McAlester Team Preview
On October 1st, basketball practices opened up all across the state of Oklahoma. We’re getting closer and closer to scrimmages starting and games tipping off in November and early December. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be taking an in-depth…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn October 1st, basketball practices opened up all across the state of Oklahoma. We’re getting closer and closer to scrimmages starting and games tipping off in November and early December. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the upcoming season with plenty of team previews, players to watch features, scrimmage breakdowns and much more! Keep it locked into Prep Hoops Oklahoma as we’ll have new preview content dropping on the site every single day!
In this preview, we take a look at the Buffalos of McAlester.
2021-2022 RESULTS
Last season the Buffaloes were anchored by elite scorer Adante’ Holiman, who finished his McAlester career with 2,392 points. With an improved roster around Holiman, McAlester was able to post a winning record, with a 14-11 mark. That included winning Noble’s Dental Lodge Classic tournament in early January. Along with the prodigious scoring of the now UT Rio Grande Valley guard, he capped off his career by helping them make a run to Area in Class 5A. Is McAlester ready to build off their success last season and continue to make noise in Class 5A?
2022-2023 OUTLOOK
Replacing the scoring and excitement that Holiman brought to “Mac-Town” is no small task. Thankfully they have another Holiman in the wings, and last year showed true growth in the talent and overall development of the program with Will Holiman gearing up for his fourth year in charge at his alma mater. With McAlester located on the eastern side of Oklahoma and away from similar sized 5A programs their schedule is always a little different when compared to 5A programs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The meat of their regular season schedule revolves around match ups with Ada, Ardmore, Durant, Hugo and Shawnee. This scheduling often makes for long road trips against some schools that are in lower classifications. Their three in season tournaments at Tahlequah, Noble and Carl Albert will be big tests and a good way to gauge if the fast paced Buffaloes will be ready for playoff success.
A newcomer to the school from nearby small town Pittsburgh, Allen should form a dynamic scoring duo with Holiman. He’s a versatile wing scorer with the size and craftiness to finish well inside. While also having the ability to knock down open three pointers or create space for his shot with midrange jumpers. It’s a big jump from Oklahoma’s smallest classification (B) to 5A, but Allen is no stranger to competition. As this past spring and summer, he routinely shined on the regional grassroots circuits against competition levels more talented than Class B. So the 2023 prospect should be poised to adjust to the level, and become an impact scorer and overall player in Class 5A.
Highlights
Elijah Chatman
Elijah Chatman
A standout on the gridiron, the athletic Chatman plays bigger than his size for the Buffaloes. The evidence for this is his production last season, as he averaged 9 rebounds and 3 blocks a game. A year older, once Chatman gets into basketball shape after an expected long playoff run with McAlester’s football squad, look for him to be a regular double double threat.
More Names to Know
Lewis Woodmore – 2023 Guard
Jake Forehand – 2023 Guard
Evan Black – 2024 Forward
Brayden Bumphus – 2025 Guard