Norman North basketball coach Merritt resigns
Norman North’s Bryan
Merritt is stepping down as boys basketball coach.
Merritt said he took some time over spring break to analyse his performance at Norman North and thinks it’s time for someone new blood.
“I don’t have a plan,” Merritt said. “It’s not a thing where I don’t want to keep coaching. But I think at Norman North it’s time for someone to give it a try.
“I feel like it’s time for me to have a new challenge.”
This past season Merritt lead the Timberwolves to a 25-3 record while making it to the Class 6A state semifinals.
Aftering guiding the Timberwolves to a 108-27 record in five seasons, 13 straight wins against rival Norman High and a three-year, homewinning streak, Merritt said he feels like he’s leaving Norman North on a high note.
“You never want to stay in a place too long,” Merritt said. “If things go poorly from where you set the
standard, there’s really no coming back from that. To keep those streaks alive, it’ll wear you out.”
Merritt coached Oklahoma star and future NBA player Trae Young at Norman North as well as Oklahoma State guard Lindy Waters and Boise State guard Marcus Dickinson.
Merritt, an Oklahoma history and American government teacher, said he’s excited to focus on the classroom and spend a little more time with family.
“I’m not done coaching,” Merritt said. “But I think I’ve done everything I set out to accomplish at North.”
Heritage Hall tennis teams win showdown
The Heritage Hall boys and girls tennis teams proved they were the best in the west in Class 5A on Thursday.
Now they are hoping to show the rest of the state.
Heritage Hall boys tennis won first place at the East/West Showdown at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center, after they scored 31 points and won first place in No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles.
Senior Trey Huelskamp won first in No. 1 singles after he took care of Tulsa Kelley’s Dominic Roman in the finals 6-4, 6-1.
Doubles pair Eric Abbott and Lucia Rutz won as well while taking down Claremore in the finals. Heritage Hall girls tennis scored 34 points to claim the East/ West championship, outscoring Cascia Hall by six points.
After No. 2 doubles pair of Lauren Harvey and Genesis Franks took first place after taking down Cascia Hall.
While in singles play, Heritage Hall once again relied on a pair of talented freshmen.
Brooke Thompson won in No. 1 singles play, defeating Bishop McGuinness’ Jessica Le. Annabelle Treadwell won in No. 2 singles play, defeating Cascia Hall’s Lindsey Perkins 6-2, 6-1.
Millwood running back picks up another offer
Millwood running back Marcus Major picked up another SEC offer.
Major announced on twitter Thursday afternoon that he received a scholarship offer from the University of Missouri. The latest offer makes 19 offers for Major, who has blown up in recruiting since January. Major also has offers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas and USC among others.