Star Spencer is Millwood’s direct threat in Class 3A
In Class 3A, three teams will compete for a championship. Yes, eight teams will make the State Tournament, but three teams will compete for a state title. Those three teams are Millwood, Roland, and Star Spencer. Of those three teams,…
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Continue ReadingIn Class 3A, three teams will compete for a championship. Yes, eight teams will make the State Tournament, but three teams will compete for a state title. Those three teams are Millwood, Roland, and Star Spencer. Of those three teams, Millwood is the favorite because of their personnel, but if anyone can upset them it’ll be Star Spencer.
I say Star Spencer is a sleeper, but are they? They’re third in Class 3A behind both Millwood and Roland, but looking at their schedule, it’s comparable to Millwood who’s (14-9) on the season. The Bobcats are (18-5) with some notable losses to competitive teams. Among their key losses is a road loss to Class 4A’s Heritage Hall, Daniel Webster, John Marshal, and a competitive Choctaw team from Class 6A.
The Bobcats aren’t going to beat you playing today’s style of basketball. Their head coach, Lance Cudjoe is a journeyman in high school coaching. He’s been everywhere, including serving as the head assistant coach to Terry Long at Douglass where they won numerous state championships and took even more trips to the State Tournament during that time.
Cudjoe has implemented an entirely different style of basketball than what today’s game has to offer. The Bobcats are beating teams with their athleticism and with a defense-first mentality that’s stressful for teams that can’t match their athleticism.
In their game against Heritage Hall, their defense was an obstacle that 4A’s No. 2 team struggled to cross. If it weren’t for Trey Alexander, a top-three player in the state of Oklahoma, Star may have gotten that win.
I think Millwood is the best team in 3A, but the code to beat them could be simple for Star Spencer. Play tough defense against the Falcons, get Isaiah Williams out of his game and force as many turnovers as possible.