Top Performers: El Reno stuns unbeaten Kingfisher

Defending Class 4A champions Kingfisher graduated a pair of Divison One players in Bijan Cortes and Matthew Stone, and lost other contributors from one of the best teams in the state last year. On the season they had already racked up 14 wins, and occupied their usual top spot in the Class 4A ranks. Tuesday night they traveled south on Highway 81 to test their mettle against 5A squad El Reno. After a deadlocked first quarter, the Yellowjackets finished the second quarter strong with their trademarked balanced attack and took a 26-18 lead into the break. In the third quarter, El Reno freshman Carter Roman Nose stepped up with 10 points and the Kingfisher lead had shrunk to only two points.

The fourth quarter was a back and forth affair, that at one point it looked like Kingfisher would escape El Reno with a victory. Back to back three pointers from Xavier Ridenour Xavier Ridenour 6'2" | CG Kingfisher | 2023 State OK and Maddox Mecklenburg Maddox Mecklenburg 6'3" | CG Kingfisher | 2023 State OK put Kingfisher back ahead. But El Reno would not go away. In a tied ball game, Junior Evan Roman Nose would force a turnover getting El Reno the ball back with 4.7 seconds left. The Indians first attempt at a game winner was no good. Enter freshman Devon Tre Davis. The freshman forward stands 6’5, and has promising athletic ability. He used that size and jumping ability to snatch the board, and then put it back for the game winning score. Giving El Reno a 45-43 victory. 

Top Performers

Carter Roman Nose, 6’2 Freshman Guard, El Reno

From the jump, the freshman looked comfortable with the ball and looked to be a good three pointer shooter. He would prove his high poise level in the third quarter with a flurry of 10 points in the third quarter that was crucial in bringing his Indians back into the game. With his smooth shooting stroke, he knocked down a pair of triples. Then showed his grittiness by picking two pockets and finishing at the rim. Roman Nose had a very productive night, handled ball pressure well and made good decisions with the ball. This could be the start of a very good high school career for the El Reno youngster. 

Xavier Ridenour Xavier Ridenour 6'2" | CG Kingfisher | 2023 State OK , 6’1 Junior Guard, Kingfisher

Over the weekend, the junior was a sharpshooter who buried 7 threes in the Buckle of the Wheatbelt championship game. Tonight Ridenour hit a couple of threes, but was more impressive as a driver. He has a slender frame, but that does not hinder him when driving to the rim. He was able to get off his shot against the bigger Indians squad, and had the look of a crafty scorer. 

James Reveles Jr James Reveles Jr 6'3" | SF El Reno | 2023 State OK , 6’4 Junior Forward, El Reno

A throwback post player, the senior eats up space around the rim as a strong rebounder and low post presence. He has nimble feet for his size, which he puts to good use as a back to the basket scorer. But he even showed the ability to attack as a face up style driver. 

Caden Kitchens, 6’0 Senior Guard, Kingfisher

Kitchens is a role player that has a knack for often being in the right place at the right time. The senior excels as a cutter in Kingfisher’s offense, often finding space around the rim where he’s strong and can finish through contact. He makes good plays on the defensive end by being a smart defender with good instincts. He even popped up for a buzzer beating putback to end the first half. 

Chase Davis Chase Davis 6'5" | SF Kingfisher | 2022 OK , 6’5 Senior Forward, Kingfisher

The big man did a little bit of everything for the Yellowjackets. He stepped out and nailed a three,  is a good passer, and can even put it on the floor a bit. Davis showed off that side of his game when he jumped a passing line, dribbled by one defender then fired a smooth no look pass to a teammate for an assist. 

Matthew Tofpi Matthew Tofpi 6'0" | SG El Reno | 2023 OK , 6’2 Junior Wing, El Reno

The junior is the type of good athlete that makes it look effortless with how he moves.  Tofpi seemingly floats and glides around the court. His athletic gifts were most obvious in a second half drive when he exploded by the defense for an easy score.