ToC Day 1: Early Session Top Performers
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Oklahoma’s premier in-season tournament is taking place over the next three days at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The Tournament of Champions features programs from all over the state and all classifications. Keep it locked into PrepHoopsOK for updates and…
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Continue ReadingOklahoma’s premier in-season tournament is taking place over the next three days at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The Tournament of Champions features programs from all over the state and all classifications. Keep it locked into PrepHoopsOK for updates and more all three days!
Also if you’re reading this and want an individual highlight tape of any player from the tournament, message @OKHoopsReport on X (Twitter) or email SamDuren@gmail.com for a special low priced three game highlight package.
The early session on Day 1 featured back to back Class 6A Champions Edmond North taking on Class A runner ups Okay. Then Crossings Christian and Weatherford in a rematch of a Class 4A semifinal game from last season.
In the boy’s opener, Edmond North gradually pulled away in the first half. With their size helping them establish that lead. But in the second half Okay would ride the hot shooting of Diezel Davis Diezel Davis 5'10" | PG Okay | 2025 State OK and scrappy defensive team play to eventually tie it in the fourth quarter. Despite some issues with turnovers in the fourth, Edmond North would eventually reestablish their lead and survive 58-53.
Based on how the game started, Crossings appeared to have still fresh wounds from their 4A semifinal loss to Weatherford. They bombed threes and grounded the Eagles. Weatherford was able to make a push to end the second quarter and eventually tied it up at 33 all late in the third. But with a 7-0 run from the Knights to end the third, they would never look back. Crossings Christian would coast in the final frame to a 57-42 win, earning them a game at 8:30 PM tomorrow with Edmond North. A rematch from last year’s Tournament of Champions, where Crossings “shocked” the 6A powerhouse.
The unsigned senior continued his hot start to the season in the first quarter. Potts lived in the paint and the offensive glass in the first frame, before foul trouble would derail his performance. After providing a boost off the bench as a sophomore and junior, the now more explosive forward prospect has earned a starting spot and he’s remarkably keeping similar efficiency while as a starter.
Even with foul trouble limiting Potts to only 15 minutes, he still filled up the stat sheet with 10 points and 8 rebounds. His emergence as a big time post threat and rebounding opposite of Warlick has helped propel Edmond North to a now 6-0 start.
It was a slow start for the junior sharpshooter, as he was clearly at the top of opposition’s scouting report. But he proved he was a well rounded lead guard, by not hunting for bad shots, and getting his teammates involved. Davis has some wiggle when getting downhill and helped create good looks off his drives.
Late in the second when it looked like Edmond North would pull away, Davis slipped open for a couple threes that helped his Mustangs climb right back into the game. That would continue into the second half, as a late triple in the third would cut his squad’s deficit to only two. The 2025 guard went 5-7 from three on his way to a game high 21 points.
Highlights
It was a full stat line for the Wyoming signee as he led Edmond North with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Warlick remains a bowling ball off the dribble, as whenever his team needed a bucket it was often off Warlick attacking. He also often turned defense into offense, as he’s looking to pitch it ahead on defensive rebounds or loose balls. Which is often accompanied by the senior racing down the floor to either get the ball back, or clean up any miss on the offensive.
Another aspect that has been crucial to his development and his team’s success is continual improvement as a passer. Last year he had outstanding chemistry out of the high post, and he’s built off that as more of a complete offensive hub. The only blight on Warlick’s day was going 0-3 from three. His release does appear to be more fluid from deep and will bare monitoring over the next few days and this season.
Highlights
There are some games where the junior point guard prefers to pull the strings and share the wealth. He’ll sprinkle in the occasional three but his focus revolves around keeping the team humming. This was not one of them, as he went for the throat from the jump with a barrage of three pointers. Crossings raced ahead because of that, then in the second half it was trademark Furnish, the occasional dagger three mixed in with his other worldly passing. Especially pushing it ahead in transition to create opportunities for his teammates. He finished with 20 points on 6-10 shooting from beyond the arc, while handing out 4 assists.
Nickson scored a team high 18 points, with much of that production coming in a third quarter flurry that tied the contest. During that run he showed off his full scoring package. There was ridiculous burst to get to the rim and score, then a patient turnaround after stopping on a drive. And a dagger off the dribble jumper that tied the contest. His impact was also felt on the defensive end during his run, with deflections and leaving it all on the court. While he’s comfortable with using bully ball tactics, the unique skill level he has a player of his size and athleticism is what separates the two sport standout from the typical football player who steps onto the hardwood.
Officially the junior finished a point and rebound short of a double-double. Unofficially, the size and toughness he provided against the huge Weatherford front line was more than enough to make up for falling just short in the box score. 5 of his 9 rebounds came on the offensive end, as he consistently displayed his outstanding feel for seemingly always being in the right place and right time to crash the glass, role to an opening, or feed a teammate for a good pass. Along with his presence on the defensive end at walling off the rim, Parker’s impact went well beyond the stat sheet.
The junior forward is really starting to come into his own as an athlete, the way he high points defensive rebounds are a subtle but noticeable trait that hint at how his athletic ability can translate to the next level. He also flashed more athletic upside when he had a huge helpside block. Offensively, like many of his teammates, he never found a rhythm against the stingy defense that Crossings employed.