One-on-One with Sheri Coale

(photo courtesy of RSU Sports Information)

While I've had the pleasure of interviewing Sheri Coale a few times previously on radio, those times couldn't rival the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the Oklahoma Sooner coaching icon.  Coach Coale graciously gave me a few minutes of her time to dish about the Hillcat programs, the state of women's basketball in Oklahoma, and the WNBA's Tulsa Shock.  Simply put, she's the Bill Self of women's basketball.  She was more than advertised as a banquet speaker. Click the play button below, and enjoy!

Yesterday

The end of an era arrived for the RSU basketball programs last week as the Hillcat women fell in the 2nd round of the national tournament in Frankfort, Kentucky. The 'Cats beat Our Lady of the Lake in the opening round to reach the Sweet 16 for a second straight year before losing to eventual national champ Westmont of California. It was the last game EVER in the NAIA as the school transitions to NCAA Division 2 and the Heartland Conference next season. After 6 years of RSU Basketball, all the memories flashed before my mind's eye. It's hard to put into type all the "take your breath away" moments, so I'll leave you with this video below of the hit song by Boyz II Men..."It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" from 1991.

 

"5 Questions" with Logan Froese

The Claremore senior provides a few laughs in the latest installment of "5 Questions"...FREEDOM!!!

Where are they now?

RSU's first-ever 1,000 point scorer, Sylvester Spicer, is playing for the North Dallas Vandals in the ABA.  Spicer still shares the single-game points record with 32 in a game against Oklahoma City back in the 2008-2009 season.

www.ndvandals.com

Nep Darden is playing overseas in Duesseldorf, Germany.  Nep was a member of the 2012 NAIA national tournament team that won two games in Kansas City.

www.duesseldorfbaskets.de/home.html







Eric Young is suiting up for the Lone Star Strikers in the UBA.  Eric was the most versatile player on the RSU team that went 30-2 and finished the regular season ranked #1 in the country.

www.lonestarstrikers.com/main/

"5 Questions" with Ariani Silva

Claws the Intern took his sweet time in the production studio, but it's finally arrived...the latest edition of "5 Questions"!  RSU senior guard Ari Silva names this year's biggest cut-up for the Hillcat women, maps out her future plans, and gives us a sample of her native tongue. Enjoy!

Second Half Awaits

(Photo courtesy of RSU Sports Information)

With the first half of the final Sooner Athletic Conference schedule ever in the books, a busy stretch of games hits the Hillcats starting this Saturday at Oklahoma Baptist.  The Hillcat women currently sit in third with a 6-2 league mark following a split at Wayland and Lubbock last week.  The 'Cats posted their first double-digit conference win last Thursday over the Flying Queens, and fell on Saturday at top-ranked LCU 100-78.  Trailing the Lady Chaps by just four at the half, RSU showed the kind of potential that made it a final 8 team at last year's national tournament.  It seems pretty clear to me that Oklahoma City and Lubbock are the top two teams in the SAC, maybe in the country.  It'll be fun to see if LCU can go to OCU and poach a win, seeing as how the Stars handed the Chaps their only loss of the season down in Lubbock by double figures.  LCU is still ranked #1 this week with OCU #3.  If I had a vote, that would be reversed.  With five of the last eight games at the friendly confines of the Claremore Expo, I would say it's a safe bet RSU will finish third.  Handicapping it, the 'Cats should finish with 10 to 12 conference wins.  Let's split the difference and say they go 11-5...well, that's good enough for 21 wins overall.  That's more than enough to put them back in the national tournament and send them packing for Frankfort, Kentucky.  RSU is 16th this week, and would likely remain in the Top 25 as long as they take care of the games that are winnable.

The RSU men, meanwhile, have a slightly more menacing process in the final half.  The 'Cats did themselves no favors in digging a 1-3 conference hole.  They clawed out of it with three straight wins, including a comeback victory at Wayland last Thursday.  That win, though, was followed up with a lackluster offensive day in Lubbock and put the men back at 4-4 in league play.  Those results meant a tie for fourth with both of last week's West Texas opponents.  With that said, RSU is only two games back of second place OBU. That makes this Saturday's showdown in Shawnee much more meaningful.  It also helped that Wayland upset John Brown Saturday, handing the Golden Eagles their first conference loss.  Mid-America Christian sits in third with a one game lead on the fourth place trio.  A key road game at MACU awaits the Hillcats on Thursday, February 7th.  We'll have a more firm grip on whether 20th-ranked RSU stays in the national tournament picture after the next week or so.  Following Saturday's road game at OBU, the 'Cats turn right around and play JBU at home Monday, then at Mid-America before returning home to face USAO a week from this Saturday.  Welcome to February basketball, where dreams are either realized or ripped apart!

Froese Reaches 1,000 Points

Photo courtesy of RSU Sports Information

Senior forward Logan Froese became just the 2nd member of the 1,000 point club. She scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds in a 79-70 win over MACU. Logan joins career scoring leader Hunter Peterson of Jenks as the only two women to accomplish the feat. Click the play button to relive the moment, and for a brief interview with the Claremore native.

SAC Swan Song Starts Thursday

RSU begins its final stages of Sooner Athletic Conference play this week with a road date at USAO in Chickasha Thursday and the league home-opener Saturday against Mid-America Christian.  It's a come-to-grips moment after being a member of one of the best small college basketball conferences for the last six years.  Once again, if you didn't hear the news, the 'Cats are leaving the NAIA for NCAA Division 2 beginning next school year as a provisional member of the Heartland Conference.

