Norman Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 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!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's preview takes a look at the Norman Tigers of Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2021-2022 RESULTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season was the start of a new chapter for the Norman Tigers under head coach Cory Cole. He took over a program that was fresh off a 2-18 season. In his first year, the Tigers picked up signature wins, including a stretch in January where they earned eventual victories over 6A semifinalists Edmond Santa Fe, 6A runner ups Moore and 6A champion Edmond North. Unfortunately for them, they were not able to put together a consistent string of positive results. In the playoffs an opening round win gave way to back to back three point losses that ended their season and put them at a 11-15 record for the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022-2023 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In year two for the Tigers under Cole they'll be returning three talented starters, with the expectations of a winning season as a minimum. Their regular season schedule will be a nightly battle as members of the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference. Highlighting those games will be match ups with the Edmond programs, the Moore programs and Mustang. On December 16th comes a crucial clash, the Crosstown Clash with rivals Norman North. It has been years since the Tigers last won the contest, an early season victory to head into winter break on a positive note would be a huge signal of the Tiger's expectations this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63600094361f3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1646134,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Caison Cole","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Norman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Buddy Buckets","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The returning leading scorer from last year's team, Cole averaged 13.2 points per game.  When watching the  lead guard, there's a clear cerebral approach to his shot selection as he plays with efficiency. That observation is backed up by him posting an impressive 41% from beyond the arc last season. Building on his 2.7 assist per game average from last year would be a key step forward for him as a prospect and would help Norman rack up the wins this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1182164"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Last year was the Florida native's first year in Oklahoma. He immediately impressed as a skilled inside-outside threat, Willenborg is a classic stretch 4. On the defensive end his long arms and high activity level helps him rack up stocks (steals/blocks). Offensively, Willenborg has enough of a handle to push the ball himself in transition or attack in situations where opponents close out. Cole and Willenborg were even able to continue to build on their on court chemistry by playing together this past summer on Buddy Buckets' top travel team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1367222"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The ceiling for the Tigers this year could lie with the growth of athletic junior wing Combs-Peirce. It was obvious watching the lanky 6 foot 6 perimeter player last year that he was filled with untapped potential. There were moments every game where his raw, natural talents were on display. Transition dunks. Steals. Blocks. He has the ability to be one of the best defenders in state as he can switch out onto guards and cover them, or be physical around the rim against forwards.rnrnThis year it will be on Combs-Pierce to take a more consistent leap in his production. The flash plays mentioned above are what will catch the eyes of college coaches. But more consistent production is what will keep them coming back. Offensively that comes down to continuing to improve his shooting, ball handling and finishing.  Rebounding more. It's all about filling in the small details for Combs-Peirce and the Tigers to reach their lofty ceiling this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Marquis Combs-Pierce","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Norman","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Oklahoma Chaos","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Basketball, especially at the high school level in Oklahoma, is becoming smaller and more guard focus. Which is what makes the physical Marquis Combs-Pierce such an interesting change of pace weapon for Norman. He found some success last year thanks to imposing build and ability to eat up space around the rim. There might be some match ups that the physical senior could have trouble keeping pace, but he does look trimmer compared to last season and should have increased mobility because of that. It might not be an every night impact, but there will be games this year where Combs-Pierce gets into a rhythm inside, racks up a double-double and changes the course of the game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1436889' first='Landon' last='Miller'] - 2023 Wing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JP Sumo - 2024 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BJ Randle - 2025 Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->