Rogers State Basketball

KJRH Feature on SuperFly

2012-02-03T13:15:00.003-06:00

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

2012-01-23T17:49:00.008-06:00

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

2012-01-16T16:44:00.006-06:00

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

2012-01-01T18:12:00.004-06:00

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

2011-12-18T19:21:00.009-06:00

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

2011-11-13T18:24:00.002-06:00

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

2011-11-13T18:21:00.003-06:00

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

2011-11-11T17:58:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-04T15:43:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-14T15:59:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-11T17:47:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-17T16:44:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-21T22:47:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-02T15:53:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-01-14T07:12:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-27T16:17:00.000-06:00

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.

NWOSU to New Okla./Ark. League?

2010-07-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

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

2010-07-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

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!