Championship Saturday: East Side Powers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A recap of the action in Tulsa for two big tournament finals. Where Union and Booker T Washington made strong statements of intents as contender in Class 6A and 5A, respectively. Along with a look at Sand Springs' rising squad after a strong Jenks-Union tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1475991"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2327657,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Booker T Washington blitzed Collinsville from the jump and it was the junior guard who set the pace on both ends of the court. His opening quarter was filled with more highlights than some prospects have in a full game. Three plays stood out as examples of his improving athleticism and intensity. There was the crashing of the glass for a putback. Which was quickly followed up in the other end when he came weakside and soundly rejected Collinsville's 6 foot 9 forward prospect. Then to close out the opening frame, he went right at the same player at the rim on offense, drew the foul and the finish. Mix in his pushing of the ball in transition and the occasional three and it was a complete game for the junior. It was reminiscent of some of the performances from the upperclassmen guards on the Hornets' Class 6A semifinalist team in 2022, that Simpson was a freshman on.rnrnThe junior has long had good upside thanks to his athleticism and defensive instincts but hadn't yet fully broken through.  If this game was an indication of what lies ahead for him, he'll be in the conversation as one of the best 2025 prospects in not only Tulsa, but all of Oklahoma.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2140748"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":2327659,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Quick, explosive and compact, Mitchell is a freshman who scores like an upperclassman. Against Collinsville's zone, he lived in the soft pockets in the mid-range and even got to the rim a few times.  Where he's already a strong and explosive finisher.  But he was never in a hurry on those drives, which was impressive poise for a freshman who is only a couple weeks into his varsity career (a preseason injury kept him out till this month).  Oklahoma looks to be deep with talented and high upside lead guards in the current freshman class, and Mitchell is near the front of that group.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2277651"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":2327656,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The sophomore emerged over the summer and the run up to the high school season, and he's put together a strong sophomore campaign as an important piece for the Hornets.  He's a knockdown shooter, who provides important gravity for their dynamic guards to attack the hoop. But he's more than a stand in the corner shooter, Matulis is part of Booker T's active swarm of rebounding and plays fearlessness and aggressiveness. There were a couple attempts on drives and putbacks that just rolled of the rim, if they had fallen it woud've been a huge night for the sophomore. With that and other promising signs,  it's hard not to think that in a few months that Matulis could soon develop into a complete scorer for the Hornets.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1783190"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another sophomore sharpshooter, Sanders is more dangerous off the bounce.  He attacked the same soft spots of the zone that Mitchell did, with a controlled 2-3 dribble pull up game.  He even had one of the more impressive plays of the night as after missing an 8-10 footer, in one motion he grabbed his own rebound and put it back.  He's a sophomore combo guard who could be putting up big time numbers for other programs but instead has found his footing as part of the balanced and deep Booker T Washington squad.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ac8d14a4bac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1343197"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Union seems to be solidifying themselves as one of the biggest threats to Edmond North's reign in Class 6A and Fuller is a big reason why.  The explosive senior got it going early with a pair of transition alley oops, then closed out the first by draining a near 30 footer as the horn sounded.  It's been that type of year for Fuller, as he mixes breathtaking athleticism with more controlled play and improved shot selection. The lefty is one of the few players who can truly be a three level scorer.rnrnAn academic qualifier, if Fuller finishes the year strong and consistently he could be one of the biggest targets for four year programs who are still looking to add athleticism and upside to their backcourt.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1655627"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Flemons continued his strong sophomore campaign with an intriguing mix of power and finesse. It looks like he's becoming a reliable shooter, especially from the top of the key as he once again splashed home a three pointer.  Around the rim, there simply aren't players built like him and it makes him an unmovable force around the basket.  One of the most striking things about watching Flemons this year beyond his physical gifts is the consistency he plays with. To be this reliable as a sophomore speaks volume of the impact he'll continue make as an upperclassmen.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1391432"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The pick and pop threat battled against the formidable size of Union. While also making them pay when he slipped out to the three point line and connected three different times.  The junior forward has great feel for the pocket of spaces he needs to be in to effectively stretch the defense and make them pay for sagging off.  Parker even had some good moments on the offensive glass against the giants of the Union.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ac8d14a4c6d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ac8d14a4c8f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2337853' first='Blake' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sand Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A consistent force for the Sandites on both ends of the court, on defense he anchored their stingy defense with rebounding and rim protection. Johnson moves well, even had some good spurts covering along the perimeter, but was at his best protecting the rim with the occasional block and great verticality principles. On the offensive end he's a scrapper around the basket.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2024096"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Forming the second of the Sandites' superior post presence on Saturday, Allen is starting to mature into a forceful post presence. When they poured it on in the second half, he flashed some promise as a roll man and finisher. While also hitting a nice spin move and finish off a post off.  Sand Springs has a quality junior class, that appears to be rounding into form right before a big stretch run.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Alijah Roper","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Sand Springs","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The senior point guard is a quick u0022in your faceu0022 defender, who played a key part in Sand Springs' harassing defense that stymied the Trojans' skilled scoring guards.  On the offensive end, he hit the occasional jumper while also showing some promise as a pick and roll ballhandler and general creator for his teammates.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1756347"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"It was a quieter scoring night compared to Thompson's scoring outburst the night before, but in what could've been a heated game against his former school, the junior played composed and scored within the flow of the offense. Where he made his biggest impact was on the defensive end.  He was a hawking on the ball defender, who used his plus wingspan and solid athleticism to hound Jenks' guards.  On occasion, he got out in transition after steals, but generally it was well drilled defense that seemed to set the tone for Sand Springs.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ac8d14a4e05"} /-->