By Glen Brockenbush
Photo of Edmond North’s TO Barrett from college’s athletic web site
As the highschool soccer playoffs wind down in Oklahoma, the basketball season is beginning up (effectively, non-basketball faculties have already been enjoying video games).
Holiday tournaments shall be right here earlier than we all know it, so with out additional ado, right here is SBLive Oklahoma’s first Top 25 boys basketball rankings.
1. Edmond North (final season, Class 6A state champion)
The Huskies carry back gobs of expertise from last year’s title-winning squad, led by TO Barrett and Dylan Warlick. They even have depth, with a number of gamers off the bench who can contribute considerably.
2. Del City (final season, Class 5A state runner-up)
There’s one key loss that we’ll get to, however the Eagles nonetheless seem like the group to beat in 5A. Brandon Garrison alone makes them harmful, not to mention all the opposite expertise they’ve.
3. Tulsa Memorial (final season, Class 5A state champion)
The Chargers beat Del City to say the 5A title final 12 months, however they graduated lots of key gamers. Seth Pratt and Jarreth Ingram are a lethal duo.
4. Edmond Memorial (final season, Class 6A state quarterfinals)
Yes, they need to substitute so much from final 12 months’s squad, however the Bulldogs have a gentle steadiness of measurement and capturing, led by Carter Hjelmstad.
5. Broken Arrow (final season, Class 6A space spherical)
It begins with Connor Dow, because the Oklahoma State commit has come on robust, however there may be loads of measurement surrounding him.
6. MWC Carl Albert (final season, Class 5A state semifinals)
Coach Jay Price and the Titans don’t rebuild, they reload. Jordan England, Jayden Mott and Quincy Hopkins lead an athletic squad.
7. Kingfisher (final season, Class 4A state champion)
Kingfisher is the two-time defending state champion and despite the fact that they may not have the identical particular person skills that they’ve had prior to now, Xavier Ridnour is a good shooter and can lead a balanced lineup.
8. OKC Millwood (final season, Class 3A state champion)
Yes, the defending 3A champion Falcons misplaced their opener to Crossings Christian, however additionally they nonetheless have gamers on the soccer group that’s enjoying for a state championship. Jaden Nickens, together with Rickey Hunt Jr., lead a troublesome, athletic group.
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9. Putnam City North (final season, Class 6A space spherical)
The Panthers noticed their 2021-22 season finish in disappointing style, however they create back a steadiness of scorers that might make them a menace on the west aspect.
10. Putnam City West (final season, Class 6A state quarterfinals)
Across city, the Patriots have boatloads of expertise back, led by Jordan Warrior and O’rian Scales. Plus, they’ve among the best coaches there may be in Lenny Bert.
11. OKC Southeast (final season, Class 5A state semifinals)
The Spartans carry back loads of expertise from final 12 months’s group, together with Ladainian Fields and Michael Graham.
12. Dale (final season, Class 2A state champion)
Led by the electrical Dayton Forsythe, the Pirates won their first boys basketball championship in 2022 and have what it takes to go back-to-back.
13. Roff (final season, Class B state runner-up)
The Tigers have been upset within the title sport final 12 months, and also you higher imagine that Cale Baldridge, Tallen Bagwell and firm are hungry for redemption.
14. OKC Douglass (final season, Class 4A space spherical)
Douglass bought an enormous increase when it added Del City switch Terry McMorris, among the best younger gamers in all the state.
15. Crossings Christian (final season, Class 4A semifinals)
The Knights are going to be fairly younger, however the guard-oriented lineup of Nate Rouse, Luke Olsen and Cal Furnish has the potential to be deadly.
16. Moore (final season, Class 6A state runner-up)
Darian Grant returns, however can the Lions overcome some big-time commencement casualties to make it back to Norman for the state match?
17. OKC Heritage Hall (final season, Class 4A state quarterfinals)
The Chargers have lots of guys they’ll depend on. Although senior star Sebastian Perry remains to be recovering from harm, Kyle McLaughlin, Orie Walker and Rashaud Smith ought to be capable of step up in Perry’s absence.
18. Vanoss (final season, Class A quarterfinals)
The Wolves have began the season off scorching, together with a win towards a Latta group that made the 2A state tourney final season.
19. Edmond Santa Fe (final season, Class 6A state semifinals)
Santa Fe is likely to be within the shadow of the opposite groups in its personal city, however with tremendous sophomore Jantz Alsup, the Wolves would possibly be capable of shock some people.
20. Tulsa Booker T. Washington (final season, Class 6A state semifinals)
Ty Holdman and Lathan Boone return, together with sophomore Jamarri Simpson, because the Hornets attempt to recapture earlier glory.
21. Oklahoma Christian School (final season, Class 3A semifinals)
Two phrases: Luke Gray. The 6-foot-7 junior is likely one of the most mentioned gamers within the state, and with regular shooters round him, the Saints might be a troublesome out, at the same time as they transfer as much as Class 4A.
22. Tulsa Victory Christian (final season, Class 4A state runner-up)
The commencement of Joshua Udoumoh can’t be ignored. But an thrilling group of juniors, led by Michael Doctor and Chris Mason, make the Conquerors a menace in Class 4A but once more.
23. Tulsa Holland Hall (final season, Class 4A state quarterfinals)
Jadon Cool and Carter Benton are harmful and have what it takes to steer the Dutch back to state.
24. Fort Cobb-Broxton (final season, Class B state quarterfinals)
Never depend out a Scott Hines-coached group. And the Mustangs are proving that to this point this season. Kray Rogers, Blayke Nunn and Jaxon Willits lead a group that may defend and shoot.
25. Weatherford (final season, Class 4A semifinals)
They have been the Cinderella of the 4A state match, beating Heritage Hall and practically beating Victory Christian to make the title sport. This 12 months, the Eagles are no person’s underdog. Led by 6-6 star within the making CJ Nickson, Weatherford has the scale and swagger to make one other run.
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