AREA HOOPS: Dewey 2-for-2 vs. OUHS; Copan splits with Barnsdall
Dewey High School’s Zach Renfroe looks to the basket during an earlier season game. Dewey defeated Oklahoma Union, 64-17 on January 28, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Copan High School’s Rylee Preston (11) goes to the basket during an earlier season game. The Lady Hornets fell to Barnsdall, 42-38 on January 28, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
January 30, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
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DEWEY-OKLAHOMA UNION GIRLS
C.J. Jones poured in 18 points to help energize the Lady Doggers (9-7) to a 64-17 win against Oklahoma Union.
Other Dewey’s scorers were Shaylyn Ishem, nine; Mylee Garrison, six; and Presley Smith, six.
“I got to play all my girls tonight,” said veteran Dewey head coach Michael Sanders. “My starters didn’t step a foot on the court in the fourth quarter.”
Dewey came out in a man-to-man defense and “kind of got back to what we do in basics,” said Sanders. “We just want to try to get back to the principles we know, to find a way to pressure the basketball and cause a lot of turnovers and get easy layups.”
Dewey improved to 6-1 in its last seven games and 6-3 in January.
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DEWEY-OKLAHOMA UNION BOYS
Something one needs to understand about Lance Knight — he’s first and foremost a fan of great basketball.
One gets the impression the Dewey High School head boys hoops coach would rather lose a one-point down-to-the-wire thriller against a very good opponent than jog to a 50-point rout.
(Of course, the best of both worlds for him is winning the one-point heart dribbler.)
On Tuesday, Knight was right in his preferred element — a four-point gut-check victory against Oklahoma Union, 52-48.
“It was a great game, a lot of fun,” said Knight. “It was a great atmosphere, it was close all the way.”
He used the word “fun” four times during the brief phone conversation. One gets the impression that in a world where too many people go to work just to make a living, Knight lives for his job as head coach.
He proved once again in this battle he’s pretty good at it, too.
Dewey surpassed the .500 mark (9-8) for the first time since early December and is definitely on going in the right direction heading into February.
Zach Renfroe poured in 17 points, followed by Austin Eastman with nine to lead the way against Oklahoma Union.
Dewey led by two after the first quarter. Oklahoma Union flip-flopped the lead going into halftime.
A net-bombastic fourth quarter (18 points) propelled Dewey to the triumph.
“We may have taken a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter, but it was only a two or three-point difference the full game. “If you like sports, this was a great game. … My guys are playing good team basketball right now. They all know their roles.”
Rounding out the Dewey scoring list were Karson Johnson, seven; Tra Hicks, six; Cooper Woods, five; Kooper Crawford, four, Lathe Griggs, two; and Jay Murguia, two.
Crawford and Griggs both grabbed crucial rebounds and Murguia “came off the bench and was our MVP in the fourth quarter,” Knight said. “He handled the ball well, hit a shot and had a block. Griggs took a charge.”
Knight also gave credit to Oklahoma Union players for their effort.
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Wesleyan Christian School’s Hank Siemers (23) scores against South Coffeyville’s Joshua Johnson (21) in Bartlesville on January 28, 2025. WCS defeated South Coffeyville, 69-25.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sport
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WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BOYS
Fueled by the scoring of Kyle Kelley and Trey White the Mustangs (15-3) romped past South Coffeyville, 69-25, on Tuesday.
WCS has recorded 15-or-more wins six seasons in a row.
“I think we are in a good place as a team coming toward the end of our season and getting ready for the district playoffs,” said WCS assistant Bob Totino, who served as interim coach on Tuesday, in the absence of ill head coach Steven Cooks.
The squad is competing with confidence and strength, Totino said, adding: “They know the offense, they run it well. They play aggressive defense and that helps. And they don’t turn the ball over much which is a third component why they’re successful.”
Against South Coffeyville, WCS employed a fullcourt press — which created several turnovers — and then shifted into a 3-2 zone, Totino said.
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WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GIRLS
The South Coffeyville girls improved to 18-1 on the season, defeating Wesleyan Christian 59-21.
Led by coach Jeremy Rogers, the Class B Lady Lions’ lone loss was in overtime against 4A Miami, 51-50 earlier this month.
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Wesleyan Christian School’s Miranda Hadrava (11) passes the ball over South Coffeyville’s Abby Turner in Bartlesville on January 28, 2025. The Lady Lions defeated WCS, 59-21 to improve to 18-1 on the season.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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COPAN-BARNSDALL GIRLS
Nellie Holcomb and Lyndsi Hicks both scored in double figures to lead Barnsdall (9-9) to the close rivalry win, 42-38.
“We played a decent game until the fourth quarter and then laid an egg,” said Copan head coach Kristy Bryan.
Copan (5-10) made nine turnovers in the final period and also committed too many fouls, she added.
Elyzabeth Odum netted 22 points for Copan, followed by Aimee Nittler, six (four-for-four from the free throw line), Kam Van, six (two three-pointers), Zoey Secondine and Kaylee Woodworth with two apiece.
Woodworth and Secondine also pulled down 13 and eight rebounds, respectively.
“I was pleased we competed,” said Bryan, adding her players gave themselves a winning chance.
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Barnsdall High School’s Maverick Lanphear (1) and Caney Valley (Kan.) Bullpup Colt Hightower (2) go up for a loose ball during the Caney Valley Tournament in Ramona earlier this month. The Copan Hornets defeated Barnsdall, 40-35 on January 28, 2025.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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COPAN-BARNSDALL BOYS
Despite a strong presence in Barnsdall High’s Lincoln Gott, the Copan Hornets held on for a 40-35 win.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Barnsdall (8-9) while Copan improved to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in January.
Shooter Brewington caressed the nets for 14 points to pace Copan scorers, followed by Jarrett Shambles with nine. Teegan Caron added six points, Kane Foreman scored five and Josh Thomas and Karson Woodworth scored three apiece.
“We kind of struggled to score early,” said Copan interim coach Chris Smith (head coach Kolton Stacy missed the game due to illness). “Barnsdall played good defense. Lincoln Gott altered a lot of our shots.”
Copan stepped up its offensive pace in the second half and received a big boost by Brewington’s scoring.
“Everybody chipped in and did their part,” Smith said. “Teegan cashed in on a lot of free throws. Kane and Karson helped us a ton of rebounding against Lincoln Gott.”
Gott tallied 15 points. Some of the other Barnsdall scorers included Bodie Clark, eight; Mav Lanphear, three; James Johnson, three; Braden Byers, two.