High school notebook: Union's Dalton Rodriguez picks Tulsa over Oklahoma

In the end, though, the desire to play on the defensive side and reunite with his old Union defensive line coach, Adam Blankenship, was too strong.

Thursday, Rodriguez made his switch official, announcing on Twitter that he'd committed to Tulsa.

Blankenship, the son of Golden Hurricane coach Bill Blankenship, played a big part in getting Rodriguez to make the switch.

“That was about 50 percent of it,” Rodriguez said of the opportunity to play defense. “But the chance to play for coach (Adam) Blankenship again was huge, too.”

Rodriguez said he made the decision over the last few days and called Adam to tell him the news.

“He was thrilled,” Rodriguez said.

The call to Sooners coaches came next, with Rodriguez talking to OU's Bruce Kittle.

“It wasn't easy, but it was something I had to do,” Rodriguez said.

EDMOND NORTH FINDING NEW LIFE

The struggles of the last few years have quickly been put behind the Edmond North boys basketball players, who are playing for the fourth head coach in their high school careers.

But a 5-2 start — matching their highest win total of any of the past three seasons — has helped solidify coach Steven Goss' new program.

Goss, along with move-in Carlbe Ervin from Carl Albert, fused with the talent already on campus, players such as Ed Baker, Tyler Sanders, David Montgomery and Austin Usery, who gained immeasurable experience during the past three seasons.