As an Oklahoma athletic director, I continue to see it become more and more difficult for kids to play multiple sports, especially girls. Breaks my heart for these kids that think they have to pay so much money and spend all year doing one sport.
I’ve thought long and hard about what to say about Luke Gray when his time playing in the OCS basketball program is over. Here’s my best shot. Luke is at the very least a program changer. OCS has a very rich tradition, but he has carried the torch from Chianti Roberts, Taylor
Now that the tourney is over, this is for the “hs basketball needs a shot clock” crowd.
1. Member schools voted on it so it’s not OSSAA’s fault
2. I voted in favor of a shot clock
3. I would hold the ball to win a game
4. If I were a fan, it would frustrate me
All can be true
What do you do on the night that you’re honored for passing
@blakegriffin23
all time scoring record
@ocssaintshoops
? You score 50 in a little over 3 quarters of course!
“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
Introducing Zoey Scott Weaver! Her middle name is in memory of her uncle Scott. Jenna and Zoey are doing great.
I’m a firm believer that youth sports would be more beneficial for kids if parents said absolutely nothing. Don’t get me wrong, if parents stayed positive and only encouraged kids and let coaches coach, that is the best…but we don’t.
A few years ago I was tired of negativity on social media so I almost shut down my accounts. Then I had a thought that I needed to stay on to bring positivity and model how to use it to in line with Phil 2:3 "...but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."🧵
I respect multi sport athletes. We had football guys play 7 on 7 this morning and then show up to play a summer league basketball game against 6A state champ. I appreciate being at a school where multi sport athletes are encouraged and supported.
#itsgreattobeasaint
Something that I dislike about our culture is that we feel the need to have an opinion about everything and we are angered by such things.
There was 1 game in Oklahoma where one team decided to stall. The opposing team won. Done. Move on.
Proud is an understatement. Luke bet on himself and it worked out so well. I’m happy for Luke and his family. I’m thankful for his time at OCS. He’s going to impact
@ORUMBB
the same way he impacted
@ocssaintshoops
!
#MARCHON
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…”Phil 3:8
Proud of this group!
#MARCHON
Junior Nsengiyumva is one of the most genuine and thoughtful young men I have ever had the opportunity to coach. There have been too many times to count that I have been blown away after hearing him speak. He articulates his thoughts and feelings in a way that I haven’t seen most
18-9
OBU Champs
Stroud Champs
Cashion Runner-ups
District Champs
Regional Champs
Area Champs
Same team that went 8-17 last year, had so many injuries, stuck together & believed through difficult times. I’m thankful that God used us to sharpen one another.
#MARCHON
#Seniors2020
Words can’t describe how proud I am of
@LUKEGRAY20244
. He is an absolute program changer. Not just for the performance, but also for the character, leadership, and how coachable he is. He is humble and loves his teammates. Special young man!
#MARCHON
Route 66 Tournament Champs! Also, congrats to
@MasonMatteson
and
@MasonRobbins20
for being selected for all tournament team and Ethan Hodson for earning tourney MVP!
#MARCHON
I continue to be impressed by
@LUKEGRAY20244
. He had 22 and 13 on 53% shooting with three 3s against a very good Crossings defensive team. He’s only a sophomore too. Young man is an absolute beast.
Incredible season by
@ocssaintshoops
! I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys. They worked so hard & sacrificed so much for each other. They covered up so many mistakes I made as a coach. I’m thankful for the relationships that we formed & the spiritual growth!
#MARCHON
Phil 3:8
This young man is absolutely incredible. The impact that he has had on our school, program, and me personally can’t be quantified. He trusted us and trusted his teammates. I’m thankful he is a Saint!
OCS big man Luke Gray (
@LUKEGRAY20244
) was the driving force in the Saints’ state title win over 3A defending champion Millwood.
He finished the afternoon with 22 points & 16 rebounds while eclipsing the 2,000-point threshold. Gray became OCS’ all-time leading scorer in January.
A coach has a special connection with their point guard. That connection is tested every day under stress of responsibilities and performance. Ben Ramsdell and I have been on quite a journey together. From absolutely destroying his peers at our summer kids camp as a 5th grader,
Unbelievably proud of our
@OCSSaintsFB
players, coaches, and support system. They took us on an incredible ride this year. More important than the success is the relationships and spiritual growth that took place.
#ALLOUT
Last practice of the year. We don’t take this for granted. This is a special group of young men more than they are basketball players. Philippians 3:12-14
#MARCHON
I wish every coach could coach a young man like Connor Owens. He has been ready to step up whenever called on & he does so with a quiet confidence. It can be a difficult position to be in - only healthy senior not starting on a championship team. Minutes vary game by game. Connor
Incredible game with
@crossingsbb
tonight for the championship at Stroud. Both teams should be proud of the competitive greatness they displayed. I always respect
@sgschenk
and his staff for the job they do. I’m thankful to co-labor in spreading the gospel.
