Claremore Daily Progress

Sports

Related Photos

February 5, 2010

Program, players developing their full potential

By Rebecca Hattaway

February 5, 2010 — In the few short years since its inception, Rogers State University’s basketball program has been characterized by rapid growth and success.

Two players on the men’s team have been around to witness it all and in the midst of the many changes, Maurice “Mo” Rutherford and Chris Francis have experienced growth of their own.

They were the first to sign with the program when it began in 2006 — and, now juniors, they are the only two that remain from the original squad.

“It was pretty rough at first,” Francis said. “We were having three-hour practices every day and didn’t play a game for one year. It was tough but it has all worked out in the end.”

“We’ve been through a lot,” Rutherford agreed. “Since the first year everything has changed — there are a lot more people on campus and the community’s been pretty good to us too. Of course, winning is a big thing that has changed.”

According to Head Coach Lloyd Williams, winning has brought with it even more changes for the recruitment process.

“If I look back two years ago trying to get kids to come, I’d tell them ‘this is what it’s going to be like.’ It was like trying to look through all the smoke and see the possibilities, show them the dream,” Williams said. “That was the tough thing, but now that they can see our fasttrack to success it makes it a little bit easier because now we can say ‘we’re a winning program and this is just our beginning stages. We have no choice but to get better.’ We’re at the point where we’re making the dream a reality.”

With last season’s number one national ranking, the community has also taken notice.

“You have a big fan base. You can walk into Walmart or any restaurant and people know your name and where you’re from,” said Francis who’s from Vinita. “You also have a lot of fans from back home and get a lot of praise. It keeps your confidence up.”

Both Francis and Rutherford, a native of Broken Bow, have readily stepped up to assume leadership roles within the team — on and off the hardwood.

“Coach knows what we both can do,” Rutherford said. “He expects me to be a leader on the team since I’m the point guard and that’s a big role but I know I can do it. Coach looks at Chris the same way — as he can be a leader too — since we’ve been here the longest. We know how he wants everything done. When recruits come in we have to show them that they’re our brothers and make them feel at home so if they want to come here they know they’ll fit in.”

“When it comes to practice we’ve got to make sure everybody’s energized and real enthusiastic for practice,” Francis added. “Off the court, we show them how we like to have a good time. It’s not a big college so there’s not very much stuff to do, but as a team we’re all pretty close as a family, so we like to hang out with each other, joke around with each other and stuff like that. When we bring our recruits in we like to show them how comfortable Coach is around us, how easy he is to talk to.”

Continuing to develop their leadership potential is something both are committed to.

“My main goal is to lead the team, trying to influence other players to work hard and practice hard every day and have a good attitude on and off the court,” Francis said. “Having a good leader can take a team pretty far — whether it be to the conference championship or to the national championship game, which I’m working towards the national championship game. That’s my goal. Improving in the classroom is always a plus too. That’s one thing I’m trying to focus on. I’ve got one year left so I’m trying to graduate on time and I’m on pace right now.”

“What I need to work on is to come out here and make the team better,” said Rutherford, who’s redshirting due to an injury. “We’ve only got two seniors so everybody’s going to be coming back and have a better feel for each other next year. When I’m back I’m pretty sure I can help out the team.”

Right now their sights are set on finishing the season strong and a repeat performance at the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament in March.

“That was definitely the biggest highlight of my time at RSU so far — winning the conference championship last year and cutting down the net,” Francis said. “Earning a spot on the all-tournament team was one of my highlights too. Hopefully I’ll have a couple more highlights before it’s all over — like cutting down the net at the national championship!”

For all the highs and lows this season, Coach Williams is making the most of the time he has left with two players whose efforts have helped put the basketball program on the map in a very short amount of time.

“I’m always trying to tell our team they’ve got to enjoy these moments and I tell that to myself too because the day that those two are not here is going to be very sad because they’re great kids,” he said. “It’s almost like watching your own kids grow before your eyes. Looking at just Mo and Chris back when they first came I wondered how they were ever going to play here and then the next year I was asking myself how I could manage that play without them because of their leadership qualities. I always look at those two kids and know they’re going to be a success in life because of what they try to do on the basketball court. And they take it from the basketball court and off the floor. I never, ever worry about those two kids because I know they’re doing things the right way.”

