OK Preps Extra

Barry Lewis ranks his top-five best performances he's witnessed in his nearly 40 years of covering high school sports on a regular basis. Three running backs, one quarterback and a kicker made the list. Four of the performances came in 2004 or after and one occurred in 1986. Plus, Barry weighs in on the LIV/PGA merger and Oral Roberts University making the College World Series. Related Metro's Kir...

The Tulsa World’s Bill Haisten and Barry Lewis take a look at the extraordinary high school football culture in the Tulsa area. Also: a quick review of LIV golf and a little Thunder talk. Related Click here to buy tickets to the 2023 All-World Awards banquet Bill Haisten: Pillars of strength in Owasso — Blake Cherry, Ryker Haff and the O-line Collinsville 'out for blood' after last year's early pl...

What factored into this season's All-World and All-State boys and girls basketball selections? Barry Lewis lists his factors and most difficult choices. Plus, the latest on spring postseasons.   Related Click here to buy tickets to the 2023 All-World Awards banquet OSSAA surveys 6A-5A basketball coaches on moving to a district format Catch up on all the All-World teams in fall and winter sports Al...

Barry Lewis is very much in favor of basketball adding district play. A number of coaches agree while some feel the system is fine the way it is. Plus, Barry talks about the local players he's looking forward to seeing in Major League Baseball and Jenks hires away Hale's coach. Related Click here to buy tickets to the 2023 All-World Awards banquet OSSAA surveys 6A-5A basketball coaches on moving t...

With his high school basketball career over, the four-star recruit talks about what led him to commit to Wake Forest, which in-state school he liked, playing high school golf with his brothers, winning a national 3-point contest and being an elite shooter.  Related Bixby's Parker Friedrichsen wins national 3-Point contest during Final Four weekend With Wake Forest coaches in attendance, Bixby's Pa...

This week’s guest is Jenks coach Keith Riggs. Riggs revisits all aspects of the  unforgettably historic Jenks-Bixby football game, played on Nov. 3 and televised on ESPN. The Trojans prevailed 38-35, ending Bixby’s state-record winning streak at 58 games. Related Bill Haisten: With guts and a 357-yard run game, Jenks shocks Bixby and ends the streak Jenks ends Bixby's 58-game winning streak behind...

The former star quarterback at Metro Christian reflects on a high school career that included big stats and lots of wins. How did another former Metro great help him grow? What was it like to get that first phone call from new TU coach Kevin Wilson? How did he deal with being under-recruited and what's his goal at TU this year? Related Metro Christian quarterback Kirk Francis commits to TU Bill Ha...

In this week's episode, Barry Lewis takes a look back at last week's high school state basketball tournament. What were the standout performances? What happened to some of the Tulsa-area teams? Who should we pay attention to next year? Related Tulsa World's 6A-2A girls all-state tournament teams, MVPs, scoring leaders Tulsa World's 6A-2A boys all-state tournament teams, MVPs, scoring leaders Stail...

In this week's episode, Barry Lewis analyzes the state tournament being held this week, plus offers some thoughts on the new rules changes in Major League Baseball. Subscribe to this podcast at:  Apple  |  Google  |  Spotify Related This week's state schedule 'Underrated' Tahlequah repels Hale rally, reaches 5A boys state tournament; Edison advances with win over Grove Bill Haisten: Connor Dow res...

A lot of local teams are still in the high school basketball postseason. Barry and Patrick discuss 6A and 5A boys basketball's matchups, how coaches handle playing on back-to-back days and more. Plus, the girls will be continue their postseason Thursday. Barry recalls talking to Rhyian Mayberry's dad, Lee Mayberry, many years ago when he was also a sophomore standout. Subscribe to this podcast at:...

The potential of a Booker T.-Owasso matchup is full of interesting storylines. Plus, catching up on wrestling and swimming. Subscribe to this podcast at:  Apple  |  Google  |  Spotify Related See the 2022-23 All-World football team Voting open in Mr. Inside/Outside and Ms. Inside/Outside contests Nominate a winter sports Bill Knight Automotive Athlete of the Week: barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com Contac...

In this week's episode, Bixby proves it's more than Parker Friedrichsen in ending Owasso's winning streak and the Bixby girls are also impressive in their win over the Rams. Plus, Barry recaps the Super Bowl and offers additional insight into the All-World and All-State selection process. Subscribe to this podcast at:  Apple  |  Google  |  Spotify Related See the 2022-23 All-World football team Se...

