The Enid Outlaws (10-2) ended a two-game skid today with a 126-116 win over the Omaha Finest (6-6). The Finest, winners in three of their four last games, came ready to Enid ready to play.
The Finest led after the first quarter, 34-31. Devonte Patterson (10) and Craig Sword (9) helped get the Finest started. Charlie Marquardt (9) and Tavares Sledge (7) led the Outlaws in the early going. The Outlaws outscored Omaha 34-20 during the second stanza to take a 65-54 lead into halftime.
The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first half. Omaha outscored the Outlaws 32-23 during the third period of play, closing the score to 88-86. The Outlaws responded, outscoring the Finest 38-30 during the fourth quarter. Final score Enid 126-116.
The final 2:44 of the game got interesting. Lindy Waters III put Enid up 119-110. Craig Sword and Malik Amos scored two-point baskets, cutting the lead to five with 1:57 remaining. Waters was again fouled in the act of shooting and made another pair of free throws. Tavares Sledge made 1-2 free throws followed by a driving lay-up putting Enid back on top by ten in the closing minute of play. Chance Comanche put an exclamation mark on the win finishing Enid’s scoring with a dunk.
Leading the way for Enid was the inside combination of Chance Comanche and Tavares Sledge. Both finished with a double-double. Comanche finished with a game high 33 points and 17 rebounds. Sledge finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Charlie Marquardt had 18, Lindy Waters 15, and Wayne Runnels 15. Waters also had 9 rebounds and 8 assists in the contest.
Craig Sword (29) and Malik Amos (21) led Omaha. JC Show (18), Devonte Patterson (17), and KJ Scott (14) rounded out the scoring leaders for Omaha.
After the contest Ed Corporal, Outlaws Head Coach, stated – “We had a couple of tough games. We lost to Houston last weekend at home and then traveled to Dallas yesterday and lost another tough game. We challenged our guys prior to today’s game. They responded, leading all but five minutes and twenty five seconds of the game. Tavares Sledge and Chance Comanche stepped it up for us today, as did a number of our guys. It was a good win for us.”
The Enid High School Baseball team has continued to improve throughout this season. Just after the midway point in the 2021 season, the Plainsmen are finding their grove and Jake McCool is a big part of that success.
Jake has played baseball for the Plainsmen since middle school and has had his sights set on starting for the Plainsmen the entire time. His motivation was then, and still is, to be the best he can be every day when he shows up to practice or games. That motivation had paid off, as he is currently the 1st baseman and plays in the outfield for the Plainsmen. The starting position is one he has had to work hard and be patient for. His advice to upcoming athletes is to “work as hard as you can every day.”
This past year has been different for everyone to say the least, and for athletes around the world, including Jake, it is just another challenge in their lives. “This year I have learned that you can’t give up no matter how bad things seem.” Jake goes on to say that being an athlete has helped prepare him for this type of event. “Being an athlete has made me a better person because it has taught me how to be self-disciplined in many different situations.”
Jake plans on extending his academic and athletic career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he will play baseball and pursue a degree in Business. Coach Gore, the Enid High head baseball coach adds that “Jake has had to work very hard to get to where he is at today.”
We look forward to seeing Jake continue that hard work and play at the next level. He will continue a long tradition of Plainsmen baseball players doing great things beyond high school.
Enid Athletics Plainsmen/Pacer Pride of the Plains Brought to You by Slater Mechanical
Janet Cordell is a missionary and her mission fields stretch from Enid to Jamaica to Honduras, Mexico, and beyond, but her favorite trip was to Africa. Janet has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. Janet has served on numerous committees and task forces including the Governors Steering Committee for Oklahoma’s Healthy Futures Program, the Oklahoma Nurses Association, American Red Cross, Enid MS Walk, Success by Six, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, and CDSA Community Action Agency, to name a few.
Janet is a member of Christian Church of the Covenant, serving in many roles throughout the church. She has been an adjunct instructor with Autry Tech, served as co-coordinator of the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Committee, and chairperson of the NORCE Foundation.
