Thursday, November 19, 2020
practice with the pros Moncrieffe and Cunningham’s connection strengthened by offseason workouts
Marcus Trevino Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe packed his bags and took a 1,500mile flight to live with Cade Cunningham. He couldn’t pass up the chance to work out with professional basketball players. Cunningham had been working out with NBA players such as Emmanuel Mudiay and Oklahoma State alumnus Marcus Smart. Moncrieffe was absorbed into an atmosphere unlike anything he’s ever experienced. “(Cunningham) would go in there and he’s killing pros,” Moncrieffe said. “It definitely got rowdy in those open gyms. There were guys competing. I loved all that.” Cunningham is the consensus No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft.
He has a place on the same court as two players selected in the top seven, despite his age. Moncrieffe doesn’t have the same name recognition, hype or expectations. But he proved he has enticing potential. “When you’re in the gym with great defensive players like Marcus Smart, whoever, guys making millions of dol-
lars, and you’re in there making buckets, that’s a confidence booster,” Moncrieffe said. “It showed me I wasn’t too far away from where these guys are, and I can be where they are for sure with some work.” It’s clear why he said his confidence grew after competing with the pros. Smart has been named to the NBA All-
Defensive First Team two years in a row. It was nice for him to reassure himself of his abilities against an All-Star caliber player, but Moncrieffe’s most important asset was AllStar insight. “For me, it was educational learning from all of those high-level players,” Moncrieffe said. “They
teach me a lot about the game — how I could use my body, how I could get guys open.” Moncrieffe said the spring workouts strengthened his oncourt connection with Cunningham. They were able to pick up on each other’s tendencies and how to complement each other’s playstyles. OSU coach Mike Boynton said he notices that connection in practices. He knows the two will only have one season together, but he’s hoping to get the most from it. “(Moncrieffe) and Cade have an unusual chemistry for guys who haven’t played a real game together,” Boynton said. “It’s going to enhance our ability to be a step ahead from where we would normally be with two freshmen coming from two totally different places.” com
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Courtney Bay Image Taken At Cowboy Basketball First Official Practice, Gallagher-Iba Arena, Wednesday, October 14, 2020,
The Great CEAT Bake Off By: Robert Owens
Ready… Set… Bake! Last week, Oklahoma State’s College of Engineering and Architecture Technology (CEAT) had their annual baking competition. This challenge gives engineering students and staff a chance to show their creativity in the kitchen. Those competing turned in their baked goods and to have their items ranked by volunteer judges comprised of CEAT students and Faculty. The winner of each round received bragging rights as the “Best Baker in CEAT” and a custom apron to back up the statement. This event was created by the United Way event captain Dakota Keith. “It’s a big stress reliever to students,” Keith said. “I love to see the creativity of these students in making these amazing desserts.” The competition was fierce as nine bakers had to bake well in three categories: cupcakes, brownies and cookies. Judges then had the hard task of ranking the desserts each competitor made.
“People go all-out on the Everything needed to be sues, and yet the event was still cupcakes,” Keith said. “The wrapped upon its entry for a big success. It raised over $100 judges definitely enjoy their judging, and there was sanitiza- for United Way and put smiles task.” tion in every corner. Also, each on the faces of many students Mechanical engineering judge had a time slot of when and faculty. technology student Dyan Lathey could judge the desserts to umbach said she had a blast promote social distancing. judging, and some rounds were There was even a need to harder to judge than others. switch rooms due to spacing isSee Bake Off on page 3 “Judging the brownies, there was an easy winner,” Laumbach said. “But judging the cookies was the difficult side of this.” After the competition ended, all leftover or donated baked goods were sold at the Student Excellence Center, and all the profits went to support United Way, a nonprofit organization that provides money to multiple charities in Stillwater. “Eating these desserts was a blast,” judge Jeff Hopper said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about raising money for the United Way.” With the threat of COVID looming, Keith and the staff had to think creatively to keep the participants and judges Robert Owens safe. Cookie champ Siri Schoenknecht (left) with Coordinator Dakota Keith (right).