#MARCHON
This team just doesn’t quit. They played one of our best games of the year against a very good Bethel team. They’ve been through adversity but are playing their best now.
#MARCHON
Carson Jones came to OCS at a time where he needed us and we needed him. Having a player like Carson lifts the ceiling on what a team can do. Adding a person like Carson is invaluable. Carson is one of the hardest working players that I’ve coached. If there is a gym open, he is
Hats off to a very good and tough Vinita team. Tony Roach has them play so hard and disciplined. Luke Gray is a monster for us but so thankful our other guys showed what they can do. True team!
#MARCHON
The crazy thing is that I actually thought we did a solid job defending him. Young man is a stud - scored at all 3 levels, defends, makes his teammates better! I’ll enjoy cheering for him at OU.
Luke Gray (
@LUKEGRAY20244
) slams it home at the buzzer to secure a semifinal win over Cascia Hall, sending OCS (
@ocssaintshoops
) to the Big House for the 3A State Final! What an ending and team celebration! (
@OCSSaintsSports
)
Great week to be a Saint!
✅Boys Track State Champs
✅Girls Golf Runner Up
✅Individual State Champ
✅Girls soccer in Semi-Finals
✅Girls tennis in State
✅Baseball hosting Regionals
✅Family Dinner at the ball field
#MARCHON
We honored Luke Gray’s amazing accomplishment of passing
@blakegriffin23
as the all time leading scorer in OCS history tonight. It’s a special moment for Luke, his teammates and his family.
#MARCHON
I don’t know if everyone understands how difficult this is to achieve. Region 8 includes all of the Edmond schools, OKC schools, Mid-Del schools, and many other metro area schools. This award was well earned! Congrats
@LUKEGRAY20244
!
I enjoying 3 on 3 for youth basketball. It’s so much better for development for many reasons but mostly because it’s not a mosh pit of 5 kids trying to break a press against 5 other kids.
We fell short in an incredible to Cashion.
@CoachHardaway
and his staff do a great job. It’s so fun to be in that environment. I wish people could see how that competition molds us as coaches and players. It’s a phenomenal journey to be a part of.
#MARCHON
Really proud of our guys with a hard fought win over a very tough Clinton team after double OT last night. Congrats to
@jonjonmckee
and
@LUKEGRAY20244
for earning Skordle players of the game!
#MARCHON
Appreciation Post: I’m thankful to have
@jakeeekerr
@ScottStreller
and Alfred Jackson on our coaching staff. They are men of God, disciple our young men, and study the game. Whatever success we have can be attributed to their servant leadership!
#MARCHON
Really proud of our team tonight! We showed a lot of toughness and resiliency. Bethany is a great team we had to compete at a high level against. It’s going to be a fun season!
Kyler Brown can change the mood in a room without saying a word. He exudes confidence and poise. Honestly that dude is cool. Too cool. Not in a bad way like he doesn’t work. As a matter of fact he is a serious worker. He has put in time to be a better shooter and clutch free
I absolutely love coaching! We had a tough loss last night but I get to experience THIS journey with THESE kids. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
#MARCHON
Absolutely sickening display of racism by announcers at a high school basketball game. It is UNACCEPTABLE! I hate it for those kids and all black people that they keep being subject to this. We have to learn to love our neighbor as ourself.
Last night
@agroubik
broke the single season record for charges set last year by
@austin_aduddell
. Austin took 27 charges last year. Alex has 29 through 17 games. His sacrifice has changed the culture of our program!
Read this before you choose to become a high school coach.
Read this twice before you choose to be a high school coach/AD.
It’s definitely worth it, but you need to know what you’re getting into.
10 Harsh Truths About Being a High School Coach
1\ People are going to talk smack
And often times publicly - you need thick skin
Often people are only for you when you make decisions that benefit them
You are an easy target for loud mouths and ignorant
How would you react if someone took a bullet for you and saved your life? 2000 years ago Jesus died for our sins to save us for eternity. How should we react? Praise God we are given the gift of eternal life!
#Heisrisen
Congrats to
@JoshWilliams_11
and the Edmond Santa Fe basketball team on getting to the championship game. What does he do after the game? Pick up the shooting shirts and towels from the bench.
#humility
Thankful that I get to be a part of the journey with THESE young men. We dropped a tough game to a very good 2A
#1
@DaleBBallOK
team and had to turn around to play 3A
#1
Millwood. These guys are incredible to coach.
#MARCHON
SAINTS WIN!
OCS beats top ranked Millwood, 54-52!
Lots of individual players we could highlight, but this was a TEAM win. We are so proud of our players. 4 charges taken. 3 points allowed in the fourth quarter.
#MarchOn
We had to earn it in the championship game against Mannford. They are so well coached by Coach Banfield and their kids play so hard and smart. Proud of our guys grinding out the win.
#MARCHON
I can’t say enough about this group. These guys have a BIG heart and had to use every bit of it to win this. Bethany is a state tournament quality team and they made us earn it.
