Oklahoma
Oklahoma Wesleyan men’s basketball prepares for another postseason run
Following last year’s run to the NAIA National Championship game, Oklahoma Wesleyan had the tough task of replacing not one, but two All-Americans. Now one year later, the Eagles have a better record and are back in the national title conversation.
“To be where we’re at right now is just honestly halfway a miracle that we’re in a great situation like we are,” says head coach Donnie Bostwick.
That situation…a number five national ranking, and a 23-3 record.
“People talk about a lot of little things that separate you and stuff. We just keep talking God, keep talking hard work, and it keeps paying off,” says Bostwick.
The Eagles feature a roster that is 15 players deep, has the 20th best scoring defense in the country, while averaging more than 81 points per game.
“We just ask guys to sacrifice a little bit of playing time to play harder,” adds Bostwick. “Possessions are more valuable than time on the clock, so make your possessions more valuable. And over a period of time, we’ve been able to win a lot of close games.”
With Saturday’s 36-point win over York on Senior Day, the Eagles clinched their 5th straight KCAC title, and more importantly, punched their ticket to the national tournament for the 19th straight year.
“It’s just so motivating to keep the streak and keep the culture alive here. I think it runs for everybody. Everybody wants to keep it going, and obviously it’s just another notch to the belt, but we’re not done, we’re not done yet,” says redshirt junior forward Nick Bene.
The ultimate goal is to add another national championship banner to the wall, and the extra motivation comes from last year’s runner-up finish.
“We want the red one, we want the big one. We want to get the natty this year. It definitely pushes us every day. Some days you don’t want to go to practice, or you’re tired, or you’re hurting, or you might have a little bit of injuries, but pushing through that injury, or that pain, or that tiredness so we can host that for all the seniors,” says junior guard Yashi McKenzie.
Current NAIA national tournament projections have the Eagles as a one-seed and hosting a regional in Bartlesville. Head coach Donnie Bostwick doesn’t want his team looking that far ahead, but he likes having those goals in front of his team.
“Destiny’s in our own hands. Last year, we had to go all the way to Iowa. They didn’t give us much love with Lietzke going down mid-season. That was our path. God had a great plan; it made our story even greater, I think. But I’d love to play our regional here and have our legs a little more under us so maybe we can even finish the job this year and go all the way.”
With just two games remaining in the regular season, Oklahoma Wesleyan is using the same mentality that led to last year’s success: focus on faith, not wins and losses.
“They felt that. They continue that same focus on him. You don’t focus on losing, you don’t focus on winning, you just focus on him. Losing makes you have fear; winning gives you too much pride. So we just focus on each other, and joy, and a lot of other things. You win the little battles, you win the big battles usually,” says Bostwick.
Oklahoma
523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed
Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.
FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home
Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.
How many animals were rescued and what species were found?
Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.
What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?
The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.
What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?
The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.
Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?
The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.
What is the status of the criminal investigation, and are additional charges expected?
Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search. No word if the men will face charges for the animals.
Oklahoma
Texas A&M makes massive splash in transfer portal landing Oklahoma LHP
Texas A&M baseball made a massive splash in the transfer portal Friday morning with the pickup of a premier left-hander from a Southeastern Conference foe.
Oklahoma southpaw Trent Collier is returning to his home state to play for the Aggies in 2027, according to reports from TexAgs’ Richard Zane. Collier pitched for the national-championship-winning Sooners this past season, posting a 3.80 ERA through 23.2 innings pitched and striking out 28 hitters. He was called upon for two appearances in Oklahoma’s postseason run to the national title, allowing no hits with two strikeouts against Georgia Tech and North Carolina.
Collier will come to Bryan-College Station to pitch for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies as a junior for head coach Michael Earley in 2027.
Rebuilding a depleted pitching staff was one of the top priorities for Earley this offseason, after posting a 5.24 team ERA in 2026. Collier is the sixth pitcher to commit to the Aggies out of the transfer portal and the ninth overall addition.
The lefty from Prosper, Texas, began his college career at Weatherford Junior College before landing with the Sooners. He made eight appearances, including nine starts, and earned second-team all-conference for recording a 2.65 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 68.0 innings.
After the program parted ways with Jason Kelly, following the regional final loss to USC in College Station, new pitching coach Barry Enright has reeled in some of the top-rated pitchers in the country this offseason, including Collier. The former Sooners star will have the opportunity to develop under Enright, who had stints in the MLB with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Oklahoma
Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, dozens of animals seized from Oklahoma City home
Four people are in custody after Oklahoma City police seized approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and removed dozens of animals from a home in southeast Oklahoma City on Thursday.
Police executed what they confirmed was a drug-related search warrant at a home near Southeast 15th Street and High Avenue. Authorities have not released information about what led investigators to the residence.
Drug Investigation Leads to Large Seizure
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the home during the search.
Police said at least four people were taken into custody. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested or any related charges.
Numerous Animals Removed From Property
Alongside the drug investigation, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers assisted in removing numerous animals from the property.
News 9 cameras captured at least 20 dogs being taken from the home, including one wearing a muzzle. Police said a horse, cats, chickens and snakes were also removed.
Neighbors watched as officers spent hours at the residence.
“This is crazy. Like this is literally crazy,” said Nisha who lives nearby.
Another resident said she saw several people in handcuffs but did not initially know what was happening.
“I saw a couple men in handcuffs. I had no idea what was going on until my neighbor,” Dora Garcia said.
Neighbors say they were aware the home had dogs but were shocked by everything else discovered.
“I knew they had dogs. Everybody over here knew they had dogs, but the rest of this is just mind-boggling,” Nisha said.
She also expressed concern about how close the investigation was to her homes.
“Too close for comfort. Way too close for comfort,” Nisha said.
Investigation Continues
Police said the search warrant was related to a drug investigation but have not released additional details about why officers targeted the home.
The investigation remains ongoing. Oklahoma City police said additional information about those in custody is expected to be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story.
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