Postgame Extra: Hooks Guiding Hillcats in Transition Year

With a 77-73 win at St. Mary's in San Antonio last Saturday, the Hillcat men improved to 2-1 in conference play and 7-4 overall. This team has been a treat to watch so far this season. It isn't the most talented ever assembled on College Hill, but it is the hardest working group. The 'Cats could be sitting at 3-0 in the league if not for a lack of execution down the stretch in Laredo against Texas A&M International in a three point loss two days before the victory over the Rattlers. I had a chance to catch up with senior transfer and Tulsa native (East Central H.S.) Damien Hooks immediately following the win over St. Mary's. Click the play button below.

***Update: Hooks has scored double figures in 10 of the 11 games at the time of this post.  He's had 29 points twice with one double-double, has scored 20 or more in six games, and has posted 20 points in each of the last three games.

      

Postgame Extra: Day Has a Night

It's almost to the point of being laughable now. Seriously, the season is only 10 games old for the RSU women and the single-game scoring record goes up in smoke yet again. In case you missed it, junior guard and junior college transfer DaNara Day popped off for 36 points in a 95-88 win at Oklahoma Wesleyan Tuesday night. Day came off the bench in the first half to score 16 points in 12 minutes of floor time. It was only the beginning! Day finished 12-for-18 from the field, 7-for-8 at the foul line, and hit 5 threes (including 3 and-1's). Her night to remember in Bartlesville would end with a much-needed, comeback victory for the 'Cats after trailing by nine at halftime. Day bested the previous mark of 29 points set by Clarissa Cannon just a couple weeks ago. It was broken initially by Katy Harsen, who had 27 in a game at McMurry to open up conference play. At this rate, we should expect the record to fall again a few weeks from now after we turn the page to the new year. Click the play button below to hear from Ms. Day (photo courtesy of Jeff Jackson).

  

Postgame Extra: The Cannon and Kami Show

It's fast becoming a theme for RSU this season...single-game records are not safe on College Hill! Senior forward Clarissa Cannon set the new scoring mark with 29 points in a 76-73 loss to Newman University on Monday. On the same night, junior guard Kami Bunch said TIMBER! to the single-game assists record previously held by Autumn Thompson. Thompson's record of 12 back in 2008 apparently wasn't above reproach. The two discussed their records and the team's first-ever Heartland Conference win 71-63 Thursday night at home over Texas-Permian Basin. As always, click the play button below.

Postgame Extra: Harsen Stamps Name in Record Book

In a span of just six days, both single-game scoring records at RSU were toppled. Senior guard Katy Harsen has just one year on College Hill to prove her worth, but it only took the Coweta native and NSU transfer four games to claw her way into the record book. Harsen poured in 27 points against McMurry University in Abilene, Texas Thursday night. She did it on 7-17 shooting, including 4-8 from three and 9-11 from the foul line. The 27 came in 31 minutes before fouling out with 11 seconds to play. It broke the previous record of 26 held by both Azzie Knox and Leah Smith. Click the play button below to hear from Katy about her fantastic performance. (photo courtesy of McMurry Sports Information)

Postgame Extra: Opong Pings RSU Record Book

Robinson. Odoch. Opong. PING, PING, PING!!!  The 'Cats senior sharp-shooting guard's final stat line read 13-21, 7-12, 10-12, 43 points in 39 minutes.  What's the old phrase, "all records are meant to be broken?" Well, not only did Robinson double-O break the record, he absolutely shattered it...by 11. The previous single-game scoring mark of 32 had been reached twice, by former marksman Matt Kellog and career 1,000 point scorer Sylvester Spicer. His 7 threes also tied a single-game record. Opong's 43 point outburst was one more point than RSU had scored earlier in the week in a loss at Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva. I spoke with Rob late Saturday night following the bus trip back from Fort Smith. Click the play button below to hear from the Kenyan-born and Canadian-bred who had a night most of us won't soon forget.

Broadcaster Behind Enemy Lines

I had the very good fortune last weekend of being invited to broadcast the 33rd Annual Toilet Paper Game at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. When JBU Sports Information Director Nick Robinson came up with the idea to have me sit in the play-by-play chair, I really felt no trepidation over it. I'd read articles and heard stories in the past about this game, but wanted to experience it first-hand for myself before I passed judgement. Is it a little goofy? Sure. Is it more than I imagined? ABSOLUTELY! I did wonder a little bit going into it how I would be perceived because of my job as the voice of a former Sooner Athletic Conference rival. It was plausible in my mind because RSU is no longer a member of the same division. I came away from the event asking what took so long for me to absorb the atmosphere, the antics, the spirit of this wonderful and wacky tradition. I could not have been treated better or greeted more warmly. Special thanks to Nick, Athletic Director Robyn Daugherty, Head Coach Clark Sheehy, JBU broadcaster Jeff Essary, and all the production staff that helped make it a success. Thinking back on that night had me asking the very next day, what makes you feel most alive? For me, it was that kind of night. Hit the play button to soak up some of the fun.

Hillcats Ready to Scratch NCAA Surface

Here we are...only two to three weeks out from the start of a new season again on the hill in Claremore. 2013-2014 will mark the seventh in the short but storied history of the men's and women's basketball programs at RSU. If the next six years resemble the first six, then Hillcat fans are in for a wild and thrilling ride!

