Last Oak Farm Basketball Games 2025

Falcons Close Out Season with Strong Performances Against Hamilton Marines

The Oak Farm Falcons wrapped up their season with two hard-fought games against the Hamilton Marines, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and determination.

Game 1 (JV Matchup)
 The Falcons battled against Hamilton’s JV squad in a gritty contest. Andrew McKinley delivered his best performance of the season, dominating inside with countless rebounds and blocks while contributing 10 points. Beckitt Lowe also scored 10 points, sinking three triples and a free throw. Cohen McCreery added 7 points and made a defensive impact with multiple steals.

Seniors Lex Moser and Devon Nichols anchored the defense, forcing several turnovers and finishing their careers with a strong performance. Additional scoring came from Charlie Brubaker (2 points) and Moser (3 points). The Falcons secured a 32-26 victory!

Game 2 (Varsity Matchup)
 In a highly competitive game against Hamilton’s varsity squad, both teams traded baskets in the first half. Cooper Routsong hit the Falcons' only three-pointer of the half, while Ryan Kochanski fought through Hamilton’s tough defense to keep the game close at 12-14 by halftime.

The second half was a different story—the Falcons turned up the intensity! A full-court press led by McKinley, Sami Al-Jabari, and McCreery forced multiple turnovers, allowing Routsong to catch fire with three triples in the third quarter.

As Hamilton adjusted to a man-to-man defense in the fourth, the Falcons took control inside, with Kochanski and Keyan Saylor combining for 11 points down the stretch.

Final Scores & Highlights:
 🏆 Kochanski – 18 points (game-high)
 🏆 Routsong – 17 points
 🏆 Saylor – 6 points
 🏆 Al-Jabari – 2 points

The Falcons closed out the season with an impressive 43-35 victory!

We will miss our seniors dearly, but the future of Falcon Basketball is bright!

Coach Nate

Keyan

 

Cheerleading 2025

Kaylee was in cheer again this year!  So much fun!  She is a flyer up on top of the stunts and loves every minute of it.  She loves being with her friends and leading the cheers.  Oakleigh has been such an amazing coach.  Lots of great memories!  Go Kay!

Senior Athletic Night

Basketball 2024

Meet our seniors!"

Sami Al Jabari

Parents: Ashraf Al Jabari & Naida Villalba

Siblings: Sarah Al Jabari

Sami started playing on the Falcon basketball team in 8th grade. After sitting out a year due to the lack of a high school team, Sami was encouraged by friends to continue playing throughout his high school years.

Sami’s advice for younger athletes is, "Don’t be afraid to join a sports team, even just to try it. It might become your favorite thing to do."

Looking ahead, Sami plans to pursue pre-med and attend medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor. Along the way, he also plans to continue playing soccer and basketball.

Lex Moser

Parents: Tyler & Summer Moser

Siblings: Lilly& Lincoln

Lex began his journey with the Falcon basketball team as a sophomore in high school and has demonstrated remarkable leadership both on and off the court throughout his three years with the team. Over the years, Lex has been a steady and dedicated player, helping to build a strong team dynamic and setting an example for his teammates.

One of Lex’s favorite memories from his high school basketball career was the team-building experience and the heartfelt talks at the team sleepover during his senior year. This moment stands out as a testament to the bond shared by the team and the importance of camaraderie in sports.

Lex’s advice for younger athletes is simple but powerful: "Enjoy the company and camaraderie of your teammates and work hard every day at practice."

Looking ahead, Lex plans to attend Grace College, where he will focus his studies on Environmental Biology. 

Devon Nichols

Parents: Dawn & Matt Nichols

Siblings: Desiree & Isabella

Devon played basketball from his 5th through 8th grade years at Oak Farm. During his sophomore and junior years, he served as a manager for the high school team to stay involved. In his senior year, Devon decided he wanted to be a player on the team, and he made that dream a reality.

