Dogs Win 2 Of First 3; Rebuilding Lady Dogs 0-5 In Dec. Outings
After a solid, 17-10 season in 2024-25, the Sulphur Bulldogs returned to the floor with experience, depth, and confidence under longtime head coach Grant Bates, who enters his fifth year leading the program. With three returning starters and a roster filled with players who have paid their dues, Bates believes the pieces are in place for another strong run.
“We have a good mix of experience and young and hungry guys,” Bates said. “I think we will have an opportunity to have a good year.”
Leading the Bulldogs is VYPE Top 100 nominee, Bridge Barrett (6-1, Sr.), a proven scorer and one of the most dynamic guards in the state. As a junior, Barrett averaged 22 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, surpassing 1,110 career points. “One of the best guards in the state regardless of classification,” Bates said. “Look for him to have an even bigger year as a senior.”
Sulphur’s senior class also features Colten Cole (6-3, Sr.), Kale Brakefield (6-1, Sr.), and Castin Tully (6-3, Sr.), providing leadership, toughness, and versatility. Cole, the team’s Character Counts athlete, sets the standard daily. “All-time culture guy,” Bates said. “One of the highest characters of any athlete I’ve ever been around, he is an integral part of our success in games and our growth off the court in practice.”
The Bulldogs are deep across the junior class with Ethan Sales (5-10, Jr.), Dugan Gray (6-1, Jr.), Payton Curtis (6-6, Jr.), Jaxxon Beam (6-3, Jr.), Rush Pittman (62, Jr.), and Kaleb Walker (6-1, Jr.) all expected to play meaningful roles. Sophomores Cole Kirby (5-8, So.) and Garin Watson (61, So.) add skill and size, while freshmen Maveric Lowrance (511, Fr.), Lucas Mitchell (5-11, Fr.), and Harrison Taylor (5-11, Fr.) represent the program’s future.
“Ethan is a returning starter for us from last year, great athleticism for his size and takes pride in getting the defensive assignment every night,” said Bates. “A guy who can create game changing momentum with his relentless effort.”
According to Bates, Lowrance is one underclassman already turning heads. “Freshman with a ton of athleticism and a great skill set,” Bates said. “He does a great job on offense getting where he wants to go and defensively, he’s a great competitor with a lot of grit.”
Bates also praised Kirby’s impact at the point. “Cole is a very skilled point guard. He is a gritty defender and a guy on the offensive end that makes everyone better around him with his passing ability,” he said.
With leadership, scoring power, and a strong team culture, Sulphur enters the season ready to compete night in and night out.
Dogs Open Season In Loss To Byng
After Sulphur’s JV team played in the Latta tournament due to the ongoing football playoffs, the Dogs got into the thick of action on Tuesday, Dec. 16 in a narrow loss to Byng.
Byng was Sulphur’s opening game of the year last Tuesday after only one day of practice as players were refocusing after the football state championship game that previous weekend.
“We did not play fundamental basketball on either end,” said Bates. “Credit Byng for their game plan and being able to make more basketball plays than us. We showed a lot of fight late in the game and I was proud of that.”
Bridge Barrett was Sulphur’s leading Sulphur scorer in the game with 26 points as the Dogs fell in a seven-point loss to the Pirates in the opener, 61-54, in the OSD gym.
Team Recovers In Win At Lexington With two days of practice behind them and a taste of basketball in the loss to Byng, the Dogs recovered with a 79-22 win over Lexington last Thursday.
“We got our first really good practice under our belt Wednesday and we came out ready to go defensively,” said Bates. “We made numerous steals and got a bunch of easy ones on the other end, we were able to create offense off our defense which was great to see.”
Again, senior Bridge Barrett led the game with a big, 30-point night, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Following him were sophomore Garin Watson with 11 points, 5 rebounds. Also playing well, especially on defense, were Cole Kirby and Ethan Sales, according to Bates.
Dogs Power Past Pauls Valley, 72-41 The Dogs returned to their temporary home in the OSD gym last Friday, routing Pauls Valley, 72-41.
“They had a good game plan for us and tried to take advantage of our lack of time in the gym with some creative defensive schemes that caught us off guard early,” said Bates.
But Bates said the Dogs made game adjustments and got the momentum to move in their favor, playing solid basketball during a really good middle part of the game.
Sulphur senior Colten Cole was given the key defensive assignment of guarding their experienced, 6’8 center, holding him to just 12 points while adding in 5 assists and 5 rebounds on the other end.
Another Bulldog senior, Kale Brakefield, also had a good game offensively, Bates said. He added 14 points. Sophomore Cole Kirby was another leader for the Dogs in the perimeter offense and defense. He logged 4 steals and 6 assists.
Bates said Barrett capped of his week with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the win over PV.
“It was a great team performance against a well coached ball club,” he said. “We kept getting better and better as the week went on. I’m excited for Christmas break to get more practices in and keep improving.”
Sulphur will now be off a couple of weeks for Christmas and New Year’s holidays before returning to the hardwood in an away game on Tuesday, Jan. 6 vs. Ada. Game-time is 6:30 p.m.
