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Local Teams Recognized
commentary
May 1, 2025
Local Teams Recognized
By REP. TIM TURNER

This was a special week for me in the House of Representatives. I got to recognize two extraordinary basketball teams.

First up was the Connors State College Men’s Basketball Team under Head Coach Bill Muse and Assistant Coach Bill Muse Jr. This remarkable team qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 tournament, finishing their season 32-4, with an Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference record of 14-2. They are regular season champions, Region 2 champions, South Central District champions and the NJCAA Division 1 runner-up. A number of the team members also made all-tournament teams.

This season was a testament of the team’s hard work, dedication and teamwork, and a reflection of the values instilled by Coach Muse and his coaching staff. They’ve not only represented their college with pride, but inspired fellow students, faculty and the community with their achievements.

I also was thrilled to get to recognize the legendary achievements of Head Coach Bill Muse who has 804 wins over his 33-year career. This remarkable feat is a testament to his unwavering dedication and strategic brilliance. He was recognized as the NJCAA Region 2 Coach of the Year and the NJCAA National Tournament South Central District Coach of the Year. I noted that Coach Muse’s success would not have been possible without the support of his wife, Connie, affectionately known by all as Momma Muse, who passed away in December.

The Whitefield Bobcats basketball team also came to the Capitol to be recognized as the 2025 State Champions in the Organization of Rural Elementary Schools State Basketball Tournament Division III. This team competed against rural teams from across the state and won their games with an average margin of victory of 28.3 points.

The success of these students both academically and in athletics is reflective of the dedication of Whitefield Public School’s administration, faculty and coaches.

It was an honor to recognize both of these teams.

Also this week, I was blessed to have a page serve in my Capitol office.

Duke Dunn is a junior at Eufaula High School and the son of April and Cale Dunn. He’s in the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society and placed top 10 in the state powerlifting meet. After high school, he hopes to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology to receive his HVAC certification. He’d like to start his own business doing commercial HVAC instillation and repair.

Duke is a very smart young man, and it was great to get to show him a bit about the state Legislature this week.

Our committee deadline has passed for bills from the opposite chamber. Those bills that advanced out of committee can now be heard on the House floor. Work on the floor will increase over the next few weeks.

Remember, if I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse. gov.

Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.

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