Devon’s most memorable experience is any moment spent playing or practicing with the team and his teammates. He truly cherishes the support of his teammates and says, "It’s amazing to be around them." Devon is grateful to have had the opportunity to spend his last year playing on the team and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Devon’s advice for younger athletes is, "Always take a chance, never stop practicing, and don't dwell on mistakes. If you mess up, there’s always another chance, so let it go."

Keyan Saylor

Parents: Matt & Tosha Saylor

Siblings: Owen

Keyan is a homeschool student who joined the Oak Farm Falcon team in his sophomore year of high school. Since then, he has been a positive asset to the team, contributing not only with his athletic ability but also with his uplifting attitude and sportsmanship.

One of Keyan’s most memorable experiences as a Falcon athlete is the journey from losing most of the games to experiencing more victories. This shift has been a rewarding testament to the growth and effort of the team.

For Keyan, the greatest part of being a Falcon has been the friendships he has made along the way. He cherishes the time spent hanging out with teammates and playing in different leagues with them, creating bonds that will last long beyond his high school years.

Looking ahead, Keyan is uncertain about what he wants to pursue after high school, but he is eager to find a career he truly loves. Currently, he is exploring his options and gaining valuable life experiences to help guide his path forward.

Cooper’s 17th Birthday

 

Cooper’s has turned 17.  I can hardly believe it.  Where has time gone?  Cooper is growing into an amazing young man and is independent and talented.  Happy Birthday Cooper!  Here are some fun things about Cooper at 17 years old:

1. Cooper’s favorite thing of all time is basketball.  He eats, sleeps and breaths basketball.  He is up at 5am playing open gym at the YMCA or OPS.  He joins league after league with his teammates to play all year round.  The Oak Farm High School basketball team had a really successful season with Nate as the coach.  Cooper is point guard and brought a lot of success to the team.  His 3 point shots were something to be reckoned with.  It is so much fun to watch him play!
2. Cooper is an entrepreneur.  He has started multiple businesses this year experimenting in sales opportunities.  From steel toed shoes, jewelry, and night light drop shipping businesses, to labor intensive Christmas Light hangings for homes.  It’s been really fun to see him work through marketing initiatives and figure out platforms to advertise, sell & earn money.
3. Cooper drives Nate’s old 2008 Honda Ridgeline.  This is significant because it was such an iconic truck for Cooper when he was a tiny little boy.  He loved “Daddy’s Truck” and always wanted to ride in it.  And now he drives it!
4. Cooper has gained some landscaping skills.  He is proficient at pulling a trailer loaded with riding lawn mowers and yard equipment.  All summer he maintained all of the rental properties’ yards.  He would pull that trailer all over town and get the landscaping jobs done.  He also helped with some of the remodel projects this last summer.  He is a hard worker, reliable & has learned a lot of lifelong skills through this work.
5. Cooper is a natural leader.  People are drawn to him because of this quality.  He has the ability to lead with integrity and share a community vision.  He also is a natural public speaker.  Like Nate, he can create a speech in a moment and feel comfortable speaking to a group without hesitation or nervousness.  This quality has served him well in FFA competitions and in National History Day presentations.  Way to go Cooper!  
   

Kaylee’s 14th birthday

 

Kaylee turned 14!  And she’s just about as tall as me.  Almost.  Maybe an inch shorter, but I do think she will pass me up.  At 14, the kids get a phone, so she is overly excited for hers!  Happy Birthday to our favorite girl.  We love you!! Here are some great things about Kaylee at 14 years old. 

