December 19, 2024
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
The DAR and American Legion join at Gracelawn Cemetery, Edmond
UNCOMMON GROUND SCULPTURE PARK PROJECT IN MOTION
The park names Melissa Pepper as executive director
Story and photos submitted
Two Edmond organizations gathered for Wreaths Across America to honor fallen heroes at the IOOF Cemetery in Acadia.
On Saturday afternoon, December 14, 2024, the Cordelia Steen Chapter, NSDAR, and the American Legion Post 111 conducted a solemn ceremony recognizing the 87 known veterans who are buried at the cemetery.
This is the second year for the two organizations to sponsor Wreaths Across America at IOOF Cemetery. Wreaths were placed on all veteran’s graves. Members of the DAR Chapter and American Legion paid tribute during the ceremony by laying wreaths at the U.S. military branch flags which represented all service men and women who have served and are currently serving our country. Presiding over the ceremony were Cordelia Steen Chapter Americanism chair Tammy Ross and the American Legion Post 111 Americanism chair Ken Wyatt. The Guest speaker was Edmond resident and (Ret.) U.S. Marine Corp Lt. Col. John Reimer who gave an inspiring
Submitted
The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park, Oklahoma’s first dedicated sculpture park, is officially underway. The 62-acre park will be home to more than 40 major sculptures by renowned artists that will grow over time, play spaces, event centers and hiking trails for residents and guests. Site prep is underway for the new sculpture park at the northwest corner of 2nd Street and Coltrane, along Historic Route 66. The expansive green space will feature a diverse range of amenities including captivating art and sculptures, playgrounds, a dog park, ponds, walking and hiking trails, and more. Earlier this year, project leaders unveiled the first of the park’s statues, “Valley of the Horse”. The park will
COPS & KIDS WELCOME CHRISTMAS
Story by Erin Stevens
Last weekend the Edmond Police Department hosted the annual Cops & Kids shopping event to bring Christmas to children in the community.
The Edmond Police Department has been bringing Christmas to children for well over two
decades. SRO Sgt Bervis Littles coordinates the event and said “The event has being going for a very long time. I started here in 2001 and it was going on then.”
The Cops and Kids Christmas shopping event is funded through donations from the community and this year was able to provide
Christmas to 72 kids.
The program partners with the HOPE Center of Edmond to help identify children in need to shop for Christmas with Edmond Police officers.
On their Facebook shout out, the EPD celebrated the successful
Melissa Pepper and Shannon Price.
EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2024-25
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to our 2024-25 Site Teachers of the Year. These teachers were nominated and selected by their teammates and coworkers for this high honor.
Laurie Brown, Clegern Elementary/ EECC, Speech-Language Pathologist
Brandon Page, Sequoyah Middle School, Around the World & Leadership
Shane Hohn, Heartland Middle School, Science
Sara McDermott, Cross Timbers Elementary, 1st Grade
Kristen Patterson, Boulevard Academy, Social Studies
Jeanne Ksiazak, Scissortail Elementary, 1st Grade
Leigh Cobb, Chisholm Elementary, Pre-K DD
Tracy Hill, Northern Hills Elementary, 3rd-5th Grade Counselor
Delen LeCompte, Centennial Elementary, 4th Grade
Taylor Belote, Heritage Elementary, 3rd Grade
Amber Bolding, Washington Irving, 5th Grade
David Koehn, Memorial High School, Orchestra
Jonathan Frazier, Summit Middle School, 6th Grade
Jacqui Bruce, Redbud Elementary, 1st Grade
Jessica Ruckman, Virtual Edmond, VE Math
Andrea Wilhelm, Charles Haskell Elementary, 4th Grade
Heather Thornton, Cheyenne Middle School, 6th Grade Science
Jeff Janzen, Central Middle School, Social Studies
Christine Toy, Sunset Elementary, 2nd Grade
Jeralin Salafia, Angie Debo Elementary, Kindergarten
Lisa Ashford, Frontier Elementary, Physical Education
Lacey Graham, Ida Freeman Elementary, Media Specialist
Tammy Newberry, John Ross Elementary, Pre-K
Mary North, Orvis Risner Elementary, Physical Education
Stacey Shaffer, Russell Dougherty, Counselor
Kassidy Coffman, Will Rogers, Kindergarten
Tamera Lange, Cimarron Middle School, 8th Grade Math/Algebra
Barbara Hinckley, North High School, Special Education
Liz Taylor, Santa Fe High School, Special Education
Mary Page, West Field Elementary, 5th Grade
Finalists will be selected from this group before the 2024-25 EPS District Teacher of the Year is announced in the Spring.
