Oklahoma

At 6 feet 8, 235 pounds, Andrew Fitzgerald is arguably the most recognizable big man on Oklahoma's campus. He goes to Sooners football games and “every other sporting event” on campus that he can. He is an Academic All-Big 12 honoree with a 3.3 GPA majoring in leadership and administration with a minor in history. And on the basketball court, Fitzgerald, a senior power forward, is one of Oklahoma's steadiest performers. In Norman, Fitzgerald found what he was searching for during a high school career that spanned four high schools in four years: stability.

A tornado of epic proportions hit Oklahoma, which claims to have the finest weather forecasting in the nation specifically because of the tornado threat ("Tornado in Oklahoma leaves dozens dead," May 21). These forecasters note when tornadoes are imminent and attempt to save lives through warning. The day after the first tornado hit, and when all the conditions for more tornadoes remained a danger, the children were sent to school like always. Compare this to how Maryland shuts down the state merely on the rumor of snow.

A tornado of epic proportions hit Oklahoma, which claims to have the finest weather forecasting in the nation specifically because of the tornado threat ("Tornado in Oklahoma leaves dozens dead," May 21). These forecasters note when tornadoes are imminent and attempt to save lives through warning. The day after the first tornado hit, and when all the conditions for more tornadoes remained a danger, the children were sent to school like always. Compare this to how Maryland shuts down the state merely on the rumor of snow.

Amazon's hosting service has been approved for government use, a formerly obscure math lecturer has received hard-won praise for an incredible accomplishment, and Oklahoma City is working to dig out from a devastating tornado. Welcome to your online trends report for Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The massive tornado that hit the Oklahoma City region yesterday is believed to have killed at least 51 people, as of this writing. That number is expected to rise as more victims are dug out of the rubble.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma broke up a close game with a 16-4 run to open the second half on the way to an 85-74 win over Coppin State last night before 6,128 at Lloyd Noble Center.It was the season opener for both teams and the Oklahoma coaching debut of Kelvin Sampson, who was hired to replace Billy Tubbs last spring.Oklahoma held a 39-35 halftime lead but came out hot to start the second half, scoring the first 12 points to build a 51-35 lead.That run was too much for Coppin State to overcome.

NORMAN, Okla. -- Coppin State came out throwing up bombs with the hopes of maybe dropping one on the Oklahoma Sooners last night at the Lloyd Noble Center.The strategy worked for more than a half before the Eagles wavered and lost, 79-64.Coppin State (5-5, three losses to Big Eight teams) led by 10 points behind a devil-may-care approach and led, 49-43, with 11 minutes left.Oklahoma (5-1) bounced back, however, making a few three-pointers of its own and eventually romping to its third win in as many games in the past three years against Coppin State.

L ive Arts Maryland delivered with gusto last weekend two performances of "Oklahoma!" that were undamaged by the delay caused by winter storms. Richard Rodgers' music and Oscar Hammerstein's poetic lyrics remain fresh and undimmed by time, gaining additional luster under the direction of J. Ernest Green. The show also featured the Annapolis Chorale, Annapolis Chamber Orchestra, nine stellar soloists, the Annapolis Youth Chorus, and a bright dance troupe from Stage Workz. "Oklahoma!"

The Bowie Playhouse in White Marsh Park is not usually in our bailiwick, but the "Oklahoma!" being offered there by 2nd Star Productions more than justifies the interest of us Arundel types.The cast is full of people from Annapolis, Arnold, Glen Burnie and points in between. And you'll recognize any number of Colonial Players, Summer Garden and Annapolis Opera veterans amid the colorful farmers and cowhands of the old Oklahoma Territory.Also unmistakable is the sassy choreography of Edgewater's Bobbi Smith, who not only directs the local Talent Machine but is one herself.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- He's "Doctor J. with a jump shot, a lock for the 1996 Dream Team," says San Antonio coach John Lucas.He's the one man Detroit wanted in a deal that would have sent Dennis Rodman to Phoenix.He's been called "unstoppable" by Charles Barkley. "He's just amazing."He's Richard Dumas and he's the fastest rising Sun on the Arizona basketball horizon, and he's lucky he hasn't killed himself.That because Dumas has a history of drug and alcohol abuse that dates back to when he was 12 years old."

NORMAN, Okla. -- Nineteenth-ranked Oklahoma took advantage of a five-minute scoring drought by Coppin State in the second half to break open a close game en route to 97-70 victory last night.Coppin State, which played Oklahoma to a 43-43 halftime tie, took its last lead, 47-45, in the opening minute of the second half on a basket by Keith Carmichael. The Sooners then scored 14 unanswered points over the next five minutes to take a 59-47 advantage.Damon Patterson had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead Oklahoma.

