Season Previews 2023-24: Booker T Washington
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The calendar has turned to November, scrimmages have begun, and the season is about to tip off for small school programs. Soon gyms will be filled on Tuesday and Friday nights all over Oklahoma. The PrepHoops Oklahoma preview series will…
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Continue ReadingThe calendar has turned to November, scrimmages have begun, and the season is about to tip off for small school programs. Soon gyms will be filled on Tuesday and Friday nights all over Oklahoma. The PrepHoops Oklahoma preview series will continue all month long with team capsules, preseason All State Teams and more!
Booker T Washington Hornets: Class 5A
2022-23 Record: 15-10, 6A State Tournament
Returning Starters: 2
It was an up and down 2022-23 season for Booker T Washington, that ended on a good note for the program’s future. After trailing for much of the second half in the Area Consolation Championship, the Hornets would rally in the closing moments and then sophomore guard BJ Harris BJ Harris 6'0" | CG Booker T Washington | 2025 State OK would calmly nail two late free throws to send his squad to the Class 6A State Tournament for the second straight year. While they would lose to eventual champions Edmond North, it was a strong statement on the direction of the program. That even in a rebuild year, State Tournament appearances are still possible, which is good because that’s the expectations for one of Oklahoma’s most tradition rich programs.
Due to a shift in ADM, the Hornets have gone from one of the smallest Class 6A programs to Class 5A. Which despite only two returning starters, the change in classifications will position them as one of the programs with an inside track to Norman for the State Tournament in March. Harris and his fellow junior backcourt mate Jamarri Simpson Jamarri Simpson 6'3" | CG Booker T Washington | 2025 State OK bring key experience with room to grow for what should be an exciting but young squad. Returning Isaac Sanders Isaac Sanders 5'11" | SG Booker T Washington | 2026 State OK and newcomer Rickey Bruner III Rickey Bruner III 5'9" | PG Tulsa Booker T Washington | 2026 State OK give the sophomore class for the Hornets a combination of shooting and skilled guard play. While Jacques Mitchell Jacques Mitchell 6'1" | CG Booker T. Washington | 2027 State OK is the headliner for an exciting freshman group. Defending against size could be an issue, but it’s likely that by the time the playoffs come around the Hornets could have one of the best groups of guards in Class 5A.
CIRCLE THE CALENDAR FOR: at Collinsville, Tuesday, January 9th, 2024
The two preseason favorites for Class 5A District 3 will meet for the first time just after the new year begins. It will be a clash of styles with Booker T Washington’s fast pace and aggressive guards match up with a Collinsville program that has one of the top post players in Oklahoma. The contrasting style of play should make for a fun match up that will have big ramifications for playoff seeding.
The only returning double digit scorer for Booker T Washington, Harris is a physical guard that uses his strength to be a tough finisher around the rim. While he can hit from distance and the mid-range, neither have been a true strength in the past. But a viewing at Oral Roberts’ team camp last June, showed improving confidence and flow when shooting off the dribble. If he adds that consistently to his dynamic driving abilities this winter, Harris has the chance to be one of the better overall scorers in Class 5A.
After averaging 8 points a game as a sophomore, Simpson has the size and quickness to explode onto the scene as an dynamic off the dribble scorer. Like many young athletic guards, he has often looked his best in transition. Which he often creates those transition opportunities with his long hands and good defensive instincts that cause havoc. Similar to Harris, it’s about refining his shooting and half court feel to become the consistent pillars of production that the Hornets will need to achieve their lofty goals.
As a freshman Sanders was able to earn playing time thanks to his locked in shooting from beyond the arc. That should continue as a sophomore, as he’ll likely benefit thanks to open looks from drives by Harris and Simpson. To go along with timely perimeter shooting, he also handed out three assists a game last year. With a controlled game, Sanders could be a sneaky candidate for more time on the ball as a smart decision maker for the up-tempo Hornets.
An explosive freshman, the sky appears to be the limit for the athletic scoring guard. There will be freshman growing pains that comes with a player getting accustomed to high school basketball, but the potential for the highs will be breathtaking. He’s already a threat to rattle the rim, but also the framework to be an explosive scoring off the dribble in the halfcourt. His combination of quickness and body control should quickly turn him into one of the better finishers in Class 5A. By this time next year, Mitchell very well could be one of the “must watch” prospects in Oklahoma.