Time for the Central Oklahoma men's basketball all-decade team. Some tough choices here as the Bronchos churned out plenty of good teams and won a lot of games in the 2000s.
My all-decade team captain is a no-brainer -- Sam Belt, who had a sensational four-year career at UCO from 2004-08. Though never the best athlete on the floor, Sam was usually the best PLAYER on the court and he was the quintessential team leader. A consensus All-American as a senior, Sam ended his career as the school's second all-time leading scorer and he's probably the smartest, most efficient player I've ever had the pleasure of watching at UCO.
Next on the team is Anthony Brown, a two-year standout from 2005-07. A.B. was a dominating inside scorer for the Bronchos, a ferocious dunker and intense competitor who was the quiet assassin intent on doing his job with little fanfare. A.B. averaged 18.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game in his two years while shooting a sizzling 63 percent from the floor.
Jason Pritchett played in the early part of the decade (2000-03) and he makes my team as another big-time inside presence. A defensive-oriented force in the paint who is UCO's career leader in blocked shots, Jason averaged 12.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game during his three years with the Bronchos.
Another two-year player on the squad is Deshone Henderson, who earned first-team All-Lone Star Conference North Division honors in 2003-04 and '04-05. A slasher with good 3-point range, Deshone averaged 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a game during his two-year stint with the Bronchos.
Rounding out my starting lineup is Demario Jones, who played from 2001-03. A sensational athlete who could post up and score on one trip down the floor and then drain a long-distance 3-pointer the next, Demario averaged 18.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game as a senior in leading UCO to its first national tournament appearance in five years.
I had a tough time selecting the sixth man, so opted to split those duties and go with a sixth and seventh man!
Filling those roles are Lance Harper, who ended his three-year career with the Bronchos last year, and current UCO senior Eric Cazenave.
The hyperactive Harper was LSC North Division Player of the Year last season and may have improved more than any player I've seen during the course of his career. Cazenave has been a clutch performer throughout his career, having helped the Bronchos win a ton of games the last three-plus years with his 3-point range and defense.
There you have it, the men's basketball all-decade team of the 2000s.
Coming on the first day of 2010 -- the top 10 teams of the 2000s.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
All-Decade Women's Basketball Team
We came out with the UCO all-decade wrestling team a few days ago and now it's time for my women's basketball squad of the 2000s.
The captain of the all-decade team is easy -- Lizzie Brenner, who finished her fabulous career last year. One of my favorite all-time players in any sport, Lizzie holds eight career school records and was a three-time All-Lone Star Conference North Division pick. A fantastic athlete who played the game with great passion, Lizzie could virtually do it all on the court and led the Bronchos to the best two seasons in school history her last two years.
Next on my list is Laura Hamilton, who was a first-team All-LSC North performer during the 2002-03 and 2004-05 seasons while missing the year between with a knee injury. "Ham" holds school records for season and career 3-point accuracy and was a multi-talented player who absolutely hated to lose.
From the early part of the decade is Keri Smith, who played from 1998-02 and was a first-team All-LSC North selection as a senior when she set a single-season school record for scoring average at 18.3 points a game. Keri, who ranks third on UCO's all-time points list, was virtually impossible to stop when she got position in the post.
Meghan Craig made the list after showcasing a wide range of skills during her two years at UCO from 2004-06. The only player in school history with three 30-point games to her credit, Meghan could hurt teams in a variety of ways offensively and she was also a quality rebounder despite her slender frame.
Rounding out my starting five is a member of this year's team -- senior Cristina Yarbrough. A defensive whiz who has been LSC North Division Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons, Cristina ranks second on the school's career list for steals and assists and is a key cog in what UCO does both offensively and defensively.
Every team must have an effective sixth man, or woman in this case, and completing my all-decade team is Mallory Markus. A steadying force on the court throughout her four-year career, Mal was also a dangerous long-range shooter who could light up the scoreboard in a hurry with her 3-point accuracy.