Many solid memories have been earmarked for future discussions...the lighter times, the sad stories, the glorious achievements in such a short tenure in the league.  The lasting imprint for me, though, is how much all of us involved since day one have grown.  Six years doesn't seem like all that long ago, but then I think about those who sat courtside at the Expo who no longer do so.  I think about the rapid ascent in terms of quality of play, not just at RSU but throughout the conference.  I had some knowledge and respect for the SAC as a basketball league going into this back in 2007, but it grew by leaps and bounds as each new season passed.  The statement "any team at the bottom of the standings could beat any team at the top on any given night" is more true now than ever before.  That's positive growth.  That's competitive clarity.  That's all a fan, an administrator, or even a broadcaster could ever ask for in college athletics at this level.

As the 'Cats start their final 16 games of the regular season this Thursday night against the Drovers, I hope you'll take a moment to realize what's transpired for this university, and how it wouldn't be headed where it is today without the Sooner Athletic Conference as a commendable partner.  Don't forget to tune in as well, the final voyage could provide the most exciting thrill of all! 

Getting to Know Nick Dials

The RSU men's program is in its third year under head coach Justin Barkley. He had the unenviable task of filling two assistant coaching positions late in the off-season...at the exact same time. Coach Barkley feels he landed a gem for his top spot in former Akron standout and Ohio native Nick Dials. Nick provided us some insight into his background, his family, and his high-profile references. Those include a national championship football coach and a guy who Shaka-ed the world. Hit the play button to listen. Enjoy!

Former Hillcat Circling the Globe

It's been a while since I last updated you on former RSU standout forward Sylvester Spicer.  Big Spice is quickly becoming an international man of intrigue.  The latest stop in his professional career is Reykjavik, Iceland.  According to Wikipedia, sports are an important part of Icelandic culture.  The main traditional sport in Iceland is Glima, a form of wrestling thought to have originated in medieval times.  Iceland is Spicer's 8th country to visit while displaying his rim-rocking craft.  He's also played in Israel, Portugal, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico.  Not bad for a boy from Big D!

Skyline of Reykjavik, Iceland

Hillcats Return to Terrestrial Radio

What's old is new again! And, with that also comes the end of an era as we start the 2012-2013 basketball season next week on College Hill. If you haven't heard (click play button above), RSU men's and women's basketball is making a return to the radio airwaves of 91.3 FM. For old souls like myself, it's hard to fathom not being able to dial up a play-by-play broadcast on a car radio or in the office. You would think someone 35 years old would've embraced the new technology and moved on, but I just can't seem to shake the romance of a ballgame on terrestrial radio. For those of you much more tech savvy than me, you'll still be able to listen to games on the Hillcat Network through your mobile devices. The re-entry into the RSU Radio fold also means we get to work again with good people like Cathy Coomer and Steve Doyle. Steve helped arrange the promo above to promote the return to radio. It's solid, just like Mr. Doyle's daily work at the station! Now, a brief on both teams as RSU plays its final season in the NAIA and the Sooner Athletic Conference...

The Hillcat women's program has its first new head coach in six years. By all indications, Roxanne Long has the same kind of passion and integrity Amy Williams brought to the program the first five seasons. Plus, Coach Long has a decent amount of returning talent to make one salivate at the thought of a return trip to the national tournament. She's expected (by the broadcast crew) to rack up another 20+ win season. If the preseason league coaches poll is any indication, others outside Claremore have high expectations for this year's team as well. The 'Cats have been picked to finish 2nd in the conference, behind Lubbock Christian but in front of defending national champ Oklahoma City. RSU returns nine ladies from last year's team, including six seniors. Logan Froese is set to go down as one of the most gritty players in Hillcat history, and fresh off a stellar national tournament run she'll be relied on for steady leadership in the post. Don't let that toughness fool you, though. She's been known to fight you tooth and nail, and do it with a smile and a wink after it's over. Former Union High School standout Larielle Giles will also play a factor on the front-line, having gained significant minutes as a true freshman a year ago. Expect some big minutes as well from transfers Adrianna Leatherbury, a 6-0 forward from El Paso and New Mexico Junior College, and Clarrisa Cannon, a 6-0 forward from Las Vegas and Cowley College (KS). It's often been said a team's post-season potential is defined by how good its guards play...well, this team has plenty of returners to keep last year's run to the Final 8 fresh on the minds of fans. My favorite Brazilian, Ariani Silva, returns as one of the best shooters in the SAC as she set the new RSU single-season record for made threes last year. Leah Smith can also fill it up from outside after leading the 'Cats in scoring. Point guard transfer Kelby Fritz will be a coach on the floor after the Vinita product arrived from Missouri Southern. She has just one year to show her wares in front of the home crowd. Finally, last but not least...the "Preston Pick-Pocket" Sierra Cornwell is back for her senior season. Great nickname handed out by our public address announcer last year. Sierra is the reigning middleweight champion of defense in the Sooner Athletic. She is the most ball-hawking women's player we've seen in the NAIA to date. You blink, she steals it...you sneeze, she steals it...you go to the restroom at halftime and she has 10 more steals by the time you return to your chairback. She is that good! Needless to say, I think the RSU women are in for one of those really special seasons. It all starts with two exhibition games at Tulsa (Oct 31st) and at Arkansas (Nov 4th).

