Wednesday, January 6, 2020
Inside a victorious locker room How the Cowgirls celebrate a win By Ben Hutchens The sound of a doorhandle puts a boisterous party on hold. After a win, the OSU women’s basketball team will retreat to their locker room, while coach Jim Littell lags slightly behind. The previously empty room quickly fosters a celebratory atmosphere as 14 Cowgirls jump around, snap white Gatorade towels at one another and let their emotions uncoil after a tense game. “I think it’s, we’re all hype and then we hear the door handle, and everybody calms down for a second, and as soon as (Littell) opens the door, just everybody yelling, screaming,” OSU sophomore Kassidy De Lapp said. According to De Lapp, the postgame celebrations are usually led by senior Natasha Mack and junior Ja’Mee Asberry. “I think Mack gets really hyped, Ja’Mee gets really hyped and I think those two kind of lead it, and everybody feeds off of their energy,” De Lapp said. Senior Abbie Winchester is one of the players known to feed off the energy in a locker room. De Lapp mentioned that Winchester will give a “rah rah” scream after wins that adds to the celebration. Littell said that early in his coaching career, after a win, he would too quickly turn his thoughts to the next game without taking a moment to enjoy the victory. At this point in his career, Littell and the Cowgirls don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy success. “This game can be really hard at times but then it needs to be fun and you need to take a little while and enjoy the successes that you have because it’s hard to get wins in (the Big 12) and you better enjoy it when you get them,” Littell said. As many OSU students know, not all parties are created equal, and the same goes for locker room celebrations. The best locker room party De Lapp has been a part of was after OSU’s 57-55 victory over West Virginia last season in
OSUWBB celebrates Oklahoma State WBB's victory over Texas Tech on January 2, 2021.
Morgantown. The Cowgirls came into the game missing many key players because of injuries, in fact, De Lapp didn’t even play after breaking her hand earlier that week. In the game, OSU had several bench players step up to play critical minutes down the stretch. “We just went into the locker room and everybody was just jumping around because it was just such a cool game (because we realized), ‘Wow, we are such a deep team.’ The energy in that locker room at an away game was so cool,” De Lapp said. Littell said that although the locker room celebration was great when OSU beat Purdue to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2014 NCAA Tournament and when the Cowgirls won the 2012 WNIT tournament, his favorite locker rooms are after Beldam wins. The energy in the locker room after a Bedlam win is unmatched, and the only thing that kept players dousing their coach in water after the Cowgirls’ win in Norman earlier this year was Littell shouting he didn’t have a change of clothes.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Ryan Novozinsky The official Oklahoma coronavirus database on Tuesday reported 455 active cases in Stillwater. These new numbers bring the city’s total cases to 4,642 with 15 deaths and 4,172 recoveries. On the state level, the health department reported 1,497 new cases, bringing the total confirmed positive cases to 308,268. The state also reported 19 new COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 2,571. There have been 271,693 total recoveries since COVID reached Oklahoma in March. Oklahoma state officials are encouraging Oklahomans to wash their hands, stay away from sick individuals and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The virus is primarily spread from person-to-person with symptoms usually appearing two to 14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. news.ed@ocolly.com
However, not every game ends with a victory, and not every postgame locker room has a celebratory feel. The feel of the locker room has a lot to do with what transpired on the court. “If you went out there and didn’t do your best and you know it and you just made a lot of mistakes and didn’t really compete to the best of your ability, that locker room is quiet,” De Lapp said. For the Cowgirls, a great locker room celebration does not occur because players start spraying water bottles or jumping around. A good celebration happens for the same reasons a locker room can feel so melancholy after a loss: what the team did before arriving to the locker room. “I think there’s two things (that make a postgame locker room fun),” Littell said. “When you’ve prepared and earned it. The preparation that you’ve done to get the win and then just winning, there’s just nothing like that.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 2 Wednesday, January 6, 2020
Lifestyle
How to be “strategic” with your major Career ideas for strategic communications majors By Maddison Farris If you are anything like the typical college student, you spend a decent amount of time thinking about your future and how your college degree will benefit you in the long run. If your degree is in marketing, you probably know what you’re doing, but if you’re an English major, you’ve probably jumped around a bit. Let’s meet in the middle and talk about strategic communications majors. These people have big dreams but may go back and forth on what they think they want to do. The options are endless because the degree is so broad, but here are a few suggestions for reliable jobs that will be straight-up thriving in 2021.
Social Media Manager If you currently have an Instagram or Twitter account, chances are you’re already qualified for this job. As a social media manager, you can use your innovative design and media skills to make eye-catching posts that will give whatever product or brand you’re selling a strong boost. Within Instagram, there is a lot of creative freedom within the Instagram market, and a lot of room for persuasive writing on Twitter. This job is a great way to start your career, and if you already use social media regularly, you already know what you’re doing!
brand strategist I’m sure you’ve heard of being an “influencer” or “brand ambassador” on Instagram, and this job isn’t too far from that. As a brand strategist, you get to utilize your creative tendencies to unify a company and get their products trending. The job title is pretty self-explanatory, and this career path leaves room for you to change your mind down the line and pursue something along the lines of marketing or personal relations.
