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We continue our look back at the best sports stories of the 2024 calendar year, as we continue our year in review series:

On Monday we go back to the spring once again, as Bartlesville High hired a new boys’ basketball coach for the first time in a decade. Former skipper Clent Stewart resigned following the 2023-24 season, meaning Bartlesville would have only its third head coach since the early 2000s.

BHS went with a familiar name in former Bruin Tommy DeSalme, who had become one of the premiere junior college head coaches in the country over the past decade-plus.

BHS Athletic and Activities Director Thad Dilbeck talked about the hire.

DeSalme was a player on the Bartlesville state championship teams in 1989 and 1991. He came into the job with 471 wins at the NAIA and JUCO ranks and had spent the past 15 years coaching Cowley County Community College and Hutchinson Community College.

DeSalme talks about why he wanted to return home.

DeSlame won his opener as Bruin head coach over Ponca City and continues to coach a young group in his first season at Bruin Field House.