The men's program is coming off back-to-back runs to the Elite 8 at the national tournament in Kansas City. As you might imagine, the preseason hype machine is grinding its gears again. The 'Cats have been picked to finish 2nd preseason in the SAC, and likely will be in the Top 10 national preseason rankings. RSU might just have the best guards of any roster in the country, with all-SAC returners Donald Williams (Ole Miss transfer) and Kendrell Thompson (Sam Houston State transfer). Those two had memorable moments in conference games in their first seasons wearing the red and blue. Two other guards are back that will continue to impact games, senior Alex Ewings from Jenks and senior Justynn Hammond out of Seattle and Paris Junior College (TX). Ewings continued to elevate his game to a whole new level last season, hitting big shots off the bench and playing frenetic defense to boot. Hammond is a solid athlete at 6-5 who can play multiple positions, including point guard. He could be called upon to rebound more and play a point forward depending on how much depth is developed with a lack of size up front. A key acquisition on a one-year shot is ORU transfer and former Tulsa East Central standout Ken Holdman. Holdman was one of the better defenders in the Summit League in his time at ORU, and was also better than expected at point guard for Scott Sutton's Golden Eagles. Again, you might not find a collection of guards any better than what's been assembled in Claremore. Up front, RSU should be bolstered by the return of Brian Gibson, a 6-8 bruiser who fought through injuries last year to become a major contributor at nationals. Gibson, a Baton Rouge native, is the tallest player on the roster. The 'Cats will definitely need younger and less experienced guys to fill voids at the forward spots. That could come in the form of two-time state champion at Booker T. in Tulsa, 6-6 sophomore C.J. Hyslop, or 6-7 sophomore Trevar Mayon from Houston. It'll be interesting to see if the rebounding improves, which will depend heavily on the bigger RSU guards. Two true freshman may see some playing time right away, J.C. Hartzler of Union (Tulsa World Player of the Year), and Edison standout Ehron Ponds. Both guards had exceptional high school careers. The Hillcat men have set the bar so high in the first five seasons, that anything short of another trip to Kansas City will be viewed as a disappointment by outside observers. I do believe this team can win a ton of games, but it will need to be achieved with stellar shooting, kick-you-in-the-teeth defense, and a determined effort on the glass on both ends. By far, this year's schedule is the most treacherous ever assembled. Kudos to Coach Justin Barkley for going out of his way to toughen up the 'Cats before the shorter league schedule takes hold. Difficult non-conference foes include Northwestern Okla. State, Mid-America Nazarene, and Our Lady of the Lake. Remember, the SAC is down to just nine teams, so that means 16 conference games instead of 22.  The fun all starts October 30th at home in the season opener against Central Baptist of Arkansas.

Here's hoping for a memorable end to the maiden voyage in RSU basketball history. Before the 'Cats shove off to the NCAA and the Heartland Conference, make it a point to take in a small college game at the Claremore Expo Center this season. And, don't forget to "leave a mark".

RSU AD Ryan Bradley on Sports Animal-Tulsa

Ryan joined Big Al Jerkens, Coach Pat Jones and Shawn Tiemann on Monday's Middle of the Day Show to discuss RSU's recent acceptance into NCAA Division 2 candidacy.  In case you missed it, click the play button.

3rd and Long

(photo courtesy of KTUL-TV)

A new era in Rogers State women's basketball is underway. The school announced former Oklahoma Sooner standout and Texas Lutheran head coach Roxanne Long as just the second coach in program history. Coach Long served as a grad assistant for Jerry Finkbeiner at ORU before embarking on a high school head coaching career in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. She spent the last four years as head coach at NCAA Division 3 Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. She grew up helping call out blitz packages for her father, Rocky Long, who is the current head football coach at San Diego State. Take a listen below as we welcome her into the Hillcat family.
  RoxanneLongRSUWomensCoach by shawntiemann

"Claws" the Intern, meanwhile, had the grandiose idea to set up an exclusive, off-season interview with RSU men's coach Justin Barkley. Some really big news also hit the men recently, as the Hillcats lost both assistant coaches. Kyle Blankenship is off to LSU-Shreveport for his first head coaching job, and Chuck Love joins former RSU women's coach Amy Williams at South Dakota as one of her new assistants. We wish them both the best of luck. Justin says the new women's coach is a great addition on College Hill. Finally, listen below for the one NBA player Coach Barkley admires the most. It won't come as a surprise because this player's vertical leap was similar to coach's in his playing days at NSU. Peace!
  JustinBarkleyOffseasonInterview by shawntiemann

Leaving Her Mark

I didn't originally set out to become a play-by-play broadcaster so I could meet interesting and influential people. I didn't intend to do it for any reason other than serving my own self-interests. I desired a career where I attended ballgames for free, a career where I had more fun than the next guy, and a career where I never had to work a day in my life. While I've definitely achieved all those dreams of my younger days, my reasons for calling games have certainly evolved. One of those reasons is what you see expressed in the photo above from the new women's basketball coach at the University of South Dakota.

My path intersected with Amy Williams' journey back in the fall of 2007.  Simply put...it was chance, luck, and circumstance that landed me as the play-by-play voice of RSU Basketball. I never envisioned how rewarding personal relationships with the coaches, players, and their parents would become as a game caller. There was a time in my life when I was quite introverted, but my chosen profession has definitely balanced my equilibrium a little, even though I wouldn't necessarily call myself an extrovert now. It's people like Amy who make my job easier. For me, Amy was always approachable. She also flashed that winning smile when I greeted her before recording our pre-game interviews, or when I hopped on the travel bus. Don't take me wrong, though. When the ball was tipped in her 5 years at Rogers State, she was as tenacious and gritty as I've ever seen from a head coach. It's the juxtaposition about her that I liked so much. I'll remember that most, but I'll also remember the brief moments we spent discussing our children. She has two wonderful daughters. I'll miss seeing them sprint across the Claremore Expo floor during pre-game warmups or in timeouts. I'll also miss her because I had the privilege of working with her husband Lloyd. Those two drew up out-of-bounds plays like nobody's business in their coaching days at RSU.

