-OC Lady Eagles seniors  win their final game in the nest against John Brown University.

-Senior’s sound off their feelings about Senior Night.

-The victory helps assist in a possible vie for the national tournament.

The lights in the Eagle’s Nest were working quite well on Thursday night.  So, spotlighting the senior Lady Eagle basketball players seemed natural after a 72-54 victory against the John Brown University Lady Golden Eagles.  The OC Lady Eagles recognized six seniors after the game, and the final showdown in the notorious Nest was a bittersweet experience for some of the players.

Bittersweet Experience

“Senior night was kind of weird because my career has gone by so fast,” said senior point guard, standout Kailan DeCamp. “It hasn’t really set in yet that I’m done.  I’ve learned a lot on and off the court that I’m sure I’ll carry with me throughout the rest of my life.  It was also good to end my career at home with a win.”

The weird experience of playing her final home game on Thursday was alleviated since DeCamp dished out 16 points against the Lady Golden Eagles, only adding to her already impressive statistics.

During the final game, the Lady Eagles found their stride early in the second half, by taking and keeping a solid lead for the remaining minutes. After the game’s final buzzer, the senior athletes experienced moments of appreciation when they were given both memorabilia, and a spotlighted moment.  Along with DeCamp, another Lady Eagle senior felt similar mixed feelings concerning Thursday’s final showdown at the Nest.

Excited for the Next Step

“The game on Thursday was a weird experience for me,” said Cressi Bryant, a four year Eagle basketball alum.  “I’m really proud of my teammates for pulling us through to a win, but the fact I will never play in the Eagle’s Nest again is pretty surreal for me.  All the memories had on and off of my home court are ones I will never forget, though.”

Bryant contributed greatly throughout her four years at OC, and the strong team bond she is proud of is something the Lady Eagles are counting on to help them vie for a spot in the upcoming national tournament.  Along with a great bonding experience, Thursday’s win helped knock out John Brown University from a spot in the SAC Conference Tournament.  One of the Lady Eagle’s premier players believed there was more to the win than what was experienced on the hardwood.

“I was really happy with the way the game went,” said senior guard Lisa Chennoweth.  “The fact my whole family got to watch me win my last home game made the experience even better.”

In regard to possible sadness concerning her last home game, Chennoweth had a sunny outlook.

“I wasn’t really sad because I knew it wasn’t my last game ever.  I think it will hit me when I have to play my last game ever but tonight was a good night.”

It is highly possible that the last game Chennoweth plays will occur in Tennessee at the national tournament if she and her teammates can build off of Thursday’s win.

High Hopes for Nationals

After the bleachers were put away and the popcorn was swept, the Nest remains a home for all OC alums.  This home gives the Lady Eagles a place to perfect their skills for the upcoming battle for their approaching conference, and possibly, national tournament.

Aside from the delectable sauce, the atmosphere you are met with when you enter The Wedge is also tantalizingly unique.  The dimly lit room, randomly sat tables and mouthwatering scent of freshly baked pizza all combine to equal the perfect ambiance.  The menu allows those less likely to leap out of their dining box an avenue for creating their own pizza, but I went with The Italian Stallion, a thin-crusted pizza piled with roasted fennel, Italian sausage and mozzarella.  I highly recommend trying it.  I came across both the menu for The Wedge, and a review praising the unexpected pizza haven which I thoroughly agree with.  The restaurant was a little pricy, however for a cheese and sauce covered treat, I recommend giving The Wedge a try.

Cuppies & Joe Cupcakes and Gourmet Coffee, nestled on 727 NW 23^rd St. in Oklahoma City, is the quaint little shop I would like to rave about for the next paragraph or so.  When I first walked into the inviting little coffee house I knew it was my kind of place.  Shabby-chic décor surrounded me, comfy chairs invited me and the delicious aroma of coffee and cupcakes enticed me.  To top it all off, the baristas were super friendly.  Friendliness plus processed sugar equals top-notch ratings in my book.  While researching this cupcakery I came across an article encouraging people to try out Cuppies & Joe, and I completely agree!

The cupcake I finally decided on was called the Boom Boom Pow.  The delicious little treat was a vanilla bean cake topped with chocolate butter cream, caramel, and sea salt.  Odd I know, but trust me on this . . . it will rock your world.  I highly recommend trying out Cuppies & Joe, even if you are not overtly obsessed with cupcakes because the menu has a wide variety of other dainties like pies, cookies, and brownies.  My chocolate covered piece of heaven was also reasonably priced at $2.  Now that is sweet, indeed.

Zorba’s was my first Greek restaurant to tackle, and I must admit, I loved it!  However, the menu may have had an edge since it contained two of my staple foods:  Bread and baclava.  Yes, if a food is sure to give me hips the size of the Parthenon and clogged arteries, you can bet it will become a staple.  I began my night in Greece with a Greek salad (I am a walking cliché).  The cucumbers were so fresh and the goat cheese was really nice, as well.  Along with my “hey I’m an American tourist” salad, I went even further into Stereotype Land, and ordered a chicken shish kabob sandwich.  My Greek waitress (no her name was not Athena . . . I asked) brought my food out a little late, but I instantly forgave her when I tasted the perfectly seasoned vegetables, and the heavenly pita bread.  I am sad to say I ate my weight in shish and kabob, and was forced to pass on baclava this time.  This time being the key words.  Here is a link to the website, complete with great pictures and a menu.

