Bartlesville area basketball teams make strong showing despite no state title runs
While no Bartlesville area high school basketball teams made it to the state championships over the weekend, several teams had strong showings on the hardwood court and garnered several accolades.
Dewey boys
The Dewey Bulldoggers, led by veteran head coach Lance Knight, finished the season with a Class 4 A Regional Consolation championship playoff trophy. In addition, Dewey went 8-0 in Northeast Valley Conference to earn the championship title.
“I was extremely proud of my guys this season,” said Coach Knight. “We had our ups and downs like any team can during a long season, but they fought and had a lot of success.
Dewey (16-12) had 11 games where they won by four points or less and finished 5-1 at home.
“That is a group being tough late in the games and finding ways to win,” said Coach Knight.
The Bulldogger will lose five seniors, Jace Williams, Zaiden Masters, Haven Becker, Zane Griggs and Eli Sturges. Williams was named to the Northeast Valley All-Conference team and won the Offensive Most Valuable Player award. Masters and Johnson were also selected to the All-Conference team.
“We played several sophomores and freshmen this season and they did great,” said Coach Knight. “The future is bright for our team and these five seniors are a big reason why.”
Dewey girls
The Lady Bulldoggers, who made it to Class 4A regionals, were 10-17 on the season under the leadership of coach Michael Sanders. They lose just one senior, Maci Rogers. Sophomore CJ Jones was named to the Northeast Valley All-Conference Team.
Copan boys
The Copan High School Hornets finished the season at 16-7, which is a marked improvement from last year’s 11-13 record.
Copan, who fell in the first round of the Class B Districts by only two points to end their season, graduates only two seniors this year.
Hornet Head Coach Kolton Stacy, in his second year at the helm, said he’s proud of his young team.
“I think that the future of this program is bright, these kids turned some heads this year and I think they will continue to do so in the coming years,” said Coach Stacy.
The Hornets will be graduating only three seniors, Tryston Easter, Logan Guess and Justin Garrison. Easter and Guess were named to the Super 6 Conference first team, with Easter earning the Player of the Year Award. Also making the team was Shooter Brewington and Karson Woodworth.
Easter averaged 19 points per game, with Guess averaging 13.5 points a game in his last seven games.
“The seniors are my first group I’ve had as a coach and they were tremendous. They have all bright futures and all of the kids did their job here by continuing to lay down the foundation of this program,” said Coach Stacy.
Copan girls
A season of ups and downs is a fitting description for the Lady Hornets. The team initially had 12 players on the roster, but ended up losing three players during the season. Despite their 8-16 season record, the Lady Hornets made it to the second round of Class B Regionals.
“Our record was not as good as I anticipated. We lost some games that we should have won,” said veteran Lady Hornet Coach Kristy Bryan.
However, the team received a morale booster when senior Addie Hunter returned to the court in January after battling a life-threatening health problem that hospitalized her for several weeks that included a 12-day medically induced coma.
More: From death's door to basketball starter: Addie Hunter's comeback story
Copan will also be losing senior Kylee Cobb, who averaged 4.1 steals per game and made the Super 6 Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. Also making the conference team was junior Elzyabeth Odum, who averaged 11.5 points and Zoey Secondine, who averaged 5.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
“We ended the season on a high note,” said Coach Bryan. “The girls, most of the time, played hard and I am thankful for that effort. We need to be better at making shots to win more games next year.”
Nowata boys
The Nowata Ironmen (12-15) made it to the Class 2A regionals with the leadership of senior Kaleb Bashford who averaged 22 points per game. Bashford also scored an impressive 1,036 points in his high school career with 44% shooting from the three-point line.
“That’s pretty remarkable for a kid who’s been a post the last two years prior to this season,” said Ironmen Head Coach Derick Ott.
Bashford was named the Northeast All-Conference Most Valuable Player. Also named to the All-Conference team was Talon Thompson and Ryan Walton.
Bashford, Micheal Prince, Spencer Bullen and Kaed Freeman all graduate this year.
“We’ll miss our seniors,” said Coach Ott, “but I’m optimistic for the future.”
Nowata girls
The Nowata Lady Ironmen (12-14) had one win in Class 2A regionals until their season ended. Jordyn Ashley and Dakota Brown both made the Northeast Valley All-Conference Team.
“Mesa Holt was instrumental in our regional victory,” said Lady Ironmen Head Coach Thad Hewitt. “She came out aggressive and looking to score. Freshman Kaylee Bashford improved all season.”
Hewitt said he was also impressed with Kirsten Roberts and freshman Jalyn Trotter.
Graduating are Holt, Dakota Brown, Danica Johnson and Addison Reese.
“I look forward to the improvement of several new and younger players,” said Coach Hewitt.
Hewitt, who has coached the Lady Ironmen since 2022, will return next year as the softball and basketball coach. Before Nowata, he coached at Oklahoma Union for 23 years.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Copan, Dewey and Nowata basketball teams end seasons strong
