the concession stand.

2. Chickasha - much like Carl Albert's, but not as big. In which, gives you a more hometown feel and gets you close to the action no matter where you are sitting.

3. Shawnee - much like Chickasha and not a whole lot difference between the two, but just happens to be in the same conference, or would be the best in many conference's. Could easily be listed at number two.

4. Harrah - not as new as the top three, but did a good job of building it when they did. Students come out and get loud court side and the rest of the fans are not too far away. Nice open area to and from the concession stand.

5. Western Heights - this gym has seen a lot of improvements in recent years including a new floor and lighting. The fans seem to be a long way from the court except for the home teams student section. It can be loud and has when hosting small school playoffs.

6. El Reno - an historic field house, but the seating can be somewhat discomfort. The big arena's are nice to have, but historic places are always fun to go to.

7. Deer Creek - nothing great about this gym and nothing terrible, but watch out as they are about to build a new arena that will match the top three in the coming year or so.

8. Guthrie - not much has changed with this gym over the years, but a rowdy crowd can make it an advantage for the home team. Did improve speaker and surrond sound this season.

9. Piedmont - nothing fancy, but a nice, comfortable gym to watch a basketball game.

10. Noble - this gym can be really loud especially with the band there despite not many seats. Not a fan of the low ceiling.

Kentrell Brothers visits OU on Junior Day

Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers was one of 15 Oklahoma junior's to visit the Sooners Junior Day. Brothers was Guthrie's first 1,000 yard receiver this past season, but also piled up 17 sacks and ranked at the top in the state.

Brothers will visit Missouri on January 23rd and has Oklahoma State and Tulsa on his schedule as well. Brothers attended the OU basketball game against Missouri along with lunch and a one-on-one meeting with head coach Bob Stoops.

Guthrie has sent David Washington, Kyle Smith, and Kye Staley into Division I football since 2002 and Brothers appears to be the next in line.

Here is the Complete list of Junior Day participants:

Austin Beck - OL - Nowata

Kentrell Brothers - LB - Guthrie

Daniel Davis - LB - Norman North - Stanford COMMIT

Hunter Davis - DE - Choctaw

Dylan Dismuke - OT - Duncan

Kameron Doolittle - WR - Edmond Memorial

Emilio Gatewood - ATH - OKC Millwood

Garrett Gladd - OG - Sallisaw

Davion Pearson - DT - OKC Millwood

Dominique Petties - ATH - Duncan

Kevonte Richardson - QB - OKC Millwood

Garrett Stafford - OL - Tulsa Memorial

Brandon Swindall - ATH - OKC Millwood

Kendal Thompson - Southmoore - OU COMMIT

Josh Turner - CB - OKC Millwood

Tyrequek Zimmerman - WR - Lawton

State Tournament in January? No way!

Okay, so the two time defending 5A state basketball champions have lost four of their first six games this season. Does that mean its time to start to worry? Nope.

BlueJay fans have been spoiled with an impressive win/loss record in the last few seasons, but the win/loss column does not clinch your ticket to the state tournament. On all levels of basketball you will find teams with sub par .500 records make the post season dance.

I am not going to try and calculate this year’s basketball record, but come February is when you need to start to look at the entire field in Class 5A. Not January.

Not one team has won the state championship in December, January, or early February.

Granted, it is a vert good thing to be playing basketball on the West side of the state then the East this season. Have you seen the deep and talented field up the turnpike? Edison, Memorial, Washington, and East Central, but good news is the West will not run into them until March.

The West is more wide open. Are they as good as the East? No, but in a one game setting on a neutral floor anyone can win in the state tournament.

The goal for Ardmore, Western Heights, El Reno, Guthrie, NW Classen, and Capitol Hill is to host a regional. There are only four of those to go around. With that said, I’m not sure there is a real home court advantage. Perhaps, Ardmore because of the travel.

Guthrie is 6-4, but have you seen their schedule? Western Heights, El Reno, Carl Albert, NW Classen, McGuinness, and Norman North. Ardmore is upcoming in the first round of the Carl Albert Tournament and Carl Albert in February.

What the current record does show is making the conference championship game will be an uphill battle with losses to El Reno and Western Heights. Jays can still make it, but will need to get wins over El Reno and Western Heights along with two wins over Deer Creek to give themselves a chance. Then again, conference championships are not a state tournament qualifier either.

How good is the Suburban Conference North this year? Guthrie, El Reno, Deer Creek, Western Heights, and Piedmont are a combine 32 and 17.

So come playoff time, Guthrie will know exactly what they will have in front of them because they have already played top ranked teams, or have played a schedule to prepare them for what the playoffs bring.

Add in the experience factor these Jays have piled the last few seasons will give them an advantage. Granted this is not a complete team yet, but would you expect that in early January? The one common formula this team seems to have compared to other Pete Papahronis team’s is team defense and we have seen what defense can bring to trophy cases.

Guthrie is getting scoring from multiple outlets, but we are still waiting to see one player who wants to take control of a game when needed.

Every team has questions to be answered, but we will have to wait until February to get them answered.

The Hawk Answers the Call

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback.

