New Class 6A and 5A Districts: INSTANT REACTION

Today brought official change to the high school basketball landscape for Class 6A and 5A. After long being a hot button issue, recent voting controversies and playoff seeding questions led to an announcement earlier this year of districts for the 32 teams each in Class 6A and 5A. This is a huge change, as the playoff seeding will no longer be dictated by voting from the coaches and the final few weeks of the regular season will have stakes now.   After ADM was released and the changes to Rule 14 were finalized, Class 6A and Class 5A coaches held a preseason vote last week which helped shape the distribution of teams to districts. Class 6A sees five Oklahoma City metro teams sent east to balance out the split of 16 east side and 16 west side teams. While Class 5A is a little cleaner, but still has Guymon in the panhandle participating with predominantly 405 based schools in District 2. And southern Oklahoma based Durant will be playing in District 4, against teams from the 918.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-09-at-12.09.31-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-09-at-12.09.31-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2118798" /></a></figure>     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-09-at-12.09.58-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/Screen-Shot-2023-08-09-at-12.09.58-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2118806" /></a></figure>   Coach's Corner   While no system is perfect, when speaking with coaches this summer, the switch to Districts has largely been viewed as a positive step forward. This sentiment was echoed by a few coaches that were reached out for comments today.   Tulsa Memorial has been one of the premier programs in Class 5A for over the last decade. But during the regular season Memorial played in Green Country Conference, comprised of Tulsa Public Schools. The conference was a mixture of Class 5A opponents and schools from other classifications. While the Chargers will still play TPS rivals Edison and Will Rogers, their head coach Bobby Allison is looking forward to the new competition for the regular season.   "Exciting new era in Oklahoma High School basketball with some great match ups. The home and home environments will make for some great playoff like environments." - Bobby Allison, Tulsa Memorial   Last season, Holland Hall was a mid-season bump up to Class 5A. Even with that unexpected change, they made their fifth straight State Tournament. Even defeating El Reno to advance to the semifinals. Head Coach Teddy Owens is looking forward to the competitive nature of his district.   "I love that we get to be in a District with Memorial, who has as good of a basketball tradition as anyone in the state. When you walk into their arena and see the banners that hang there, they set a standard in high school basketball for what we want to achieve. Coach Allison has continued on that great tradition and has won at the highest level. I'm looking forward to our guys playing in that atmosphere!" - Teddy Owens, Holland Hall   The Dutch are in unique position due to Rule 14 bumping them up two classifications. They join fellow private school Crossings Christian as the two smallest teams in Class 5A. Holland Hall with an ADM of 362 is under half the size of the smallest public school in the class, Elgin (761). But the size difference isn't expected to deter Holland Hall's mindset during their quest to return to Norman in March.   "Our guys have always risen to the challenge. They don't look at ADM, they don't make excuses, they just show up and work and their result has been 5 straight State Tournaments." - Owens   Head coaches in Class 6A are looking forward to the added meaning to close out the regular season with playoff seeding now on the line. Jermaine Simpson at Choctaw is one of the coaches most impacted by the 6A Districts, as his Yellowjackets will be playing the bulk of the regular road season games outside the OKC metro. But that hasn't detoured him from enjoying what he views as a step forward for Oklahoma.   "I'm excited about the new format personally. I think too many coaches abused or took advantage of the voting system. Yes, some teams have to travel more than normal and a few rivalry games have been taken away but come playoffs I think everyone will appreciate the new setup. There is still opportunity for teams to meet in tournaments which gives those matchups more meaning instead of having to play a team three and possibly four times a year. We'll all adjust to the changes after going through it this upcoming season and over time I think it benefits the sport of basketball in the state of Oklahoma." - Jermaine Simpson, Choctaw   Fellow 6A head coach Brian Montonati of Owasso has similar sentiments, with acknowledgement of the changes in travel but is excited that the playoff match ups will be settled on the court in February games.   "The travel and logistics will be challenging but I'm extremely excited to be playing meaningful games in late February that will impact playoff seeding…  The last two weeks of district play should be very exciting and continue into the playoffs under the new format." - Brian Montonati, Owasso   Long time Putnam City West head coach Lenny Bert is also excited about the new match ups, but voiced the perspective of wanting to find a way to continue the rivalries that make high school basketball special. Which makes sense as Putnam City schools saw their three programs placed in separate districts.   "I think it will bring excitement to our state with new matchups. It's actually seems to be pretty balanced across the board with everybody having rivals with exceptions of Lawton & Eisenhower. I would like to add 2-3 games to the immediate schedule so that traditional rivals and showcases could go as normal no matter the change in districts from year to year. - Lenny Bert, Putnam City West     Turnpike Travelers   Joining Choctaw as frequent travelers on the Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa are fellow 405 programs, Edmond North, Southmoore and US Grant. Fresh off a Class 6A semifinals appearance where they took Edmond North to overtime, Choctaw is expected to be one of the top teams in Class 6A. While the extra travel could throw a wrinkle into their season, Choctaw should slot in as the preseason favorite for District 4. The Sabercats of Southmoore will be joining Choctaw in travels to Tulsa in District 4. They'll add to the tough competition at the top of that district along strong Tulsa teams Broken Arrow, Bixby and Jenks. The battle to finish in the top half of District 4 is expected to be fierce.   For District 3, Edmond Memorial, Putnam City and US Grant will be the westside representatives. Edmond Memorial has been one of the best programs in the state, but suffered an down year by their standards. Signs from this summer indicate that the Bulldogs should be back to challenging for a Class 6A State Tournament appearance and this district seeding sets up exciting match ups with expected Tulsa area powers, Owasso and Union.   "Edlam" Split Up   As mentioned above, Edmond Memorial is one of the programs being sent east. To further break up the regular season "Edlam" rivalry, Edmond North has been placed in District 1 and Edmond Santa Fe in District 2. The north OKC suburb has long been a hub for some of the best basketball players in the state. In 2021 and 2022, all three Edmond public school programs made the 6A State Tournament. And of course Edmond North is looking for their third straight Class 6A championship. Now the early December Edmond Open will have extra meaning, as any match ups between the three Edmond programs there could be the only "Edlams" of the season.   Some other rivalries that have been separated because of the new districts include all three Moore schools in different districts. Also separated were Putnam City, Putnam City North and Putnam City West. Norman and Norman North's Crosstown Clash isn't a district game, while Yukon-Mustang and Jenks-Union are more examples of longtime rivals not currently scheduled for a regular season match up.     Titanic Battles in 5A District 1?   After finishing as runner ups last season, and having a battle tested senior group and exciting sophomore class, Carl Albert enters the season as Class 5A favorites. The district assignments saw them avoid their Mid-Del rivals in Midwest City and Del City but they were paired with a newcomer to Class 5A in Crossings Christians   Changes to OSSAA's Rule 14 regarding private schools has one of the fastest risings programs in Oklahoma now in Class 5A. In 2021, Crossings won their schools first State Title in Class 3A. Now after back to back 4A semifinal appearances (and the Rule 14 changes), the Knights with an ADM of 296.7 will be the smallest team in Class 5A, by nearly 500 students. On the court, Crossings shouldn't have any trouble competing. Their front court of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1391432' first='Cam' last='Parker'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552378' first='Phoenix' last='Woodson'] will be one of the best in Class 5A. While junior floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1358852' first='Cal' last='Furnish'] is one of the best point guards in the state. Along with their 4A semifinal appearance, the core of the Knights team were the only Oklahoma squad to beat last year's Class 6A champions Edmond North.   Carl Albert has an outstanding senior core of [player_tooltip player_id='1367219' first='Quincy' last='Hopkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1367218' first='Jayden' last='Mott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1807984' first='Ryan' last='Reynolds']. While exciting sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2223689' first='Jayden' last='Hopkins'] and Stephen Anderson was expected to add to the Titans depth. With the mix of experience and potential, along with head coach Jay Price's winning pedigree, it's easy to see why they drew the most 1st place votes (14) in last week's ranking. But with how talented Crossings Christian to be, the two regular season match ups between the Titans and Knights should be circled on the calendar for any Oklahoma prep basketball junkie.

Today brought official change to the high school basketball landscape for Class 6A and 5A. After long being a hot button issue, recent voting controversies and playoff seeding questions led to an announcement earlier this year of districts for the 32 teams each in Class 6A and 5A. This is a huge change, as the playoff seeding will no longer be dictated by voting from the coaches and the final few weeks of the regular season will have stakes now.