PIRATES CROWN THEIR QUEEN
There was plenty of pomp and circumstance on Homecoming night with the crowning of this year’s basketball queen Ralea Brooksher who was escorted by co-captains Brady Thomas and Ty Bliss. Other members of the Queen’s court include senior attendants Kynzi Terrell escorted by Jackson Duke, Shelby Summerlin escorted by Blue Steward, Kristen Ward escorted by Noah Cooper, Autumn McEver escorted by Keigan Reid and Kandi Messer escorted by Aidan Dickerson joined by junior attendant Aspyn Cearly escorted by Bryson Thouvenel, sophomore attendant Oaklei Thornton escorted by Journey Shells and freshman attendant Ricki Huckaby escorted by Jagger Moore. The flower girl was Skylar Harris while Stetson Perry was crown bearer.
GRIDIRON HERO
Pressed into a starter’s role during his junior season, Pirates quarterback Zane Craighead answered the call to duty. The 6-1, 180 senior’s poise and guidance to success has earned Craighead a spot on the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-Star by Class lineup. Over the two seasons, the Pirates were 19-2 with Craighead at quarterback whose statistics include a combined 1,851 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns plus 1488 yards passing 21 scoring completions. One of just two seniors, Craighead was named District A-8 Offensive Player of the Year.
GORE GOES TO THE MAT
Wrestling is the newest sport to find success as the Pirates had eight athletes, all but two in their first year of wrestling, take to the mat in an abbreviated schedule including only two duals and wrestling in the tradition rich Maverick Conference tournament. Beau Brown (126-Jr), Christian (Skelly) O’Connor (145-Jr), Chet Ambercrombie (132-So), Alex Hallum (145-Jr), Tyler Lane (152-Jr), Liam Edwards (160-Jr), Cass Moore (285-Jr), and Garrett Douthit (285-Jr).
“Christian and Garrett were our only athletes with wrestling experience. Both of them were helpful in regards to helping advance their teammates’ knowledge of the sport and helped lead us to two dual victories in our first season,” said head coach Eric Douthit. “All of our wrestlers are involved in powerlifting. I believe their commitment to hard work in the weight room transferred to the wrestling room and I’m excited for next year.”
Program depth is expected to develop thanks to the efforts seven junior high wrestlers including Benson Hunt, Kavery Bracket, Cole Brooksher, Devon Mannon, Harley Pease, Kaydin and Blaydin McCartney, an eighth grader who went undefeated (7-0) including winning the 170-pound class in the Maverick Tournament.
PIRATES STRONG
Competing in the small school division, Gore powerlifting captured the runner-up team award as nine Pirates won points including Chester Ambercrombie (132-2nd), Tyler Lane (145-1st), Alex Hallum (157-1st), Marcel Perry (157-3rd), Mike McAlister (181-3rd), Zane Craighead (181-4th), Gunner Dozier (198-2nd), Garrett Douthit (275) and Nick Wolf (HWT-3rd).