So there it is, the UCO women's basketball all-decade team for the 2000s. Coming up in a couple of days will be the men's team.
The captain of the all-decade team is easy -- Lizzie Brenner, who finished her fabulous career last year. One of my favorite all-time players in any sport, Lizzie holds eight career school records and was a three-time All-Lone Star Conference North Division pick. A fantastic athlete who played the game with great passion, Lizzie could virtually do it all on the court and led the Bronchos to the best two seasons in school history her last two years.
Next on my list is Laura Hamilton, who was a first-team All-LSC North performer during the 2002-03 and 2004-05 seasons while missing the year between with a knee injury. "Ham" holds school records for season and career 3-point accuracy and was a multi-talented player who absolutely hated to lose.
From the early part of the decade is Keri Smith, who played from 1998-02 and was a first-team All-LSC North selection as a senior when she set a single-season school record for scoring average at 18.3 points a game. Keri, who ranks third on UCO's all-time points list, was virtually impossible to stop when she got position in the post.
Meghan Craig made the list after showcasing a wide range of skills during her two years at UCO from 2004-06. The only player in school history with three 30-point games to her credit, Meghan could hurt teams in a variety of ways offensively and she was also a quality rebounder despite her slender frame.
Rounding out my starting five is a member of this year's team -- senior Cristina Yarbrough. A defensive whiz who has been LSC North Division Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons, Cristina ranks second on the school's career list for steals and assists and is a key cog in what UCO does both offensively and defensively.
Every team must have an effective sixth man, or woman in this case, and completing my all-decade team is Mallory Markus. A steadying force on the court throughout her four-year career, Mal was also a dangerous long-range shooter who could light up the scoreboard in a hurry with her 3-point accuracy.
So there it is, the UCO women's basketball all-decade team for the 2000s. Coming up in a couple of days will be the men's team.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
All-Decade Wrestling Team
As the decade of the 2000s comes rapidly to a close, it seemed like a good idea to come up with a few all-decade teams for UCO. I'll start with wrestling and then do men's and women's basketball in the next couple of days.
Mind you, this UCO all-decade wrestling team is from my viewpoint only and I didn't get any input from our coaching staff. But I witnessed countless duals and tournaments -- including every national tournament -- in the 2000s, so I should be somewhat qualified to select such a team.
My all-decade wrestling team features a select group of student-athletes who combined to win 12 NCAA Division II national championships and over 1,000 matches, with the Bronchos capturing three team titles during the 2000s (2002, '03 and '07).
Starting off the squad at 125 pounds is Mark Dodgen, who finished 1-3-1 in three national tournament appearances (2000-01-03). Mark was one of the most exciting lightweights ever to come through UCO and he ended his career with a fall in his last match in the 2003 national finals to help the Bronchos claim the team title.
At 133 we have Cole Province, one of the few four-time national champions in collegiate wrestling history. Perhaps the most intense competitor I've had the pleasure to watch on the mat at UCO, Cole racked up a 130-22 career record from 2001-04 and lost just one match his last two years with the Bronchos.
Next up is Kyle Evans at 141 pounds, a four-time All-American who finished 6-2-1-1 from 2005-08. A takedown machine, Kyle was smooth as silk on the mat and he simply dominated opponents his last two years in finishing with a 125-20 career mark.
At 149 we have Gable Sullivan, a national runner-up in 2000 and '01 after also earning All-America honors in 1998. Gabe punished people on the mat and won a lot of big matches during his career with the Bronchos.
Current UCO graduate assistant coach Jason Leavitt is the pick at 157. A three-year starter and two-time national qualifier for the Bronchos, Jason lost a heartbreaking overtime decision in the national finals while helping lead UCO to the 2007 national title.
Shawn Silvis is our 165-pounder and what a consistently great performer he was for the Bronchos. Shawn won back-to-back national titles in 2002 and '03 before dropping a tough match in the finals as a senior the next year in finishing with a 131-28 career record.
