Recruiting of in-state prospects picking up
The in-state football recruiting wave is growing.
Oklahoma State and Tulsa have extended multiple offers to Oklahoma high school football players during the past couple of weeks. Several are class of 2023 prospects, while others could help younger recruiting classes take shape.
Enid receiver Tykie Andrews announced Jan. 8 he had received an offer from the Cowboys, and the senior committed six days later. Broken Arrow offensive lineman Jamison Mejia, an uncommitted senior, also picked up an OSU offer.
Tulsa, with new coach Kevin Wilson, has extended offers to Cushing receiver Camden Crooks and Choctaw defensive end R.J. Jackson, both class of 2023 recruits. And Tulsa Union offensive lineman Bennett Ringleb committed to the Golden Hurricane on Sunday.
Since the transfer portal window has closed, these in-state efforts could help OSU and Tulsa complete their 2023 recruiting classes. The programs are also looking farther into the future.
Running back Xavier Robinson, The Oklahoman’s Offensive Player of the Year, announced Jan. 9 he had an offer from the Cowboys. Saturday, the Carl Albert junior shared a photo on Twitter from a campus visit with Mike Gundy. Then Southeast junior running back Rodney Fields, who visited Stillwater in a group of Southeast and Millwood recruits, announced Tuesday he had an OSU offer. Weatherford defensive end CJ Nickson and Carl Albert cornerback Trystan Haynes, class of 2025 recruits, followed with the same news.
Tulsa has offered several 2025 prospects: Edmond Memorial quarterback David McComb, Bishop McGuinness tight end/linebacker Marcus James and Millwood receiver Jaden Nickens. Nickens, also a basketball recruit, has held a football offer from the Cowboys since November.
While OU has been quieter on the in-state scene this month, the Sooners have extended offers to Nickson and Bethany senior Taylor Heim, who could impact the team in a number of ways. Heim played quarterback, receiver and free safety for the Bronchos.
The Sooners have also shown interest in Carl Albert quarterback Reed DeQuasie (class of 2023) as a preferred walkon, and Bixby safety Cale Fugate (2023) committed as a PWO.
Fort Cobb-Broxton’s Scott Hines treasures 700th win
Scott Hines stayed quiet about his accomplishment.
After the Fort Cobb-Broxton boys basketball team defeated BooneApache to win the Caddo County Tournament on Saturday, the coach didn’t want to draw attention to himself. So he didn’t mention his milestone to the players. Didn’t even say anything to his wife, Becky.
“I don’t know that anybody knew except me and just a few people,” Hines said.
But the word spread. One of Hines’ friends had told the radio broadcasters, so people started to find out: he had just tallied his 700th win as a high school basketball coach.
For Hines, simply having the opportunity to coach carries more meaning than it once did. In 2020, Hines was fighting for his life — his lungs had collapsed because of COVID-19 and pneumonia.
Occasionally, he still finds himself a little short of breath after a strenuous practice, but that doesn’t stop him from coaching alongside his oldest son, Cameron, an assistant. They’ve led topranked Class B Ft. Cobb-Broxton to a 19-1 record.
“There was several times in the hospital I didn’t think I was ever gonna get to do it again,” Hines said. “So it means a lot.”
Hines has coached at Fort CobbBroxton, a school about 70 miles southwest of Norman, since 1997.
He started his career at Dill City, where his six-player roster went 0-24.
Despite the winless record, that season fueled Hines’ passion for the profession. He wanted to keep coaching, and in his third year, he helped Canute reach the state tournament.
Now, he’s compiled 700 victories with most of them at Fort Cobb-Broxton.
“You never dream of doing something like that when you first start coaching,” Hines said. “... Things got better quickly.”
Hall, Green to coach OCA All-State teams
The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced Wednesday the 2023 East and West All-State rosters and All-Star teams by class.
Darrell Hall of Midwest City was selected to coach the West team with Eric Bradley of Ringwood, Jack Baker of Elgin and Dusty Raper of Pauls Valley as assistants. Ed Green of Hominy was chosen to lead the East team with Eddie Barnwell of Jay, Duce Lee of Broken Bow and Nathan Foster of Tulsa Union as assistants.
The game is set for 7 p.m. July 28 at a to-be-announced venue.
Extra points
• Del City senior forward Brandon Garrison is a McDonald’s All American. The Oklahoma State signee is one of 24 players, including Bronny James, selected to compete in the 46th annual All American game on March 28 in Houston.
• Classen SAS alumna Darianna Littlepage-Buggs is the Big 12 women’s basketball Freshman of the Week for the third time this season. LittlepageBuggs, who plays for Baylor, notched her seventh double-double as the Bears defeated Kansas State on Jan. 18.
• Nate Roberts of Washington has received interest from a slew of Division I football programs, and he can add the defending national champion to that list. The sophomore tight end announced Wednesday he has received an offer from Georgia.
• Muskogee quarterback Jamarian Ficklin and Midwest City quarterback DeAngelo Irvin Jr. have picked up offers from UNLV. Senior Irvin has been an Air Force commit since September, while sophomore Ficklin is uncommitted.