Class 5A All Tournament Team
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The 2023 state tournaments are in the books and we watched some great basketball at OU and at the Big House in Oklahoma City. This week, we’re taking a look at the best players from each class throughout the state…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 state tournaments are in the books and we watched some great basketball at OU and at the Big House in Oklahoma City. This week, we’re taking a look at the best players from each class throughout the state tournament. We’re starting off each post with a look at the MVP selection, along with five other All Tournament selections. In this post, it’s all about Class 5A as the Del City Eagles captured their second state championship in the last three years. Leading the way for the Eagles was Brandon Garrison Brandon Garrison 6'8" | C Evans | 2023 State #33 Nation OK . The senior has become of the most decorated Oklahoma high school basketball players and capped off his prestigious career by going out on top.
Brandon Garrison Brandon Garrison 6'8" | C Evans | 2023 State #33 Nation OK – Del City MVP
Last year the distress from foul trouble was clear on Garrison’s face when Del City fell to Tulsa Memorial in the Class 5A State Title game. The usually jovial giant was a man on an a mission for the three nights at Lloyd Noble Center. The mission was to win the Gold Ball. There was still moments of joyful play from the big man. A late game hammer dunk against Tulsa Memorial was evidence of this, but the future OSU Cowboy remained focused on the mission. In all three games, his elite interior defense anchored the Eagles’ stingy defense, allowing them to complete the mission and claim the Gold Ball.
Over the three games, he averaged a double double with 14.3 points and 12 rebounds. Including a commanding 17 points and 16 rebounds performance in the title game. Garrison still did his damage as an explosive finisher in transition, putbacks and post ups. But in the semifinal victory he showed off his improved touch as a shooter, connecting three times from mid-range or beyond the arc. Add in his 6 blocks in the title game and Garrison was a no brainer for 5A State Tournament MVP.
Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK – Carl Albert
The senior saved his best performance of the tournament for last with a 15 point and 11 rebound stat line that kept Carl Albert firmly in the mix and forced overtime in the title game. He was a stat sheeting stuffer all three games though. With 7 steals in their blowout quarterfinals victory, then 10 points and 7 rebounds as they earned a win over Holland Hall in the semifinals. His scoring in the title game was even more impressive given the “rock fight” nature of the game. England fearlessly attacked the paint while also using his trademark mid-range game.
Quincy Hopkins Quincy Hopkins 6'3" | SF Carl Albert | 2024 State OK – Carl Albert
The explosive junior was at his best in the semifinals with stellar one on one defense, while also pacing the Titans with 13 points. He’s a physical finisher at the rim and nearly had the dunk of the tournament in that contest. Along with his ability to attack the basket, he’s continued to develop his quality mid-range game this winter. After flashes as a sophomore, Hopkins has steadily improved throughout his breakout junior season.
Jamouri McCalister Jamouri McCalister 6'2" | SG Del City | 2023 State OK – Del City
Tone setter. The athletic and aggressive senior always plays the full 94 feet and this was never more apparent than in his complete performance in the Eagles’ semifinals victory of Tulsa Memorial. He caused havoc on the ball by hounding ball handlers, using his quickness and length to be a pest. Off the ball, he had his typical ballhawk instincts on display while playing the the passing lanes and also was physical by pushing taller Chargers off the block. In general, he made life difficult for any player he was covering. Along with the important defensive exploits, McCallister also scored in double figures in the Eagles’ quarterfinals and semifinals victories. With 10 points against Edison and 16 points against Memorial.
Nate Mullendore Nate Mullendore 6'3" | PF Holland Hall | 2023 OK -Holland Hall
The rock in the middle for the Dutch, Mullendore over recent years always played bigger than his size. This was never more apparent than in the double-double he posted in their opening victory over El Reno. He bullied his way to 13 points and 10 rebounds in that victory. In the semifinals his numbers were more muted, but during a comeback attempt in the second half it was a physical “And 1” by the senior that sparked the run . The Dutch have become regulars in the state tournament over recent years and Mullendore’s hard hat, lunch pail nature played a key role in those runs.
Seth Pratt Seth Pratt 6'3" | SG Memorial | 2023 State OK – Tulsa Memorial
There was likely not a better individual offensive showcase during the three days than the scoring show Pratt had in Wednesday’s night cap. Against an athletic and aggressive Spartans backcourt, the Charger senior torched them from distance, in the mid-range and even a little off the bounce. Along with the 26 points, he grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out 5 assists in the Memorial victory over Southeast. Headed to Northeastern State, Pratt leaves with his name all over the prestigious record book for the Chargers and four straight Class 5A State Tournament appearances, including last year’s title.