Event planner If you are a very organized, social and timely person who loves a good adrenaline rush every now and then, then this job is for you! No two events are ever the same so you’re always working with fresh material! Event planning means dealing with people 24/7, so you’re social battery needs to be long-lasting. Events allow you to work with many different aspects such as logistics like parking and sales permits but also fun things like decorations and entertainment vendors. There are many options within the event planning realm including corporate events, conventions, parties and even weddings, so the options are endless.
ACTIVE FAITH! (Part #2) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Heb.11: NIV) These Ancients of the Bible were commended for their faith. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Gen.6:9 NIV) He believed God existed and God rewarded those who diligently sought him. His faith brought immediate action. (Heb.11:8) He did not put the building of the ark on a long “to do” list. It took 100 years to build. During that time he constantly spoke of the judgement that was coming. (2 Pet.2:5) This was the situation in Noah’s day. How about our day? Do we believe God exists? To so many, God is something of the past; one you give an hour or so every Sunday morning, because of tradition, but he does not truly count
for much in life. So this moves us to turn to things that have only temporary pleasure, and build our life activities around them. Noah and others mentioned in Heb. 11, were looking for something lasting, something God had promised. They realized they were strangers and pilgrims; living here for a short time. They were living for something better. (Heb.11:13-16) It is so worthwhile to read and reread the New Testament and consider what was the hope of the early Christian leaders; they passed on to all the believers. It was not centered in this present life. They were “running a race;” living a life centered in the example of Jesus himself, and in those who walked with him during his earthly life. We can do the same; live for the eternal, present ourselves to Christ, and let him use us to bear lasting fruit.
sports
Issac Likekele, Avery Anderson, and Kalib Boone celebrate during Oklahoma State's loss to West Virginia in Gallagher-Iba Arena on January 4, 2021.
Notebook: Cowboys slide in second half against West Virignia By Grant Ramirez Cade Cunningham watched helplessly from the sidelines as the Cowboys launched their lastsecond desperation heave clank off the rim. If Cunningham hadn’t fouled out with 31 seconds left, he would have certainly had the ball in his hands on the Cowboys’ final possession. Center Kalib Boone, who fouled out a few minutes earlier, joined Cunningham on the bench. Foul trouble wasn’t why OSU blew their 19-point secondhalf lead against West Virginia, but it definitely hurt them down the stretch. OSU’s two biggest players were tasked with defending West
Virginia center Derek Culver for the majority of the game. When Boone fouled out, it left Cunningham with four fouls as the only player with size to guard him, but Cunningham’s four fouls kept him from defending and rebounding as aggressively as normal. Bernard Kouma received a few crunch time minutes, but he was subbed out after providing little resistance. Cade and Ice The first 30 minutes of the game offered a glimpse at just how special a backcourt pairing Cunningham and Isaac Likekele could be. Likekele was ferocious in attacking the paint early on, scoring 16 first-half points. Over the past two games, he has certainly
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taken coach Mike Boynton’s message to be more aggressive to heart. Opposite him, Cunningham played maybe his best game in an OSU uniform before he succumbed to foul trouble. He was efficient on offense and stout on defense, scoring 25 points to go with nine rebounds and three assists. If the backcourt pairing can play like this on a consistent basis, it will be a matchup nightmare for the Big 12. Fumbled last chance opportunities Even after the Cowboys blew their lead, they still had a quality chance to tie the game but failed to execute. West Virginia split a pair of
free throws with 27 seconds left which kept it a one-possession game. Bryce Williams was inexplicably fouled near half-court. Just two seconds later. It would have allowed the Cowboys to score without taking time off the clock, but Williams missed the free throw. On the final possession, down by three, Rondel Walker hoisted a low percentage fadeaway 3-pointer before the ball was rebounded by Keylan Boone. Instead of kicking the ball out for another chance to tie with time on the clock, Boone wildly threw up a putback attempt that wouldn’t have mattered even if it went in. sports.ed@ocolly.com
FOR RELEASE JANUARY 6, 2021
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
Help Wanted Tulsa manufacturing company looking for
Business Squares “We are seeking sponsors for the new Little Free Library Stillwater Program! #LFLStillwater For more allied.arts@ okstate.edu
extra cash? Visit become a donor today! Located on Washington Street and open everydayeven weekends!” Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on Downtown Stillwater
Business Squares
Business Squares
4pm-9pm you can get steak, a side of your choice, and a salad bar, all for only $10 at Freddie
of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come
Visit us for more information at http:// freddiepauls.com or give us a call at 405-377-8777. See ya there!
Shop located on
Church Meetings
Free Wi-Fi, great place to study, free bottled water and keurig coffee! Fun board games and card games only walking distance
Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services! Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”
Coffee House at 519 W. 3rd Ave is open
Join the
Come see us on campus corner and
Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”
Furniture Showcase is Furniture & Mattress Store! Located in Downtown Stillwater, we can help you design any room. Visit http://Stillwater FurnitureShowcase.com to see more!