So, it is with sadness that another chapter in RSU Basketball history is written. Amy made back-to-back national tournament appearances, including reaching the final 8 this past March. She is so very deserving of this opportunity at the NCAA Division 1 level, plus it's in her home state. I really view myself as a pawn when it comes to the basketball programs in Claremore, but I cherish the time spent and memories made with great people like Amy. She also takes with her the best RSU internet listener on the planet, her father Tim. Maybe, he'll tune in every now and again from up in the Dakotas just to check if Bontrager is his same old surly self. We'll miss you Williams' family, best of luck!

VIVA MEXICO!

With the assistance of social media, Claws the Intern helped us track down the latest whereabouts of former Hillcat Sylvester Spicer (pictured above with arms spread). His current adventure takes us south of the border into Northwestern Mexico, near the Gulf of California. He's living it up on the beaches of Guasave, Sinaloa...all while ballin' on the courts of the CIBACOPA. Big Spice is averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds a game for Frayles de Guasave. It's apparently the "most important basketball league" in the Baja region of Mexico. There are 12 teams in the league, and the season runs from March to June.

More research and development by Claws has turned up quite a gem about the team's nickname. "Frayles" is another version of the word "frailes", as in friars en espanol. Story goes that a friar once killed himself by jumping off a cliff in the area because he loved a woman. Some of the other teams in the league include the Tijuana Zonkeys, Los Mochis Pioneros, and the Cananea Mineros.


If you're ever interested in a visit to Mexico, hop on the Chepe train in Chihuahua and ride it all the way to Los Mochis. Don't forget to stop along the route and visit Copper Canyon. It's ten times the land mass covered by the Grand Canyon. It's the most heavenly place on Earth. I could've died two summers ago after our trip there and my life would've been complete. Now, the family didn't take the Chepe train all the way to Los Mochis near where Spicer's playing but it's on the agenda for next time. You can even take a ferry across the Gulf of California and back. That's where the Legend of Zorro began, or so I've read.

That's a Wrap

Now that March has come and gone, it's time to close the book on the 2012 RSU basketball season. And, a record-setting season it was. Both the men and women reached the quarterfinal rounds at their respective national tournaments in Kansas City and Frankfort, Kentucky. It's the first time in the 5-year history of Hillcat hoops that's happened, and the first time ever for the women. I'll go to my grave believing this year's men's team was as good as anybody in Kansas City. For a second consecutive year, RSU was one win away from reaching the Fab 4. The 'Cats had #1 Shorter University of Georgia on the ropes and failed to make a free throw or two down the stretch. Shows you how important that line from 15 feet out is in post-season play. So it goes, and so goes national tournament wins over Tougaloo and Evangel into the Hillcat history books. RSU will sorely miss the steady hand that ran the point for three national qualifiers in five years. Mo Rutherford is an exemplary human being who you'd want your own children to model their lives after. He's been forced to deal with adversity that some would succumb to, but he managed to thrive in pressure-packed situations his entire collegiate career. Thanks for the memories "Mighty Mo". The men will also need to replace the clutch shot-maker Larry Cox, and post-presence Nep Darden. Joey Twilley and Jeremy Marsielle will also be missed. It'll be interesting to watch how Coach Barkley retools the roster for the year ahead.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...Amy Williams can flat-out coach her tail off. She helped guide this team to back-to-back national tournaments, and then had the RSU women on the brink of the Fab 4 after post-season wins over Cumberlands and Shorter, before losing to Georgetown in the quarters. It was, no doubt, an unexpected run but if you knew the grit and strength these ladies played with for much of the season, espcially against the top teams in the Sooner Athletic, it wasn't a surprise looking back. It wasn't the most talented team at RSU so far, but it'll go down as the one who did the most when it mattered. Seniors Gianna Woods, Sasha Barnes, and Brittani Smith were all key contributors to this year's success. The Hillcat women finished 4th in the conference, but their deep run in Frankfort is further evidence of just how impressive the SAC is year in and year out. It's a privilege covering hoops in this league.

With that said, times are a changing...the departures of Southern Nazarene, Oklahoma Christian, and Northwestern Oklahoma State will drop the SAC to nine members next fall, which means a 16-game conference schedule. Will it hurt the league's reputation as one of the best, if not THE BEST, NAIA basketball conference in America...only time will tell.

National Tournament Time

After a week to decompress with no RSU hoops, HERE. WE. GO! For a second consecutive March, the Hillcats are double-dippin'. The RSU men and women have both landed spots again in their respective national tournaments in Kansas City and Frankfort, Kentucky. Congratulations to another 20-win season for Amy Williams and the Hillcat ladies. In some respects, it was a group that over-achieved this season. The 'Cats had a ton of newcomers who meshed better than I thought they would early in the non-conference. RSU has the unenviable task, though, of facing a really good Cumberlands (Ky.) program in the opening round next Wednesday night. The women's tournament sets up a tad different from the men's field. There are four pods, each seeded 1 through 8, and RSU is the 7 seed with Cumberlands the 2 seed. It'll tip at around 9:45p.m. Wednesday, and you can tune it in with Steve Braun at the mic on the Hillcat Network.

It's off to Kansas City we go with the RSU men for a third time in the five-year history of the program. It also marks the first back-to-back stretch in the final 32 for the 'Cats, having made a memorable run to the Elite 8 a year ago before losing to eventual national runner-up Mountain State. Men's coach Justin Barkley joined the Middle of the Day show Friday on 97.1 FM, The Sports Animal in Tulsa to preview the tournament. Big Al Jerkens, Coach Pat Jones and yours truly delivered the questions. Click HERE to listen (do NOT click on the big play now or download now buttons, find the embedded player and hit the play button). RSU opens with Tougaloo College of Mississippi in round one. It tips at 9a.m. Wednesday, with pre-game coverage at 8:48. Man, that's early for basketball! Enjoy. I have to go pack my bags...note to self, expect the unexpected after last year, so extra socks, boxers, toothpaste...

