Championship Scouting: PCN vs Mustang AKA somebody offer CJ Smith
In this article:
The final of the Mustang Holiday Classic lost a little luster with Mustang senior Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'3" | SG Mustang | 2023 State OK missing the contest. As the future Sooner was off to Orlando, Florida, to compete…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe final of the Mustang Holiday Classic lost a little luster with Mustang senior Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'3" | SG Mustang | 2023 State OK missing the contest. As the future Sooner was off to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the UA Next All-America football game. But the content in Mustang still served as a loud statement for a now 11-0 Putnam City North squad.
Their suffocating defense held Mustang to only 12 first half points on 4-19 shooting. While Mustang made some headway in the second half, the game never felt in doubt. The strong senior core of PCN drew plenty of headlines this week but longterm it was a pair of youngsters who might’ve had the most growth. It was the defensive intensity along with timely scoring from the sophomore duo of Khai Brown Khai Brown 6'2" | SG Putnam City North | 2025 State OK and Anthony Leonard Anthony Leonard 6'2" | CG Putnam City North | 2025 State OK , that helped North win the tournament decisively and also elevated ceiling of this team.
If the Panthers are able to replicate the defense they played in the first half of their wins over Carl Albert and Mustang, they will firmly be in the mix to claim the Class 6A Gold Ball in March at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Tournament MVP CJ Smith CJ Smith 6’7″ | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK scored 23 points on the night, on only 13 shots. He also hauled in 8 rebounds, while putting together an impressive end to end performance. Offensively, he had one of his best finishing games around the rim. Even powering through a football like wrap up tackle for an exclamation point transition score. Along with scoring right at the rim, he was able to get to his spots as a driver when pulling up in the 10 feet range. Mix in a pair of threes and it was a complete display of dominance. On the defensive end, he played with the same intensity as the rest of his Panther teammates. He crowded defenders on the perimeter using his size and strength to harass them when they put it on the floor. While also closing out to make life difficult for shooters or blocking/altering shots at the rim.
The light has fully come on for Smith in the past two months. With his improved intensity, confidence and scoring, the Panther is now one of the best players in the state and is the type of two way talent, that should have coaches flocking to Oklahoma in the upcoming months to recruit him.
Kejuan Payne
Kejuan Payne
It was another double digit game for the jack of all trades wing player for the Panthers. Just like Smith, he takes pride in his defense and was a terror when pressuring the ball, while also flying around as a rim protector. A stout and springy athlete, Payne should be enticing to regional colleges for his ability cover multiple positions and high energy playing style. He was also once again efficient, as his 14 points came on 5-9 shooting. Often in the midrange, but he also nailed his first three of the tournament.
The lone Bronco in double figures, the sophomore had to earn every point he got against the stout Panther defense. His shot wasn’t falling from deep, but he was still able to get to the rim enough to do damage with some impressive finishes. Also impressively was the attitude and spark he fought back with. At times in the past Miller has looked passive, but he took the challenge today and kept fighting on both ends of the court. He even used his long arms to block shots and battle more on the defensive end. The skill level has always been there, but the improvements in athleticism and competitive fire has Miller looking ready to make a big leap over the next six months.