Janet has been recognized for many awards. In 2005 Janet was recognized as Pillar of the Plains and the Oklahoma Nurses Association awarded her the Excellence in Nursing Award. In 2009 Janet was awarded the Enid YWCA Woman of the Year award.
Janet states that her involvement with the American Red Cross “is one of my greatest passions and one that I am very involved in right now.” She serves as the Disaster Health Services Lead for Kansas & Oklahoma, which has recently occupied much of her time. Her mother was a Red Cross nurse in WWII and her father survived the Bataan Death March. In 2081 she received her Red Cross pin for 50 years of volunteer service.
Janet is actively involved with the Enid Community Clinic, which she has coordinated since her retirement. It is currently closed due to COVID. She doesn’t know when it will reopen, but it’s still serving the community. Those with questions about their medications can call and leave their name and phone number, and Cordell will get them in touch with Bob Taylor, the clinic’s pharmacist. He will pull up their chart and see if they need lab work. Cordell will review the lab work and discuss it with doctors as necessary. The Community plans to reopen but has yet to set the schedule.
Another one of Janet’s recent causes is the Garfield County Covid Vaccination distribution process. Cordell said the coronavirus is the biggest health challenge she has faced in her years of nursing because of its international impact.
“I can’t compare it to anything else,” she said. She was ready and willing to volunteer to give COVID vaccination shots after an Enid Board of Health meeting. “By God, I’ll put on a mask and give shots with the best of them,” Cordell said. “That’s what I have been doing all of my life. I was giving a shot and somebody said, ‘Surely tell me this isn’t your first job!’ No, I’ve been practicing for 50 years. If I haven’t been proficient at it before, giving two months of COVID shots has made me proficient at it now!” Cordell gives shots quickly in the “wham bam, thank you ma’am” fashion, like Dr. Bryan Whitson, one of her mentors. “I’ve worked on immunizations to kids,” she said. “There’s no messing around.” Janet is also quick to point out that she is not alone in her efforts. “We need to brag about our health department because they have done a wonderful job of putting it on,” she said. “Those doctors and other employees have put in tremendously long hours, way beyond the call of duty.
Cordell follows the philosophy of Mother Teresa who has said, “Love begins by taking care of the ones at home.” Based on her philosophy and her lifelong commitment to caring for others, she has been called the “Matriarch of Public Health” in Garfield County.
The Enid High School Golf teams are in full “swing” this spring, both teams have placed in various tournaments this season. Baylee Wood a Junior, and Max Fossett a Sophomore, are both leaders in our programs. “Baylee and Max are extremely hard working and they both strive to improve their game,” said David Lee, Enid High Golf Coach.
After a season off due to COVID last spring, Max and Baylee are both more aware of their opportunity and are focused on the team. Baylee says that “I have learned that when we help each other practice we can do the best we can as a team at our tournaments.” As for Max, he is “learning that teamwork plays a huge part in the success of the program.” Both are trying to help lead their teams in as many ways as possible.
Max Fossett
Coach Lee says that “Max is the leader of the boy’s golf team and is dedicated to improving the team.” Max plans to go to college and pursue a degree in the field of medicine and thinks that having been an athlete “has made me a better person and taught me how to work harder to go get what I want.”
Baylee adds that “due to the pandemic we lost a lot of our practice time, and that being an athlete helped me learn how to better balance my time between work, school and golf.” Baylee plans to attend college and study medicine, the skills she has acquired through being a part of the golf team will certainly help her achieve this goal.
Baylee Wood
Both Baylee and Max offer similar advice to upcoming athletes, Max says “never settle for less and keep pushing.” Baylee’s advice to upcoming athletes is to “do your best and don’t let negativity stand in your way.” Both pieces of advice are great reminders that when faced with adversity it allows us to achieve more.
Both Baylee and Max are great examples of how hard work and dedication to something bigger than themselves can lead to positive outcomes. We wish them good luck with the rest of their season and look forward to seeing them and the golf program continue to grow.
Enid Athletics Plainsmen/Pacer Pride of the Plains Brought to You by Slater Mechanical
Online trolls are the bane.of.my.existence. With empathy at the top of my Strengths Finder results, it was a rough adjustment when I started managing pages for clients.