For more celebration photos from the winners visit: https://www.edmondschools. net/page/2024-25-teachers-ofthe-year
EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2024-25
SUPPORT EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to our 2024-25 Site Support Employees of the Year. These support employees were nominated and selected by their teammates and coworkers for this high honor.
Michael DeRocher, Cimarron Middle School, Paraprofessional II
Daniel Randolph, Special Services, ETA Behavior Intervention Aide
Stanley Gordon, Summit Middle School, Paraprofessional II
Leigh Parks, Redbud Elementary, Attendance Secretary
Cara Hogan, Memorial High School, Freshman Academy Secretary
Brenda Myers, Sequoyah Middle School, Principal’s Secretary
Dana Elkins, EPSAC, Executive Director-Elementary Instruction
Kimberly Myles, Washington Irving
Elementary, Cafeteria
Gemy Coates, Central Middle School, Financial Secretary
Colleen Grindstaff, Cross Timbers Elementary, CAII
Rahel Markos, Charles Haskell Elementary, Head Custodian
Heather Hall, Will Rogers Elementary, Paraprofessional II
Cheryl Thatcher, Heartland Middle School, Principal’s Secretary
Lauren Keck, Angie Debo Elementary, Behavior Paraprofessional
Brianna Nichols, Orvis Risner Elementary, Financial Secretary
Amy Salsberry, Russell Dougherty Elementary, Cafeteria
Elizabeth Lewis, Centennial Elementary, Cafeteria
Jessica Pierce, Chisholm Elementary, Attendance Secretary
Justice Moore, Frontier Elementary, Behavior Intervention Aide
Martha Arango Azuero, Sunset Elementary, Cafeteria
Russ Johnson, Santa Fe High School, Facility Manager
Chandra Privratsky, West Field Elementary, Attendance Secretary
Ashley Silcox, John Ross Elementa-
ry, CA I
Mitra Nazari, Cheyenne Middle School, Paraprofessional II
Arlene Chapin Fitchue, Clegern Elementary, Secretary
Finalists will be selected from this group before the 2024-25 EPS District Support Employee of the Year is announced in the Spring.
For more celebration photos from the winners visit: https://www.edmondschools. net/page/2024-25-teachers-ofthe-year
Barbara Hinckley, North High School, Special Education.
Brandon Page, Sequoyah Middle School, Around the World & Leadership.
David Koehn, Memorial High School, Orchestra.
Jeff Janzen, Central Middle School, Social Studies.
Kristen Patterson, Boulevard Academy, Social Studies.
Leigh Cobb, Chisholm Elementary, Pre-K DD.
Lisa Ashford, Frontier Elementary, Physical Education.
Shane Hohn, Heartland Middle School, Science.
Amy Salsberry, Russell Dougherty Elementary, Cafeteria.
Brianna Nichols, Orvis Risner Elementary, Financial Secretary.
EPS Site Support of the Year
Cheryl Thatcher, Heartland Middle School, Principal’s Secretary.
EPS Site Support of the Year
Elizabeth Lewis, Centennial Elementary, Cafeteria.
Jessica Pierce, Chisholm Elementary, Attendance Secretary.