Barry Lewis discusses the selection process of All-World and All-State. Plus, he talks about the 10 players who are the All-World finalists for player of the year considerations.  Subscribe to this podcast at:  Apple  |  Google  |  Spotify Related See the 2022-23 All-World football team Nominate a winter sports Bill Knight Automotive Athlete of the Week: barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com Contact us High...

New Tulsa Golden Hurricane coach Kevin Wilson has been on Union’s campus four times since his hiring, and his first recruiting class has Union offensive lineman Bennett Ringleb, defensive back Devin Robinson and athlete Grayson Tempest. Did this Union-to-TU pipeline begin with Shamari Brooks under the previous coaching staff? Barry Lewis also talks about other locals that committed on National Sig...

The former Booker T. Washington star explains his decision to de-commit from Arkansas and sign with Texas A&M. More than football went into his decision. What was Jimbo Fisher's pitch to him? What was it like to tell Arkansas coaches he wasn't coming and what he expects his first year in College Station to look like.  Nominate a winter sports Bill Knight Automotive Athlete of the Week: barry.l...

Barry Lewis talks standout high school basketball midseason tournament performances, including Catoosa's Titus Miller scoring 74 points in three games in the Port City Classic. How good are the Broken Arrow Tigers, led by Oklahoma State signee Connor Dow? Will Bixby, led by Notre Dame signee Parker Friedrichsen, challenge in 6A? Plus, updates on signing day; 2022 All-World football honors and more...

This summer, the Tulsa World will once again honor this year's top high school athletes at the annual All-World Awards. Football's finalist announcements will begin Feb. 11. In tribute to this, Barry Lewis names the top 10 Oklahoma high school football players he's "covered and seen" from the past several decades. Nominate a winter sports Bill Knight Automotive Athlete of the Week: E-mail nominees...

"It's the best setup that the OSSAA has had for its state championship games in the totality that they've really ever had." In this week's episode, Barry and Patrick discuss the future of UCO hosting state football championship games, as the OSSAA looks for a five-year deal for hosting. Should there be an exception if two Tulsa-area teams make the state championship to have a closer host? How do 6...

"A very good class of seniors in the Tulsa area this year for major college football." In this week's episode, Barry, Dean and Patrick preview early signing period, which begins Wednesday. Which players are they looking forward to watching the most at the college level? Related Bill Haisten: TU's local movement starts to really roll with two Union commits BTW's Micah Tease decommits from Arkansas,...

Sadly, the 2022 Oklahoma high school football season is over. In this week's episode, Barry, Dean and Patrick talk about the high points and memorable moments, plus breakout players who can have impacts next season. Plus, talking about the potential for shot clocks in Oklahoma high school basketball. Related Bill Haisten: The Bixby-Owasso showdown — a beautiful gift on opening night Bill Haisten:...

Barry Lewis has seen a lot. In this week's episode, Barry talks about where the 2022 Bixby team ranks among the best ever in this area and why he thinks last year's Spartans team was a little better. Plus, Barry and Dean discuss Stillwater’s perfect season and Wagoner’s improbable state title in 4A and an amazing performance by Kirk Francis in a losing effort in the 2A finals. Related Bixby's Cale...

In this week's episode, Barry, Dean and Patrick discuss Owasso's amazing win over Union and what that might mean for the Rams in this week's title game. Plus, a preview of other state title games. Related This week's top games Barry Lewis: Owasso's Anthony Hills, J'Kharri Thomas develop into key playmakers Fantastic finish: Owasso 50, Union 47, 6 OTs Week 14's must-see game: Bixby vs. Owasso Conta...

In this week's bonus episode, Dean Ruhl sits down with Muskogee quarterback Jamarian Ficklin, who, while only a sophomore, has emerged this season as one of the area's top QBs. Ficklin shares where his love of football came from, explains his nickname "Byrd," the Roughers' impressive turnaround, his relationship with head coach Travis Hill and more. Related Meet Jamarian Ficklin, an avid film junk...

In this week's episode, Barry and Dean break down the Jenks-Bixby rematch, this week's marquee game. Also, a look at the other 6AI semifinal between undefeated Union and surging Owasso. Plus, a breakdown of the 5A matchup between Grove and Midwest City Carl Albert. Finally, a shoutout to our student picker, Ella Drake of Regent Prep. Related This week's schedule Individual area state leaders This...

Barry, Dean and Patrick break down the highlights of the first round of the playoffs, plus look ahead to this week's matchups. Related Barry Lewis: Football newcomer Cameron Sarey becomes `real weapon' for top-ranked Union This week's rankings This week's must-see game: Broken Arrow at Union Week 11 scores This week's schedule Contact us High School Sports Editor Barry Lewis:  Email  |  Twitter  |...