Checotah’s Thomas excited by 2025 OU recruiting class
Elijah Thomas noticed something different about Brent Venables.
Thomas, a junior receiver at Checotah High School, attended football camps at multiple colleges, but in-depth conversations with head coaches were rare.
Then he went to OU’s camp.
“(Venables) talked about anything,” Thomas said. “Foot
ball, life, whatever we needed to know. Just really, if we were curious, he’d answer any question.”
The OU coach won over Thomas, who committed to the Sooners on July 27. Thomas, a four-star recruit according to 247Sports, chose OU over Alabama, Oklahoma State and several other Power Five teams.
Thomas bolsters a 2025 Sooner recruiting class that also includes Kevin Sperry, the standout quarterback who has arrived at Carl Albert High School from Texas for his junior season.
“I think we’ll be pretty solid (in) 2025,” Thomas said. “(Venables) is doing a great job recruiting, getting the best athletes in the country.”
Venables’ friendly demeanor might have served as the deciding factor, but for Thomas, the OU offer had always been enticing. Thomas – who also plays defensive back — has grown up in Checotah as an OU fan, and he said his bonds with assistant coaches also influenced his decision.
Before he heads to Norman, he has two more years to leave an impact on Class 3A Checotah, a team that went 3-7 last season. Head coach Zac Ross complimented Thomas’ versatility, explosiveness and knowledge of the game.
“He really wants to know why he’s doing what he’s doing,” Ross said. “He’s just a competitor. He wants to win; he wants to try hard.
“He’s one of our biggest leaders on our team.”
Edmond Memorial quarterback David McComb chooses Kansas
David McComb paid attention to Big 12 football last fall.
The Edmond Memorial quarterback saw Kansas – once the lowest team on the Big 12 food chain — shocking the college football world with a 5-0 start to the season.
The Jayhawks hosted College GameDay. They fought tooth-and-nail with playoff-bound TCU.
The fanfare intrigued McComb, who committed to Kansas this summer.
“If they keep building up like this – and I think they will – I’ll be at the point where they started this, and I’m gonna carry it on,” McComb said. “I feel like we can take that Kansas team together and just keep pushing them forward into being a better and better team.”
This next generation of Jayhawk football includes several Oklahoma high school stars. Offensive lineman Harrison Utley of Norman North and running back Red Martel of Beggs are senior Kansas commits.
Junior star McComb is building the class of 2025.
Born in San Diego, McComb moved to Edmond for high school and led the Bulldogs to four wins and a playoff appearance last season.
This was a significant stride from Edmond Memorial’s previous one-win season, so KU’s underdog-to-contender storyline appeals to McComb, whose other offers include Memphis, Tulane, Tulsa and Virgina Tech.
With his family on board, he said his visit to Kansas sealed his decision.
“We all love the campus,” McComb said, “and love what the coaches are doing.”
Mike Whaley caps OSSAA career with national award
Mike Whaley watched a video montage of his achievements before walking to the stage to accept his award.
Family members joined him in Seattle as he became one of 13 individuals to receive a National Federation of State High School Associations Citation this summer. These awards celebrate prominent contributors to high school activity associations and NFHS professional organizations.
The accolade had extra meaning for Whaley because it capped his longtime career in Oklahoma high school athletics. Whaley, the Oklahoma Secondary
School Activities Association’s associate director, retired this summer, spending his last day in the office Monday.
OSSAA executive director David Jackson nominated Whaley for the citation.
“I was very humbled and very honored,” Whaley said. “As I told Mr. Jackson when he told me about the award, I couldn’t think of a better way to finish up.”
Since the 1970s, Whaley has devoted his career to Oklahoma high school sports in various capacities. He coached at Sand Springs, Mangum, Blanchard and Westmoore, gaining experience in football, track, baseball and basketball. He also officiated basketball games and stepped in as the OSSAA’s director of officials in 2009.
In his most recent role as OSSAA associate director, Whaley has presided over football and track and field. He said Trinity Johnson is inheriting his football responsibilities, while Brian Lester is taking on track and field.
Next, Whaley will adjust to starting a school year without coaching or administrating, but he plans to stay close to the football field this fall.
“I think the opportunity to go back and watch activities just from the fan’s perspective will be extremely rewarding,” Whaley said. “When you’re not having to worry about all the things that coaches and administrators worry about (in) activities, I think it will be extremely refreshing.”
Brent Hodges leaves Moore for ‘new challenge’
Brent Hodges is leaving Moore after eight seasons of leading the girls basketball program.
The Moore Lady Lions Basketball Twitter account shared the coach’s public letter announcing his decision Thursday.
“I am leaving this program and district for a new challenge that I am very excited about and cannot wait to share with all of you very soon,” Hodges said.
Propelling the Lions to triumphs and guiding them amid community tragedies, Hodges compiled a 128-67 record. This past season, Moore went 12-14 with an area tournament appearance.
Moore qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in 2020, when he was named The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
“When we took over this program it was primed and ready to reclaim the winning tradition it had previously known,” Hodges said. “In prior years, the wins were few and far between, but the culture of the program was solid due to great coaches before me.
“Over the last eight seasons we have seen some of the best come through this program, break records and overcome odds that no one thought were possible.”
Hodges thanked many people, including Moore’s players, administrators and boys basketball coach Gregg Hardin.
“I firmly believe I am leaving this program better than I found it,” Hodges said. “Whomever takes over after I leave is going to take over a great program with great players and people.”
Extra points
❚ Muskogee senior offensive lineman Wesley Harvey committed to TCU football Tuesday.
❚ Andy Bass of Heritage Hall has narrowed his college offers to a top three: Kansas State, Oklahoma and Syracuse. The senior quarterback announced he will commit Aug. 24.
❚ Edmond Memorial girls basketball star Janiyah Williams has selected her top 13 schools from a giant pool of offers. The junior guard’s list features Arkansas, Duke, Illinois, Louisville, Mississippi, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, TCU, Tennessee, Tulsa and West Virginia.
❚ Edmond North is searching for a new head baseball coach. Gary Bandy, who has led the Huskies since 2018, has accepted an athletic director position at Murray State College. Edmond North reached the Class 6A state tournament this past season.
❚ Shawnee High School is also looking to fill its head baseball coach position. In a Wednesday news release, East Central University announced Kevin Paxson as its new baseball coach. Paxson has guided the Class 5A Wolves for the past five seasons.
❚ Several of the state’s top high school soccer players competed in the Kansas vs. Oklahoma All Star girls soccer match in July. Presley Boyd of Norman North scored Oklahoma’s goal. With the match tied at 1, Kansas won on penalty kicks.