Titan Classic Day 2 Standouts
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Norman 61 Edmond North 58 In a rematch from Tuesday, Norman proved how tough it is for a team to be beaten twice, especially in the span of 72 hours. After Edmond North kept the Tigers at arm length for…
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Continue ReadingNorman 61 Edmond North 58
In a rematch from Tuesday, Norman proved how tough it is for a team to be beaten twice, especially in the span of 72 hours. After Edmond North kept the Tigers at arm length for much of Tuesday night, a determined Tiger squad refused to let the Huskies separate from them. In the closing minutes of the game, junior Caison Cole showed big time poise. Nailing a three pointer and then a big time drive to the rim where he was also fouled to put Norman ahead. Norman would survive a late score, and then snuffed out a final desperation Edmond North attempt in the closing seconds.
Top Performers
Caison Cole, 6’0 Junior Guard, Norman
It should be no surprised as the son of head coach Corey Cole (who also had his own very productive college career) that the younger Cole is a very efficient scorer. He rarely takes bad looks, and is a plus shooter from beyond the arc. Off the bounce, he’s a crafty driver that can get to the rim and knows how to draw contact to earn trips to the line. His clutch scoring turned the tide for Norman and won the game in the fourth quarter.
Matt Willenborg, 6’6 Junior Forward, Norman
The stretch forward had a huge second quarter. He got it rolling with a pair of three pointers. But he wasn’t content with just floating along the perimeter, he was scrappy when fighting for garbage points around the rim. He even recorded a steal and showed some floor skills when taking it coast to coast. The junior is looking like a college prospect. Especially with his willingness to be more than just a shooter and do the little things to help Norman win.
TO Barrett TO Barrett 6'4" | SG Link Academy | 2024 #138 Nation MO , 6’3 Sophomore Guard, Edmond North
With the game in the balance, it was Barrett stepping up for Edmond North. In a physical game, the sophomores strength and quickness allowed him to flourish. Especially as he finished through contact strongly. It looked like the type of performance that even in a losing effort, translated to a gain in confidence for this promising prospect.
Bryson Buckingham, 5’11 Sophomore Guard, Edmond North
Other Huskies sophomores often grab the headlines, but Buckingham still plays a key role for his team. He’s the sniper on the perimeter that provides floor spacing to help all their size and athletes attack the rim.
Carl Albert 52 Destiny Christian 40
It was a slower paced game that saw the Titans’ excellent defense suffocate the athletic Wildcats. Carl Albert also grinded out scores and while they never ran away the game, they always enjoyed a comfortable lead. In the final quarter they hit their free throws and the hosts punched their ticket to the championship game.
Jayden Mott Jayden Mott 6'8" | PF Edmond Santa Fe | 2024 State OK , 6’6 Junior Forward, Carl Albert
Young post players often have their best games when matched up against fellow size. This was the case with Mott, as he rose to the challenge against the size of Destiny Christian. Along with improved rebounding, the sophomore was also a good passer in the high post. There continues to be good signs that there is big time potential lurking in the lanky, still growing frame of Mott.
Tashawn James, 6’2 Junior Guard, Carl Albert
It’s fitting that James is also a DB on the football field. Because he has similarly defensive instincts on the basketball court. He puts them to use when jumping passing lanes and hounding ballhandlers.
Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK , 6’2 Junior Guard Carl Albert
England remains the scoring engine for Carl Albert, especially in the second half when the Titans extended and maintained their comfortable lead. But he also showed more moxie on the defensive end. On a double team, England crashed down and tied up the opposing post player. Then shortly after the ball was passed in, he ripped the ball from the opposing guard with his quick hands.
Sentinel Moore Sentinel Moore 6'8" | PF Destiny Christian | 2023 State OK , 6’6 Junior Forward, Destiny Christian
Last night it was Moore’s big time rebounding that grabbed the attention. Tonight it was his shot blocking and rim protection that stood out in a big time way. He hit nailed another corner three. It’s a small sample but after two viewings this week, this private school prospect requires future monitoring.
Bartlesville 71 McAlester 70
The 5A underdogs jumped out to a quick start, that saw McAlester lead by as many as 20 points in the first half. After showing signs of life in the second quarter, Bartlesville finally turned up the pressure and erased the rest of the lead with pressure defense. The final frame saw Bartlesville inch ahead and then survive one final push from McAlester thanks to some key offensive rebounding and smart play.
Top Performers
David Castillo David Castillo 6'1" | PG Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) | 2024 #80 Nation KS , 6’2 Guard, Sophomore, Bartlesville
After a slow start, Castillo got it going in the second half with a barrage of scoring, mainly off drives. His floater served him well, and he also got out in transition a couple times for slams. This is the second straight game where the sophomore struggled with shooting from the beyond the arc. Making him a strictly driver, which while strong and capable of finishing at times he can be at the mercy of the official’s whistles when driving to the rim.
Aadhi Ayyappan Aadhi Ayyappan 6'1" | SG Bartlesville | 2023 State OK , 6’0 Guard, Junior, Bartlesville
The floor spacing guard is a gritty impact player that played a key role with high energy defense in the second half. He also showed in the final seconds that he’s a smart player that brings good intangibles to the table. After a layup cut the lead to one, he knew the clock would keep running under high school rules. So he allowed the ball to keep bouncing for as long as possible, bleeding precious seconds off the clock, before grabbing the ball. When he did scoop up the loose ball on the baseline, he rifled a long pass across half court that would see the time run out before McAlester could foul.
Nick Smith, 6’6 Forward, Senior, Bartlesville
In the first half, the Bruins were stagnant. He gave them a huge boost of energy off the bench as he blocked and affected shots all game long. Bartlesville appears to be in a bit of a lull right now, and it was good to see a senior step up and help them break through their malaise.
Adante Holiman Adante Holiman 6'0" | PG McAlester | 2022 State #224 Nation OK , 6’0 Guard, Senior, McAlester
Scoring has always been what stood out for the future D1 guard. He even crossed the 2k mark in today’s game. And while his tough shot making ability was on full display, it’s arguably his growth as a facitlator that is most impressive. This season he’s showing more willingness to trust his teammates. Which really brings to light the good floor vision he has. With his high school program, the senior is now showing more of the positive playmaking traits that he showed on the camp and AAU circuit.
Adonis Holiman Adonis Holiman 5'8" | PG Atoka | 2024 State OK , 5’8 Guard, Sophomore, McAlester
The biggest impact from the youngest Holiman in the game was his shooting ability. He even stepped up when his older brother briefly left the game in the second half due to injury and hit two big jumpers to help keep the Buffalos in the game. Long term, he’ll need to continue to work on handling the ball against pressure, because some of the pressure defense from the Bruins did greatly disrupt the younger guard. Which lead to turnover issues.