The Rise of March

It's what I love about what I do. March is my favorite month of every year. It reminds me of the song "Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds. Because, truly to everything there is a season. Maybe it's my favorite month because the best basketball at all levels is played in March, whether it's at the Big House in Oklahoma City or Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. Or, maybe it's because I know the crack of the bat in March delivers me unto a new baseball season. Or, better still, maybe it's just because I know more bearable weather is right around the corner. I'm 34 years old now and I despise winter anymore.

March offers a renewal of energy, an opportunity to fill your tank when it might be cratering into the red. I feel a new spirit come over me like I don't feel at any other time of the year. Hopefully, the same can be said for the Rogers State basketball teams. Both will likely play in the national tournaments. The women in Frankfort, Kentucky. The men in Kansas City, Missouri. RSU pulled the double dip last year with both teams reaching the 32-team joyride in the same season for the first time in the athletic department's short history. Up first, though, the Sooner Athletic Conference tournaments at Bill George Arena on the campus of John Brown in Siloam Springs. It's cool to have the games played in a two-year-old facility, and hosted by the hospitable folks of northwest Arkansas. The prospects are good for the 4th-seeded Hillcat women, who open up with St. Gregory's in the first round Thursday morning at 10:45. The teams split the regular season series in two close games. If all falls right, RSU will have a chance at the nation's #1 team in Oklahoma City in the semifinals Friday. The RSU men, on the other hand, will have a much more difficult road right from the jump. The 'Cats are the #2 seed and take on 7th-seeded Oklahoma Christian in the opening round Thursday at 4:30. RSU swept the two-game series during the season, but they were heart-stoppers. The Hillcats won both nearly at the buzzer, on the road by two and at home by three. It wouldn't shock me at all to see any of the 8 teams in this year's field hoisting the Sooner Athletic tournament trophy come Saturday night.


It had to have been in the mid-to-late 1980's when the month of March grabbed hold of me and put me through the spin cycle. I was an energetic spitfire who had just started my foray into competitive Catholic league basketball at the grade school level. The photo above is probably from 6th or 7th grade, suiting up in the orange and white of St. Francis of Assisi. Check out those shoes...the pumps were all the rage back in the day, especially for those who couldn't afford the Air Jordans. It's a shame the heels of the shoes didn't fill up with air to make me taller. I digress. March stole my heart back then. March spoke to me. March latched onto my chest and gave me a bear hug that to this day has never left. I hope the teams I cover play well enough to cut down nets, and make me feel like the shooting star I once was in my childhood. It's why I broadcast games, it's why I never want to leave the gym. Hillcats...I'm living vicariously through you. Now, go make us proud!

KJRH Feature on SuperFly

A special RSU thanks to "2 Works for You" Sports Reporter Cayden McFarland in Tulsa. He had a great visit with Oklahoma's best dunker, Kenny "SuperFly" Edwards. Take a look!

"5 Questions" with Mo Rutherford

The newest edition of "5 Questions" features RSU senior point guard Mo Rutherford. The Broken Bow, Oklahoma native tells us whether his famous, basketball-playing relative would be able to best him on the family driveway. He also hints at his future plans after college, and wraps up with his favorite point guards of all time (see how Mo's match up against the Bleacher Report list HERE). Click HERE to listen to the "5 Questions".

"SuperFly", Halfway Home

Well...we've essentially reached the midway point of the Sooner Athletic Conference schedule, now 10 games into a grueling 22-game league season. Some men's and women's basketball thoughts in a moment, but first take some time to watch and reflect.The video below is provided by the RSU Media Relations staff, and it features three, 2nd-half dunks by junior forward Kenny Edwards (Indianapolis, IN-Panola Junior College). The Cats went on to beat Oklahoma Christian in thrilling fashion last week 71-69 by scoring the game's final 8 points. Kenny claims he's never had his vertical measured, but it's at least 45 inches. He's also been given the nickname, "SuperFly", by Hillcat Network color man Steve Bontrager. When I hear that, it reminds of my wrestling fandom days back in the 1980's watching Jimmy "SuperFly" Snuka come off the top rope to lay down the hammer on some unsuspecting opponent. Kenny's dunks are as lightning-quick, and equally punishing...take a looksy!



At this point in the season with 12 conference games left, both the men's and women's races in the SAC are rapidly taking shape, and tightening at the top. OBU holds a slim lead on first-place, but the Bison suffered their first loss of the season in overtime to Southern Naz last weekend. That means RSU heads out to West Texas this week for games against Lubbock Christian and Wayland Baptist only a half-game out of first with an 8-2 mark. The Hillcats have played one more game, but OBU already beat RSU in the first meeting this season. SNU and USAO are nibbling on Rogers State's heels, though, with both teams at 6-3 and tied for 3rd. RSU had a real productive two games last week, beating Okla. Christian narrowly and then locking down at home defensively in an 11-point win over Northwestern. That followed a week in which the Cats lost 2 of 3 to OBU and to MACU in upset fashion. It appears the ship is steering better as RSU points its compass to the Lone Star State later this week.

As for the RSU ladies, the Cats are all alone in 4th place with a 6-4 record. The women are a half-game ahead of Oklahoma Baptist, and not far behind Southern Naz (7-2). Lubbock Christian finally did what some of us saw coming, and that's hand #1 Oklahoma City its first loss. LCU hammered the Stars 88-66 for OCU's first loss of the season. So, at the top it's Lubbock at 9-0 and OCU in 2nd at 9-1. The Hillcats have won 3 straight and are really doing solid work on the defensive end, especially limiting second chance opportunities during the current win streak. We'll see if Amy Williams' ball club can go pick up two wins in Texas to match a season-high 5-game win streak. It'll be difficult to win at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, but RSU had a 2nd-half lead on LCU in Claremore so it's possible.

