Team Preview: Edmond North (6A)

<p>Edmond North coach Scott Norris said that his ten-deep senior class -- most of whom have played significant minutes -- may provide Edmond North its best window to compete for a championship since 2017.</p> <p>"It’s been something we’ve looked forward to since the first time I was on-campus with them when I took the job, when they were just finishing up their freshman year[s]," Norris said. "We knew how much ability they had. . . we were really only one turnover away from being in the State Tournament last year.</p> <blockquote>"I think that showed them that they can do it," Norris said.</blockquote> <p>North returns each of its starters from 2020. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="745358" first="Dalante" last="Shannon"] headlines that talented group after scoring 16 points-a-game as a junior.</p> [caption id="attachment_1030315" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/DS.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1030315" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/DS-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="745358" first="Dalante" last="Shannon"] (Matt Reynolds/Prep Hoops).[/caption] <p>"[Dalante] had a really good spring and summer with Buddy Buckets, has come in in really good shape, he’s gotten stronger," Norris said. "He’s one that just wants to put in the work every day."</p> <p>Third-year starter [player_tooltip player_id="745366" first="Landry" last="Harris"] will help to lead the floor with his quick handles and speed, Norris said.</p> <p>"I think [Harris’s] shot has gotten a lot better, so he’s been playing at a really high level," Norris said.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="938851" first="Josh" last="Price"] and [player_tooltip player_id="938852" first="Sam" last="Walker"], both of whom started some or every game as juniors, also return for their senior seasons playing defensive and sharpshooting roles.</p> <p>"[Price] has got tougher each season and is probably one of our best kids as far as being a teammate and really buying into making everybody better and being an encourager," Norris said. "[player_tooltip player_id="938852" first="Sam" last="Walker"] is probably our most consistent kid, tremendous shooter, and I think he’s gotten a lot better since last spring. . . he’s playing with a lot more athleticism, getting to the rim better."</p> <p>Senior post [player_tooltip player_id="745386" first="Abraham" last="Aghasedo"], who has worked closely with North assistant and former Central-Oklahoma forward Corbin Byford, has made tremendous improvements to his game since arriving at North as a junior, Norris said.</p> <p>"Abraham. . . is the one not having a spring and summer in our program hurt the most, ’cause he had made so many strides last year," Norris said, "and then not to have that time with coach Byford has hurt him a little bit, but he’s gotten back in shape now and is playing well."</p> [caption id="attachment_591958" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/10/Josh-Price-20211-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-591958" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2018/10/Josh-Price-20211-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="938851" first="Josh" last="Price"].[/caption] <p>Cameron Lee, a heady senior guard, will help North’s back-court on both ends, Norris said.</p> <p>"Cameron has been an off-and-on starter for two years, he’s our high-energy guy," Norris said, "always wants to be playing hard defense, rebounding and it’s just him getting self-confidence with his shot."</p> <p>Guard [player_tooltip player_id="745382" first="Joell" last="Wilson"], another off-and-on starter for the Huskies, also returns for his senior season.</p> <p>"[player_tooltip player_id="745382" first="Joell" last="Wilson"] is kind of a streaky-type player, we’re just trying to get him to be more consistent in practice" Norris said, "I mean, he’s definitely a gamer and somebody whose come up big for us in a lot of tough situations."</p> <p>Senior wing Layton Moore, a 6-foot-inch swingman, will help the Huskies with his versatile play in an expanded role, Norris said.</p> <p>"Layton has made great strides, can hit the three," Norris said, "he’s become tougher inside where we can have him on the floor as an inside-outside presence. . . just a tremendous student of the game and wants to contribute a lot more his senior year."</p> <p>Senior Zack Russell, the Huskies’ feature speed-back on the gridiron, returns for North.</p> <p>"Zack Russell’s just coming out of football, we haven’t been able to see him on the floor," Norris said, "but he’s a great teammate, somebody who brings a great intensity and a great desire to win to our guys."</p> [caption id="attachment_1035469" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Landry.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1035469" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Landry-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="196" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="745366" first="Landry" last="Harris"] (Clare Reynolds/Prep Hoops).[/caption] <p>Kris Frazier -- you guessed it, a senior -- also returns for the Huskies after dealing with a knee injury during his junior year.</p> <p>"[Kris] was playing really, really good last year when he ended up hurting his knee eight before Thanksgiving," Norris said, "so he’s still trying to work himself back into shape, and he’s done a great job with the rehab, so hopefully he can get in there and compete, give us some good-quality minutes."</p> <p>A freshman, Dylan Warlick, will compete for playing time at the post in his first year with the Huskies, Norris said.</p> <p>"We really like what [Warlick] brings to our team with toughness and a little more size at the four-and-five positions," Norris said. "He can guard a five-man, or he can also play outside and give people some problems there, so I really look for him to help us for four years."</p> <p>Norris said that the Huskies’ depth has helped to fuel their competitive drive.</p> <p>"We’re senior-led, but we have a lot of guys that want to compete," Norris said, "the competition is good in practice every day."</p> <blockquote>The Huskies, who are among the early favorites to hoist the Gold Ball, will rely on that competitive spirit, but also the experience of their upperclassmen to adjust, Norris said.</blockquote> <p>"I think flexibility and being able to adjust at any time. . . is going to be key," Norris said. "Hopefully we can show maturity and be able to prepare on short amount of time."</p>