2024 Rankings: The Hidden Gems
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Digging deeper into standouts from the small school ranks. With quality perimeter shooters and athletic upside players, here’s more prospects that add depth to Oklahoma’s senior class. Dorrian Matlock OK #90 SG #21 HEIGHT 6'2" POS SG CLASS 2024 View…
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Continue ReadingDigging deeper into standouts from the small school ranks. With quality perimeter shooters and athletic upside players, here’s more prospects that add depth to Oklahoma’s senior class.
The senior at first glance gives off the appearance of a bully ball, small school standout. Which yes, he is strong off the dribble, and has good lift around the rim. But he’s also one of the better shooters in the small school ranks. Matlock has dribble moves to get off his shot against defenders and has DEEP range from three. The threes can also come in bunches, which is one of the best traits for a shooter, allowing them to quickly change games. The McLoud senior was a late player ID’d by the site following a January contest. And given his size and shooting ability, he could be one of the more undervalued long term prospects in Oklahoma’s senior class.
With broad shoulders, long arms and bounce, Love is an aggressive wing who can make highlight reel plays around the rim. He can either finish acrobatically around the rim to avoid defenders, or throw it down with authority when given a path. His impact isn’t limited to just flying around on the offensive end. In a December viewing against Classen SAS, Love was a bouncy presence around the rim on defense. With chasedown blocks and rotating over to contest shots in the halfcourt as well.
The Cougars are a favorite to make back to back appearances at the Class 4A State Tournament, and the flamethrowing senior is a big reason why. He’s a 1,000 point career scorer for NRC, including a 40 point explosion in the championship of an early January tournament. Haney hit nine threes in a big contest against Destiny Christian. His Cougars might one of the teams most capable of upsetting the Class 4A favorites, and Haney’s shooting ability will be crucial for them to make noise if they reach the Big House.
The sharpshooter recently led Destiny Christian to a fourth straight HCAA Championship, for independent private schools in Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. Hill, an exceptional shooter, has scored consistently 20 points or more throughout his senior campaign. This has included clutch perimeter shooting in wins over Bishop McGuinness and the go ahead score for the HCAA championship against Sunrise Christian (KS). In previous viewings as an underclassmen, the lead guard often looked best as a spot up, off the ball threat. But highlights have indicated his growth on the ball.
Highlights
The Racers are one of the hottest teams in Class 4A and the play of Burrell is a big reason why. The senior has often been a promising, athletic guard with a high motor playing style during grassroots season. But he was more of a role player last year during Newcastle State Tournament run. From watching the highlights and checking the production this year, he’s turned it fully on as the main man for the Racers. He plays strong on both ends of the court, allowing him to rack up steals. Or finish through contact around the rim with great body control and strength. Mix in a good mid-range game, and he’s capable of helping Newcastle to back to back Big House appearances.
Highlights
Riverside Indian School is well positioned to make a State Tournament run after a challenging schedule for a Class 2A program. They have promising younger players on the roster, but the senior is a key part of his school’s playoff dreams. In a win over 4A Community Christian, Lonewolf displayed the quickness to get downhill and attack the paint. But perhaps his biggest contribution will be perimeter shooting. In that contest, he opened the game with a confident off the dribble three, and hit from the corner as well. One of their bigger wins came against Fort Cobb-Broxton early in the season, in that contest he hit five big three pointers. More proof of his ability to change big games with big shots from deep.