Sports

El Reno High School’s boys basketball team landed four players, including three underclassmen, on the 2020 All-Suburban Conference Team released last week.

The team has traditionally been announced following the conclusion of the Class 5A state tournament, but with championships from Class 2A through 6A on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the boys coaches opted to release the team.

Suburban Conference girls coaches, as of Monday, were still holding to the league rule of after the state tourney.

Aaron West knew he would have big shoes to fill when he was named head coach of Okarche High School’s boys basketball team, but he also knew he had learned under the best possible mentor – his father.

“He gave me the freedom to run what I wanted to do as an assistant coach and there are not a lot of head coaches around that would do that.

“Not a lot of people get to spend that much time with their dads. Now that he is gone, I look back at all the stuff he taught me and I realize it was an enjoyable time,” said West.

Brice Hill has been eagerly awaiting his senior season at El Reno High School after losing his junior year while going through rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery on his shoulder.

After the first five games of the Indians 2020 season, Hill looked well on his way to having a stellar final campaign in an Indians uniform.

“Everything is starting to click and was coming back,” said Hill.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a save and a zero earned run average over 11 2/3 innings. Seventeen batters have been retired by strikeouts against five walks.

After three seasons, the help-wanted sign is back out for the El Reno High School boys basketball program.

Kale Simon handed in his letter of resignation last week for his coaching duties only, and will stay on as assistant principal at Roblyer Learning Center, said El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay.

“His resignation will be voted on at the April school board meeting,” said McVay.

El Reno Athletic Director Rodney Haydon said Simon’s decision caught him off-guard. Simon was his top choice to replace him as the Indians coach at the end of the 2016-17 season.