Too Early Previews: Class 6A District 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next week, PrepHoops Oklahoma will take a look at all 8 of the new districts for Oklahoma's two largest classifications. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with Class 6A District 1, featuring back to back Class 6A State Champions Edmond North, a rising Deer Creek squad, a newcomer to 6A in Piedmont and other teams that have been recent regulars in the Class 6A State Tournament. From predicting an early MVP for the District, a breakout (freshman-sophomore) prospect along with news and notes to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>District 1</strong> (alphabetical order) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capitol Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmond North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mustang</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norman North </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Piedmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putnam City North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>District MVP?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1332074' first='Dylan' last='Warlick'] - Senior - Edmond North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who else to headline the district that the walking double-double and engine to North's back to back titles? Warlick has been an unstoppable force around the rim for back to back seasons. After a strong spring and summer, he has continued his evolution as a complete scoring threat off the bounce and flashes of three point upside. After the last two years, the target on the Huskys' back will be immense and Warlick's consistency will be crucial for them to fend off the challengers to their throne. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Contenders</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1367226' first='Darian' last='Grant'] - Senior - Moore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1391441' first='Roman' last='Miller'] - Junior - Mustang</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1367215' first='Chiante' last='Tramble'] - Senior - Edmond North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player?</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140800' first='Tyson' last='Pogi'] - Freshman - Mustang</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pogi has a famous last name for fans of Oklahoma State athletics, and it's quite possible that by this time next year he'll be regarded as one of the top shooters in Oklahoma prep basketball. Shooting is likely his early path to playing time, but the highly regard incoming freshman does have longterm potential as a complete scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>5 Second Count</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Piedmont is in their first year in Class 6A. Last season they were a game away from State in 5A, and now are being thrown into the fire of a deep 6A District. They're expected to be a guard heavy team, led by senior newcomer Braedn Lloyd, emerging junior [player_tooltip player_id='1796295' first='Walker' last='Kennedy'] and promising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552326' first='Hudson' last='Hite']. The Wildcats potentially have the shooting to keep pace with the established 6A programs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The only new coach in this district is Myles Jeffries, who comes over after guiding 3A Millwood to back to back State Titles. Jeffries is no stranger to Putnam City North, as he was an assistant there before taking over Millwood. The Panthers have been one of the better teams in 6A since the mid 2010s, and with a pair of talented junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1475985' first='Khai' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1391431' first='Anthony' last='Leonard'], Jeffries will look to keep them in the mix in this new district. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After laying dormant in recent years, the Lions of Moore have roared to life with a Class 6A runner up and quarterfinal finishes the past two seasons. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1367226' first='Darian' last='Grant'] finished the year on a tear in the playoffs and is now committed to Harding, a D2 program in Arkansas. He'll be a regular 20 point a night threat in Oklahoma with his combination of size and explosiveness. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Not long ago Deer Creek was a program in similar shoes to Piedmont. Deer Creek is a rapidly growing school district northwest of OKC, that used to be a small school but now compete in 6A. Last season, the Antlers broke through the glass ceiling by making the Class 6A State Tournament for the first time. Now with high motor junior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579597' first='Clyde' last='Davis'], skilled scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1807981' first='Hudson' last='Linsenmeyer'] and explosive wing-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1295734' first='Jeremiah' last='Deering'], gives them a core that makes this district even tougher. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Norman North started the season slow but finished with quality wins over top ranked teams and were a tough out in Area, losing on a last second shot in overtime. The Timberwolves are once again shaping up to be a team that the whole is greater than the sum of their parts. As they have interesting pieces from athletic guards [player_tooltip player_id='2344095' first='Noah' last='Jones'] and Hezakiah Green, along with Swiss army knife junior [player_tooltip player_id='1151506' first='Owen' last='Eshelman']. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->