Kimberly Myles, Washington Irving Elementary, Cafeteria.
Lauren Keck, Angie Debo Elementary, Behavior Paraprofessional.
Photos courtesy of Edmond Public Schools
Photos courtesy of Edmond Public Schools
•
CLUES ACROSS
1. Central processing unit
4. Taxi
7. Body part
8. Papal court
10. Young women making their public debuts
12. Metal shackles
13. Joseph’s wife
14. Licensed professional
16. Partner to cheese
17. Mild fruits
19. File format
20. Province of Indonesia
21. Beloved grilled foods
25. Bar bill
26. Don’t know when yet
27. Whale ship captain
29. Touches softly
30. Mock
31. Red-brown Pacific sea bream
32. Summer entertainment options
39. Protective crust
41. Cool!
42. Behave in a way that belittles
43. Denial
44. A place to sleep
45. Electronic countercountermeasures
46. Intestinal pouches
49. Sound
50. Select
51. Give the impression of dishonesty
52. Witness CLUES DOWN
1. Of cadmium
2. Deliver a sermon
3. Inner regions of a shadow
4. Aggressive dog
5. Smells
48. SE Asia family of languages
6. Twofold
8. Former OSS
9. Computer language
11. Indian groom
14. Automobile
15. Hairstyle
18. Atomic #76
19. Guy (slang)
20. Ladies’ undergarments
22. Furniture with open shelves
23. Back-arc basin
24. Partner to flow
27. A type of horse
28. Possesses
29. Split pulses
31. Small amount
32. Flat-bottomed riverboat
33. Not good
34. Atomic #31
35. Assist in committing a crime
Chauvinists
Get away
One of a people who speaks a Semitic language
Civil rights college organization 40. Combustible dark rocks
HOLIDAY HEART SYNDROME
Avoiding this holiday ailment is
Submitted
There are worse Christmas presents than a lump of coal. One of them is self-induced –and preventable.
Eating or drinking too much, a frequent byproduct of the holidays, can lead to a temporary but frightening heart symptom, said Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. That symptom is known as “Holiday Heart Syndrome.”
A cardiologist coined the phrase almost 50 years ago after seeing many otherwise healthy people admitted to the hospital for similar symptoms: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain.
“Early on after this condition was discovered, doctors focused on binge drinking as the sole cause,” James said. “Alcohol seems to be the most
common risk factor, but more recently it’s been determined that the same symptoms can result from bingeing on food, caffeine and stress.”
Holiday Heart Syndrome can feel like a flutter or quiver in your chest, or it can feel like your heart is racing, James said. Some symptoms can mimic those of a heart attack. Existing heart problems, age, family history, hypertension, obesity, smoking and panic disorders can increase your odds of experiencing the condition.
“While the symptoms typically last no more than a few hours to a day, they shouldn’t be ignored, as they can also be signs of serious heart issues,” said James, who holds OMRF’s Lou Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research.
“The best thing is to talk to your healthcare professional or be seen at a healthcare
facility for evaluation.”
Some scientists have theorized that Holiday Heart Syndrome is a combination of alcohol-induced dehydration and overstimulation of the vagus nerve, which James called “the brain’s information superhighway to your heart.”
A recent study found that of 100 people fitted with a heart monitor over a fourweek period, 56 experienced at least one episode of atrial fibrillation shortly after drinking one or more glasses of alcohol.
As with many medical conditions, the best medicine is prevention, or at least moderation, James said. That means avoiding that second or third helping of your favorite food or drink, and staying calm through the stress that often accompanies December.
UNCOMMON GROUND
Continued from front page
also include a large event lawn and stage to host special events and covered space dedicated for picnics along with a large pavilion for bigger outdoor gatherings.
“The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park is full steam ahead,” said Melissa Pepper who was recently named the new executive director of The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park. “As we prepare for the opening in 2026, we’re building intentionally designed spaces within the park’s natural environment that will connect people of all ages with the virtues of art, nature and play.”