1. Kaylee is a runner.  Whether she likes it some days or not, her body is made to run.  She prefers long distance runs and enjoyed the cross country season last fall.  She is fast and furious.  She got to know her closely equal opponents from other schools that would always be finishing right around her time.  So she would get really good at knowing who to pace with and who to beat next time.  This winter Kaylee and I did some speed training at Turnstone with the Epic Run Club.  These training sessions were great; multiple sets of distances timed and recorded for conditioning and goal setting.  We would do sets of 1K, 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m in different cycles, get timed, record our times and then try to maintain or beat our times.  Its been a great experience.  Track and field is coming up and this winter speed training has been getting her prepared for Track season.  She’s pumped and excited.  Go Kay!
2. Kaylee is a super fun and spirited Oak Farm Cheerleader.  She absolutely loves cheer.  Her coach Oakleigh is fantastic and Kaylee is an avid flyer for the team.  She has no fear flying in the air, a smile on her face, sharp moves, with voice and spirit.  I love to see her routines while she is in her element! 
3. Kaylee is an amazing friend.  She is a consistent, loyal and honest friend to many.  She prefers lots of friends, always including others and aware of others’ feelings and friendship needs.  After some rocky time in Upper Elementary, she has created a reputation that she is friend to all.  Anyone is welcome in her circle, not just one or two.  She represents kindness and joy and is a natural leader because she has no favorites or biases.  She is truly full of integrity and kindness and love for all of those around her. 
4. Kaylee’s cats are her absolute world.  Rona and Coco are both about 5 years old.  Rona comes indoors and outdoors, and Coco is strictly indoors.  Both prefer to snuggle up on Kaylee’s bed or explore her bedroom whether Kay is home or not.  They know their mama well and they know they are loved deeply by her.  Those cats are such lucky girls :-)
5. Kaylee is an artist.  She loves to paint on canvases.  She especially loves the pottery wheel.  At school she is learning some pottery techniques, but recently we found a pottery wheel studio that she was able to use.  She threw some clay and created some amazing masterpieces.  It something that really brings her joy!

New Year's Eve 2024

 New Year's Eve was spent in Arizona with the Routsong Cousins.  Nick, Carissa, Kipton, Aria, Kamden & Alina.  We went to Carissa's parents house to celebrate and enjoyed all kinds of fondu.  She had fondu pots of hot oil for which to fry up pieces of steak, sourkrout balls, chicken and shrimp on skewers.  She even mixed up some batter to dip and fry large mushrooms, cucumber & other veggies.  She had a charcuterie board to snack on, delicious frozen punch, and of course a chocolate fondu fountain with all of the goodies to go with it.  The kids had a ball frying all their dinner course and dipping all their strawberries, pretzels and marshmallows in chocolate.  They ran around and played tag outside with their cousins and the cousins' cousins.  Cooper & Jax played some songs on their grand piano.  Kaylee and Dawson played Nintendo with Kipton and Aria.  Jax and Nate got to give the flight simulator a whirl with Carissa's dad.  Then they lit off fireworks outside in the road to celebrate.  A super fun evening to remember.  Goodbye 2024, and Welcome 2025!

Kaylee's Christmas Present

 Kaylee wanted a second set of ear piercings for Christmas.  So I wrote it up like a gift certificate and she opened it up on Christmas morning.  Since we were leaving for Arizona, we decided to get it done here.  And we couldn't have made a better choice.  We found a professional piercer, Amber Gray, who had a studio in her own home.  She was so knowledgeable and kind and explained everything in an easy way to understand.  She treated Kay with such respect and kindness and walked her through every step of the way.  Amber used the hollow needle method, and she even measured Kay for future piercings to make sure it was all evened out.  Kay did great, breathed through it and said it was not nearly as bad as she thought it would be.  And then she was done!!  Congrats Kaylee!!  You are beautiful!

Antelope Canyon X

 We took a Canyon X tour on the Navajo lands.  The Navajo own so much land in the area.  The land is sacred and secured.  We could not bring bags, food, trash or anything but water and phones into the lands.  We took a 15 passenger van down to the canyon entrance.  The short hike down into the canyons revealed caves and cliffs underground, hidden by the flat desert land above.  The canyon is called Canyon X because when you look up, the skylight is in the shape of an X.  There is also a Canyon Y and a few others.  It is interesting that that is how it got its name, rather than the characteristics of the caves themselves.  The walls of the canyon are super tall, smooth and you can see the lines on the sides of the walls that comes from the wind routes.  The canyon acts like a wind tunnel and over time makes lines.  

Our tour guide told us about the natives that used to live in the canyons here, and many natives still do up in the Grand Canyon.  They raise animals in the canyon, keep safe from heat and weather, and cook and sleep in the canyons.  It was once the way of life here and still is in some native groups.  During the rainy season the canyons can flood, so the natives move out during the rainy season.  The tour groups have to pump water out of the canyons for tours during the rainy season. 

