Sooners earn Big 12 Coach, Player and Newcomer of the Year awards

Sports

March 14, 2024

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

Three Oklahoma Sooners were recognized in the 2023-24 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 women’s basketball awards. Oklahoma Women’s Basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year after leading the Sooners to their second consecutive regular season title.

Oklahoma’s Skylar Vann was named the Big 12 Co-Player of the Year alongside Texas’ Madison Booker. The awards were voted on by the head coaches, who could not vote for their own players. Vann averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds during Conference play while shooting an even 50.0% from the field, all of which rank among the top eight in the league.

Payton Verhulst was named the Newcomer of the Year after her outstanding season. Verhulst transferred to the Sooners after making her start at Louisville. Verhulst helped the Sooners to the regular season title by averaging 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists against Big 12 opponents, giving her a rating among the league’s top-10.

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Seminole survives Checotah 34-27

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

September 11, 2025

The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...

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D is for Duvall

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

September 11, 2025

When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...

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9/11 – Never Forget

By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

September 11, 2025

At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...

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Checotah FFA earns historic award

September 11, 2025

The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...

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Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling

By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT

September 11, 2025

Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...

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Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts

September 11, 2025

Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...

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A site out of this world

By MIKE BARNES

September 11, 2025

In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...

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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success

September 11, 2025

Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...

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Mild weather, just what the festival ordered

By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

September 11, 2025

Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...

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Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk

September 11, 2025

Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!

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LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26

September 11, 2025

The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...