#MARCHON
I’m looking forward to the final chapter with these seniors! Cookout at our house to get the year started right. Thankful to be a part of this team.
#MARCHON
I completely agree. 6’8 Forward who can:
✅Play physical & finish inside (62%)
✅Rebound outside of his zone (11 rpg)
✅Shoot the ball from 3 (42%)
✅Make FTs (70%)
This is all while being double and triple teamed.
✅Humble
✅Coachable
✅Great Teammate & Leader
✅3.0 GPA
This young man has been incredible this season averaging 22 and 10 on 61% shooting and he’s just scratching the surface. He’s one of the best in the state!
Congratulations to Coach Schumpert on his induction to the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from him over the years. This is the first time he’s out dressed me though.
I’m sure I’m biased but we have the absolute best parents, staff, and coaches. Umpire overheated and we had medical professionals (parents) in the stands who helped. Parents and staff were busy filling up ice chests and serving. It’s great to be a Saint.
‘24 Luke Gray impressed me tonight as he continues to lead
#1
OCS in a tremendous season.
At a powerful 6’7, 230 (6’10 WS) he’s a big-time play finisher, shot blocker, and rebounder - and continues to develop an outside game. Serious upside.
@LUKEGRAY20244
|
@BuddyBuckets
Congrats to
@Coach_RC_
on his first career win tonight! It is the first of many! Great job
@okcs_baseball
. We are lucky to have him investing in our student athletes
@OCS_Saints
I’m extremely proud of
@LUKEGRAY20244
. He has worked extremely hard to get to where he is, and he’s only going to get better. Now he’s chasing
@blakegriffin23
for the record of 1,663 points in a career.
#MARCHON
Congratulations to the BIG man in the middle
@LUKEGRAY20244
on scoring 1000 points in his career, and he’s only a junior! He played his freshmen year with an injured shoulder or it would have happened earlier.
#MARCHON
I’m extremely proud of our
@ocssaintshoops
team & their fight against
@DaleBBallOK
. I’m thankful for
@ramsdell_ben
& how he leads our team. I enjoy competing against Dale because they show you the areas you need to improve. They are so well coached & disciplined.
#MARCHON
Saints win! What a BIG TIME win over a very good Eufaula team in the state quarterfinals! I’m proud of
@CoachBrooksStep
, his coaches, and the players. Next stop...2A state semifinals.
Playing in the GMAC with Heritage Hall, Crossings, Community, Millwood, Harding Charter, and CHA makes us so much better. Our guys played really well in two tough losses this week. We are prepared for the home stretch!
#MARCHON
The biggest game that I’ve coached in the last 24 hours is definitely our 5th grade bball game this morning. Talk about pressure! The boys pulled it out in OT. Even if we lost, I would be so proud of how they competed. It’s so fun to work with these guys.
I had a parent email me a few weeks ago to let me know how much they appreciate that our coaching staff holds players accountable. We are not perfect but that’s awesome to hear!
We want to congratulate Carson Jones and Luke Gray for being selected to the Small West All-State Basketball Team!
We would also like to congratulate Coach Weaver for being selected as the Small West Coach!!
Super proud of
@MasonMatteson
for the big game winner!
@Jakeeee0
made some big fts for us down the stretch and
@MccullarBraxton
found the shooting touch from deep tonight! Fun group to coach.
What? You thought we were finished? How can we forget the guy that had the biggest impact on our culture this year? Garret Wilson is a leader. How do I know that? He can lead whether he is the starting quarterback on the football team or an injured player on the basketball team.
We are going to miss him at OCS, but I’m extremely proud of
@Coach_RC_
. He is an incredible coach, but a much better man. Thankful for his time at OCS. You got a good one
@SFWolvesAthl
We had a great time remembering the awesome journey of the 2023-2024 OCS Saints state champion basketball team tonight at our banquet. This is a special group who glorified God in the way they competed. Here is our highlight video.
#MARCHON
My hope is that this will acknowledge these programs and remind players and adults that we don't become greater by tearing others down. Matthew 20:16 "So the last will be first, and the first last"
Big win for our boys over a very good Clinton team in a tough Cashion tournament. Big game by
@MasonMatteson
and
@jonjonmckee
tonight. Mason has been killing it all year.
God is GOOD all the time. God doesn’t change depending on circumstances. Whether we are in a difficult stage or great stage in life, all the time God is GOOD.
This is special. Since joining our program, Carson has been an absolute joy to coach. His commitment & level of preparation is unquestioned. His work ethic & confidence are unrivaled. His ability & skill are unmatched. I’m looking forward to coaching him one last year.
#MARCHON
It’s special to celebrate this day with a young man that you’ve been through adversity and incredible success with. It reminds you that it’s about the journey. Thankful to
@CoachSpringmann
for giving him an opportunity. Can’t wait to see how he glorifies God at the next level!
Hats off to a very good Crossings team on their win tonight.
@CoachHardaway
& Cashion schools put on one of the best tournaments in the state. Proud of our guys and love coaching them. More work to do.
#MARCHON