Natural elements like Spring Creek which runs through the property and heavily wooded acres with planned art surprises tie in elements of nature, art and play. New bike trails in the park will be added as an extension to the Spring Creek Trail system. These trails will connect
attraction, bringing
Submitted
With a title of “The Journey,” the Ambassadors’ Concert Choir will continue a beloved holiday tradition with its annual Christmas Eve Concert.
The concert is at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley Ave.
The choir is celebrating its 45th season with a yearlong theme of “45 Years: The Music, The Ministry, The Message,” said D. Wayne Lee, a choir member and president of the board of the nonprofit organization.
the natural surround ings at the park.
ports 8,000 students, 40% of which are adults, and the now increased capacity will offer opportu nities for even more students to learn and
of the restaurant row sits three stocked ponds with docks for community fishing and a boardwalk.
The park is scheduled to open in 2026 – the same year Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary – and is poised to be a major
The sculpture park will also serve as the future home of the Edmond Fine Arts (EFA) new, 38,000 square-foot headquarter art and event center that will be a hub for creativity, combining visual and performing arts with
create. Edmond Fine Arts will keep its current building in downtown Edmond to support its artists in the residency program.
“By moving our headquarters to The Uncommon Ground, we will quadruple our
building space and enhance our ability to
tor. “When we unlock
curiosity and creativity through art, we unlock connection, purpose and a true shared space for the community. We’re proud to be part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan region’s growing art impact.”
As a 501c3 organiza-
tion, The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park is primarily funded by private donors and partner organizations. The project is supported by a public-private partnership with the City of Edmond to fund park infrastructure and ongoing maintenance and programming. The 43 sculptures purchased for the park are made possible by a partnership with Edmond Visual Arts Commission (EVAC) and more than two dozen individual donors. EVAC allows funding support for approved pieces, which become the City of Edmond’s property once purchased. Upon completion, The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park tract will be donated to the Park Conservancy Trust. To get involved in shaping Oklahoma’s arts landscape and to learn more about The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park, visit uncommonground. org.
AMBASSADORS’ CONCERT CHOIR BACK WITH ANOTHER CHRISTMAS EVE CONCERT
The concert title reflects “the journey that our founder, Kenneth Kilgore, and the original 39 choir members went through to rehearse and perform music that some parts of the northeast Oklahoma City community were not used to hearing at that time,” Lee said.
The Ambassadors have a mission of bringing about a community awareness of and appreciation for music of all genres, and encouraging the musical development of young students, Lee said.
The Ambassadors’ Children/Youth Choir, directed by Norma Noble and Cameron Barnett, will also perform during the Christmas Eve concert.
The concert features a mix of classical works, gospel, secular music and spirituals, according to Sandra Thompson, artistic director of the adult choir.
“The Christmas Eve concert is a beloved tradition that many families in the community plan their holiday celebrations around, Thompson said. Admission to the concert is free but a goodwill offering will be taken. Early arrival is recommended as the concert typically attracts a full house. Light refreshments will be served after the concert.
Arcadia Lake Trails to
the region. Admission
Photo provide by Ambassadors’ Concert Choir
Rendering - Edmond Fine Arts building.
EAGLE’S NEST:NEW WEST LAWN
Rendering - Eagles Nest.
Rendering - Horseshoe Pavillion at West Lawn.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
Continued from front page speech focused on “Living and Serving with Purpose.” Participating in the ceremony were Post Commander A. L. Haizlip, who laid the U.S. Navy wreath and Chapter Regent Mary Poulain, who laid the POW/MIA wreath.
The other military branch ceremonial wreaths were laid by DAR members Dee Ann Anderson, Debbie Adams, Jacquie Adams and American Legion members Pat McGaugh, Steve Hernandez, and Drake Rice.