Picture, if you will, a newlywed at dinner with her husband. The waitress fills their glasses, the couple raises a toast to a busy and successful week. They both smile. They’re tired and happy. It’s Friday evening. And then a phone dings. The woman picks up her iPhone, as prompt responses are important in her industry. She frowns. She types. She frowns.
Turns out, giving people the anonymity of a computer screen can make things ugly.
“I’ve seen the worst of humanity,” Cross-Industry Social Media Manager Linda Dianne says, quite relatably, describing the “harsh reality” of social media management for business.
Fortunately, trolls no longer have much control over my joy. Through trial, error and a little research, I’ve got some effective tools in my belt to deal with these negativity promoters.
If you’re in need of some troll management strategies, read on.
Before you respond online, it’s important to have an accurate narrative. Most difficult internet communication comes from unhappy or scared people who disconnect social media from the real world. Having this perspective makes it easier to calmly give them grace and respond appropriately. If you’re angry, back away for an hour, then re-address and choose your strategy.
Consider a “No Trolls” Policy, and Designate a Moderator
You wouldn’t leave your front door open, allowing a stranger to walk into your living room and berate your family. And you shouldn’t let a stranger hop on your social media pages and extensively berate your business. Set boundaries and clear expectations, and start with assigning a boundary enforcer.
Have a designated employee who fields comments, taking one of the effective actions listed below.
First, For the Love of All Things Holy, IGNORE Them When You Must
Seriously, there are times you can completely ignore people. It takes practice to gauge the ignorable jerks and the reasonable, respondable jerks. Don’t worry, you’ll get there.
If they are throwing around profanities, clearly under the influence, or relentlessly badgering you, just let it go. Let them type away, hide their comments, and move on with your life. (Click on the comment and select the “hide” button that pops up.) This will make their comments only visible to them, preventing them from attacking you for deleting comments, AND preventing any other trolls from joining their cause.
Second, If You Can’t Ignore Them, Address Any Lies
If said troll is posting something completely untrue, respond gently with facts. For example, if you’re running for a political office (making yourself a troll magnet), and someone comments, “All of her funding is from xyz corporation. Don’t believe the lies!” You can respond with a photo of an official document showing where your donations come from, including, “Oh, I’m sorry you received some false information. I’m actually funded by this, this and that. Thank you for the opportunity to clear this up.”
Responding with truth is a great way to disarm a troll.
Third, Be Shockingly Kind
This one is my favorite, and the most effective! Never repay meanness with meanness. If this person has come far enough to post something terrible on your page, they’re likely ready for a fight. Step back, take a breath, and type up something kind. This has been more than 95 percent effective in my experience! Trolls often deflate quickly.
“I’m sorry you had a bad experience. We’d love to make it up to you!” Or, if someone comments that another business is better, you can say something like, “So-and-so is awesome! There’s nothing wrong with a little competition. We hope you’ll give us a chance sometime soon!”
Fourth, Be Funny
This is my second favorite tactic. Just make sure you’re being kind, too, even if you throw in a little sass. Gifs are awesome, too. Throw out a “shocked looking” or “remorseful” gif, then use kind words. Tread lightly here, and be creative.
Fifth, Take the High Road
This applies to all of the above. Don’t stoop to their level. Make sure you can see the situation clearly and objectively, so you don’t wind up the butt of a joke in a BuzzFeed article.
Treat the troll how you want to be treated.
Finally, know when to ban a user. Sometimes it’s the best thing you can do for yourself, your business, and the entire internet. Just click and hold on that nasty, threatening or inappropriate comment, then click that beautiful red “ban user” button and do a happy dance.
Do you have any crazy troll stories? Any tips for handling them? We’d love to hear them on our Facebook page or the blog!
It is clear: as the school year comes to a close, Seniors are not only ordering their caps and gowns, spending final moments with friends and family, and studying for their last tests and exams; they are also turning in their uniforms and jerseys. Seniors who have spent four-plus years preparing for their selective sports, both in and out of season, have trained and made memories they simply cannot leave behind. Their contributions to their team, school, coaches, and community are notably representative of their dedication and passion for the love of their sport(s). Because of this, a diverse group of Chisholm High School seniors from various sports has chosen to comment on their final reflections of what they have learned by being a Chisholm Longhorn and athlete during their last four years.
