Top Performers: Dale vs Preston
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This month high school basketball has steadily heated up. On a Friday night in Dale, Oklahoma, the state’s top 2024 prospect, Dayton Forsythe Dayton Forsythe 6'3" | PG Dale | 2024 State #206 Nation OK blew the roof off the…
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Continue ReadingThis month high school basketball has steadily heated up. On a Friday night in Dale, Oklahoma, the state’s top 2024 prospect, Dayton Forsythe Dayton Forsythe 6'3" | PG Dale | 2024 State #206 Nation OK blew the roof off the gym from the opening tip. The recent University of Oklahoma signee took the opening tip, hit a nasty crossover to leave his defender in the dust, saw an open lane and attacked the rim with ferocity. The ensuing slam by Forsythe will likely stay a contender for “Dunk of the Year” all season long. Riding the wave of the dunk and their unselfish playing style, Dale would race out to a 12-0 lead.
In the battle of the Pirates, the visiting Preston Pirates made a brief run in the first half, but the hosting Dale Pirates repelled any attempts to make it single digits and sailed away with a 93-63 victory. This win marked Dale’s 40th straight victory, dating back to February 19th, 2022.
Preston who opened the season with a 20 point win over Okarche last Friday, will next take the court at Oklahoma Union on December 1st. While Dale will look to continue their winning ways while hosting Byng next Tuesday. Their season ramps up quickly, as they’ll be spending Thanksgiving Week in Illinois for the Kevin Brown Tournament of Champions.
It’s hard to write about Forsythe and not have it sound like hyperbole. And tonight came with the addition of more lines to his outstanding Oklahoma high school basketball legacy. Following the crowd shocking opening slam, he was his usually, well rounded, dominant self. He scored over 20 points, while likely only logging about 20 minutes of court time. The lead guard distributed, defended and took quality shoots. He’s continuing to develop into a lethal off the dribble shooter, which paired with his improving athleticism are great signs that his game will translate from Oklahoma small town gyms to SEC arenas next winter.
Due to hailing from a small town, Goree is likely one of the more under appreciated guards in Oklahoma. It can’t be understated how he has some of the best handles in the state, he’s quick and explosive in short areas. And when defenses collapsed on him, he did rifle some beautiful pocket passers through tight windows. His deep range from beyond the arc, and the touch he has when finishing around the rim is fantastic.
Goree was a marked by Dale, often facing the blunt of their disciplined ball pressure defense. At times it did lead to some mistakes, but his demeanor was unflappable. He continued to play his game and found his moments of success, while also not forcing it. He will have better individual performances this year, but this was a key viewing to understand the mature mentality he has a competitor. The school that takes a chance on this classic “heart over height” guard will be rewarded.
Dale’s success for the last two years has been built on a team that shares the ball and a variety of players stepping up each game. From the onset, Edmonson was a tone setter for Dale, especially as a pesky point of attack defender. He’s always been a smart ball mover and passer, but this year he now looks to be improved as a defender and shooter. Whenever he was left open, he was automatic. And was comfortable stepping into one-two dribble movements to either burry jumpers or fire pinpoint passes to his teammates. He also had a great gritty defensive play, where he won a 50-50 ball in the half court and converted it into an “old fashion” three point play. Edmonson is a great example of how Dale is a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. And the Pirates’ parts are pretty high quality in their own right.
The younger Forsythe is developing into quite the prospect, especially after a strong spring and summer. On the night, he was a prideful defender. Often hounding and trapping to great success. In the first half, he left some points on the board with a couple misses at the rim, that for a player of his potential he’ll need to start converting. It’s a bit of a nit picky thing to point out, as he still is only a sophomore. But his finishing around the rim was a strength on the spring and summer circuit, setting the expectations high for him. In the second half, he played to those high expectations as a flurry of third quarter points helped him join his older brother in double figures.