A closing thought...if the first half of conference play has lent us anything, it's this...there are more teams on any given night in the SAC this season that can rise up and beat some of those in the upper echelon of the standings. We've seen it with Mid-America upsetting the RSU men already, and we'll likely see it somewhere again as we hit the home stretch. Enjoy the race!

"5 Questions" with Sasha Barnes

It's our first installment this season of "5 Questions"...with RSU senior point guard Sasha Barnes. Sasha dishes on the team's class clown, tells us about her appearance on this year's pocket schedule, and takes our test on Minnesota lakes. Click HERE to listen!

Put a Wreath On It

It's time to evaluate the Hillcat men's and women's basketball squads...pre-Christmas performances. Before I go any further, happy holidays to you and yours!


The RSU men currently sit at 11-0 overall and 4-0 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. That's good for a first-place tie in the league with unbeaten Oklahoma Baptist. The Hillcats are also ranked #5 in the NAIA Division I Top 25 at the time of this entry. This year's team seems to have all the right stuff. By stuff, I'm specifically referencing guys who can score, guys who can rebound, and guys who can defend. With that said, RSU has length at the guard spots that you're looking for in a national tournament contender down the road. The 'Cats front-line also boasts a shot-blocking presence that the program has not had in the past. What I like most of all, besides the depth, is the camaraderie of this team. The guys blended well immediately following their blowout exhibition loss at ORU. That came quicker than expected. In addition, you can't really guess which guy will come to the forefront from one night to the next. Case in point...Mo Rutherford hits the biggest shot of the game against John Brown December 10th down the stretch, and it was his FIRST game of the season. In games prior, A.J. Stewart has played well. Donald Williams has taken the role of clutch shot-maker. Kendrell Thompson shows he can be a steadying rock. Alex Ewings is much improved. Nep Darden provides the back-line defense with solid rebounding and shot-blocking. Larry Cox has acted as the go-to senior when you need an offensive rebound or a made free-throw. Kenny Edwards, KENNY EDWARDS...what's not to like about #23 who flies in from parts unknown for follow-dunks, who draws the praise of RSU color commentator Steve Bontrager as a Top 5 leaper of all-time. With two conference wins over JBU already in the books and a home sweep of the Texas schools in Wayland and Lubbock, this team appears headed for a collision course with 3rd-ranked OBU in Claremore January 2nd. First things first...a date at St. Gregory's on New Year's Eve with the Cavaliers, who had a chance late to upset the Bison but couldn't hit a free-throw with under 2 seconds to play. In summary, all the parts are in place for a run at a regular season conference crown. It'll be fun to see how it unfolds.


Now, to the women...the RSU ladies are 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the SAC. That places them in 4th place early on in conference play. That's right where the pre-season poll placed the Hillcats. All three losses have come by single digits, on the road at Top 10 Langston, at home to Friends, and at home to Lubbock Christian. A bounce or two in the other direction, and RSU is undefeated at this point. Amy Williams (pictured above during the JBU post-game) is doing a solid job of coaching a team that has quite a few newcomers in key positions. Ariani Silva had the best single-game performance of the season to date. She poured in 23 points and hit five threes against JBU December 10th to complete the series sweep with the Golden Eagles this season. Logan Froese has taken over the heart and soul role of this team. She's the brick and mortar of this ballclub. Senior transfer Gianna Woods has led the team in scoring and rebounding so far, and I expect bigger and better from her as we shift into SAC play totally. The broadcast crew believes point guard Sasha Barnes is the most-improved player in the league. She's done a solid job of running the team, and not over-stretching her abilities. She hit what turned out to be the game-winning shot at JBU in the first conference game. Leah Smith has added a scoring punch that this team needed. And, Larielle Giles has stepped right into a bench role that fits the Tulsa Union freshman quite well. It's a team that has shown enough to make us think it can finish in the Top 4 or 5 of the SAC this year. It also appears there's only one GREAT team in the SAC, and you guessed it...that's Oklahoma City. The RSU women must protect leads on the Expo Center floor, and not let games slip away like in the loss to LCU. They're in a good spot going into the much-anticipated match-up at St. Greg's December 31st. The upstart-Cavs are undefeated, after being picked to finish near the bottom of the conference again.

There's your pre-Christmas update on the RSU hoops teams. We hope by season's end we'll be saying, "put a ring on it" instead of a wreath. Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed Happy New Year.

Halftime Guest-Andre Ivy, former Rogers State College Player

Hillcat Homecoming welcomed Andre Ivy back to his old stomping grounds. Andre suited up for the Rogers State College Thunderbirds back in the 1980's. He then went on to play at Oklahoma State. Click HERE to play back the interview.

Halftime Guest-Dave Anderson, Assistant AD for External Relations

Dave Anderson recently joined the RSU family as the new assistant athletic director for external relations. Dave spoke with us at halftime of the women's game on Hillcat Homecoming. Click HERE to play back the interview.

Big Spice Ballin' in South America

Really cool to see former Hillcat Sylvester Spicer still working right around the rim. The video below highlights a Big Spice follow-dunk while playing pro ball for Ancud, Chile last month. The crowd goes absolutely berserk!

Halftime guest-RSU Athletics Director Ryan Bradley

Rogers State's new Athletics Director, Ryan Bradley, joined us for a halftime chat during the season opener Thursday night at the Claremore Expo Center. The RSU men posted a 96-65 win over Dallas Christian. Click HERE to play back the interview.