I'm going with Jason Tapia at 174, who made quite a mark during two years with the Bronchos. Jason had a disappointing national tournament as a junior in 2003, but he bounced back with a sensational senior campaign and recorded 21 falls en route to winning the gold medal.
At 184 is Jeff Henning, who finished third on UCO's consecutive national championship teams in 2002 and '03. Jeff was a model of consistency during his two years with the Bronchos, a splendid talent and the consummate team player.
Our all-decade 197-pounder is Muhammed Lawal, though he only wrestled at that weight one season after going at 184 his first two years. But Mo -- easily the best pure athlete I've seen on the mat at UCO -- overwhelmed opponents throughout the 2001-02 campaign with a combination of uncanny quickness and strength as he rolled to the national title.
Topping off my team of the 2000s at heavyweight is none other than Dustin Finn, a senior on this year's squad. Already a two-time national runner-up, Dustin is looking to become UCO's first-ever heavyweight national champion -- which would make him an early candidate for my all-decade team of the 2010s!!
Feel free to let me know what you think of my all-decade team at mkirk@uco.edu.
Mind you, this UCO all-decade wrestling team is from my viewpoint only and I didn't get any input from our coaching staff. But I witnessed countless duals and tournaments -- including every national tournament -- in the 2000s, so I should be somewhat qualified to select such a team.
My all-decade wrestling team features a select group of student-athletes who combined to win 12 NCAA Division II national championships and over 1,000 matches, with the Bronchos capturing three team titles during the 2000s (2002, '03 and '07).
Starting off the squad at 125 pounds is Mark Dodgen, who finished 1-3-1 in three national tournament appearances (2000-01-03). Mark was one of the most exciting lightweights ever to come through UCO and he ended his career with a fall in his last match in the 2003 national finals to help the Bronchos claim the team title.
At 133 we have Cole Province, one of the few four-time national champions in collegiate wrestling history. Perhaps the most intense competitor I've had the pleasure to watch on the mat at UCO, Cole racked up a 130-22 career record from 2001-04 and lost just one match his last two years with the Bronchos.
Next up is Kyle Evans at 141 pounds, a four-time All-American who finished 6-2-1-1 from 2005-08. A takedown machine, Kyle was smooth as silk on the mat and he simply dominated opponents his last two years in finishing with a 125-20 career mark.
At 149 we have Gable Sullivan, a national runner-up in 2000 and '01 after also earning All-America honors in 1998. Gabe punished people on the mat and won a lot of big matches during his career with the Bronchos.
Current UCO graduate assistant coach Jason Leavitt is the pick at 157. A three-year starter and two-time national qualifier for the Bronchos, Jason lost a heartbreaking overtime decision in the national finals while helping lead UCO to the 2007 national title.
Shawn Silvis is our 165-pounder and what a consistently great performer he was for the Bronchos. Shawn won back-to-back national titles in 2002 and '03 before dropping a tough match in the finals as a senior the next year in finishing with a 131-28 career record.
I'm going with Jason Tapia at 174, who made quite a mark during two years with the Bronchos. Jason had a disappointing national tournament as a junior in 2003, but he bounced back with a sensational senior campaign and recorded 21 falls en route to winning the gold medal.
At 184 is Jeff Henning, who finished third on UCO's consecutive national championship teams in 2002 and '03. Jeff was a model of consistency during his two years with the Bronchos, a splendid talent and the consummate team player.
Our all-decade 197-pounder is Muhammed Lawal, though he only wrestled at that weight one season after going at 184 his first two years. But Mo -- easily the best pure athlete I've seen on the mat at UCO -- overwhelmed opponents throughout the 2001-02 campaign with a combination of uncanny quickness and strength as he rolled to the national title.
Topping off my team of the 2000s at heavyweight is none other than Dustin Finn, a senior on this year's squad. Already a two-time national runner-up, Dustin is looking to become UCO's first-ever heavyweight national champion -- which would make him an early candidate for my all-decade team of the 2010s!!
