Jackets’ Ridenour, Kitchens named to OCA All-State team
KHS SENIORS Xavier Ridenour, left, and Caden Kitchens, right, were named to the OCA All-State team last week. The two helped the Jackets to a 52-5 record, a state championship and a semifinal in the last two years. [Photos by Chris Simon/www.simon-sports-
Kingfisher boys basketball coach Jared Reese knew his program would produce at least one allstate selection this year.
He wasn’t so sure about the maximum of two.
Reese can rest assured now.
The Oklahoma Coaches Association on Thursday announced the rosters for its All-State basketball teams.
Kingfisher’s Caden Kitchens and Xavier Ridenour were named as selections for the Large West team, which consists of classes 4A, 5A and 6A.
“I knew both were deserving, but you just are never sure because there’s so many really good players,” Reese said. “There are only 10 spots available and you’re choosing from the state’s three largest classes.”
The Large West will play the Large East at the annual OCA All-State games the last week of July in the Tulsa area.
Kitchens led Kingfisher with 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game during his senior season.
Ridenour averaged 15.0 points, 3.3 boards and 2.5 assists a game.
They guided the Jackets to a 24-4 overall record and to the Class 4A state semifinals where they were defeated 31-29 in overtime by eventual state champion Douglass.
During Kitchens’ and Ridenour’s two years as starters for KHS, the Jackets collected a 52-5 record and won a state championship.
The program went 103-7 in the last four years.
Joining the two on the Large West team were Terry McMorris of Douglass, Brandon Garrison and Percy Green of Del City, Jordan England of Carl Albert, Evan Barber of Westmoore, Zander Baker and C.J. Smith of Putnam City North and Jacobe Johnson of Mustang.
Large East team members are Parker Friedrichsen of Bixby, Connor Dow of Broken Arrow, Jarreth Ingram and Seth Pratt of Tulsa Memorial, Kieler Young of Broken Bow, Codey Petree of Stilwell, Brandon Mann of Owasso, Luke Parish of Tulsa Edison, Lathan Boone of Booker T. Washington and Hayden Smith of Tahlequah.