The invocation was given by Legion member Janis Schwager and the benediction given by Chapter Chaplain Vicki Adkins; Cordelia Steen Chapter members Iris May led the Pledge of Allegiance and Karen Mosely led the singing of the National Anthem; TAPs was performed by OCS Senior Logan Austin; and the OKC Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Musket team presented a 21gun salute.
Wreaths Across America is an annual nationwide event scheduled on the second Saturday in December. There are
COPS & KIDS
Continued from front page
currently 4909 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad with over 3 million wreaths placed and more than two million volunteers and supporters who gather to Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and teach the next generation of the value of freedom.
The Cordelia Steen Chapter is honored to serve with the American Legion Post 111 to Remember, Honor
and Teach our community. The National Society Daughters of the America Revolution is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting Patriotism, Education, and Historic Preservation. For more information on membership go to the Cordelia Steen Chapter Website at https://cordeliasteennsdar.weebly.com/
More information can be found at or do -
nations may be made attention to Edmond FOP Cops & Kids SRO Sgt Littles at the Edmond Police Department, 100 E. 1st St., Edmond, OK 73034.
COAC ANNOUNCES 2024 ALL-CONFERENCE FOOTBALL AWARDS, TEAMS
Story by George McCormick
The Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference released its 2024 All-COAC high school football awards and teams, featuring players from all four Edmond-area member schools.
Thirty-four local athletes and one coach made their way onto the conference’s annual postseason award list, starting with Edmond Memorial first-year head coach Justin Merideth, who was named COAC Co-Coach of the Year alongside Norman’s Rocky Martin. Deer Creek senior quarterback Grady Adamson won conference Player of the Year along with another Norman Tiger, Phoenix Murphy. Adamson, who is signed to play college football at Georgia Tech, finished his senior season with 2,165 passing yards, 22 touchdowns passes and 13 rushing touchdowns while helping lead the Antlers to the 6A-I state quarterfinals.
Edmond Memorial quarterback David McComb was awarded COAC Offensive Player of the Year following a 2,134-yard, 14-touchdown senior season
in which he also led the Bulldogs in rushing. He’ll play for the University of Kansas following graduation.
Deer Creek linebacker Brady Brewer shares the COAC Defensive Player of the Year award with Norman’s Behr Boyd, and the Offensive Back of the Year award goes to Edmond Santa Fe’s Demarius Robinson. Memorial’s Parker Howell is one of two players to win Offensive Lineman of the Year along with Stillwater’s Cord Nelson.
The Defensive Back of the Year goes to Deer Creek cornerback Zyhir Fisher, who transferred in from Millwood this season and made an immediate impact on the Antlers’ secondary. Memorial kicker Ty Ackerman won Special Teams Player of the Year.
Edmond-area players to earn a spot on the All-COAC First Team Offense were Deer Creek tight end Drew Lykes, Memorial receiver Billy McDown, Deer Creek receiver Mason Smith, Memorial lineman Brock Dozier, Deer Creek lineman Evan Odom and Santa Fe lineman Jalen Covington.
safety Ty Watts, Santa Fe cornerback Devin Howard, North kicker Stokely Fudge and North long snapper Aditya Gaige.
