Who has the best chance to win 4A?
Oklahoma’s Class 4A is more competitive than most. There are four or five teams with a legitimate chance to win the State Championship, but there are still two teams that are head over heels better than everyone else in the…
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Continue ReadingOklahoma’s Class 4A is more competitive than most. There are four or five teams with a legitimate chance to win the State Championship, but there are still two teams that are head over heels better than everyone else in the class based on what this writer has seen during the season.
Kingfisher has been ranked first in 4A by OSSAA for the entire season, now with a (21-1) record on the season but Mannford has also had a great year. They haven’t lost a game this season and are (23-0) but the competition level of their opponents don’t match Heritage Hall or John Marshall’s.
Entering their Tuesday night matchup, Heritage Hall was (21-0) on the season with key wins against Millwood twice, Carl Albert and Putnam City West. Not to mention, three tournament wins on the season. The Chargers are elite but not just because of their star power or athleticism. They have a chemically sound team, built around two stars.
John Marshall is intriguing because they don’t do anything particularly well. Their athleticism speaks volumes in their success this season and they do tend to get hot from the field but they aren’t an exceptionally great in that department. John Marshall is a threat due to their veteran leadership and pure athleticism.
Entering Tuesday night, I thought John Marshall had a great chance to knock off Heritage Hall due to how quick, strong and athletic they are. They had guys that could defend Trey Alexander and honestly, the Bears did a good job of it in the first half but Heritage Hall’s role players stepped up and jumped out early on the defensive end and capitalized on offense, holding John Marshall to just seven points in the first half.
In the second half, Alexander woke up and scored 17 points in the second half and enforced his will on John Marshall, thus completely putting them away, 56-51.
Tuesday night’s game answered many questions right before the playoffs but John Marshall has experience and is built for the postseason. They know how to score the ball and know how to defend. Heritage Hall, however, seems like the best team in 4A.
But maybe Kingfisher, Mannford or John Marshall will prove that statement wrong?