Text Only
Sports
  • InolaVsChelsea_216web.jpg Inola’s Hall silences Chelsea

    Inola sophomore guard Travis Hall worked his magic on the outside, while senior post Joe McFeeters dominated the interior.
    The inside-outside combination had 10 points each and helped lead Inola to a 62-43 victory over Chelsea in non-conference action Tuesday night.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • InolaVsChelsea_085cweb.jpg Chelsea slips past Inola, 32-31

    Right down to the wire ... that’s the best way to describe Tuesday’s non-conference battle between Inola and Chelsea.
    The Rogers County rivals gave fans their monies worth as Class 3A No. 12 Chelsea escaped Inola with a 32-31 victory.
    Destany Wooten tallied a team-high 10 points and Halee Tyler added seven to lead Chelsea’s balanced offense.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Sequoyah battles Chelsea tonight

    Bragging rights will be on the line tonight as Claremore Sequoyah hosts Chelsea in a non-conference battle at Olan Graham Fieldhouse.
    Game times are set for 6:30 and 8 p.m.

    February 9, 2012

  • RSU visits NWOSU tonight

    With only six games left in the regular season, the Rogers State University basketball teams are looking for a confidence boost heading into March Madness.
    The RSU men and women travel to Northwestern Oklahoma State University tonight for a Sooner Athletic Conference doubleheader in Alva.
    Game times are set for 6 and 8 p.m., and fans can follow the action via the internet on www.rsuhillcats.com/live.

    February 9, 2012

  • SEC announces 2012 softball TV schedule

    The Southeastern Conference  announced its 2012 SEC Softball television schedule which includes 30 games on ESPN, five on ESPN2 and 13 on ESPNU. The regional schedule includes six games on FOX Sports Net/SportSouth and six games on CSS.

    The University of Arkansas will be televised on FOX Sports Net/SportsSouth on Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m. against Auburn, which will be played in Auburn, Ala.

    February 9, 2012

  • Ex-Lady Razorback signs with Silver Stars

    The San Antonio Silver Stars have signed seven-year WNBA veteran Shameka Christon, head coach and general manager Dan Hughes announced today. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

    A 6-2 forward originally selected by the New York Liberty in the first round (5th overall) of the 2004 WNBA Draft, Christon has averaged 11.5 points per game with 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest in 207 career games.

    Christon currently works with the Razorback women's basketball team as a color analyst for the radio network.

    February 9, 2012

  • Diamond Hogs to appear on TV 16 times this spring

    The fourth-ranked University of Arkansas baseball team will appear on TV at least 16 times during the 2012 season, including eight appearances as part of the Southeastern Conference television package, released on Wednesday morning.

    In addition to the Razorbacks’ eight appearances on the SEC television schedule, Arkansas will make eight appearances on Cox Sports Television (CST) as part of its partnership with the regional cable network. Final selections for the Razorbacks’ CST package are being finalized and those games will be announced at a later date.

    February 9, 2012

  • Arkansas softball opens season at Baylor Tournament

    The Arkansas Razorback softball team opens its 2012 campaign with a road trip to Waco, Texas to play in the Getterman Classic hosted by Baylor University.

    The Razorbacks will face five teams over the course of the weekend beginning with Belmont on Friday at 10 a.m. The other four teams include UTA, also on Friday at 1 p.m., Iowa on Saturday at 10 a.m., No. 7 Baylor the same day at 12:30 p.m. and finally wrapping up the weekend with Wichita State on Sunday at 11a.m.

    February 9, 2012

  • OSU trio claims Pony Express Award

    The Pony Express Award Selection Committee has announced the Oklahoma State trio of quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Joseph Randle and wide receiver Justin Blackmon as the recipients of the inaugural 2011 Pony Express Award. This is the first season for the award, honoring teammates for their hard work and dedication on and off the field. The offensive teammates led the Cowboys to a top-five ranking in total offense and passing offense, helping Oklahoma State to the school's first Big 12 championship, BCS bowl appearance and win.

    February 9, 2012

  • Cowgirls end three-game losing streak

    Oklahoma State's women's basketball team snapped its three-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 53-49 win over Texas Tech in front of 2,037 fans inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
    With the win, the Cowgirls improved to 13-7 overall and 5-6 in Big 12 play. Texas Tech dipped to 16-7 and 4-7.

    February 9, 2012