Feel free to let me know what you think of my all-decade team at mkirk@uco.edu.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Time For A Break
The holidays are near, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's vacation time . . . at least not for Central Oklahoma's basketball teams.
Both UCO clubs will be in action Dec. 19 and 21 in league crossover games at Abilene Christian and Angelo State then take a brief Christmas break before heading back to Texas. The men go to Austin and the women to San Antonio for games on Dec. 29-30, so not much down time for those two teams.
Neither club has played near to its capability yet, but I look for things to start coming together soon for both.
The second-semester schedule will feature many more home games, including the first of the season for the women on Jan. 5. Make plans now to get out to Hamilton Field House on Jan. 5, 7 and 9 as the Bronchos host doubleheaders on each of those days.
UCO's fifth-ranked wrestling team will get a much-needed respite as the Bronchos don't return to action until Jan. 9-10. David James' crew last competed on Dec. 5 and practiced the week after that, but won't return to the mat until resuming practice on Dec. 27.
The grapplers will have four home matches in the second semester, including one that was recently added. UCO will take on Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 14 in a showdown that will feature two of the top-five teams in Division II with the Lopers currently ranked third.
Both UCO clubs will be in action Dec. 19 and 21 in league crossover games at Abilene Christian and Angelo State then take a brief Christmas break before heading back to Texas. The men go to Austin and the women to San Antonio for games on Dec. 29-30, so not much down time for those two teams.
Neither club has played near to its capability yet, but I look for things to start coming together soon for both.
The second-semester schedule will feature many more home games, including the first of the season for the women on Jan. 5. Make plans now to get out to Hamilton Field House on Jan. 5, 7 and 9 as the Bronchos host doubleheaders on each of those days.
UCO's fifth-ranked wrestling team will get a much-needed respite as the Bronchos don't return to action until Jan. 9-10. David James' crew last competed on Dec. 5 and practiced the week after that, but won't return to the mat until resuming practice on Dec. 27.
The grapplers will have four home matches in the second semester, including one that was recently added. UCO will take on Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 14 in a showdown that will feature two of the top-five teams in Division II with the Lopers currently ranked third.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Bronchos On The Air
It's been a long time coming, but UCO basketball fans will be able to follow the majority of our men's and women's basketball games on the radio this year. It's been at least 25 years -- and probably longer -- since Broncho basketball has been regularly broadcast by a local radio station and that's great news for everybody involved.
Fox SportsRadio (AM 1340) will air every road game for the men and women the rest of the season, with the exception of both teams' games on Dec. 29 and 30 at classics in Texas. Long-time play-by-play man David Garrett will call all the action.
I've known Dave for 30 years and he's one of the best radio voices out there. He called NFL games for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints back in the 1990s and we've been fortunate enough to have him do UCO football the last couple of years.
This is a great addition to UCO and one that was sorely overdue. If you can't go on the road to follow the Bronchos, make sure to tune Dave in at AM1340 or their website at http://www.foxoklahoma.com/main.html.
Speaking of being on the air . . . UCO's wrestling dual at Fort Hays State Thursday night will be video webcast on our athletic site. It should be a close battle, so make sure to watch the Bronchos and Tigers go at it on the mat.
Fox SportsRadio (AM 1340) will air every road game for the men and women the rest of the season, with the exception of both teams' games on Dec. 29 and 30 at classics in Texas. Long-time play-by-play man David Garrett will call all the action.
I've known Dave for 30 years and he's one of the best radio voices out there. He called NFL games for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints back in the 1990s and we've been fortunate enough to have him do UCO football the last couple of years.
This is a great addition to UCO and one that was sorely overdue. If you can't go on the road to follow the Bronchos, make sure to tune Dave in at AM1340 or their website at http://www.foxoklahoma.com/main.html.
Speaking of being on the air . . . UCO's wrestling dual at Fort Hays State Thursday night will be video webcast on our athletic site. It should be a close battle, so make sure to watch the Bronchos and Tigers go at it on the mat.
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