Starting with a notable fall sports player, Baylor Ewbank spoke on how his involvement in CHS football has granted him a greater appreciation for service to others. “Being a part of Chisholm athletics and football has taught me how to be a better teammate, which results in being a better person in the community. As a team, we players participate in many events in the community locally that show we can directly impact others,” Ewbank said. As Baylor noted, knowing what Chisholm represents and stands for to others has allowed him to recognize the impact and importance of displaying good character due to his athletic involvement. Further speaking on his admiration for his sport, Ewbank spoke to what his true sentiment for the game of football is: “I love playing the game, but the bonds I have created with my teammates is the best part. Without sports, I would not have the relationship I have today with my friends.” Baylor’s loyalty to his growing friendships throughout his athletic involvement confirms that his sport was not simply derived from achieving personal statistics, but more importantly was rooted in his devotion to others.
Baylor Ewbank, Phot by Skye Weber
Lydia Peace, another fall sport participant, expressed the development of herself as an athlete by her participation in volleyball. “Over the last four years, it was, at times, difficult to realize I just needed to have confidence in what I was doing and have fun. However, eventually, this clicked with the help of my coaches and teammates. Because of this, I was able to feel better, mentally and physically, during a game and compete to my full potential,” Peace commented. The support of teammates, coaching, and community never ceases to fall short in aiding one to success according to Peace. Applying this premise towards how this fortitude by others in athletics is displayed, Peace referenced a memory: “During my sophomore year of volleyball, Mr. Dent, our high school principal, was our coach. We were at a tournament, and my teammates and I were exhausted. To cheer us up, Mr. Dent made funny nicknames that were unique to each person. It raised everyone’s spirit and gave us the motivation to finish and win the game. Mr. Dent always knew how to inspire and encourage everyone to try their best and have fun.” Lydia’s testimony towards her growth of personal progression due to her perspective of positivity received by her involvement in CHS athletics shows how her participation taught her lessons to carry on in her future endeavors.
Lydia Peace and her Parents.
Makinde Ogunsola belongs to not only one but two CHS sporting teams—the boy’s basketball team and track & field team. Directing his attention towards a specific coach who has aided him in his athletic relations, Makinde remarked: “My favorite coach is Coach Coleman due to his diligent work ethic and commitment to his students by helping us refine our skills. His keen intellect as well as his esteemed glare of experience has put me on the path to becoming a successful athlete over the last several years. Coach Coleman knew what I was good at and where I needed to improve; he instructed me with exercises to increase my ability to improve my times (running). He also made sure to surround me with people that would motivate me to work hard while still enjoying their company. Furthermore, Coach Coleman has helped me become a staunch and assiduous leader.” Makinde’s hypothesis of his coach affording him and his teammates with training and advice that aids them to not only becoming victorious athletes but better people speaks towards the culture of CHS that athletes want to remain true for returning and new athletes to come.
Finally, another multi-sport player on the softball, basketball, and golf teams, Regi Pasby, shed light on reasoning as to what her sports teams have required of her. “All four years of high school I have attended every summer pride, basketball camp, softball camp, etc. This has made a huge impact on my attitude in my sports. It has made me feel more confident and satisfied with my game(s) because I have dedicated myself to establishing consistency in all areas of my life and sports teams,” Pasby concluded. The aspect of persistency has been validated by Pasby as a representative of her distinguished sports teams. Alluding to her object of inspiration preceding and during her athletic career, Pasby employed the importance of a role model in her life: “My brother played sports for Chisholm his whole life; nonetheless, I grew up watching him. He was the person I looked up to when it came to sports because ever since I was younger I have wanted to be as good as him.” The competitive spirit of siblings in sports is true for Regi growing up, but it is also an aspect that relates to many others in the CHS athletic community as well. As Regi noted, cumulating in an environment like Chisholm that contains such an involved athletic reputation verifies the desire to preserve it by athletes hoping to contribute their talents towards its programs.