It is all so fascinating to learn about and to see the canyons first hand.  This world is so big and there are so many types of people who live in so many different ways.  Their stories of how they are and where they come from are so fascinating to me. 

We got lots and lots of pictures here in Canyon X.

Horseshoe Bend at Antelope Island

 Horseshoe Bend is a piece of Glen Canyon (the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon) that looks like a horseshoe.  We hiked a wide touristy trail to get to the edge of the cliff.  At the edge of the cliff, its hundreds of feet straight down.  Below us was the Colorado River and it went around this horseshoe shaped corner.  The light from the morning sun hit the cliffs in certain spots and it was just magnificently beautiful.  It was pretty nerve wracking as the kids are climbing and looking over the cliffs.  But they loved it and won't forget the experience!

Page, Arizona

 We traveled to northern Arizona, to the city of Page, with our cousins to visit Glen Canyon and Antelope Island, which is the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon.  It was a 5.5 hour drive and the scenery changed so many times.  It went from dry, flat, cactus land to hills and trees, to mountains and pines, and then to red rocky cliffs.  Its very interesting how the landscape can change so drastically within that 5 hour drive.  

We spent time at our AirBnb townhomes cooking up food together, playing board games, exploring the nearby trails.  Lots of fun with cousins :-)

Goldfield Ghosttown

 Nick & Carissa took us to the Goldfield Ghosttown, a small old mining community, turned tourist attraction.  We went down inside a mine that once went down 1000 feet following a vein of gold in the rock.  The miners hit underground water and the mine ended up flooding, not allowing the mine to be a functioning operation any longer in the 1890's.  It was interesting to learn the history of this Ghosttown, how the population flourished and earned them a post office and put them on the map and then went desolate pretty abruptly after its 5 year lifespan.  Under the ground inside the mine, we learned about the manual drills they used to drill holes in the rocks with their body weight, how they would be allowed 4 candles a day and drill by its light, and how they would detonate the rock and run for safety.  What a dangerous job.  The "honeydipper" job would man the toilet cart and then empty it with a ladle at the end of the day.  Jaxton's nickname has become "Honeydipper," while Dad's nickname has become "Greenwood," a westerner Jax made up. 

We were able to visit a "mystery house" that was sideways.  Not sure the history of this, but it was a fun experience!  We rode the railroad to learn more history about all the mineholes, surface and underground that were following the veins of gold.  Lastly we saw a western shootout in the middle of town with blank gun shots and western actors.  What a fun experience!

Arizona Trip: Adults

 We went out to dinner with Nick & Carissa, Jordan & Lauren, Jax and Cooper to Bam Kazaam.  This was like a multi-escape room.  There were about 16 different puzzle rooms, each with 3 levels total.  We had 2 minutes to solve the first room's puzzle, when a new door would open to allow us into the second level of the experience.  When we did not solve the puzzle, the game ended and we would have to leave the room and try again later.  So we went from room to room solving puzzles.  We never made it past the 2nd level unfortunately, but we had a lot of fun trying to figure everything out.  Jordan & Lauren live in Mesa about 30 minutes from Nick and Carissa.  Jordan is working from home and Lauren recently got a new recruiting job for Carvana.  It was a lot of fun!!

Owen on Summer Prep Swim Team

 Owen was on the Prep Team at Autumn Ridge this summer.  He gained so much confidence and skill this year.  His little body is strong and capable and he worked so hard to learn to swim and keep himself up.  By the end of the summer, he was swimming with the big kid swim team with his siblings. Way to Go Owen!

Fourth of July 2024

 Fourth of July 2024 was super fun with the whole family in town.  The Arizona cousins were there and the Indianapolis cousins.  It was a full house and a full yard!  Everyone swam in the pond, ate good food, mingled, and stayed for fireworks over the pond after dark.  Always a great time. Happy Birthday America!

 

Digging a heart hole to take a photo inside :-)