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JOHNSON TAKES STATE IN WRESTLING, MARTIN TAKES THIRD
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
Oologah senior Cody Johnson won a state wrestling championship last weekend in Oklahoma City for the second year in a row and junior Garrett Martin took third.
Johnson is the 4A champion at 189 lbs. He was undefeated this season at 43-0 and Johnson finished his high school wrestling career with an amazing 115-7 record.
Oologah head coach Brian Bullock said he expected Johnson to win the state championship again, but he didn't think he would make it look so easy.
"He's one of the best wrestlers I've ever seen at the high school level," Bullock said. "With his technique and the way he wrestles, he makes it look easy and he never panics."
Johnson beat Bret Welch from Elgin in the first round with a fall at 3:25.
Johnson had one of his toughest matches in the semi-finals against Jake Simpson of Tuttle. Johnson got behind early in the match, but he recovered with a takedown in the second period to take the lead. Johnson was up 4-2 heading into the final period. He scored his last three points on a reversal and won 7-2.
The win moved Johnson into the championship match Saturday against Logan Byrd from Sallisaw. Johnson dominated Bryd. He led 7-0 after the first period and won 18-2 by technical fall.
Johnson plans on attending college, but he doesn't plan on wrestling. He said it still hasn't sunk in that his time on the mat is over.
"I accomplished my goal, but it hasn't really set in that my wrestling is over," he said. "It's kind of bitter sweet."
Johnson hopes to attend the University of Central Oklahoma on an academic scholarship. He said he'll miss his teammates and the competition.
Martin took third in 4A at 215 lbs. and he finished with a record of 38-7. Martin injured his knee last year, but he was back to full speed this season.
"Garrett had a good tournament. He lost a tough semi-final match, but he bounced back pretty strong," Bullock said. "Overall I'm really happy with how he wrestled."
Martin won his first match with Chris Hartshorn from Cushing on a fall at 5:24 in the third period. Martin lost his next match against John Lair from Clinton on a 4-3 decision.
Martin fought his way into the third place match with a 7-1 win over Sallisaw's Ethan Branham. Martin pinned Deangelo Davis from Star Spencer at 5:22 in the third period for third place.
Bullock thinks Martin has a shot at winning the state championship next year.
Photos courtesy of Kaelin Holly
MUSTANGS ON PLAYOFF RUN
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
The Mustangs are still in the running for a state basketball championship. The Mustangs will face Metro Christian at 8 p.m. tonight (Thursday) in the area tournament at Skiatook.
Oologah stumbled in the first round of regional playoffs against McLain, but the Mustangs hit their stride in wins over Miami and Locust Grove last weekend. Oologah needs to win the next three games to qualify for the eight team 4A state tournament.
Mustang head coach Ron Ward thinks his team has a good chance to make it to the final eight.
"All the teams that are left are very competitive, but I feel like we have a chance against whoever we have to play," Ward said.
Oologah 56-Mclain 68
Oologah fell behind in the first quarter against McLain and the Mustangs couldn't recover. The Titans came out firing away from the opening tip. The Mustangs were down 28-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Oologah cut into the lead with 18 points in the second quarter. Oologah still trailed 40-30 at half-time.
McLain went on another run and the Titans led 55-41 after three quarters. McLain kept the pressure on and Oologah went down 68-56.
Scott led the team with 17 points followed by Hotfelt with 11. Taylor had 10 points, Brunson had 7, Josh Yager had 4, Caleb Motton had 3 and Derek Henderson and Tyler Brunk had 2 points each.
Oologah 57-Miami 34
The Mustangs bounced back from the loss to McLain with a convincing 23 point win over Miami Friday.
Oologah played smothering defense and didn't allow a single point in the first quarter. Oologah was on top 27-9 at the break.
The Mustangs continued to pull away in the third. Oologah led 41-17 at the end of the period.
Coach Ward gave his starters a rest in the fourth. Oologah coasted to a 57-34 win and advanced to the final game in the loser's bracket.
Taylor led the team with 18 points. Brunson and Hotfelt had 8 points each, Josh Yager had 6, Derek Henderson had 5, Mitchell had 4, Taylor Scott and Tyler Brunk had 3 and Koty Koster had 2 points.
Oologah 71-Locust Grove 57
The Mustangs took down Locust Grove 71-57 in a must-win game Saturday. Junior forward Jake Taylor burned the Pirates for 27 points in the paint and Oologah made 27 free throws in the contest.
The Pirates came out fast and Locust Grove led 13-11 at the end of the period.
Taylor started pounding in baskets in the second quarter and Hotfelt hit another three. Locust Grove had four 3-pointers and the Pirates still led 32-30 at half-time.
The Oologah defense stepped it up in the third and the Mustangs held the Pirates to five points. Oologah had taken the lead 45-37 after three quarters.
The Mustangs beat a path to the free throw line in the fourth. Scott went 10-of-12 from the line and Brunson went 4-of-6. Oologah pulled away and got the 71-57 win.
Taylor was the leading scorer with 27 points. Scott had 17 points, Hotfelt had 13, Brunson had 12 and Derek Henderson had 2 points.
LADIES END SEASON WITH LOSS TO LOCUST GROVE
By CHRIS EDENS, City Editor
A loss to Locust Grove Friday ended the Lady Mustangs' season on the hard court.
Oologah won a first round regional playoff game against McLain last Thursday before falling to Locust Grove.
"That was kind of an ugly win over McLain," Oologah head coach Matt Sweeney said. "We didn't play very well against Locust Grove. Our shots weren't falling and one of their kids got a hot hand. We played hard. We just couldn't buy a basket."
Oologah 36-McLain 31
Oologah notched a home court playoff win over McLain Thursday afternoon in a defensive battle. Both teams got off to a slow start. Oologah led 5-3 after one
period.
The Lady Titans took the lead in the second, but Oologah tied it up midway through the period. Senior forward Caitlin Linihan got hot and she had nine points and Dillman added another three. Oologah led 23-12 at half.
McLain went on a run in the third. The Lady Titans had their best quarter and the Lady Mustangs had their worst. Oologah was on top 28-22 at the end of the period.
The fourth quarter was all about free throw shooting. Linihan went 4-of-4 from the line and Taylor McElhaney made two free throws. McLain tried to close the gap, but Oologah held on for the 36-31 win.
Linihan led the team with 16 points. Dillman had 10 points, Raegan Hensley had 6 and McElhaney and Rachelle Bailey had 2 points each.
Oologah 32-L. Grove 42
Three pointers from Locust Grove doomed the Lady Mustangs Friday in a 42-32 loss.
Oologah trailed 17-11 at half-time.
The Lady Pirates buried Oologah with three treys to start the third. Locust Grove had built a 30-17 lead after three periods.
Oologah tried to rally in the fourth to keep the season alive, but the Lady Mustangs came up short. Locust Grove got the 42-32 win to end the Lady Mustangs season.
Linihan was the leading scorer with 12 points. Bailey had 6 points, Ruark and Taylor McElhaney had 5 points and Raegan Hensley and Karlee Dillman had 2 points each.
The Lady Mustangs were Tulsa 7 Conference champs and they finished the season with a 16-10 record.
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