By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Norman North: Tettleton Likely out for 2007
An injury delivered a crushing blow to Norman North's prospects for the upcoming season.
The Timberwolves finished 6-6 during a 2006 season that included an upset of cross-town rival Norman in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, but have apparently lost junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton for the season, according to the Daily Oklahoman.
Tettleton was hurt on Saturday during an intra-squad scrimmage while delivering an option pitch. The son of former Major Leaguer Mickey Tettleton had an MRI in Dallas that revealed a torn ACL and damage to his meniscus on his right knee.
As a sophomore, Tettleton threw for 1,852 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for eight scores. Tettleton's numbers through the air were expected to be boosted by the emergence of Texas A&M commit K.J. Williams and the addition of transfer Chika Madu.
Senior Jake Damrill is likely to get the nod to start the season at quarterback for the Timberwolves. As a junior in spot duty, Damrill attempted eight passes, completing three for 71 yards and a touchdown. Damrill also rushed for one score last season.
Tournament of Champions Set
In what is becoming an exciting early-season showcase for the top high school boys basketball teams in Oklahoma, the 2007 Tournament of Champions in Tulsa has assembled arguably its best line-up to date.
Bishop McGuinness will be making its first appearance in the tournament, slated to run from Dec. 27-29, since 2000. The Fighting Irish are the two-time defending 4A state champions.
Bixby will make its first appearance in the Tournament of Champions. Last season, the Spartans lost in the Class 5A semifinals of the state tournament.
Jenks, Verdigris, Pawnee, Tulsa East Central, Stringtown, and Sequoyah-Tahlequah all will return to the tournament after participating last season.
A potential match-up between Verdigris guard Rotnei Clarke and Pawnee's Keiton Page could turn into a major highlight.
Clarke averaged 37.2 points per game last season as a junior, leading Verdigris to the Class 3A title game where they lost to Millwood. Clarke recently narrowed interest list to 10 schools, which include; Arizona State, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Gonzaga, Tulsa, and Oral Roberts.
Page averaged over 36 points per game for Pawnee while leading them to the Class 2A title game, where they dropped a decision to Oklahoma Christian School. Page is already committed to Oklahoma State.
Stringtown, Class B state champion a year ago, features forward James Watson. Watson has used stellar play from his summer AAU campaign with Athletes First to receive recruiting interest from Iowa, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
Bishop McGuinness returns 6-foot-9 junior-to-be Daniel Orton, who is widely regarded as one of the top 15 players nationally in the Class of 2009. Orton has received offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
