Team Power Rankings: January 10th

Checking in on which teams are surging as we hit the mid-way point of the high school basketball season. Class 5A is starting to look deeper and tougher, while the pack of Class 6A teams chasing Edmond North is shifting. And what small school programs have enjoyed hot starts.   With more expansive resumes for teams, the list has been extended out to 12 from 10. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/12/team-power-rankings-december-11th/">Here's a link to last month's rankings.</a>   12. GUTHRIE - CLASS 5A - 11-1 - TOP WIN 56-48 over Carl Albert (Last Ranking: Unranked)   The Bluejays have had one of the biggest turnarounds in the state, <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/12/friday-filmrooms-heroes-december-15th/">as they loudly announced their status as a Class 5A contender when they took down Carl Albert last mon</a>th. They further cemented that by running their record to 10-0 and even taking down Class 6A Piedmont last week. Weatherford finally handed them a setback the next night. They have two more big tests on the horizon, with road district clashes against El Reno on Friday and then with Crossings Christian on Tuesday.   11. BOOKER T WASHINGTON - CLASS 5A - 8-1 TOP WIN 78-49 over Collinsville (Last Ranking: Unranked) An addition of one of the top freshmen in the state has the Hornets soaring to start the new year. First [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'] debuted in the renewal of the Tulsa Central vs Booker T Washington rivalry. They won that one 92-58, then last night followed it up with a big win over Collinsville, 78-49. The Cardinals were expected to be the Hornets main rivals for Class 5A District 3, but Booker T is currently tied for Tahlequah at 5-0. Those schools will match up next week at Tahlequah setting up a huge week for Booker T. Which could end with another rivalry renewed against Tulsa Memorial in the Will Rogers Invitational.   10. DOUGLASS - CLASS 4A - 5-3 TOP WIN: 60-57 over Putnam City West (Last Ranking: 9th)   The defending Class 4A champions schedule is about to heat up this week. Since the last Power Rankings, they took care of business against a pair of Missouri schools. Now they're hosting a good 4A team Ardmore on Friday night, following up by a much anticipated Saturday night clash with Millwood. The Trojans will likely be debuting a new face soon to their already talented roster.   9. UNION - CLASS 6A - 9-2 TOP WIN: 63-56 over Edmond Memorial (Last Ranking: 7th)   This is where the fun begins in trying to decipher Class 6A. When we last left off, Union was fresh off taking down Edmond Memorial at the Edmond Open. But they've had a couple bumps in the road since then, a loss to Owaso and getting tripped up by Midwest City last Friday. Their size is a clear advantage over most 90% of the state, but is it possible Midwest City's talented guards played at a pace that negated the advantage [player_tooltip player_id='1592869' first='Erik' last='Madrid'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1655627' first='Miles' last='Flemons'] gives the Redhawks. Still their top four match ups well with any other team in the state, and styles make fights.   8. CHOCTAW - CLASS 6A - 8-2 TOP WIN: 51-38 over Broken Arrow (Last Ranking 6th)   Choctaw closed out the preholiday session with a surprising loss at Bixby, then Edmond Memorial led wire to wire over them at the McGuinness Classic. Injuries are clearly impacting the depth that was expected to be a strength for the Yellowjackets. But they have opened the door for more opportunities for junior [player_tooltip player_id='2241907' first='Millet' last='Steelman'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2283661' first='Jordan' last='Valentine']. Who both had strong moments at last week's tournament. Choctaw still profiles as one of the favorites to be playing under the Lloyd Noble Center lights in two months.   7. MIDWEST CITY - CLASS 5A - 8-2 TOP WIN: over Union (Last Ranking: Unranked)   One of the biggest movers in the rankings, Midwest City are one of the hottest teams in the state right now. After surviving a spirited Mid-Del rivalry match up in mid December, the Bombers ran a 6A gauntlet with three straight wins at the PCI. [player_tooltip player_id='1391433' first='Carlsheon' last='Young'] is the headliner but it's a good group of guards around him. Including senior [player_tooltip player_id='1807980' first='Roy' last='Henderson'], who has been proving he can continue to pack a scoring punch. MWC is starting to look like the vintage Bombers squads from the early 2010s that were regulars in the Class 6A State Tournament, which is fitting as first year head coach Torey Noel was a key part of their success.   6. EDMOND MEMORIAL - CLASS 6A - 10-3 TOP WIN: over Choctaw (Last Ranking: Unranked)   Speaking of hot streaks, Edmond Memorial is the other big riser following their grind it out performance at the Edmond Open. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2223695' first='Hudson' last='Franz'] is the man at the controls, and he gives them the ability to handle the pressure and speed of teams that play faster. He scored a late go ahead bucket in their win over Deer Creek. Meanwhile seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1678455' first='Ciaran' last='Pedulla'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1732799' first='Drelen' last='Nero'] both are capable of scoring the tough bucket when called upon. They'll have a chance to avenge an early season loss on Friday when they host Union.   5. WEATHERFORD - CLASS 4A - 14-1 TOP WIN: 52-36 over Guthrie (Last Ranking: 5th)   The Eagles only blemish came in the opening round of the Tournament of Champions against Crossings Christian. Since then they have gone back to their double digit winning ways, which including a complete performance against potential 4A rival Hale and a 52-36 win over one of 5A's best, Guthrie. After the busy tournament run of December and early January, their schedule lighten ups till a stretch in early February when they have a run of games against potential 4A contenders, Tuttle, Bethany and Blanchard.   4. CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN - CLASS 5A 7-2 - TOP WIN: 57-42 over Weatherford (Last Ranking: 4th)   The trip to Tulsa for the Tournament of Champions started with a high, when they looked a cut above against Weatherford. But match ups with Edmond North and Dale led to struggles and back to back losses for the Knights. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1358852' first='Cal' last='Furnish'] is looking more assertive as a scorer and shooter, while still often playing the role of the ideal set up man. Crossings relies on their bench with hockey line like subs more than most teams, which could provide them an edge come playoff time as they look like a team with everybody bought into their roles.   3. DALE - CLASS 2A - 17-2 - TOP WIN: 69-65 over Metamore (IL) (Last Ranking: 1st)   A bitter loss to Owasso at the ToC brought the Pirates their first loss in Oklahoma since early 2022. They immediately responded with a takedown of Crossings the next night, then yesterday they traveled to Preston. Where for the second time this year, they thumped one of their expected rivals in Class 2A. [player_tooltip player_id='1367217' first='Dayton' last='Forsythe'] remains the headliner, but little brother sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1672779' first='Denton' last='Forsythe'] is starting to assert himself more for the deep Pirates squad.   2. OWASSO - CLASS 6A - 9-2 - TOP WIN: 60-58 over Dale (Last Ranking: 3rd)   The Rams were the team to dethrone Dale at ToC thanks to the last minute heroics of [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati']. Only a sophomore, the 5 star recruit has consistently proved himself as an elite shooter and scorer. The key for Owasso in the second half of this season will be the continual emergence of 6 foot 10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1579598' first='Jax' last='Kerr'], fellow sharpshooting sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams'] and others. Last year, Owasso saw one of the biggest growths from December to March, which ended in the Class 6A semifinals. With the youth and new pieces still settling in for the Rams, a similar jump is possible once again. Which would put them on a collision course for a rematch with Edmond North.   1. EDMOND NORTH - CLASS 6A - 9-0 - TOP WIN: 58-46 over Owasso (Last Ranking: 2nd)   Last season's bitter disappointment at the Tournament of Champions was clearly on the Huskies' minds when they put Crossings Christian in a 63-44 stranglehold in the semifinals. But the job wasn't finished and in a potential Class 6A title game preview, they kept Owasso at arm's length all contest in a 58-46 victory. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1367215' first='Chiante' last='Tramble'] has fit seamlessly into the point guard spot for North. As he finds his spots to score but also feeds his talented teammates. Their undefeated record is on the line this week as they play in one of the very best tournaments in the country, the Springfield Tournament of Champions. The field is loaded with national ranked programs and North opens with a match up vs Rainer from Washington.   Small School Check In   We're down to only one undefeated Class 4A team, with Perkins-Tyron sitting at 11-0, following their tournament win. Bethany and North Rock Creek were in similar undefeated situations are tournament wins, but both fell on Tuesday night, bringing their records to 10-1 and 11-1 respectively. Ada sits at 9-2, with their only losses coming to 6A programs.   Class 3A is shaping up to be quite the battle with a host of one loss teams and the 8-3 defending champions Millwood. The Falcons closed out December with a narrow win over Class 6A Putnam City West, but the seemingly never ending transfer portal has impacted their roster. They have a strong case to be among the 12 ranked above and will get a chance to prove it on the court on Saturday night when they travel south on MLK Avenue for a huge clash vs Douglass. That game will have a lot of ramifications on and off the court.   Speaking of big Saturday match ups, 9-1 OCS and 9-1 Victory Christian square off as well. Both teams are anchored by star senior forwards in what should be a State Tournament quality game. Outside the 918 and 405 metro squads, southeastern Idabel is carrying the banner for small schools, as they're 12-1. Their one loss came to OKC based prep school Grind Prep and otherwise the Warriors are absolutely hammering their foes.   There are still three programs that are undefeated in Class 2A. Which is headlined by 11-0 Pocola, they have one of the best one-two punches in the state regardless of classification with [player_tooltip player_id='1493576' first='Garrett' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552068' first='Dakotah' last='Terrell']. They're shaping up to be the top contender to spoil the dynasty Dale is attempting to solidify in two months. Northeast Oklahoma based Fairland (10-0) and panhandle based Hooker (9-0) round out the undefeated Class 2A squads.   In Class A, last year's runner ups Okay are 11-3 with their only losses coming to bigger programs at last month's Tournament of Champions. Two programs sport unblemished records, with Sentinel in Western Oklahoma at 17-0 and Stonewell in Southern Oklahoma at 15-0. Last year's champions, Caddo are taking some lumps against bigger schools in tournament play with a 6-6 record and recently lost to 13-2 Rattan.   Two undefeated programs headline Class B, with Calumet at 16-0 and Duke at 14-0. Calumet is running it up on opponents, as they're regularly breaking the 80 point mark and even scored 112 back in November. Which has to be the most scored by an Oklahoma this year, right? [player_tooltip player_id='1625151' first='Kray' last='Rogers'] for last year's Class B champions Fort Cobb-Broxton recently broke the 1500 point mark for his career but his Mustangs are 12-4 in the year. All of those losses have come against bigger programs.     6A and 5A Programs Also Considered   6A Broken Arrow - 9-2   6A Deer Creek - 9-2   6A Edmond Santa Fe 9-3   5A El Reno 9-2   6A Jenks 9-2   5A Holland Hall 8-1   6A Mustang 8-4   5A Tulsa Memorial 9-2

Checking in on which teams are surging as we hit the mid-way point of the high school basketball season. Class 5A is starting to look deeper and tougher, while the pack of Class 6A teams chasing Edmond North is shifting. And what small school programs have enjoyed hot starts.