Hooker Team Preview

<p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <p>The calendar has flipped to November and it’s time to start talking high school basketball in Oklahoma! Over the last month, we’ve sent out questionnaires to all of the top teams across the state, to get as much information for our month-long preview series as possible to get you ready for this season. Who are the top players, who could have a break out year, who will be the top contenders when March rolls around and we’re all “gold ball chasing”? We have those answers and plenty more with our team by team previews! Stay tuned to Prep Hoops Oklahoma throughout the month for more individual team previews and more preview content that is on the way!</p> <hr /> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>HOOKER BULLDOGS</strong></h3> <hr /> <h4><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></h4> <p>The Hooker Bulldogs look ahead to their 2021-22 campaign after finishing with 22 wins, three losses in a state quarterfinal appearance.</p> <p>With one starter returning, the Bulldogs will field a fresh team on the hardwood this December, but the expectations associated with Hooker basketball won’t change much as the Bulldogs have landed in the state tournament four consecutive seasons.</p> <p>After graduating a strong leadership corps, including 2021 graduate Cole Cathcart, it will be vital for the Bulldogs to rebuild around players with some skin in the Bulldogs’ 47 wins during the past two seasons.</p> <p>Returning for the Bulldogs, an early watchlist candidate for 2A player of the year, is 6-foot-8 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1164864" first="Zach" last="Hidalgo"].</p> <hr /> <h4><strong>KEY RETURNERS</strong></h4> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1164864" first="Zach" last="Hidalgo"]</strong>, Sr. C</p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>11.2p, 8.3r in 2021</li> </ul> <p>Senior front man [player_tooltip player_id="1164864" first="Zach" last="Hidalgo"] is the Bulldogs’ leading returning scorer and rebounder after finishing a few boards shy of averaging a double-double in his junior season.</p> <p>The physical, strong big man had an excellent summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit, showcasing week-by-week improvements with his club team, Oklahoma Eagles.</p> <p>With the departure of a number of seniors from a successful 2021 season, Hidalgo will be Hooker’s primary veteran leader in the locker room and in the crunch.</p> <p><strong>OTHER KEY RETURNERS</strong></p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Sr. <strong>Gavin Parker</strong> -- 2.8p, 5.2r in 2021</li> <li>Sr. <strong>Hudsen Hill</strong> -- 2.5p, 1.7r in 2021</li> <li>Sr. <strong>Nate Metcalf</strong> -- 1p, 1r in 2021</li> <li>Sr. <strong>Seth Pritchard</strong> -- DNP in 2021</li> <li>Jr. <strong>Omar Gomez</strong> -- 1.4p in 2021</li> <li>Jr. <strong>Braxton Burge</strong></li> </ul> <p>KEY NEWCOMERS</p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Fr. <strong>Kleat Martens</strong></li> <li>Fr. <strong>Tate Hidalgo</strong></li> <li>Fr.<strong> Trace Duncan</strong></li> </ul> <hr /> <h4><strong>NOTABLE</strong></h4> <p>Although the Bulldogs have been to the tournament each of the past four seasons, none have produced fruit in the form of Gold Ball -- albeit, the 2020 tournament was soiled for everybody invited to the dance.</p> <p>Showing up to Jim Norick Arena thrice and coming out empty-handed can instill drive in a team, but it can also be discouraging. Most programs have a window, and although Hooker's exceptional athletic program has extended its timetable, the Bulldogs can only be contenders for so long. With Hidalgo taking the lead, the Bulldogs should be zoned in on coming away with the Gold Ball this year.</p>