The transition to NCAA Division 2 tips off for the RSU women with an exhibition game Friday, November 1st at the University of Tulsa. The 'Cats have played TU at the Reynolds Center before, including last season. It should provide a real tune-up for 2nd year head coach Roxanne Long as she welcomes back just five players from a national tournament team. The season and home opener is on Hillcat Homecoming Saturday, November 9th against our friends from Ecclesia College out of Springdale, Arkansas. The non-conference schedule features new foes in Southern Arkansas and East Central, and old familiar faces from Southern Nazarene and Mid-America Christian. It won't take long to jump into the Heartland Conference slate, as the women open on the road in Abilene, Texas against McMurry November 21st, followed by another league game two days later in Austin against St. Edward's. The first home conference date is Monday, December 2nd against Newman University of Wichita. Make note, weeknight conference doubleheaders will tip at 5:30 for the women and 7:30 for the men.

As for the RSU men, it all begins anew on Wednesday, November 6th with an exhibition contest against Division 1 ORU at the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Whether it's calling a high school state tournament or a college game, the Mabee Center is always a fun venue to visit. The men's regular season also starts with Hillcat Homecoming. Justin Barkley begins his fourth season at the helm November 9th against Southwestern Christian, a new member of the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Hillcats hit the road Monday, November 11th to tangle with old SAC rival Northwestern Oklahoma State up in Alva. The Rangers are now Division 2 members in the Great American Conference. The 'Cats then head to Fort Smith, Arkansas for two games against Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist November 15th and 16th. RSU also squares off against Mid-America Christian and Ecclesia on back-to-back home nights right before the Thanksgiving holiday. East Central is also on the non-league schedule Saturday, December 14th at the Expo in Claremore. The men only return three players who saw any significant playing time last season. For the full men's and women's schedules or to purchase season tickets, head to www.rsuhillcats.com.

While RSU can't compete for conference titles at this time, it's worth noting that St. Mary's of San Antonio has been picked to win the Heartland on the women's side. Arkansas-Fort Smith has been tabbed to claim the men's regular season crown. It's nice to see a mix of old and new on the schedule. That'll help all of us in this transition phase as the Hillcats claw their way to being full-fledged members of NCAA Division 2. For more information on the Heartland Conference, visit the league website at www.heartlandsports.org. I'll leave you with an interview featuring men's coach Justin Barkley. He discusses the new athletic director and what the immediate future holds for Hillcat basketball.

            

New RSU AD Introduced

New Rogers State athletic director Ryan Erwin was introduced to the media and Claremore community today. I spoke with Ryan to find out why he made the jump from Dallas Baptist to RSU. Enjoy!

(photo courtesy of RSU Sports Information)

Former Hillcat Flying Down Under

Congratulations to former Hillcat Justynn Hammond!  Hammond's playing days did not end on College Hill.  He's currently suiting up in a pro league down in Australia.  Click the link below for an article written earlier this week in the Newcastle Herald newspaper.  There's also a slight connection mentioned in the land down under to former Verdigris standout Rotnei Clarke.  As many of you know, Clarke started his college career at Arkansas and finished it at Butler.  There's also a good close-up photo of Justynn flying to the rim.  Enjoy!

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1688398/hawks-cast-eye-over-hammond/?cs=306

Bradley Walking in Memphis

I write this entry with a pinch of sadness this week.  Not only is Rogers State losing its athletic leader but I'm losing a good friend and tireless advocate.  Ryan is headed to the University of Memphis as an Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Strategic Communications.  He will be reunited on the Memphis staff with Wren Baker.  I am so happy for both Ryan and Wren, two quality individuals who gave me a chance to become a college basketball play-by-play voice back in 2007.  I will be forever grateful that I was allowed the opportunity to spread my wings as an announcer.  Ryan paid me the highest compliment last weekend.  I asked him if I should expect any change in my status as the basketball voice, and he said "they're not gonna find anybody better..."  I will miss Ryan because he gave me a shot, but I will also miss him because we share the same love for family and same unending adoration of St. Louis Cardinals baseball.  Your presence changed a community, an athletic department, and one man's broadcast bucket list.

One-on-One with Sheri Coale

(photo courtesy of RSU Sports Information)

While I've had the pleasure of interviewing Sheri Coale a few times previously on radio, those times couldn't rival the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the Oklahoma Sooner coaching icon.  Coach Coale graciously gave me a few minutes of her time to dish about the Hillcat programs, the state of women's basketball in Oklahoma, and the WNBA's Tulsa Shock.  Simply put, she's the Bill Self of women's basketball.  She was more than advertised as a banquet speaker. Click the play button below, and enjoy!

Yesterday

The end of an era arrived for the RSU basketball programs last week as the Hillcat women fell in the 2nd round of the national tournament in Frankfort, Kentucky. The 'Cats beat Our Lady of the Lake in the opening round to reach the Sweet 16 for a second straight year before losing to eventual national champ Westmont of California. It was the last game EVER in the NAIA as the school transitions to NCAA Division 2 and the Heartland Conference next season. After 6 years of RSU Basketball, all the memories flashed before my mind's eye. It's hard to put into type all the "take your breath away" moments, so I'll leave you with this video below of the hit song by Boyz II Men..."It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" from 1991.

 

Where are they now?

RSU's first-ever 1,000 point scorer, Sylvester Spicer, is playing for the North Dallas Vandals in the ABA.  Spicer still shares the single-game points record with 32 in a game against Oklahoma City back in the 2008-2009 season.

www.ndvandals.com

Nep Darden is playing overseas in Duesseldorf, Germany.  Nep was a member of the 2012 NAIA national tournament team that won two games in Kansas City.

www.duesseldorfbaskets.de/home.html







Eric Young is suiting up for the Lone Star Strikers in the UBA.  Eric was the most versatile player on the RSU team that went 30-2 and finished the regular season ranked #1 in the country.

www.lonestarstrikers.com/main/