The Ravens will be keeping an eye on Oklahoma left offensive tackle Lane Johnson. He is rated the third-best at the position in the draft, and a lot of the experts have predicted he will go in the top 10 picks, but the Ravens might trade up for him at a reasonable cost. The Ravens have some options because they have 12 picks. Johnson is athletic, durable and the pro scouts like his demeanor. He plays with the nastiness of a defensive lineman. After investing so much money in quarterback Joe Flacco during the offseason, the Ravens need a top player to protect his blind side.

SATURDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS MLB exh. Minnesota@Boston MLB1 San Francisco@Oakland MLB4 Seattle vs. Colorado MLB9 NCAA m. Elite 8: teams TBA 13, 94:20 Elite 8: teams TBA 13, 96:55 NCAA w. Sweet 16: Delaware vs. Kentucky ESPNNoon Sweet 16: UConn vs. Maryland ESPN2 Sweet 16: Georgia vs. Stanford ESPN9 Sweet 16: California vs. LSU ESPN211:30 ...

As it brightens the Bowie Playhouse stage, 2nd Star's energetic production of "Oklahoma!" proves that as it nears age 70, this first Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein collaboration has lost little luster. At its 1943 opening, "Oklahoma!" was the first Broadway show to integrate songs into the narrative, changing the musical form forever. In 2nd Star's production, a cast of 37 and a crew of at least 25 deliver this American classic with gusto. Bowie Playhouse boasts an orchestra pit (a rarity in area theaters)

A Pikesville man charged in his grandparents' death last month has been extradited and is being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center, police said. Matthew Charles Long, 31, was transported from Oklahoma Wednesday and is now being held without bail. He faces two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of his grandparents, Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper, on Sept. 10. Long was found unresponsive in a motel room on Sept. 11, near Route 40 in Weatherford, Okla., after he did not check out of the room, authorities there said.

At 6 feet 8, 235 pounds, Andrew Fitzgerald is arguably the most recognizable big man on Oklahoma's campus. He goes to Sooners football games and “every other sporting event” on campus that he can. He is an Academic All-Big 12 honoree with a 3.3 GPA majoring in leadership and administration with a minor in history. And on the basketball court, Fitzgerald, a senior power forward, is one of Oklahoma's steadiest performers. In Norman, Fitzgerald found what he was searching for during a high school career that spanned four high schools in four years: stability.

A note was found with the Pikesville man wanted in connection with his grandparents' death that read, "I am sorry for everything. Please forgive me," police said Tuesday. Matthew Long, 31, who was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Weatherford, Okla., on Sept. 11, was transported from an Oklahoma City hospital to the local county jail and is in the custody of the Oklahoma County sheriff's office, according to a spokeswoman for Integris Baptist Medical Center. Baltimore County police were en route to Oklahoma to interview Long on Tuesday afternoon, said Elise Armacost, a police spokeswoman.

Jockey Steve Hamilton, a fixture on the Maryland racing circuit for nine years, is leaving the state to return to Oklahoma, where he has purchased a 190-acre farm. Known as "The Cowboy" after riding bulls as well as thoroughbreds in Oklahoma, Hamilton won the 1998 Federico Tesio Stakes with Thomas Jo (who later finished third in the Belmont under Chris McCarron) and rode a number of other fine stakes horses, including Mz. Zill Bear (1995 Maryland Million Ladies winner) and grass specialist John's Call.

NORMAN, Okla. -- When Coppin State coach Fang Mitchell made out the Eagles' 1990-91 basketball schedule, he wanted one that would toughen his team for a hopeful repeat trip to the NCAA tournament.So he scheduled road trips to New Mexico and Oklahoma. "I heard New Mexico and Oklahoma were the toughest places in the nation to play," Mitchell said, "the most hostile crowds. I guess we should've gone to Missouri."Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center, filled with a scattered and lethargic crowd, may have been particularly surprised by the Eagles' mettle.

The live-in grandson of a slain elderly couple from Pikesville has been named a suspect after Baltimore County detectives located the 31-year-old in Oklahoma. Police said Matthew Long lived with his grandparents, Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper, who were found dead Monday in their Sudbrook Park home. Authorities in Oklahoma alerted Baltimore County homicide detectives when Long was found in need of medical treatment. Baltimore County police had issued a missing-person alert on Long, which prompted Oklahoma authorities to contact Baltimore County.