Moun'Tae Edmundson Jr. the final Centennial representative
TULSA – The crisp January air seemed to crawl into Centennial's basketball locker room as a somber Moun'tae Edmundson Jr. processed the news.
The school he grew with and loved was closing.
As a part of Oklahoma City Public Schools' “Path to Greatness” plan, the district closed many schools in the district to consolidate its resources.
Edmundson and his teammates would be the final basketball team at Centennial. He would be in the final graduating class.
Soon after he walked across the stage, the school would close its doors for the final time.
“We wanted to try and go out on top since that was going to be our last year representing the high school,” Edmundson said. “It made us low for a little bit, but then it motivated us.”
Edmundson represented Centennial during Thursday's annual Oklahoma Coaches Association All- State boys basketball game. He took the court at Mabee Center in the small school game as the final athletic representative of the school.
And Edmundson was a perfect fit to shut it down.
Earning a bid to represent Centennial was never a guarantee for the 5- foot- 10 guard, but it became a goal.
The school opened for grades 6-12 in 2008, and it quickly found success on the hardwood.
The Bison captured consecutive Class 3A state championships 2011-12.
They nearly added a third in 2014 but fell in double overtime to Okemah.
Its history was short, but Centennial was proud of its basketball tradition. The players knew what it meant to be a Bison, and it's part of the reason coach Kendal Cudjoe, now Classen SAS' head boys coach, chose to come to the program last year.
He knew the kids wanted to be great.
“(Edmundson) is close to having the best work ethic that I've ever seen,” Cudjoe said. “He's right up there.”
That drive nearly propelled Centennial to the state tournament.
The Bison won their first game of the season but otherwise struggled early while
finishing strong.
Edmundson tallied 27.1 points per game and willed Centennial to the Class 3A area tournament.
He was named to The Oklahoman's Little AllCity first team.
In doing so, he earned a chance to play college basketball. Edmundson will begin classes at Cowley College next month, but he was focused on Thursday's game.
“I just wanted to have fun and compete,” Edmundson said.
For a short period Thursday, Edmundson was able to reflect one final time about competing for Centennial, this time on the state's biggest stage.
After a stellar career, Edmundson's countless accolades will always carry on with him. His All- State selection was the final one for a Centennial athlete.
He's thankful he earned the chance to represent his school a one more time.
“He's the last of the Bison,” Cudjoe said. “I'm so proud of him.”
“(Edmundson) is close to having the best work ethic that I've ever seen. He's right up there.” coach Kendal Cudjoe