I came across a blog discussing Zorba’s in more detail.  The writer has been there several times, and seems relatively pleased with his experience, however he did mention his shish kabob being only “OK,” while I thought mine was pretty delicious.  Other than that, he seems to have a good grip on Mediterranean cuisine, and hopefully I will one day become an expert like he is.  Sadly, I have a feeling the day I become an expert in Greek food, is the day I have to have my triple-bypass surgery.  Sacrifices are needed in the name of goat cheese.

The local diner located at 2621 S Broadway, boasts a few chain restaurants all containing the somewhat creative dishes Jimmy’s Egg has become famous for.  Between the plethora of interesting omelets (the Heartburn . . . yummy?) and various waffle selections, I decided to go with two eggs over easy, bacon and hash-browns.  You can imagine my dismay when my waitress (who seemed a little Jimmy’ed out, and it was only 9 a.m.) brought me burnt bacon, mushy hash-browns and eggs that were practically clucking my name.

“Don’t eat me, Katy.  Bock Bock.”

Alas, I did eat my almost-chicken friends, (for the good of my blog, of course) and regretted it soon after.  Unlike the opinion at Where the Locals Eat, I was neither wowed nor won over by Jimmy’s famous eggs.  The breakfast was not horrible, however it was not good, either.  I know many may disagree with my Jimmy bashing, but I must speak the truth.  You undercook my eggs, I undercut your restaurant.  Sorry Jimmy, the cluck stops here.

I decided, though, I did not just want a hamburger.  I wanted Utopia.  However, the closest I could get to a euphoric hamburger was Flat Tire, a college hot-spot located on 318 East Ayers St. in the heart of Edmond.  Although I must admit it was not the best burger of my life (that heavenly hamburger can be found at Meers restaurant), Flat Tire provided a pretty great Friday night burger.  The decoration is a rag-tag, dive mixed with hubcaps and bicycles which provide a great, laid back environment to hang out in.  The service was quick, too.  While researching this interesting restaurant, I came across a negative review bashing Flat Tire, and calling it “overpriced,” and basically overrated.  Although Flat Tire was a little pricy, you do pay for the environment (which was pretty cool).  Unlike ouburgerfan, who thought the fries were frozen, undercooked, and sub-par, my fries were cooked to almost perfection.  Maybe the naysayer hit the stand on a bad night, because when asking around, the general consensus I received was rave reviews all around.

Although the hamburger did not completely top my list (and mind you, I have ate many a burger in my lifetime), I still thoroughly enjoyed my #2 Hamburger with pickles and mustard.  Also, the fried pickles I ordered were quite delectable.  Yes, I had a hamburger, fries and fried pickles.  Judge me.  Here is their website complete with a menu, prices and pictures for your enjoyment.  All in all my trip to Flat Tire made me decide it would not be so bad to have a breakdown right in front of that unique restaurant.

You can imagine then, in a town lacking the normal beacons of stopping and going, there are other things that are . . . lacking.  No, I am not talking about general hygiene.  What I am referring to is restaurants.  Where I grew up, the only food you can find sits under a hot box at the local Double-Quick.  Therefore, you can imagine my exhilaration when this small-town bumpkin bounced into the big ol’ city of Edmond, Okla. for college, and found a plethora of restaurants which, I’m sorry Double-Quick, far surpassed the burritos and hot pockets featured at the gas station back home.  So, my love of food, coupled with my recent increase of restaurant options, has inspired me to both critique, and eat my way through a few local hot spots.  This heat hopefully will surpass the hot box of my hometown.

The first local gem I have decided to review is actually more of a diamond in the rough.  At an initial glance, one would probably denote the somewhat shabby, outward appearance of the Egg Roll Express as a dump.  However, the restaurant, located on 1529 S. Blvd. makes up in taste what it lacks in curb appeal.  I promise, if the low prices (all entrees are under $7) do not capture your interest, the egg rolls will.  Once getting past the slightly eclectic décor of geese curtains and pop art and the unisex bathroom (which I recommend avoiding), I found myself pleasantly surprised at the delicious food.  My first time at the Egg Roll Express, I played it safe and ordered Beef with Broccoli.  Much to my surprise, the cute, little, old waitress brought out an egg roll and a healthy portion of fried rice, along with my perfectly seasoned entree.

I found pictures of Egg Roll’s menu on Edmond’s Urbanspoon, which show the many different appetizers and entrees offered.  The Egg Roll Express is highly appreciated among the locals of Edmond, along with college students who flock to the restaurant for its super low prices.  I came across this website where customers raved about the surprisingly delish diner.  I highly recommend paying the dive a visit if you feel the need for some delicious Chinese food. Indeed, Egg Roll Express, similar to both my stoplight-lacking hometown, and a book, should not be judged by its “cover.”