2024 COAC Postseason Awards (Edmond): Coach of the Year - Justin Merideth, Edmond Memorial
Player of the YearQB Grady Adamsonn, Deer Creek
Offensive Player of the Year - QB David McComb, Edmond Memorial
Defensive Player of the Year - LB Brady Brewer, Deer Creek
Offensive Back of the Year - RB Demarius Robinson, Edmond Santa Fe
Offensive Lineman of the Year - OL Parker Howell, Edmond Memorial
OL Jalen Covington, Edmond Santa Fe
LB Gage Woodard, Deer Creek
LB Tommy Hand, Edmond Santa Fe
DL Leland Smith, Edmond Memorial
DL Jacob Smith, Edmond Santa Fe
DE Scout Hannah, Deer Creek
DE Kenem Meraz, Edmond North
CB Jaydon Bradshaw, Deer Creek
S Sam Amanis, Deer Creek
S Rahnel Slaughter, Edmond Santa Fe
2024 All-COAC 2nd Team (Edmond):
RB Junior Youmbi, Deer Creek
TE Drake Spoon, Edmond North
WR Mantre’ Olds, Edmond North
The First Team Defense featured Deer Creek linebacker Gage Woodard, Santa Fe linebacker Tommy Hand, Memorial defensive lineman Leland Smith, Santa Fe defensive lineman Jacob Smith, Deer Creek defensive lineman Scout Hanna, North defensive lineman Kenem Meraz, Dere Creek cornerback Jaydon Bradshaw, Deer Creek safety Sam Amanis and Santa Fe safety
Rahnel Slaughter. Edmond athletes to make the All-COAC Second Team were Deer Creek running back Junior Youmbi, North tight end Drake Spoon, North receiver Mantre’ Olds, Santa Fe receiver Trey Whalen, Santa Fe lineman Jaden Noble, North lineman Garrett Parr, Deer Creek lineman Owen Akin, Santa Fe linebacker Nate Gehrs, North linebacker Jared Kappenman, North
Defensive Back of the Year - CB Zyhir Fisher, Deer Creek
Special Team Player of the Year - K Ty Ackerman, Edmond Memorial
2024 All-COAC 1st Team (Edmond):
TE Drew Lykes, Deer Creek
WR Billy McDown, Edmond Memorial
WR Mason Smith, Deer Creek
OL Brock Dozier, Edmond Memorial
OL Evan Odom, Deer Creek
WR Trey Whalen, Edmond Santa Fe
OL Jaden Noble, Edmond Santa Fe
OL Garrett Parr, Edmond North
OL Owen Akin, Deer Creek
LB Nate Gehrs, Edmond Santa Fe
LB Jared Kappenman, Edmond North
CB Devin Howard, Edmond Santa Fe
S Ty Watts, Edmond North
K Stokely Fudge, Edmond North
LS Aditya Gaige, Edmond North
EDMOND MEMORIAL ANNOUNCES NEW HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH
Story by George McCormick
Edmond Memorial volleyball didn’t need to look far to find its new head coach, as the school announced Tuesday that Bulldogs’ assistant coach Kortney Jones would be taking over the program starting in 2025.
“We are extremely excited to announce Kortney Jones as our next head coach at EMHS,” said Memorial athletic director Kyle Roberts. “Kortney has shown tremendous leadership and has built a strong foundation with our athletes as an assistant. We are very
fortunate to have Kortney lead our program into the future.”
Jones, who’s been with Memorial since 2022, was promoted to head coach after Natalie Murray stepped down following the Bulldogs’ 2024 state championship season. Jones has been a part of Edmond Memorial’s last two state titles in 2022 and 2024.
Before making her way to Edmond, Jones coached high school volleyball for two years following her days as a college volleyball player at both Western Wyoming
Community College and California State University-Bakersfield. She moved to Oklahoma in 2020, where she started coaching and teaching at Edmond’s Central Middle School before joining Edmond Memorial in 2022.
Jones is a Wyoming native with a background in volleyball, basketball and track and field.
“I am absolutely thrilled to take on the role of head coach for the Edmond Memorial Volleyball program,” said Jones. “We have an exciting and promising fu-
ture ahead, and I can’t wait to be a part of it… With the unwavering support of my husband and daughter, we’re all excited to embark on this new chapter as Bulldogs. I’m looking forward to all the incredible things we’ll accomplish together.”
Edmond Memorial volleyball has won seven all-time state championships, which is tied for fourth-most in Oklahoma. Under Natalie Murray, the Bulldogs appeared in the Class 6A title match in each of the three seasons, winning two of those.
