Class 5A State Tournament Preview
The Oklahoma state tournament is upon us! Class 5A features seven teams looking to knock off the two-time defending state champion Tulsa Memorial Chargers. Below I give you a look at each matchup and team as they enter what they hope…
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Continue ReadingThe Oklahoma state tournament is upon us! Class 5A features seven teams looking to knock off the two-time defending state champion Tulsa Memorial Chargers. Below I give you a look at each matchup and team as they enter what they hope to be a three-game stretch to win a state championship.
Tulsa Memorial vs. Lawton MacArthur
Matchup: Lawton Mac will have their work cut out for them against the top team in Class 5A in the opening round. The key to this game will be Lawton Mac getting out to a great start. If not look for Tulsa Memorial to run away with this one.
Tulsa Memorial: The Boone twins lead the way for a very loaded Tulsa Memorial squad looking for their third straight title. The key to Tulsa Memorial winning the Gold Ball will be their level of Guard play.
Lawton Mac: Entering as the eight seed in the tournament Lawton Mac could shock the state with a victory on Thursday. They are not at state to just lay down and let Memorial advance. A player under the radar to watch at Lawton Mac is Septien Reece.
El Reno vs. Carl Albert
Matchup: There are two west side games in the opening round this OKC metro one features two teams who are used to being at the state tournament. Carl Albert is playing with house money with a young group looking to make some noise. El Reno certainly has the upper hand on senior players who have been here in the big moment before.
El Reno: Eli Hollis is going to have to play the best basketball of his high school career in the paint for the Indians to make a deep run this weekend. He certainly can be a force when he is locked in on the court. Dyson Plumley is another senior prospect the Indians will hope is bringing his A game scoring the basketball at a high level.
Carl Albert: The Titans are back in the state tournament but what is new? This is the best coaching job of Jay Price’s career considering all of the factors. Not only did the Titans lose one of the best duos in the last decade they lost all five starters from last season. This will be a dangerous group as the young players have gained confidence over a very tough schedule.
NW Classen vs. Lawton Ike
Matchup: This could be the best game of the opening round in the Class 5A state tournament. Lawton Ike and NW Classen have had their ups and downs throughout the year. Both teams are used to being at the state tournament and know what to expect going into this game. This is a classic best player on the floor vs. a better overall team.
NW Classen: Classen is a well-rounded team led by senior Da’Lin Wiggins on the Wing. They are tough to stop because they just keep coming at you with guys who can make impacts in their roles. The scrappy fight of NW Classen plus a tougher schedule this year should help them at the state tournament.
Lawton Ike: Antonio Gordon has turned into a star in the state of Oklahoma. There is a clear reason why he elevated over the summer to a high major NCAA Division I recruit. Gordon will have to be a superstar and help elevate the players around him to play their best at state.
Del City vs. Collinsville
Matchup: This game features the biggest disparity in styles of play. Collinsville is going to try and slow the game down to their pace. Meanwhile, Del City thrives off of creating chaos in fast break situations. Del City enters the heavy favorite in this game, but don’t count Collinsville out. One thing is for sure, the crowd will heavily favor Collinsville.
Del City: Lenny Hatchett had done a great job coaching this group. Del City is led by Nate Goodlow at the Point, but what makes this team really good is the depth they have at the guard spot. Demontreal Crutchfield, the Foreman brothers, Kobe Higgins, and the list of Guards goes on. If the Eagles are going to win a state championship their guards will have to bring their A game every night on both ends.
Collinsville: This is the first trip for Collinsville in forty-three years to the state tournament. Ethan Cole is their leader, but similar to Del City they are a team made up of not just one-star player. Peyton Dees provides Collinsville with shooting from the outside. Nate Serna gives the Cardinals a great driving force and they have one of the more talented young Post in Oklahoma, Caden Fry. Del City will be a tough matchup in the opening round due to the contrast of styles. The way Collinsville advances is by slowing down the game.
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