Edmond North has the “IT” factor
Edmond North has been nothing, but dominant over the past two seasons. Last year the Huskies were undefeated until they fell in the semifinals of the Class 6A state tournament. This season the Huskies reloaded after losing several key seniors.…
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Continue ReadingEdmond North has been nothing, but dominant over the past two seasons. Last year the Huskies were undefeated until they fell in the semifinals of the Class 6A state tournament. This season the Huskies reloaded after losing several key seniors. Once again the Huskies are undefeated, this time it has a different feel to it. Last year Edmond North was the surprise of the state.
This year some wondered how they would do with the loss of Tre Evans, but basketball people expected this having Edmond North in the top five. Edmond North has played a tougher schedule this year and has looked impressive each time out on the floor. You could even say the tougher the opponent has been for Edmond North, the better the Huskies play.
So what is the key to Edmond North all of the sudden being really good in basketball?
That answer is an easy one, head coach Terry Evans.
Evans is the best game planner you will see in Oklahoma. He dissects the opponent, taking out their best player completely out of the game often times. Just when teams think they know what Evans and the Huskies are going to do he switches it up. Evans has coached at the Division I level, Division II level as a head coach and the high school level. The experience Evans has in each of the ranks of basketball are rare for a coach to obtain.
This year Edmond North has the “IT” factor about them as a team. They know they are the best in the state. Edmond North has a swagger about them that makes them special. It appears they have great team chemistry led by Marques Wilson and Harrison Stoddart who have been playing in a starting role at Edmond North since their freshman seasons.
New additions of Marvin Johnson and Carlos Coppage have fit perfectly at Edmond North. Johnson will be the best JUCO player Oklahoma has produced in quite some time. The length, athleticism and toughness of Johnson at 6’6 on the wing make him a special player.
Marvin Johnson was key to Edmond North advancing to the finals of the TOC. #PrepHoops pic.twitter.com/nkmzRWqzxQ
— Prep Hoops Oklahoma (@PrepHoopsOK) December 29, 2016
Coppage is the ideal Point Guard for this team. Don’t be fooled Coppage can score the basketball, but he has bought into the Edmond North system, and does his job. Edmond North relies on Coppage to push the ball up the floor and get open looks for Wilson, Johnson, Stoddart and company.
Johnson and Coppage are not the only new faces making noise for Edmond North. Jakaree Holmes and Will Boyd have been at Edmond North just had not received a bunch of playing time until this year. Holmes is similar to Coppage at the Point in the way of getting his teammates open looks. Holmes has become a three-point threat and has a great drive to the basket that allows him to be a lead scorer with the second unit. Boyd is in the starting line up for the Huskies at the four spot.
Small colleges mark it down, Will Boyd is a kid that if you don’t recruit him you will look back and wonder how this kid fell through the cracks. Boyd is one of the best players that we were unaware of before the season, but have found his talent this winter. He stands at 6’7 with sneaky athleticism, great touch on his mid-range shot and can even step out and shoot the three-pointer as well. Boyd knows his role with the Huskies and plays it perfectly. He does not try to do to much. At the four Boyd provides Edmond North with hustle plays, toughness on the block, rebounding, defense and another scoring threat. Boyd is a senior.
Damion Thorton is another member of the Huskies second unit that has been playing very well. He gives Edmond North a quick player that can play in the post or on the wing. He is great at finishing around the rim.
Edmond North is loaded this year with the chance to finish off with the Gold Ball this year. Can they have an undefeated season in the process?
Tonight, Edmond North faces what many believe to be the best team on the east side of the state, Union. You can bet Edmond North will be very prepared for the Union Redskins and their dominant duo inside. Prep Hoops will be on hand with great coverage of the Tournament of Champions.
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com