Edmond Memorial’s Billy McDown goes for a catch while being guarded by Deer Creek’s Sam Amanis (2) and Zyhir Fisher (21). Friday, Sept. 6. Courtesy of Steven AkinEdmond Memorial athletics.
BOYS
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
OK CHRISTIAN - 51 @ CROOKED OAK - 70
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
EDMOND NORTH - 47 @ EDMOND MEM. - 42
EDMOND SANTA FE - 52 @ CHOCTAW - 69
MONDAY, DEC. 16
OK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - 70 @ CHRISTIAN HERITAGE - 47
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
NORMAN NORTH - 61 @ EDMOND MEM. - 57
EDMOND NORTH - 45 @ BROKEN ARROW - 68
CAPITOL HILL - 23 @ EDMOND SANTA FE - 88
MUSTANG - 51 @ DEER CREEK - 67
OK CHRISTIAN - 34 @ THE ACADEMY - 33 GIRLS
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
EDMOND NORTH - 49 @ EDMOND MEM. - 51
THURSDAY, DEC. 14
OK CHRISTIAN - 28 @ CROOKED OAK - 41
EDMOND SANTA FE - 52 @ STILLWATER - 48
DEER CREEK - 48 @ KINGFISHER - 46
MONDAY, DEC. 16
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - 46 @ CHRISTIAN HERITAGE - 41
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
NORMAN NORTH - 58 @ EDMOND MEM. - 67
EDMOND NORTH - 43 @ BROKEN ARROW - 46
CAPITOL HILL - 9 @ EDMOND SANTA FE - 70
MUSTANG - 68 @ DEER CREEK - 44
OK CHRISTIAN - 54 @ THE ACADEMY - 31
MID AMERICA NATIONALS (ENID)
DEC. 13-15
EDMOND NORTH - 6TH
EDMOND SANTA FE - 32ND
PERRY TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS DEC. 13-14
DEER CREEK - 3RD
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - 14TH
EDMOND MEMORIAL - 15TH
DISTRICT OPENER
Story by George McCormick
The Edmond Santa Fe girls’ basketball team kicked off district play Tuesday night with a lopsided 70-9 win over Capitol Hill.
Coach Kyle Axton’s team won in dominant fashion on their home floor to bring their season record back to .500 at 3-3. They moved to 1-0 in District 6A-2 play in this first season of restructured district groupings.
It was all Lady Wolves from the opening tip as Santa Fe ended the first quarter with a 29-3 advantage. They thoroughly controlled the game on both sides of the court, finding teammates for open shots with ease and forcing countless turnovers against a hapless Capitol Hill squad. Santa Fe had 11 steals in just the first quarter.
The Lady Wolves went into the locker room at halftime leading 55-3, not allowing a single point in the entire second quarter. Everyone was getting in on the action for the home team. Senior forward Aaliyah Jones and sophomore Desi Langston connected on a handful of buckets, and sophomore Bella Malyi exploded for two three-point makes off the bench.
Santa Fe got whatever they wanted on the offensive end even with the starters out of the game. Capitol Hill’s slow-to-react defense allowed for coach Axton’s offensive sets to spring everyone open for easy shots under the basket. Even when those shots were missed, the backcourt duo of Jones and
Peyton Best were able to win rebounds over the shorter Redwolves and finish the job. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Lady Wolves’ reserves took over as Axton emptied his bench to log valuable minutes for the entire team.
Edmond Santa Fe cruised to a 70-9 victory to win their first district game of the season.
Aaliyah Jones led the way with 13 points and five rebounds. Bella Malyi put up 12 points. Desi Langston finished with 11 points (on 100% shooting) and five steals, and Aniyah Burney and Peyton Best each ended with 10 points.
Santa Fe takes the next two days off before playing at home again versus Moore for their last game of 2024 on Friday, Dec. 20.
Edmond Santa Fe’s Salayah Taylor (3) boxes out for a rebound against Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 17. Photo by George McCormick.