Scouting the Scout: OU and Tulsa Team Camps, Rising Seniors

<p>A handful of Class of 2023 standouts from the recent team camps in Tulsa and Norman.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="981286" first="Sebastian" last="Perry"], 6’1 Point Guard, Heritage Hall</p> <p>The lead guard can fill it up, and did so in a second half against a west Texas foe on Friday afternoon. Perry is able to get to his spots thanks to solid quickness and a compact playing style that makes him tough to cover. Even when contested, he’s a skilled shot maker in the midrange. Add in some pop from beyond the arc and he’s one of the more balanced scorers in Oklahoma. It was also good to see him operate off the ball some with physical 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id="1295711" first="Rashaud" last="Smith"] taking some of the ball handling duties. This development should help an intelligent scorer like Perry continue to find new ways to hurt opposing defenses. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1211253" first="Xavier" last="Ridenour"], 6’0 Combo Guard, Kingfisher</p> <p>For the reigning Class 4A champions, Ridenour looks ready to take his offensive game to the next level as the Yellowjackets will once again attempt to fight off all challengers in a deep Class 4A. Last season, Ridenour was a sharpshooter from deep, now he’s added an improved off the dribble game. His combination of a tighter handle, while also looking more explosive and decisive when getting down hill made for some impressive "takes" to the rim on a Friday afternoon game on the Lloyd Noble Center main floor. </p> <p>With the balanced attack Kingfisher runs, Ridenour might not put up the gaudy scoring numbers of other seniors. He’ll combine to share the scoring burden with fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1211251" first="Maddox" last="Mecklenburg"] and Caden Kitchens (a pair of do it all guards). But it’s unlikely there will be many players that are more efficient this winter. And his improved floor game will allow to better take advantage of any weaknesses he finds in opposing defenses. The efficiency and winning pedigree should help Ridenour and the other Yellowjacket seniors standout to regional colleges. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Brandon Mann, 6’4 Forward, Owasso</p> <p>The athletic and strong Mann is starting to display more perimeter skills for an Owasso team that with a balanced group of ballhandlers and shooters should space the floor verythis winter. Which would lead to good spacing and allow the burly senior to be a force to handle off the bounce. There were even good moments of playmaking as a secondary playmaker in the halfcourt with a couple good reads for assists. If Mann can improve his shooting, he could develop into one of the more dominant two-way threats this winter for the Rams on the East Side of the state. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="981279" first="Evan" last="Barber"], 6’2 Combo Guard, Westmoore</p> <p>Adding to the list of impressive senior to be scoring guards is Barber, who perhaps has had the best spring of any 2023 guard in Oklahoma. He recently picked up an offer from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and it’s because of his ability to put the ball in the net. While a strong driver and capable of operating in the midrange, what’s really separated Barber in these last six months is his ability to hit from distance. Often in quick succession. In this viewing it’s clear that he’s now solidified himself among in the upper echelon of top shooters in the Class of 2023, with college ready range from beyond the arc,</p> <p>The offer from Southwestern by Terry Evans, an Oklahoma native who is known for his strong recruitment of fellow Oklahomans, is a sign of what should be many more offers for one of the better scorers in the Class of 2023. Barber’s game is reminiscent of JC Hartzler, from now over a decade ago at Union, who went on to become a 1,000 point scorer at the D2 level with Rogers State. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1160669" first="TJ" last="Strong"], 6’7 Forward, Edmond North</p> <p>Strong is in an interesting spot from a prospect stand point. He likely has enough size to fit into modern basketball as a small ball 4/5 type, but shooting and improving mobility hint that there could be more versatility to his game. In the state tournament it was efficient catch and shooting that helped his Huskies capture the Gold Ball. In Tulsa, he struggled with his shot in games two watched on Friday afternoon. Players with size and potentially high skill levels are always worth monitoring. </p>