Tape Dont Lie: Rogue 2025
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The Tape Dont Lie series continues with a look at another of the top 2025 programs in Oklahoma, the Rogue. While their team is made up with a mixture of players from all over Oklahoma, their chemistry isn’t that of…
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Continue ReadingThe Tape Dont Lie series continues with a look at another of the top 2025 programs in Oklahoma, the Rogue. While their team is made up with a mixture of players from all over Oklahoma, their chemistry isn’t that of a hodge-podge AAU program. They play well together and are off to a strong start. While there was one in person viewing in a win against Dallas Showtyme a couple weeks ago, the depth of this team merits a deeper look.
A bigger squad by Oklahoma standards, they have outstanding depth with a mixture of wings/forwards in the 6 foot 6 range with Weatherford’s Tate Sage Tate Sage 6'7" | SG Weatherford | 2025 State OK leading the way. His brother Ethan Sage Ethan Sage 6'7" | SF Weatherford | 2025 State OK , Holland Hall’s Ethan Taber Ethan Taber 6'5" | PF Holland Hall | 2025 State OK , Choctaw’s Millet Steelman Millet Steelman 6'6" | PF Choctaw | 2025 State OK and Edmond North’s Logan Knol round out that group. While their backcourt is anchored by the Loper twins from Westmoore and quality shooter Walker Kennedy Walker Kennedy 6'2" | SG Piedmont | 2025 State OK from Piedmont.
Here’s a breakdown of two more games from a 4-0 weekend, a closely contested against Oklahoma Power* and a double digit victory against New Mexico D1
*The BallerTV Stream glitched out at 32 minute mark, preventing a full viewing of that contest.
Throughout the viewings, Loper was consistently getting by defenders and making a living in the paint. With the way he shifts on crossover and drives, he had a slippery quality that gave him a great success rate on drives. At the rim he had a mix of good finishers and good reads to find open shooters along the perimeter. This vision and feel as a playmaker was also evident with some of the tight angle passes and reads he made in pick and roll situations.
Another small but vital aspect to his success as the floor general for the Rogue, his willingness to pitch it ahead in transition. In watching other games this early in grassroots season, too often players miss the opportunity to make the simple but very effective pass ahead. Loper in these viewings kept his eyes ahead and by making these “simple” plays, stood out. He’s off to a strong start this spring and looks poised to play a huge role for Westmoore next winter.
Highlights
A Swiss army knife of a player, one second Sage will be crashing the glass on the offensive end. The next second, he’ll be knocking down catch and shoot three pointers. He’s also very impressive in transition, as he eats up huge ground with an easy looking stride. Sage never looks that fast with the ball in his hands, but with the way he covers grounds with his huge steps, he’s often quickly at the rim, where he’s a strong finisher. The complete 2025 wing looks to be one of the players poised for a big jump from his sophomore to junior season.
Highlights
A battler around the basket, Knoll is a ferocious rebounder who attacks the glass and high points the ball when rebounding. This is best shown when he crashes on the offensive glass. post score. Along with the high motor rebounding and occasional block, he’s adept at carving out space. Which allows him to get post up touches close enough to the rim, which helps him unleash a quality back to the basket game. It’s fun to see a player “star in his role” as a productive forward, with the occasional flash of perimeter skills.
Highlights
Watching Loper with Westmoore this past winter, he stood out as a great catch and shoot specialist. He hit some big time perimeter shots throughout the season. In the win against New Mexico D1, he opened the game with a deep three. Then closed out the first half way with a microwave type barrage from deep. He pulled up in transition and drained step backs in the halfcourt. The kid can flat out shoot it.
In the portions of the Power contest that were viewable, Loper was more of a driver. Which was more of a mix bagged when compared to his quality shooting. He did not gain the same separation on drives as his brother but there was promise with a couple good acrobatic, contested finishes at the rim. Right now shooting is his calling card, and it will be interesting to see how along with his commitment to defense, the rest of his game fills out.