Preseason Small School First Team All State
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The season is here for non football programs in Oklahoma and right around the corner for the rest of the state. With that in mind, here’s a look ahead at the players who are expected to be the “best of…
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Continue ReadingThe season is here for non football programs in Oklahoma and right around the corner for the rest of the state. With that in mind, here’s a look ahead at the players who are expected to be the “best of the best” in Class 4A, 3A, 2A, A and B. A focus for these teams were placed on the current senior class, along with a mixture of the juniors who have already achieved high levels of team success.
Check back tomorrow for honorable mention!
(prospects are listed in alphabetic order)
Ballard enjoyed an impressive sophomore season as the man at the control’s of Class 4A champions Douglass. He’s a shifty guard, with great end to end speed, who routinely got into the paint to score himself while also setting up his teammates for highlight reel ally oops or kicking it to open shooters. Now as a junior he’s set for an even bigger scoring and leadership role as the potential engine that will power the Trojans’ attempts to go back to back in Class 4A.
The southern Oklahoma hooper is one of the best scorers in the state and helped his Bruins to the Class A title last season. He averaged 24 points a game last year, with a mix of electrifying drives and a smooth off the dribble pull up game. Caddo will have a great chance to repeat in Class A and it’s likely that 50+ point games are on the horizon for Dill. The Mustang Holiday Classic at the end of December will be a great chance for Oklahoma City based basketball fans to be introduced to one of the most fun hoopers to watch in Oklahoma.
It should be no shock that the state’s top prospect makes the first team, as Forsythe has guided Dale to back to back Class 2A titles. And at the time of publishing, he has the Pirates on a 40 game winning streak, which includes taking down bigger programs at the Tournament of Champions last December. Now the do-it-all senior guard is looking more explosive and is already adding to his impressive resume as one of Oklahoma’s top high school players of the last decade.
Goree can fill it up from deep and off the dribble with the very best in the state. He’s quick and seemingly always in control, from using pumpfakes, change of direction dribble moves and more to find openings to score. Last season he helped his Preston Pirates to a Class 2A semifinal appearance, and has another season ahead of him with big time scoring and likely another trip to OKC in March.
The physical big man has powered OCS to back to back State Tournament appearances in Class 4A and 3A. What makes Gray special is that he’s just as likely to make it ran from beyond the arc as he is to make the goal shake with a slam. Now with the Saints back in 3A, he’ll be looking to make another State Tournament run while assaulting the records books for a prestigious OCS program.
After routinely being one of the best scorers in Oklahoma while Hale was a 5A program, Lewis will now look to establish as one of the premier scorers in 4A. It shouldn’t be difficult for the hard playing guard, who’s just as likely to hit back to back threes from deep as he is to find ways to navigate traffic with a crafty scoring game. Look for Lewis to continue to develop his playmaking skills to go along with his complete scoring package, as Hale attempts to make their first State Tournament appearance since 1998.
Highlights
Physical, powerful and athletic, Mason has the opportunity to be an unstoppable force for Class 3A contender Victory Christian. His short area quickness and strength makes him a monster on post ups, which always draw a crowd. But he can also step up and hit in the mid-range, making him one of the toughest covers in the state. Mason has flashes of defensive dominance with shot blocking as well, if those flashes become more consistent the Conquerors will have a chance to come out on top in a very competitive Class 3A.
One of the most productive scorers in southern Oklahoma, Wilkerson is a versatile at the rim threat, can attack off the dribble and operate in the mid-range and hit the occasional three pointer. Along with his scoring traits, he’s hard hat wearing, cleaner of the glass on both ends of the court. Wilkerson made the State Tournament with Silo as a sophomore, and now after coming up short in Area last season, will be looking to end his productive high school career with a trip to OKC with his Madill Wildcat teammates next March.
Nickens has already played a key role on back to back 3A State Championship teams for Millwood. He’s one of the most gifted athletes to come through Oklahoma in recent times, as Nickens is already committed to OU for football. On the basketball court, he’s an explosive finisher at the rim with ridiculous end to end speed. The junior can be streaky as an off the dribble shooter, but when he’s locked in from distance he’s nearly impossible to stop. Millwood remains a strong contender to win another in Class 3A and Nickens is a big reason why.
Another two sport freak athlete, at first glance Nickson would appear to be a classic physical football player who thrives as an undersized post. But Nickson is actually one of the most gifted scorers in the state, often operating as the lead guard for a huge across the board Eagle squad. The junior is automatic in the mid-range, and often looks a threat to break the backboard with his slams. So far, Nickson has helped the Eagles to a 4A semifinal and 4A runner up finish, now a Gold Ball is in his sights.
Metro Christian came up just short in the Class 3A title game last year, where Powell helped lead a fierce second half rally. He’s a gifted scorer, who blends a physical and athletic frame with good feel as a distributor and scorer. Powell’s mixture of his showmanship ability with slams and efficient scoring will likely have the Patriots back in the Class 3A State Tournament in March, with unfinished business on their minds.