Ultimate consolation prize
KHS doesn’t repeat at OSU, but 2 Jackets nab offers
Bijan Cortes & Matthew Stone
Kingfisher didn’t repeat as champion of the Oklahoma State University team basketball camp last weekend, but a pair of Yellowjackets came away with something even more valuable.
Class 6A’s Edmond Memorial edged KHS in the tournament championship Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena to claim the title among teams playing in the elite-level bracket.
However, after the finale, OSU head coach Mike Boynton called Kingfisher’s Bijan Cortes and Matthew Stone into his office.
He then offered scholarships to the pair of Yellow-jackets, both of whom will be juniors at KHS this fall.
“I was so excited and grateful,” said Stone. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
Cortes said the fact he was offered alongside his teammate made the offer mean that much more.
“It made it even better because we’re always in the gym working together and it’s showing,” Cortes. “It was exciting.”
Offers are nothing new to the KHS duo.
Cortes made waves in May when he was offered by the University of Oklahoma. Head coach Lon Kruger extended the offer when Cortes visited the Norman campus.
He’s also got an offer from Tulsa University and Oral Roberts University.
Stone, meanwhile, garnered an offer from TU prior to the one from OSU.
“I was extremely pleased to see them get the offers,” KHS head coach Jared Reese said. “They’ve both put in a lot of work and it’s great to see it pay off for them in this way.
“It’s a big deal for them, their families and our program.”
Both Cortes and Stone have been two-year starters for the Jackets.
During that time, KHS has gone 56-2. The Jackets were 4A state champs in 2019 and the runners-up in 2018.
In his sophomore season, Stone averaged 13.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals a contest.
The 6-foot-4 guard-forward shot 73.2 percent from 2-point range and 37.1 from beyond the arc.
Cortes was Kingfisher’s primary ball-handler while averaging 11.0 points, 4.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
The 6-foot-2 guard became a highlight reel waiting to happen while shooting 63.9 percent from inside the arc, 43.9 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.