Tournament of Champions Preview
The Tournament of Champions returns in 2017 for the 53rd year. This year features one of the most talented tournaments in recent years. The teams in the tournament include Booker T. Washington, Tulsa Memorial, Midwest City, Carl Albert, Kingston, Ringwood, Sperry and Wright City. Get a full preview of the top players in the tournament, plus my pick to win the tournament!
Championship Prediction: Tulsa Memorial vs Carl Albert
This would be a fantastic Championship game to cap off the Tournament of Champions. I think Carl Albert has the edge over Tulsa Memorial with their two senior standouts leading the way. Mason Harrell and Trey Hopkins have been in a lot of big games over their high school career. Give me Harrell and Hopkins over the young talented Tulsa Memorial squad.
Players to Watch
Jaycson Bereal 2018 Booker T. Washington Wing (Signed Boise State)
Bereal is a walking highlight tape on the Wing. He has not gotten a ton of touches in the Booker T. Washington offense but does seem to deliver at least one highlight jam a night. If you are looking for flash and jams, Bereal is the guy you want to watch.
Bryce Thompson 2020 Booker T. Washington Wing
Thompson is one of the fastest rising stars in the state. He excels at scoring the basketball from beyond the arc. If opponents don’t respect the shooting talents of Thompson they will find themselves quickly playing box and one. Expect him to see lots of different looks from the defense. Thompson holds NCAA Division I High Major offers.
Trey Phipps 2020 Booker T. Washington Point Guard
Phipps is an electric player to watch at the Guard spot with his shooting stroke. He can create his own shot off the dribble or thrive in a catch and shoot role for the Hornets. Phipps holds NCAA Division I Low Major offers.
Kalib Boone 2019 Tulsa Memorial Post
Boone is currently the #2 ranked player by Prep Hoops Oklahoma in the 2019 Oklahoma Class. He continues to rise up the charts with his long, lanky, 6’8 build in the paint. The athleticism of Boone translates to opponents struggling to score in the paint and him finishing well in the paint. Boone holds NCAA Division I Mid Major offers with High Major interest.
Keylan Boone 2019 Tulsa Memorial Wing
Keylan is the twin of Kalib and is getting a lot of interest from NCAA Division I programs as well. Production wise, Keylan has really started to come alive this season for Tulsa Memorial. Mid Major and High Major Division I programs will want to keep Keylan’s name on the board in the 2019 Class with his ability to impact the game in so many ways at 6’5 on the Wing.
JD Ray 2019 Midwest City Point Guard
Ray is not an NCAA Division I guy due to his height, but don’t let that distract you from his talents at Midwest City. This season Ray has lit opponents up from behind the arc leading the Bombers in scoring. NCAA Division II programs should get to know Ray very well in the 2019 Oklahoma Class.
Mason Harrell 2018 Carl Albert Point Guard
Harrell would be my first pick to start a high school program in Oklahoma. He has amazing instincts with a high skill level at Point Guard. The kid shines on and off the court with great leadership to go along with his skill set. Harrell will be an electric player that you will not want to miss this weekend! Harrell is receiving a lot of Mid to Low Major NCAA Divisoin I interest.
Trey Hopkins 2018 Carl Albert Wing (Signed Seattle)
Hopkins is a dunk show waiting to erupt in the Mabee Center. Are you looking for flash? Excitement? Scoring? Hopkins is your guy at 6’3 on the Wing for the Titans. He has a great history of hitting big shots at key moments in the Mabee Center.
Jacob Germany 2019 Kingston Post
Germany is an unknown to the casual high school Oklahoma basketball fan. However, that will change this weekend if they come to the TOC and watch Germany play. He is ranked the top player by Prep Hoops Oklahoma in the 2019 Class. At 6’10 in the Post Germany gives opponents trouble with his height, wingspan and skill. Germany can shoot it a little from mid-range as well.
Camden Patterson 2018 Ringwood Post
Patterson is a talented 2018 Post that uses his size and skill set to create matchup problems for his opponents. He is one of the best-unsigned players in Oklahoma. Patterson holds NCAA Division II offers with some NCAA Division I interest. The TOC will give Patterson an opportunity to display his talents on the floor against some upper-tier competition.
Jace Pratt 2018 Sperry Point Guard
Pratt is the clear best player on the Sperry squad with his sniper skills from deep. If his career is any indication of what we will see at the TOC, Pratt will light up the scoreboard this weekend. Pratt is one of the best three-point shooters in percentage and in quantity in the state. Size is the biggest question mark floating around Pratt. He holds offers from NAIA Division II programs with interest from NCAA Division II programs.
Robert Briley Jr. 2018 Wright City Wing
Photo Credit: Vype
Briley Jr. is one of the better unknown players in the TOC this year. He is a talented 6’4 Wing that can jam! Look for some exciting plays for Briley. Expect him to go full tilt no matter who the opponent. Briley plays with a chip on his shoulder and will have the opportunity to prove his talents on the big stage of the TOC at the Mabee Center.
The Tournament of Champions Bracket
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com