Douglass Practice Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in October, prior to the 2022-2023 season, the Douglass Trojans were already considered one of the top contenders for the 4A state championship. Then in late October, an Oklahoma basketball bombshell dropped as senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='981287' first='Terry' last='McMorris'] moved into the Douglass district after dominating at Del City for the last three seasons. That took the Trojans from a serious contender to potentially the favorite in Class 4A. With just one more week of regular season basketball in Class 4A, we take a look at the Trojans, who come into this week at #X with a 17-1 record and a 15-game winning streak. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A decade ago, the Trojans were without a doubt one of the top basketball programs in the state. The Stevie Clark days were very good for the OKC school as they would rattle off five consecutive state championships from 2010-2014. They would also win seven in eight seasons from 2010-2017. In fact, the Trojans are a pretty good bet to win the gold ball if they make it back to the Big House. The last seven state tournament appearances, they've walked away with the state title. But it's been a few years since the Trojans have danced on the Big House floor. They won it all in 2017 and haven't been back ever since. But as we start looking ahead to March, the Trojans feel like a safe bet to make it back to the Big House. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in December, the Trojans lost to Putnam City North in the first round of the Joe Lawson Invitational. They haven't lost since. This includes wins over 5A top ten teams Del City and Southeast and a 79-76 instant classic victory over Newcastle in the title game of their tournament. A rematch with Newcastle could be brewing as both teams are in Area II for the playoffs. That area also features Ada, Perkins-Tryon and Victory Christian, who could all make things interesting, but the Trojans and Racers are definitely the favorites coming into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we take a look at four players for Douglass that have been standing out throughout the season. The first three prospects have had their various shining moments this season and McMorris has been one of the best players in the state. We take a look at each four and what has made them special. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1475987"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We start off our player spotlights with Douglass 2025 star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1475987' first='Davon' last='Scott']. Few prospects in Oklahoma had more momentum than Scott after the offseason and heading into the 2022-2023 season. Scott was outstanding last spring and summer and he was primed for a huge sophomore campaign. Then McMorris moved into the district and the identity of the Trojans immediately changed. Scott found himself in a new role that he might not have seen coming back in September. Not only has Scott embraced it, he's performed incredibly well in select moments this season for the Trojans. One moment that certainly stands out was their championship showdown with Newcastle where he hit what would be the game-winning three with under ten seconds left.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1293617"],"_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":"Senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1295750' first='jace' last='breath'] doesn't get near as much shine as some of the other prospects within this loaded Douglass lineup. But he is a critical part of what the Trojans do on both sides of the ball. He's your typical u0022utilityu0022 player that does all the u0022dirty worku0022 for the Trojans. On offense, he's setting picks and posted up in the paint, looking to get any second chance opportunities. On defense, Breath is a long and athletic player that can guard opponents in the post or step out and use that length and athleticism on the perimeter. If the Trojans end up making a run at another gold ball, it will be because they have a player like Breath who is the ultimate role player that continues to see his stock rise as an overall basketball prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1475984"],"_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":"Douglass sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1475984' first='Landry' last='Ballard'] is the other rising star in the state's 2025 class. While Scott is more of a shooter, Ballard has the reputation of being a guard that gets downhill in a hurry. Ballard is a very physical guard that has a gear that few 2025 prospects have when they have the ball in their hands. But the thing that puts Ballard ahead of some of those other guards is his ability to be in full control. Too many times do you see a guard use that speed and acceleration and it becomes out of control. Ballard has a nice touch when he gets to the rim and he's also developed a floater to his offensive game. Ballard has provided the Trojans with yet another option on the offensive end of the floor. He's had multiple games this season where he's gone for 20+ points.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["981287"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"There's a long list of buzz words you can use when you're talking about a prospect depending on the season they're having. When you talk about senior [player_tooltip player_id='981287' first='Terry' last='McMorris'], the best way to describe his senior season is he's u0022unlockedu0022 something on the offensive end of the floor. McMorris has always been one of the best athletes and defenders every time he stepped on the floor. But this season, he's made it look normal to have a stat line like 20-25 points, 10+ rebounds and 5 steals. McMorris has taken his game to a completely new level on offense and because of that, his u0022stocku0022 couldn't be higher as a prospect within the state's 2023 class. McMorris is arguably the best available prospect in the state's 2023 class and he's playing like one of the best overall players as well.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e1b97bb498c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->