New Uniforms, Bontrager Reports to Practice

Okay, I was jazzed up for the approaching basketball season earlier in the week, but now even more so. This is apparently the new uniform for the 'Cats this year. Is this sweet or what? Don't answer, rhetorical...the model is Jenks native and returning RSU guard Alex Ewings.

P.S.-RSU color commentator Steve Bontrager took in some of today's workout, and on paper and on the Claremore Expo practice floor, he says this collection of talent trumps any of the previous teams in RSU red and blue. Steve doesn't blow smoke my way very often, except when he's losing personal bets to me on NBA Finals series. No word on if he challenged any of the newcomers to a free-throw shooting contest.

New Home for Hillcat Broadcasts

It's always hard to fathom basketball being right around the corner, especially when you're fully engulfed in the high school football season like I am as the voice of the Sapulpa Chieftains. With that said, the start of the 2011-2012 RSU hoops season is 3 weeks from tonight (say it with me now, WOW!). The Hillcat men play an exhibition game on Tuesday, November 1st at ORU, while the women square off in an exhibition contest at Tulsa the same night.

If you're unaware, there have been some big changes to how the basketball broadcasts will be delivered. The basketball games can no longer be heard on the airwaves of RSU Radio, or viewed through the prism of RSU Public Television. The athletic department has taken the broadcasts completely in-house, through the capabilities of Stretch Internet and the Hillcat Network. All home events will have video and audio, with audio only for road games. The broadcast crew remains the same, with the serendipitous Steve Bontrager as my partner for a 5th season. RSU has added former student, former assistant SID, and former all-around good guy Steve Braun as the full-time producer/coordinator of sports broadcasts and new media. He'll be our right-hand man at the controls, making us sound better than ever.

Now, as I understand it you should be able to watch/listen to Hillcat basketball through various avenues. Just click HERE to give it a test run. The athletic department has already broadcast several soccer games with the new technology. You can go through either a computer or through your internet phone hookup, if you're adept at doing that. Lord knows I'm not, I still use a flip phone from 5 years ago. Looking forward to another season of heart-stopping Hillcat basketball.

Seismic Shift in Sooner Athletic Conference

Could the days of the Sooner Athletic Conference be numbered? All accounts lead me to opine that it appears so. Sixteen schools across the country recently applied for, and ten were granted...entry into provisional membership of the NCAA Division II ranks.

Among those from the SAC applying for a move to D2, only Southern Nazarene has been accepted at this time. Northwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma Christian were denied for various reasons. I still fully expect NWOSU and OC to eventually be included. Rogers State has gone on record stating it plans to apply as well, at the earliest next summer. SNU will be joining the newly formed Great American Conference, which is made up of Oklahoma regional schools previously in the Lone Star Conference and Arkansas institutions from the Gulf South. Northwestern has already been invited to the GAC, granted the school is accepted for the jump from NAIA to NCAA. Oklahoma Christian (if approved at a later date) will likely head to the Heartland Conference.


That brings me to my completely hypothetical and for discussion only purposes conclusion...that within 3-5 years, the Sooner Athletic Conference will cease to exist. Follow me here. If the mass exodus of NAIA schools continues, that leaves a rippling domino effect for SAC members. And, the only reasonable outcome is a 14-team Heartland Conference with only Panhandle State playing football. RSU would be a very strong candidate for invitation to the Heartland, joining Oklahoma Christian in its desire to become a D2 school. Now, with Oklahoma Baptist and Wayland Baptist adding football one would think those schools are hinting at a date with the NCAA. If that happens, count OBU among those who would like to be in the Great American Conference. With the departure of some Lone Star schools, I'm pretty confident Wayland Baptist could end up in that league.

The remaining scenario has John Brown peeking at a move out of the NAIA, and joining up with Arkansas-Fort Smith as a natural rival in the Heartland. Lubbock Christian is a solid school with athletic success that points to an NCAA future as well...Chaps welcome to the Heartland! Throw those schools together with RSU and OC in the Heartland, and that leaves you with one more to ponder, Oklahoma City. We all know the Stars have the resources and the gumption to make a move to D2 work. Their hands may be forced after other SAC members leave them high and dry. Or, is OCU still holding out hope that it can shift back to NCAA Division 1 status? That would take a sizable prayer book and bank account to happen, but I guess it could. In the end, I peg OCU for the Heartland. Finally, you might as well add Cameron University in Lawton to the mix. Combine no football and a desire to leave the Lone Star schools behind, and you have another university that meshes more with the Heartland in terms of scope and mission.

With all that said, that leaves only two schools in the Sooner Athletic Conference's future...St. Gregory's and Mid-America Christian. Sadly, that's the long-term track of this league and those very tiny, private schools with low-dollar athletic budgets. Could the SAC add a Southwestern Christian and an Oklahoma Wesleyan to start a rebuild? Sure, but it's more likely SGU and MACU just look for an existing NAIA Division 2 league to join, see the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. Ultimately, the current summer is the beginning of the end of one of the all-time, great conferences in the NAIA. The SAC was first formed in 1978, but by 2015 it could be sent to the scrap heap by the small college continental divide.

My new and improved Heartland Conference will include 6 schools from Texas, 5 from Oklahoma, 2 from Arkansas, and 1 from Kansas. For more information on the current league, click HERE.

*Addendum...I overlooked the latest news on the league's website, but McMurry University in Abilene, Texas has been accepted into Division 2, and will compete in the Heartland. The school had been an NCAA Division 3 member (D3 schools don't offer athletic scholarships). The more the merrier under my plan. I hope they find one more to add and make it a 16-member conference.

(The views and thoughts expressed in this blog are solely those of Shawn Tiemann. They do not reflect the opinions of the Rogers State athletic department, or the university.)

