Same story different year, Class 5A
Class 5A has been dominated in recent years by Tulsa Memorial, Carl Albert and Lawton Ike. Entering the 2016-2017 season it does not look like it is going to change much. The trio will be once again at the top…
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Continue ReadingClass 5A has been dominated in recent years by Tulsa Memorial, Carl Albert and Lawton Ike. Entering the 2016-2017 season it does not look like it is going to change much. The trio will be once again at the top of the Class 5A rankings to begin the season.
The defending champion, Carl Albert Titans return their two standouts Trey Hopkins and Mason Harrell. The duo of Hopkins and Harrell has a chance to take home three Gold Balls before their career ends. Hopkins hit a buzzer beater a year ago to sink Tulsa Memorial in the state championship game.
Over the summer the Titans lost Bryce Mooreland, who moved to Norman. The Titans will not fall off because of their two stars improvement over the summer. The Under Armour Circuit provided Hopkins with a chance to lead Oklahoma Run PWP 16U squad. Harrell does not get a ton of love with his size at the Point. This summer Harrell shut up many doubters showing he can be effective against the best in the country with Team Griffin on the NIKE EYBL. The two circuits have prepared Hopkins and Harrell for a dominant run in the Oklahoma high school basketball scene.
This has to be Tulsa Memorial’s year to win the Class 5A Gold ball. Heartbreak has been the scene of the Chargers last two trips to the state tournament. In 2014 Carl Albert’s Mason Harrell hit the game winner at the buzzer to beat Tulsa Memorial in the semifinals. One year later Hopkins put Tulsa Memorial through a flash back in the state championship game. Caleb Nero leads the Chargers attack at the Point. He has prepared himself over the summer to have the best year of his high school career, which has been a special one at Tulsa Memorial. The Chargers have developed a deadly guard duo with Nero and Kobe Rose at the two guard spot.
The matchup everyone is hoping for in the state finals again is Tulsa Memorial and Carl Albert. But Lawton Ike has other plans for Class 5A.
The Eagles won the state championship in 2014 behind senior leadership. Last year Lawton Ike ran out of gas behind Darius Roy in the state semifinals. Can Romio Harvey and RJ Fisher lead the Eagles?
It will not be easy, but Lawton Ike has a chance to challenge the Titans and Chargers. The athletic guards at Lawton Ike will allow them to compete at a high level in Class 5A. The Titans, Eagles and Chargers are clearly at the top of Class 5A. El Reno comes in at a distant forth with Callen Haydon running the show at the Point. El Reno has a great chance to make the semifinals for the second straight year in Class 5A. At this point it does not appear El Reno will have enough gas to take out the three alpha teams. Early in the season Prep Hoops will keep a close eye on the Indians young talent.
Class 5A could feature the same four teams in the semifinals for the second straight year. The top of the class is loaded with talent.
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com