BTW Hoops Standout Follows in Dad/Coach’s Footsteps by Taking His Talents to Norman

By MIKE MOGUIN
GTR Sports Writer

Oklahoma Sooner basketball fans have something to look forward to next season when current Booker T. Washington standout Trey Phipps arrives on campus.
Phipps, the son of BTW boys coach Conley Phipps, is a key player in the Hornets’ starting lineup. His performance is a factor in his team’s 6-2 start. He scored 42 points in the Hornets Class 6A state championship final victory last March.
Having grown up as an OU fan, Phipps signed with the program on Nov. 13 at a ceremony at BTW.
“It was an easy decision,” Phipps said. “It’s my dream school. They have a great staff and great program. It was an easy decision.
“I attended a bunch of games. I’ve been to the campus a lot,” he added.
He already has a history of connections at Oklahoma. His father was on the Sooners’ rosters for two seasons (1985-87) in the Billy Tubbs era.
At one time, Phipps was going to stay in town and play at The University of Tulsa. But he decommitted from TU in July once OU came calling.
He has gotten to know current Sooners’ coach Lon Kruger
“Oh yeah, he’s the best,” Phipps said. “He’s the best in the business. Great coach, great man, I’m excited.”
Phipps has had the privilege of meeting the likes of former Sooner standouts Buddy Hield and Trae Young.
“I met those guys,” he said. “They’re awesome.”
He has also gotten to know some of the current freshmen on the team.
“I’ve gotten to know a bunch of their freshmen. Victor (Iwaukor) and Jalen Hill, De’Vion Harman they’re awesome. They had a six-man class last year, they’re great players, great teammates. I’m excited.”
For now, Phipps and his teammates are focused on winning another state championship in March.
In an 89-55 domination of Bixby on Dec. 17 at home, Phipps led BTW with 23 points.
“I think as a team we played great,” he said. “My teammates played awesome. We played hard, we defended, so it was a good performance.”
This season has had its ups and downs, Phipps said, but he also acknowledged how it is still early.
“Every season has its own difficulties,” Phipps said. “But we’ll continue to work through them and we’ll get better.
“We need to play together and play defense. That’s going to be our key to a new gold ball,” he said.

Hornet Quick Hits
Hester sticks with Mizzou: Despite a coaching change at the University of Missouri, Booker T. Washington football player J.J. Hester stuck with his decision to play with the Tigers.
Hester, a wide receiver, committed to Mizzou in September, but speculation rose up on whether he would flip or not when the school made a coaching change after its 2019 season ended. Missouri relieved Barry Odom as coach after the 2019 season. He was replaced with the hiring Eliah Drinkwitz, who previously coached at Appalachian State. Hester announced his decision in a ceremony at BTW on Dec. 18.