ToC Day: Evening Session Top Performers And Semifinals Preview
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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 a player from the tournament, message @OKHoopsReport on X (Twitter) or email SamDuren@gmail.com for a special low priced three game highlight package.
The second session brought the defending ToC champs to the court, Dale. The Pirates won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year, and after a slow start by their standards, ran away with a 80-55 victory over Nathan Hale. The final game of the day would be similar, as Owasso busted the game open in the second frame, and would never look back on their way to a 73-43 victory over Metro Christian.
SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
5:30 PM
Class 6A Owasso 7-1 vs Class 2A Dale
The defending ToC champs will have a chance to slay another giant as tiny Dale takes on one of the biggest schools in the state. Literally, when it comes to student size. And Owasso has a frontline to match with 6 foot 10 Jax Kerr Jax Kerr 6'10" | PF Owasso | 2025 State OK and 6 foot 7 Jalen Montonati Jalen Montonati 6'7" | SF Owasso | 2026 State OK making them quite the contrast to the Pirates. During Dale’s amazing three year run, they have consistently played bigger than their size, so there won’t be any backdown.
Beyond the discrepancies in school size and height, this is an very interesting battle with an established dynasty. Yes, winning back to back Class 2A titles, heavy favorites to do it again and their success in in-season tournaments already has them nearing or at dynasty status. Even with all that success, Dale shows no sign of slowing down as they want to write another chapter in the storybook that has been Pirate basketball since fall of 2021. Now they’re face a young, hungry squad that wants the same acclaim as Dale.
Owasso did make a run the Class 6A Semifinals, but they’re still anchored by a pair of sophomores and a couple new faces. Making them at a different point in their program cycle. Jalen Montonati Jalen Montonati 6'7" | SF Owasso | 2026 State OK is the top overall prospect in the state, with a pedigree, blue blood offers and a jumper that nearly everybody in the state would be jealous of. But what he doesn’t have are state championship rings, or the Oklahoma high school resume Dayton Forsythe Dayton Forsythe 6'3" | PG Dale | 2024 State #206 Nation OK has. With the competitiveness the younger Montonati plays with, this game represents a big moment for him and the Rams as they attempt to write their own legacy.
8:30 PM
Class 6A Edmond North 6-0 vs Class 5A Crossings Christian
A rematch of an opening round contest from last year’s tournament, which saw the Knights stun the Huskies. That win established a quickly rising Crossings program as a true powerhouse in the state. This season, their first in Class 5A, has further backed up their case. As they blasted Carl Albert earlier this month, and brushed aside Weatherford to reach this match up. They are rolling on all cylinders, with the size to match with Edmond North, a red hot point guard in Cal Furnish Cal Furnish 5'11" | PG Crossings Christian | 2025 State OK and a deep group of players who know their roles and excel in them.
Perhaps it’s the curse of high expectations following back to back Class 6A titles, but it seems fair to say Edmond North has yet to show their ceiling this year. Which is saying something as they’re 6-0 and have four double digit wins over fellow 6A teams. But in the opening round of the ToC, tiny Class A Okay was able to tie it up in the fourth before the Huskies pulled away. Credit to a scrappy Okay team that will likely be back in the Big House playing for a Class A title come March, but it very likely could serve to be a wake up call for North. And they will have to be at their best to avenge last year’s defeat.
Both teams are surprisingly mirror images of each other, great size for high school teams which bleeds over into the physicality they play with. Two of the top point guards in the state, Furnish and Chiante Tramble Chiante Tramble 6'2" | PG Edmond North | 2024 State OK are also at the control of their squads. Both know when to play set up man and when to take over, especially from deep. Hopefully Oklahoma basketball fans will be treated to one of the games of the year on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t till Denton Forsythe Denton Forsythe 6’1″ | PG Dale | 2026 State OK caught fire from deep in the second quarter that Dale started to really separate. He was often the beneficiary of great passes from his older brother and he made the defense pay every time he was left open. The sophomore scored 16 of his 17 points in the first half. The youngster is getting a complete basketball education when contrasting his recent AAU experience with his role on the deep Pirates squad.
This past summer, he was constantly on the ball. With Dale in the winter, he’s turned into an off the ball weapon. Either bombing threes like tonight, or snaking downhill as he continues to mature into a strong finisher. As an upperclassmen, Forsythe will likely merge those two experiences together as a complete lead guard.
Edmondson is quietly one of the more improved players in the state. He always had the look of a player who stirs the drink for his team. Good passer, hit the occasional jumper but at times it felt passive. The junior plays with improved strength and quickness, most evident when attacking and gaining separation on pull ups. As any coach’s son should have, his court vision and accuracy and passing are top tier. The togetherness, effort and unselfishness, of Dale are arguably their greatest strengths. And Edmonson’s play is one of the best examples of those core tenants.
The opening quarter was uncharted territory when watching Montonati. He was missing, consistently. But as great shooters do, they have short memories. Despite his slow start, he still blazed his way to 30 points on only 16 shots, going 5-10 from three. It’s not breaking news to say he’s good, really good. But it was good to see him have a short memory, still catch fire, show a little more wiggle on some off the dribble moves. And most importantly set up a couple big games, with a date with Dale tomorrow night. Then either Crossings Christian or Edmond North on Friday night. Fun tests await for the nationally ranked Class of 2026 5 star prospect.