Team Power Rankings: December 11th

This year and last year, the talent pool has felt more balanced in Oklahoma. With some of the very best players in the state playing for programs outside of 6A and 5A. That makes a power rankings of the best teams in the state feel more fun, as it's not just 6A and 5A teams in it. There's strong claims for some of these small programs to compete with the big boys.   These rankings are based on mixing the talent of the teams with current regular season results. Some teams have handled business in Oklahoma, while others have traveled out of state and slipped up a little. Rankings will be updated a few times throughout the season, with big changes expected each time.   And frankly, if you're still reading the meandering preamble, I wanted to use the rankings as a jumping off point to discuss some how some of the top teams are doing to start the year. There's a couple 6A programs off to strong starts, and there's some exciting teams in the other classes.   Broken Arrow should be top 10? Sure, they're still quite good. Metro or Victory should be in the mix from Class 3A? Definitely, that's a huge game tonight between two quality teams. I wish there was room for more "gray" on the internet, but that's just modern life. And numbers next to name content for some reason get the people going. It's provocative, it gets the people going.     10. MILLWOOD - CLASS 3A - 4-1 - TOP WIN: 79-55 over Destiny Christian   The back to back defending Class 3A champions have been steamrolling Oklahoma foes, with their one loss coming to a Kansas program. They've gotten off to a strong start without their football players, who will be joining the team after finishing runner ups in Class 2A. With [player_tooltip player_id='1391439' first='Jaden' last='Nickens'] and other two sport standouts joining [player_tooltip player_id='1482831' first='Xon' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1783189' first='Isaiah' last='Wilks'] and company, the Falcons will likely soar even higher as the season progresses.   9. DOUGLASS - CLASS 4A - 2-3 - TOP WIN 60-57 over Putnam City West   The defending Class 4A State Champions have taken some lumps out of state. But their trip last week to Arkansas involved taking down 6A Putnam City West. The Trojans will continue to be road warriors, with a trip to Saint Louis on the schedule for this week. The Trojans' have one of the better backcourts in the state with the junior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1475984' first='Landry' last='Ballard'], [player_tooltip player_id='1475987' first='Davon' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1796293' first='Jaden' last='Williams']. Plus other young talented guards to keep an eye on.   8. CARL ALBERT - CLASS 5A 1-1 - TOP WIN: 66-49 over El Reno   One of the top programs in 5A, their schedule will heat up when they head to the deep Mustang Holiday Classic at the end of the month. Which will be followed up by a trip to Bartlesville's tournament to start the new year. They struggled in their loss to Crossings last week, but the senior core of [player_tooltip player_id='1367218' first='Jayden' last='Mott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1367219' first='Quincy' last='Hopkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1807984' first='Ryan' last='Reynolds'] is still one of the most experienced and top groups in the state. And there's a chance sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2223689' first='Jayden' last='Hopkins'] is a star by March.   7. UNION - CLASS 6A - 5-0 - TOP WIN: 63-56 over Edmond Memorial   After a few up and down seasons, the Redhawks have opened this season strongly. They're the biggest team in Oklahoma with 7 footer [player_tooltip player_id='1592869' first='Erik' last='Madrid'] and 6 foot 8 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1655627' first='Miles' last='Flemons'] controlling the paint. While at the Edmond Open, the backcourt punch of [player_tooltip player_id='1444135' first='Korbin' last='Gunn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1343197' first='Dalen' last='Fuller'] proved to be fun, exciting and productive. They're have a chance to further establish themselves as 6A contenders this week, as they play at Owasso on Tuesday.   6. CHOCTAW - CLASS 6A - 4-0 - TOP WIN: 72-58 over Rockford Auburn (Illinois)   The Yellowjackets have been road warriors to start the season, with a trip to the Chicago area for the the Fred VanVleet classic, then a district win at Southmoore. That will continue this week with two trips up the Turner Turnpike to play two good squads from the 918, Broken Arrow and Bixby. With their senior backcourt of Ja'mon Valentine and [player_tooltip player_id='1698329' first='Camden' last='Hyman'], along with good size they're one of the more balanced teams in Oklahoma.   5. WEATHERFORD - CLASS 4A -5-0 - TOP WIN: 65-34 Life Prep Academy (Kansas)   The Eagles have an average margin of victory of 42.8 points a game as they handle business to start the season. They return their entire team from last year's Class 4A runner up squad, and have an unique mix of size and skill with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1807979' first='Nate' last='Reherman'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='1391435' first='CJ' last='Nickson'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='1504903' first='Ethan' last='Sage'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1504901' first='Tate' last='Sage']. Any of the four would be the traditional small town star for a Class 4A contender, combining the four together gives the Eagles the ability to compete with 6A and 5A programs. A trip to Tulsa for the Tournament of Champions will be a huge chance for the western Oklahoma program to make noise on a big stage.   4. CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN - CLASS 5A - 3-0 - TOP WIN: 68-54 over Carl Albert   Following their controlling victory over Carl Albert, the Knights have established themselves as the current favorites in Class 5A. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1358852' first='Cal' last='Furnish'] controls a balanced squad, with a mix of shooting from seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1295673' first='Mack' last='Gudell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1482835' first='Evan' last='Crotts']. Then the versatile play of junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1391432' first='Cam' last='Parker'] and sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1552378' first='Phoenix' last='Woodson'] helps further elevate their squad to the conversation among the state's best. They're open the Tournament of Champions later this month with number 5 on the list, a team that they lost to in the 4A semifinals last season.   If Crossings lost to Weatherford last season, you might be asking why are they ahead of them now? It's a coin flip match up to me, and Crossings' big win over Carl Albert pushes them just slightly ahead for now. But it will be settled on the court in a few weeks between two teams that should be undefeated going into the game on December 27th   3. OWASSO - CLASS 6A - 5-1 - TOP WIN: 51-38 over Edmond Memorial   The Rams slipped up to hosts Fayetteville on Friday at a deep Hoop'in on the Hill tournament in Arkansas. Otherwise they're doing exactly what they should do, win. They can beat teams from the outside behind the shooting of sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams']. Or Montonati and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1579598' first='Jax' last='Kerr'] can grind it out inside. They're one of the younger team on this list, but the talent is undeniable, as they already have a target on their back. Hosting Union on Tuesday is a titantic district clash, while the Tournament of Champions to end the month will be a spicy affair.   2. EDMOND NORTH - CLASS 6A - 3-0 - TOP WIN: 65-59 over Deer Creek   Edmond North right now is a sleeping giant, about to be awaken as their schedule heats up. They'll playing two rising 6A programs this week (Mustang and Piedmont) who will be eager to take down the back to back defending Class 6A champions. Then big tests await in Tulsa for the Tournament of Champions followed up by a trip to Springfield (MO) for one of the best tournaments in the country, the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. Over the last few seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='1332074' first='Dylan' last='Warlick'] has been unstoppable force, while [player_tooltip player_id='1482832' first='Bryce' last='Potts'], [player_tooltip player_id='1367225' first='Dontrell' last='Yearby'], [player_tooltip player_id='1592868' first='Xavier' last='Ross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1367215' first='Chiante' last='Tramble'] add to the depth and the ways the Huskies can beat opponents.   1. DALE - CLASS 2A - 11-1 - TOP WIN: 69-65 over Metamore (Illinois)   There have been a lot of good small town teams over the last 15 years in Oklahoma, the Pirates have a claim to be the best of them all. It started with winning a 2A State Title in 2022 with only sophomores and freshmen. It increased last year when they became the first small school team to win the Tournament of Champions since 1978. They rode the momentum to an undefeated Class 2A title, where they were never really challenged by a 2A foe. Their performance last year allowed them to head to one of the top tournaments in the country, the Kevin Brown Tournament of Champions in Illionis. There they lost to defending Alabama 6A champions Hoover, but bounced back to take down nationally rank Metamore (Illinois).   [player_tooltip player_id='1367217' first='Dayton' last='Forsythe'] is of course the headliner for Dale but what separates them from other recent small town powerhouses is the their depth in being 7 deep. Usually a smaller program like Dale would see more of a drop off in the players that are 4-7 in their rotation. But with their blend of size, shooting and unselfishness they have shown over the last 18 months that's not the case. They have the top tier talent and depth that if they were magically dropped in 6A or 5A for the playoffs, they would still be a favorite to make the State Tournament.   Picking between Edmond North and Dale for the top spot is very difficult. They both have size, star power and excellent coaching. There's a chance they're the match up for the title game at the Tournament of Champions, so it could potentially get played out on the court on December 29th. But right now with the way [player_tooltip player_id='1367217' first='Dayton' last='Forsythe'] is handling the ball and shooting off the dribble, it's quite hard to pick anyone against the Pirates.     ALSO CONSIDERED   6A BROKEN ARROW 4-0   6A DEER CREEK 6-1   6A PIEDMONT 5-0   6A PUTNAM CITY WEST 4-3   5A GUTHRIE 5-0   4A BETHANY 4-0   4A MADILL 5-0   3A METRO CHRISTIAN 4-0   3A OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 6-1   3A ROLAND 4-0   3A VICTORY CHRISTIAN 3-0   A OKAY 6-0   B CALUMET 9-0

This year and last year, the talent pool has felt more balanced in Oklahoma. With some of the very best players in the state playing for programs outside of 6A and 5A. That makes a power rankings of the best teams in the state feel more fun, as it's not just 6A and 5A teams in it. There's strong claims for some of these small programs to compete with the big boys.