UKirk university group at First Presbyterian Church meets every week! Join us for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.! For more information or for Zoom access, visit us at stillwaterfpc.com
Promote your business here. Business Squares are a great way to get your business noticed. Call Lori at 744-7355 or email lori@ocolly.com
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Capital of Morocco 6 Green military symbol 11 Energy one might run out of 14 Humiliate 15 Napoleon on St. Helena, e.g. 16 Squeeze bunt stat 17 Soda debut of 2002 19 Consume 20 Cadillac’s answer to the Navigator 21 Table input 22 Useless, now 23 “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Tony and Emmy winner 27 Froze, with “up” 29 Foreign 30 Harry Potter nemesis Malfoy 33 Fishing spot 34 Wane 37 Feel bad 38 Security guard Paul Blart, in a 2009 film title 41 Anguish 42 Holiday tuber 43 Stratagem 44 Mork’s leader on Ork 46 1943 penny metal 48 Fuss 50 Judge’s research aide 53 West Point, briefly 57 Way out 58 “Her résumé is clean and checks out” 60 Off-road transp. 61 Station identifiers, and a hint to each set of circles 64 Historic start? 65 Tatum of “Paper Moon” 66 Send payment 67 Road crew’s supply 68 Rolls to the runway 69 “Golden Boy” author Clifford
1/6/21
By Jerry Edelstein
DOWN 1 Cast-pleasing reviews 2 Disconcert 3 Place to save in Sevilla 4 Like some elephants 5 Relate 6 Adorned with tiny spheres 7 Get all A’s 8 Spain’s Ebro, por ejemplo 9 Lodge member 10 Top with a slogan 11 “That’s wonderful to hear!” 12 Wane 13 Indian strings 18 HOV __ 21 “The Chronic” Dr. 24 Secular 25 Role for Liz 26 Apple earbud 28 Force 30 Labor __ 31 Narrow waterway 32 Charitable sort 33 Perform diligently 35 Sound meant to startle 36 Big __
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
39 d’Urberville rake murdered by Tess 40 Laze about 45 Forced out of bed 47 Ankle art, often 48 Internet troublemakers 49 “The Grapes of Wrath” character 50 Jumped
1/6/21
51 Face in the crowd, in film 52 Zhou who hosted Nixon 54 “See if I care!” 55 Be worthy of 56 Aides: Abbr. 59 Space City ALer 61 Foldable bed 62 “SNL” alum Gasteyer 63 Evil Luthor
Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (01/06/21). Your income and prosperity rise this year. -
Level 1
2
3
4
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate creatively.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Balance a busy schedule
Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Declutter, organize and and attics. Nurture health and happiness. Relax and have fun. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Your friends are your suMars in Taurus. Connect and share the load. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take bold action. Pour energy
groove. Travel conditions seem tricky. An educational exploration engag-
1/6/21
Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Savor peaceful moments to in Taurus. Work together for a shared vision.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Put your heart into your
cially satisfy.
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Page 6 Wednesday, January 6, 2020
sports Cowboys meltdown in another home conference game
Chris Becker Oklahoma State has played in two Big 12 conference games inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, and it has blown second halves leads in both of them. The Cowboys blew a 19-point second half lead to West Virginia and fell to the No. 14 Mountaineers 87-84 on Monday night. The loss takes the Cowboys to 7-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play. In all three of the OSU losses, the team held a lead of eight or more points at some point in the second half, but this one hurts the most. “We should’ve won the game, there’s no two ways about it,” coach Mike Boynton said. “We played well enough for 32 minutes, and to clearly be the better team tonight, I hope one thing our guys take away from it is we’ve got to finish. It’s a 40-minute game.” With 11:15 left in the game, Rondel Walker hit two free throws to put the Cowboys up 19 points on the Mountaineers. In that moment, everything seemed to be clicking for the Cowboys. Then all of a sudden, it wasn’t. West Virginia went on a 11-0 run fueled by some turnovers for the Cowboys. In a blink of an eye, the Cowboys lead was dissipated, and they were playing from behind. “We got too comfortable, really,” Cade Cunningham said. “We have to respect the game. We have to play the right way, and if you don’t, it’s going to come back and bite you. We didn’t do that, we had too many turnovers. It starts with me, I had five being the primary ball handlers, me and (Isaac Likekele), it starts with us.” In the loss, Likekele had his highest scoring night of the season with 22 on 9-of-14 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and four assists. The Cowboys have emphasized in recent weeks getting Likekele more involved in the offense. In the previous two games, Likekele has averaged 19.5 points and 3.5 assists. “I’m just going out there and playing,” Likekekle said. “I’m doing less thinking and just playing. I’m going off my first instinct. These guys keep telling me, I need to play at my best for us to be our best, so I’m just trying to go in and give them that everyday.” The Cowboys don’t have long to stew over this loss with their next game being Saturday at Kansas State, but the team led by Cunningham and Likekele will be ready for battle. “We’ll be back,” Cunningham said before ending the postgame conference. Rondel Walker looks at his teammates during Oklahoma State's loss to West Virginia in Gallagher-Iba Arena on January 4, 2021.
sports.ed@ocolly.com