Ripple takes job at Southeastern Oklahoma

            Barton County assistant women's basketball coach Jacob Ripple will be leaving Barton for a similar position at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. Ripple is leaving after three years as an assistant at Barton.

            Southeastern Oklahoma is an NCAA Division II school, which finished last season as the national runner-up, losing to California Poly Pomona in the championships game. The Savages finished the year with a 27-7 mark.

            "I think this is a great opportunity for me to step into a great place and get my feet wet at a four-year school," Coach Ripple said. "I wouldn't have left Barton for just any program. Southeastern is a place that has great tradition."

            The Savages have won four Lone Star Conference titles since joining the league five years ago. SOSU is coached by long-time veteran Nick Keith. Keith has been in charge of the Savage women's program for 21 years, notching 380 career wins in that time. Prior the success in the Lone Star and NCAA Division II, the Savages were a force in NAIA basketball, finishing as national runner-up in 1995 and 96.

            "We are very pleased to have Jake," Coach Keith said. "I think he is a dynamic young man who is going to go far in basketball. He has a great handle on the recruiting process. We will use him for that as well as coaching on the floor for us."

            It is the recruitment that aided in Ripples decision to move on to a 4-year school.

            "I kind of like the idea of not have to recruit eight or nine kids every year," Ripple said.

            During Ripple's three seasons as an assistant coach at Barton County, the Cougars were 65-37, including a 5th place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament in 2000. Prior to his stint at Barton, Ripple was an assistant coach at Neosho County for one season and a graduate assistant at Sterling College for three seasons.

            A search for a replacement at Barton County is under way.