Despite the differing sports these athletes belong to, they all can agree on one aphorism; they all are one as Chisholm Longhorns. Although it can be an emotional goodbye when closing their high school athletic chapters at CHS, these athletes acknowledge the lessons, people, and memories that have bestowed upon them necessary attributes that will be beneficial outside of the CHS walls—regardless of their future with athletic affiliations. Additionally, as all CHS athletes say their final partings, they hope that their records and goals left are just as evident as their attitude and character were on the athletes succeeding them; this is what it means to be an athlete at CHS.
The league-leading Enid Outlaws (9-0) play the second-place Houston Push today (Sunday) at 4:00 p.m. at the Stride Bank Center. Last night the Outlaws broke the league record with their ninth straight win to start a season with a 156-106 win over the Midtown (Wichita) Prestige. In Saturday’s game, the Outlaws were led, as usual, by Chance Comanche with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Wayne Runnels with 28 points and Charlie “Buckets” Marquardt, who stayed on fire shooting 7-8 from 3 point range. The Outlaws have totally dominated their competition, especially at home, with only two games being within 10 points.
The Houston Push will provide a test today, as they are 7-1 on the year. They played in Waco, Texas last night (results unknown) and their only loss has come at the hands of the Enid Outlaws, who won 106-99 when they played April 18th here in Enid. The Push are led by SG Jordan Allen (#5) who is averaging 21.5 points per game and is 3rd in the league in 3 pointers made. The push are owned by NBA star Steve Francis and NBA player Moochie Norris is the Head Coach/GM.
The Outlaws players are the class of the league. Chance Comanche leads the league in rebounds (12.9 RPG) and is 2nd in the league in points (27.8 PPG) despite sitting out big chunks of games with large leads. Sharpshooter Charlie Marguardt is 2nd in the league in 3 pointers made. While the league does not keep leaders of 3 pt percentage, Marquardt is shooting well over 50% from 3 point range which has to be near the league lead for volume shooters. PG Omega Harris is 8th in the league in assists (6.1 APG), despite sharing PG duties with Lindy Waters III who averages 5.6 APG himself. Wayne Runnels is just out of the top 10 in scoring at 23.0 PPG and also averages 9.0 RPG.
Tickets for tonight’s game are available at the Stride Bank Center box office or online at www.stridebankcenter.com and start at $8 a piece.
Your hometown Enid Outlaws will be hosting the Midtown Prestige Saturday, May 8th at 6:00 PM a the Stride Bank Center. The Outlaws are an undefeated 8-0 and lead the Central Division by one game over the Houston Push. They have dominated most of their games, and have an average margin of victory of 37 points. Based upon the fantastic start, Coach Ed Corporal was honored as the league Co-Coach of the Month.
The Midtown Prestige are 0-8 including losing to the Outlaws 146-73 last week. Guard Chris Whitfield (#5) paces the Prestige with 18.6 points per game.
The Outlaws are led by Chance Comanche who is averaging 27.8 PPG and 12.9 RPG, even though he has sat out several 4th quarters after the Outlaws have built a big lead. These numbers place Comanche 2nd in the league in both points and rebounds. Charlie “Buckets” Marquardt is on fire from 3, shooting 52.2% from downtown, and raising his average to 19.6 PPG.
Tickets to Saturday’s game are available at the Stride Bank Center Box Office or at www.stridebankcenter.com and start at $8.
Mother’s day is a little bittersweet for me. I did not know my mother until I was 17 years old, and even though I did get the chance to get to know her a little before she died a few years later, it was more of a friendship than a mother/son bond. I did, however, get to see a lot of great mothers in action. My sister-in-law Cindy, was the closest thing I had to a real mother, and even though she didn’t plan on being a mother to a smart-mouthed little kid after a few weeks of being married, she did a great job of it for several years. While at the Baptist Children’s home, my house mother, Mrs. Lauffer, was also a great mother figure to dozens of kids over the years, including me. So while some of us didn’t have a “traditional” mother, we did have women who were just as special in our lives, so Happy Mother’s day to ALL the mothers out there (and especially to my daughter’s mother, who I could not be raising a very special girl without).