After being on the Hall of Fame ballot for the last 9 years and 22 glorious seasons on the baseball diamond, Andre Dawson has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Dawson was the only player to be voted in by the BBWAA. Bert Blyleven barely missed out with 74.2%, falling 5 votes shy.

I believe Dawson should have been a long time ago. 8 time all-star, 8 time gold glover, 4 time Silver Slugger winner. Oh ya, forgot to mention his 1977 Rookie of the Year award and his 1987 MVP award. Ya ya, I know what you’re thinking, you think I’m being bias?? Well, you’re right I’m a Cubs fan!

One thing is for sure, not very many people played the game as hard as the Hawk did, and he still has the bad knees to prove it. He played baseball for the love of the game. Andre signed a blank contract for the Cubs before his first season with the team and the Cubs GM, Dallas Green, filled it out for $500,000 making him the second lowest paid player on the team (ESPN.com). 162 games later, MVP!

After the 1987 season, Andre signed his autographs with “87 MVP” underneath is name, He can now forever change that autograph to HOF 2010.

I’ve always wanted to go to a Hall of Fame ceremony and visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame museum, now I finally have a great reason to go! Congratulations Hawk!! See ya in Cooperstown!

The Hall is Calling His Name

Ronnie Phillips is a guest blogger and welcomes your feedback.

On Wednesday, January 6, I’ll be at work sneaking my way onto the Internet in the blackjack pit instead of watching a guy lose 10 grand on a hand of blackjack because I’ll be too busy wondering if my all-time favorite baseball player makes it to the Hall of Fame!

Being a lifelong cubs fan, I’ve been waiting on this day for a long time. On his 9th attempt, Andre Dawson should be elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame…FINALLY! The Hawk finished with 67% of votes in 2009. Falling short of the 75% to be inducted.

Jim Rice and Ricky Henderson are the only two players that have finished higher in the voting last year and they are in the Hall. If Dawson can get by Barry Larkin and Roberto Alomar, who are in their first year of eligibility, he should be a lock for the Hall.

With having said all that…..What has taken so damn long?

Here are some of The Hawks career achievements:
8-time All-Star: 81, 82, 83, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91
8-time Gold Glove winner: 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88
4-time Silver Slugger winner: 80, 81, 83, 87
1977 NL Rookie of the Year
1987 NL MVP

Not only does it baffle me that Dawson is not in the Hall, it also baffles Hall of Famer's Tony Gwynn and former teammate Ryne Sandberg. In a recent interview Sandberg had this to say about his former teammate. "I hope he makes the Hall of Fame so all the young players would have a chance to revisit his career, to see his highlights and to understand how he did things," Sandberg said. "They would understand how the game was supposed to be played by watching Hawk."

Gwynn may be more confused on why Dawson is not in the Hall. "For the life of me, I can't understand why he's not in the Hall of Fame," said Gwynn, a Hall of Fame outfielder. "In Montreal, he was as good as there was in our league -- he did it all -- then he went to Chicago [in 1987] and turned it up another notch. When he went to Chicago, he was as good as everyone thought. When he hit 49 home runs [in '87], he was the guy on that team. Sandberg is a Hall of Famer, but you'd rather pitch to him than Dawson. He was clearly the best player in our league that year."

On Wednesday, Dawson should be getting that phone call that he has been waiting for, and it will be about time!!!

Oklahoma State All Decade team

I have compiled my Oklahoma State All Decade basketball team and it was interesting going back and forth with my point guard choice. Both were instrumental to their teams, but in different ways. Here we go starting line-up.

Guard John Lucas III

Guard James Anderson

Guard Tony Allen

Forward Ivan McFarlin

Forward Joey Graham

Graham is the player of the decade for the Cowboys. Byron Eaton was just edged out by Lucas and it can be argued, but with Anderson, Allen, McFarlin, and Graham it only makes sense to have Lucas running the show as a true point guard.

Oklahoma Sooners All Decade team

I recently entered my two cents on who should be on the All Decade team for OU Basketball. Here is my team and how I rank them in order:

1. Blake Griffin 2. Hollis Price 3. Eduardo Najera

4. Aaron McGhee 5. Taj Gray

I went back and forth with Gray and Kevin Bookout. Bookout is a solid Okie and is a true Sooner through and through and those two categories can go a long way, but Gray makes this team more dangerous if they were to play other schools all decade team.

I truly wanted to Bookout on the first team, but Gray led OU in scoring, rebounding, and blocks in his two seasons.

Heisman Jinx?

Landry Jones joined Nate Hybl, Rhett Bomar, and Josh Heupel in an unique list of Oklahoma Sooner quarterbacks under the guidance of head coach Bob Stoops.

Jones joins the group of OU quarterbacks who have won bowl games for Stoops. The bowl win list of quarterbacks does not include Heisman trophy winners Jason White and Sam Bradford.

Ironic because Jones, Hybl, and Bomar often drew criticism throughout their season, careers.

Hybl won two bowl games (2002 Cotton and 2003 Rose), Heupel won the BCS Championship game in 2000, and Jones set records in 2009 for the Sun Bowl and Oklahoma.