Charger Pride

Congratulations to Coach Eric Savage and the 2007-2008 Tulsa Memorial Chargers.
The Chargers upset Putnam City and their superstar Xavier Henry in the first round enroute to winning their 4th Oklahoma Boys Basketball State Championship. Playing in the state's largest division, 6A, the Chargers stingy defense led them to the Gold Ball.

After knocking off Putnam, who had not lost to an Oklahoma team all year, the Chargers came back to knock off last year's State Champion, Midwest City, in the semifinals.

They capped off their season with a decision over Putnam City NORTH in the Championship game.

Congrats to Coach Savage!

Brian DeBose was an unlikely key figure in the game as he entered from the bench and scored 7 quick points to boost Memorial into an early lead. DeBose used to play on my driveway with my son and other neighbors, and even donned the Tulsa Celtics jersey for a a few tournaments back in middle school. A super nice young man who is a lights out shooter, came through in the biggest game of his young career. Playing at the Ford Center before a large throng, in the televised game, he showed no stage fright! Way to go BD!!!

Keith Lucas coached his son Austin beginning in elementary school. He coached the Eagles, along with Herm DePass for years. If Austin wasn't wearing an Eagles uniform, he could often be found in the Celtics greeen. Likewise, my son Brock would play many tourneys with the Eagles, along with Brock's current point guard Alan Santos, junior starting guard for Holland Hall. Austin was a key figure for the Memorial Chargers run to State. Like DeBose, he didn't always start the game. However, in a game that very few if any outside of the Charger camp believed they could win, Austin was the key figure in leading the Chargers as they pulled off the stunner at this years State Tourney by eliminating the previously thought to be invincible Putnam City squad.

Lucas manned up with Xavier Henry. Four or five inches shorter, Lucas held Henry to 2 field goals and 9 total points. If you were unaware, Henry has been talked about since 7th grade. He has been rated as being one of the TOP 10 shooting guards in the country. He will possibly end up at Kansas, where older brother C.J. committed but never played a game. He is tall, rangy, deft passer, can knock down three's and take it to the hole and finish. No doubt he is something special; but Thursday night in Oklahoma City, Lucas is the one that put on the special performance.

[Side note about HENRY; brother C.J. had committed to the Kansas Jayhawks but detoured to Major League Baseball when he was drafted in the first round and signed about a $ 3 million dollar contract with the Yankees. Disappointed in his first few years, there have been rumblings that C.J. might return to his true love, basketball, after next season. Why then? So he could join brother Xavier at ??? well , who knows....KANSAS? ....sounds feasible to me...but will definitely be interesting to watch.]

Cameron Downing, sophomore post man for the Chargers is pretty special himself. I've watched him develop over the last 3-4 years while playing in the division just below the Celtics in many Hardwood Productions tournaments, and AAU ball. Following him in the paper, I saw the production he was getting on the scoreboard and rebounding. I visited my old high school gym in January to witness up close the Chargers battle with East Central and their talented squad. Downing held his own. Guessing that he will be one of the top post men in the state in 2010, if not the TOP post, is not going too far out on a limb.

Coach Savage had this Charger squad ready and focused. One interesting note is that Union and Jenks, who both also qualified for the 6A State tourney only to lose in the first round, each had some "CHARGER" flavor in their lineups. Ryan Carter and Anthony Harris, cousins, were the starting guards for Memorial last year. They each defected to two of the top programs in NE Oklahoma. Wow!! I guess the program is in pretty good shape under Coach Savage.

As a member of the Chargers first ever State Championship during my senior year of 1974, I know the memories this squad made over the weekend will be with them forever. What a thrill and great accomplishment for Coach Savage and his team. You guys sure were fun to watch!