Cyprien Departs, Father's Day Feature

Even though he was only with the men's basketball program for one season, Mike Cyprien will be missed. Cyp took a job with his alma mater Southeastern Louisiana State University. Liked Cyp's attitude and energy. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Also...in case you missed it, click HERE to read a great feature article from the Claremore Progress about head men's coach Justin Barkley and his father Clyde. Excellent!

Ryan Bradley Promoted to Athletic Director

Rogers State's named Ryan Bradley as the school's new athletic director, replacing Wren Baker who left back in February to take the same post at Northwest Missouri State. Congrats to Ryan and his family! He's been a great friend over the 4 years I've been broadcasting RSU hoops...he's a tireless worker with a bold vision for the future.

Sylvester Spicer Overseas

It's great to see former Hillcat Sylvester Spicer doing well in his first year playing pro ball overseas. Click HERE to read a recent article in a New Zealand newspaper featuring his latest tour of duty. Click HERE for a highlight video of Spicer.

Steve Bontrager, Pitchman!

I always try to take advantage of great opportunities. Upon learning that my broadcast partner for RSU basketball recently became a pitchman on television, I immediately had to share it with you. Enjoy this award-winning blooper reel with my favorite basketball expert.

Wren Baker Interview

The entire RSU family's losing not only a solid athletics director, but also a person of high character and class. Jimmie Tramel of the Tulsa World called Wren Baker one of the good guys in the 918 area code. I couldn't have said it any better. We wish Wren and his wife Heather the best of luck as he embarks this coming February on his new journey as the next AD at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, MO. Wren was gracious enough to spend some on-air time with Bill Haisten and me on the Middle of the Day show just before Christmas last week.

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NWOSU to New Okla./Ark. League?

Add yet another Sooner Athletic Conference member looking to jump ship to NCAA Division 2. Having covered Northwestern Okla. State for 4 years as a sports reporter in the area, I can tell you this is the right decision for the Rangers. Plus, they have the added benefit of instantly being more attractive to the new Oklahoma/Arkansas league that's about to form due to football.

I still contend this new league will want to grow with more than just football-playing schools. I say that because the more basketball-playing members you have, the less non-conference games you have to worry about scheduling. RSU could gain a foothold because, along with NWOSU, SOSU, SWOSU and ECU, it's a public and regional university. And, being so close in proximity to the Tulsa market helps a bunch.

We'll see...the early handicapping from my end says the future is in the Heartland Conference, but if the new league wants more than football schools, it's the Arkhoma Intercollegiate Athletics Association!

Oklahoma Schools Leaving Lone Star

It seems conference realignment's starting to shake NCAA Division 2 to its core...the excerpt below was compiled by my former colleague at Fort Hays State, Gerard Wellbrock of Eagle Radio, up in Kansas. While not on the grand scale of Division 1 realignment, this is far more interesting to follow for me because of my past work with the D2 ranks, and RSU's impending move to that level.

"The Lone Star Conference says three of its Oklahoma members plan to withdraw from the NCAA Division 2 league. Conference commissioner Stan Wagnon says the league has been notified that East Central University in Ada, Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant and Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford are leaving the conference, effective June 2012."

"The presidents of the three schools met last Friday with leaders of six Arkansas Division 2 schools to discuss the possibility of forming a new conference in an attempt to reduce travel. Last month, MIAA presidents received letters from Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State."

Now, I gotta believe RSU would fit in beautifully with the new Oklahoma/Arkansas league that's about to form. But, it begs the question...what on God's green Earth is NSU in Tahlequah thinking? UCO might be on a different plane because of its much higher enrollment in Edmond, but it'll be a PR disaster for NSU to join the MIAA. Not only will the RiverHawks not win, but they'll forfeit natural in-state rivalries that have been in place for decades. They'll also absolutely be lost in the shuffle once Okla. schools join up with this new conference. While NSU's busy meandering its way to such fine locales like Kirksville, MO...Omaha, NE...and Emporia, KS, everyone in Oklahoma that follows small colleges will be discussing this new league with potentially as many as 7 or 8 schools from the Sooner State all stealing the headlines (if there are any to be stolen). RSU would be a great fit for the new league once the jump to D2 is made, and the travel and external costs incurred will be much less than joining the Heartland Conference. Plus, you stay out of the state of Texas in conference play.

Look, NSU is doing the exact opposite of what Fort Hays State did in 2005...FHSU went the common-sense approach. It moved out of a conference it never really belonged in (Rocky Mountain) and moved to a league with members it used to compete against regularly back in the day (The MIAA). Some folks need to realize that even at D2 football-playing schools, all sports are essentially non-revenue. The #1 objective should be to look out for the almighty budget. RSU's brass is definitely going about all this in the right manner. And, I'm blessed to be a very small part of it.

RSU to NCAA

Some big news in Claremore this week, as Hillcat fans try to wrap their arms around a potential move from NAIA to NCAA Division 2. It was probably expected that the task force would come back with the recommendation to apply for NCAA status. With the growth of the university as a whole, and the solid foundation put down with the fast start by all of RSU's athletic programs, this is a no doubter!

The next question, or first question from a fellow collegiate play-by-play man I used to work with at Fort Hays State up in Kansas...what conference are the 'Cats looking to join? All of this is just speculatory on my part, but the best fit would be the Lone Star Conference, or the Heartland Conference. Might I suggest all of the regional institutions bring their braintrust together and form a league you could name the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Athletics Association. There's some chatter out there, though, that Northeastern State in Tahlequah and Central Oklahoma in Edmond are trying to convince the powers that be they both belong in the MIAA. That could be decided as early as next fall. Which would then pave the way for RSU and NWOSU (Northwestern Okla. State) to jump into those two vacated Lone Star spots and fill the void left by NSU and UCO. All very intriguing possibilities. Peace!