Season Previews 2023-24: Bixby

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school basketball season is quickly approaching, stay up to date on teams from all over Oklahoma with our Team Preview series that will be running throughout October and November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bixby Spartans, Class 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023-23 Record: 20-6, 6A Area</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Starters: 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bixby was one of the highest scoring teams in the state, clearing 70 points on 13 different occasions. While they graduated one of the best scorers in Oklahoma, sharpshooting Parker Friedrichsen now of Wake Forest, look for the points to continue to flow for the up tempo Spartans. They still return three players who averaged double figures, with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1364821' first='Triston' last='Driver'] looking to throw his hat into the ring for the competition of top scorers in Oklahoma. Along with the returning core, newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='2779877' first='Shon' last='Lewis'] is an athletic lead guard who is expected to fit into well to their up tempo ways. And keep an eye on 2026 Griffin Stewart, a 6 foot 5 prospect who averaged a double double in scoring and rebounding during freshman games last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CIRCLE THE CALENDAR FOR: </strong>Choctaw at Bixby, December 15th</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new district setup for 6A and 5A has created cross state match ups that used to be reserved for in season tournaments or the playoffs. One such fun match up, that should also help shape the race for the district title, comes when Choctaw travels up the Turner Turnpike to Bixby. It would be a statement win if the Spartans could take down last year's Class 6A Semifinalist in their final game heading into winter break. This is also a match up that used to have some "spice" on the football field, perhaps a new cross state rivalry could be kick started, especially as the teams will meet again in Choctaw on February 2nd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1364821"],"_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":"Junior year is typically when prospects make a huge leap in their production and start to solidify their opportunities to be a next level player.  Driver averaged 15 points a game last year, and based on how he's looked this past spring and summer, 15 points will likely be a quiet night for him this winter.  The junior lead guard has always had great range from beyond the arc, but he's worked hard to become a complete scorer. He's become quicker and stronger off the bounce, and looks ready to take the reigns of the high scoring Spartans offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1237975"],"_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":"Also a football standout, McCormick averaged a double double as he brought his football physicality to basketball. For a team like Bixby that wants to play fast, rebounding and the dirty work on the defensive end to create transition opportunities is important to playing with tempo. McCormcik will be a crucial part of their success in that regard and his contributions shouldn't go overlooked.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1685816"],"_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":"A returning double figure scorer from last season, the senior is set up for another year of Bixby fans cheering on threes from a Friedrichsen. Just like his older brother, he's one of the top pure shooters in Oklahoma. At a recent camp in OKC, it looks like his offensive game is expanding, with the ability to attack after being ran off the three point line. The one-two punch of Friedrichsen and Driver should cause headaches for opposing coaches, especially with how their shooting ability stretches the floor.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1625120"],"_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":"A senior that through hardwork and a good fundamental base, should have a chance to finish his Bixby career with bigger contributions. Antle is a physical guard who averaged 4.6 points and grabbed 3 boards a game last year. With the driving lanes that his teammates' shooting ability create, he can potentially be an effective attacker off the bounce.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2341385' first='Spencer' last='Holley'] ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Bixby","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2075973' first='Tulsa' last='Hawks']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another junior to keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id='2341385' first='Spencer' last='Holley']. He's a guard who fits into the long range bombing culture of Bixby but his stats last year proved that with his size he can be more than just a floor spacer. Along with the 7 points he averaged, he grabbed 7 rebounds.  Turning into a double digit scorer on a regular basis as Holley and Driver give the Spartans a duo to be excited about this year and next.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65416161d7e6d"} /-->