WCS sweeps Copan and Mounds; Caney Valley girls charge to 11th win
Wesleyan Christian School’s Savvy Ganzkow (10) goes to the basket against Copan’s Elyzabeth Odum (22) on January 31, 2025 in Copan. WCS defeated the Lady Hornets, 56-31.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
February 4, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Following are summaries of recent area high school basketball games.
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BOYS: Wesleyan Christian
Hey, hey Hay!
That could be a theme for the Mustangs’ two most recent games in which Owen Hay displayed an explosive offensive touch to help WCS reel in wins No. 16 and No. 17.
In last weekend’s 89-32 rout of Copan, Hay harvested 20 points to fuel the Mustangs (17-3) to their highest-scoring output of the season.
Rounding out the Mustangs’ top three scorers against Copan were Trey White, 14; and Zander Week, 13.
“This was one of those games where everything was falling almost unbelievably,” said WCS head coach Steven Cooks.
WCS swept the two-game season series against Copan.
In Monday’s trip to Claremore Christian, the Mustangs rang up a 40-point triumph, 63-23.
Hay once again scored in double figures (10), raising his production to 30 points in two games.
White led the scoring list on Monday with 16 points, also recording 30 points in two games. Kyle Kelley added 14 points and Hank Siemers came off the bench to score 10.
“Depending on the night (Siemers) is either our sixth or seventh man,” Cooks said.
It’s an impressive season for the Mustangs — especially considering the talent they graduated off last year’s team, which finished 19-3 in the regular season and 24-5 overall.
This year’s squad eyes an opportunity to become the first in team history to amass 20 wins in the regular season.
Cooks briefly analyzed how this year’s crew compares with the 2023-24 squad.
“Both are very skilled teams,” he said. “We play very differently.”
Whereas last year’s group depended more on an inside game, especially on the glass and second-chance opportunities, this year’s team “is a little more skilled and is a little better shooting the ball,” Cooks said.
He praised this year’s team for building on its strengths to be successful.
Cooks is nearing 80 career wins in less than four seasons. His cumulative record through Monday’s victory is 78-19. — By Mike Tupa
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GIRLS: Wesleyan Christian 47, Claremore Christian 29 (Monday)
Among other things, rematches often are referred to as measuring stick games.
Applying that assessment, during the past 10 weeks the WCS Lady Mustangs have added several inches to their competitive stature.
In their first meeting against Claremore Christian — a pre-Thanksgiving appetizer — WCS won by nine points, 58-47.
In Monday’s second-go against Claremore Christian, the Lady Mustangs (12-8) extended their margin of victory to 18 points.
Kori White poured in 20 points to account for nearly half of WCS’ point total. Lydia Foster added 13 points.
“We started off a little slow but then started hitting our shots,” said Lady Mustang head coach Kendall Huntington.
This is one of WCS’ most successful seasons in several years — if not its best-ever in OSSAA competition — the coach added.
WCS closes out the regular season with home games on Feb. 7 and on Feb. 11. — By Mike Tupa
Copan High School’s Josh Thomas (10) passes the ball while Wesleyan Christian School’s Trey White (12) goes for the steal on January 31, 2025 in Copan. WCS defeated the Hornets.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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GIRLS: Wesleyan Christian 56, Copan 31 (Jan. 31)
In a Washington County rematch, the Wesleyan Christian Lady Mustangs once again dominated Copan, this time on the Hornet’s home court.
Whitlie Tennison earned WCS head coach Kendall Huntington’s praise with 20 points, plus a solid defensive effort in their 56-31 win.
“Whitlie had an incredible night on both offense and defense,” said Huntington. “She really stepped into the talent I’ve always known she’s capable.”
Tennison poured in 20 points, just two behind teammate Lydia Foster.
“Lydia had a quiet 22 points, which goes to show the type of player she is. I didn’t even realize she had scored so much because I expect that of her,” said Huntington.
WCS jumped out to an early 12-3 lead in the first quarter and led 23-12 going into halftime.
The Lady Mustangs were able to shut down Copan’s standout, Elyzabeth Odum in the fourth quarter.
“Kori White guarded Odum, which was an important part of our game plan,” said Huntington.
Odum was still able to score 19 points, leading the Lady Hornets in scoring. However, Copan couldn’t seem to find an answer for the Lady Mustang’s size, giving up the inside position, said Copan head coach Kristy Bryan.
“We let them have too many offensive rebounds and put backs,” said Bryan. Wesleyan girls are tall and long. On a positive note, we didn’t give up.”
Rounding out WCS scoring was Kori White and Emily Christenson with four each, followed by Miranda Hadrava and Keziah Beu both with three points.
Copan’s Zoey Secondine scored four points, while Rylee Preston and Kam Van each contributed three points.
In their first meeting last December, the Lady Mustangs won at home, 58-28. - By Becky Burch
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Caney Valley High School’s Abby Daigle (00) handles the ball during earlier season action. The Lady Trojans (11-7) defeated Mounds, 57-28 on January 31, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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GIRLS: Caney Valley 57, Mounds 28
Caney Valley outscored Mounds in the middle two quarters, 39-13, to pull away,
“We had a slow start … but then we really turned up the pressure,” Caney Valley head coach Deric Longan said. “We really started to click.”
Roxy Hawkins scored 15 to lead a balanced offensive assault. Adesta Henry added 14 points followed by Sydni Brown, 11; Abby Daigle, nine; Jocelyn Chancellor, six; and Alayah Harvey, two.
Intensity provided the springboard to momentum.
“Our defense was really aggressive in limiting their shot opportunities,” Longan said. “We really rebounded well. … I’m just really pleased with their effort.”
Caney Valley — which improved to 11-7 — closes out the regular season with a home game against Dewey (Feb. 7) and two road tests, Chelsea (Feb. 8) and Nowata (Feb. 11). — By Mike Tupa
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Caney Valley High School’s Logan Thompson (12) takes a shot during an earlier season game. Mounds edged the Trojans, 43-42 on January 31, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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BOYS: Mounds 43, Caney Valley 42
Ouch.
“We led the whole game,” said Caney Valley head coach Tug Brinker. “They hit a three at the buzzer to beat us.”
It’s been that kind of season for Brinker’s Trojans (4-14). Six of their losses have been by single-digit margins.
“We’ve got to learn to close out games,” Brinker said.
That’s been difficult, however, due to the Trojans’ youth, especially after losing their most impactful warrior to injury.
Brinker relies heavily on freshmen and sophomores.
“There’s no substitute for experience,” he said. “We’ve struggled to put together four quarters.”
Some of the Trojan standouts in this game included Zac Longan (who scored in double figures), Speck Gann, Logan Thompson, Zeb Shaw, Logan Horsman and Ethan Brown.
Horsman and Brown possess big hearts. Both are shorter than six-foot-tall and comprise the team’s starting post line.
“They’re playing big guys,” Brinker said. “They’re holding their own, rebounding the ball and getting to the rim.” — By Mike Tupa