STARTING 5: CLASS 5A Area Storylines

Arguably the most wide open classification in Oklahoma, many of the top teams in 5A have tripped each other up. Setting the stage for what should be an exciting round of Area and an even better State Tournament next week.   Here's a look at 5 storylines to set the stage for a great weekend of basketball.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">CROSSINGS VS CARL ALEBRT, ROUND III</h2>   When the OSSAA rule was announced that Crossings Christian would be bumped up to Class 5A, one of the exciting potential match ups it created was 5A power house Carl Albert against the rising Knights. The district assignments brought the news that basketball fans would be treated to two games between the strong programs. For the first seven quarters of the eight they would play in the regular season, Crossings looked a cut above Carl Albert. But that all changed in the final eight minutes, when senior [player_tooltip player_id='1367219' first='Quincy' last='Hopkins'] took over and Carl Albert completed a double digit comeback to win an early February contest that changed the fate of Class 5A District 1. Crossings would slip up again the following week at Guthrie, allowing the Titans to add a District Championship to their loaded trophy case.   Now on Friday night in Piedmont, Oklahoma is blessed with a grudge match between the two programs. Carl Albert's Hopkins brothers are playing some of the best ball of any players in the state. With senior [player_tooltip player_id='1367219' first='Quincy' last='Hopkins'] providing the power and thunder, while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2223689' first='Jayden' last='Hopkins'] providing the quickness and lighting. Meanwhile ultra talented sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1552378' first='Phoenix' last='Woodson'] appears to be locked in for playoff basketball, as he posted ridiculous stat lines as Crossings Christian went on the road to claim a Regional Title at Del City.   While this match up will be for more than bragging rights, don't be surprised if we see it again next week at Lloyd Noble Center.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WORST TO FIRST?</h2>   In the other West 5A Area Championship game, the two teams battling for a state berth combined for 17 wins last season. This year Guthrie and Midwest City have combined for 44 wins, as they have both established themselves as true contenders for the Gold Ball in 5A. Both have new head coaches who have injected life into guard heavy programs.   The Midwest City resurgence is something hoop heads in Oklahoma expected, as new head coach Torey Noel was a key part of two Midwest City teams that reached State Title games in the 2010s. He had a good foundation with the return of two skilled scorers from last year's team; senior [player_tooltip player_id='1807980' first='Roy' last='Henderson'] and sophomores Deshawn Denson II. And the Bombers were fully cleared for take off, when Oklahoma's top junior [player_tooltip player_id='1391433' first='Carlsheon' last='Young'] transferred back into the state after starting the year at a national prep school. Young has taken his already great game to another level, and helped firmly position Midwest City as Class 5A contenders.   Guthrie's return to prominence was a little more of a surprised, but they loudly announced their presence to Oklahoma with an early season win over 5A powerhouse Carl Albert. Since that statement win, the Bluejays have racked up the quality wins over 6A Piedmont, sweeping a good El Reno squad, and taking down Crossings Christian in the final regular season game. They blew out Shawnee 87-38 to secure a Regional Championship last Friday.   Similar to the Bombers, the Bluejays rely on tough and defensive minded guards. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1293597' first='Braydon' last='Morgan'] has established himself as one of the better two way guards in 5A and Oklahoma. With a nose for the ball on the defensive end, and a quality pull up jumper to score tough buckets on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1293603' first='Nate' last='Benford'], a football standout, is an athletic guard who plays bigger than his size. And his toughness is a vital role in the success for the Bluejays.   Midwest City seems to have the high end talent edge, but Guthrie has not backed down against any foe this year. Which should set up for a fun, back and forth contest with a Class 5A State Tournament berth on the line.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TPS RIVALRIES RENEWED</h2>   The introduction of districts brought to the end of the conference set up, ending the Green Country conference that housed the talented Tulsa Public School programs. But even before last year, Booker T Washington in 2018 left the Green Country conference. The Hornets joined the Frontier conference, to compete against the suburban schools in Tulsa, more fitting for their then 6A schedule. Now, Booker T Washington will for sure renew one old Green Country conference rivalry with a Friday night match up against Edison. With the loser of that contest having to battle the winner of another TPS clash, Tulsa Memorial vs East Central.   Booker T Washington may not have a single senior of the roster, but they have proven that the future is now as one of the best teams in 5A. They're loaded at the guard spot, with experienced juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1475991' first='Jamarri' last='Simpson'] and Baron Harris as steady hands and an exciting sophomore group that broke out this season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'] has super charged the team, as he's already in the conversation as one of the best guards in Oklahoma, regardless of grade.   Meanwhile Edison is anchored by seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='1793875' first='Jermiah' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2352129' first='Moses' last='Miller']. Johnson is an athletic and defensive minded guard who has State Tournament experience after helping the Eagles there last year. While Miller is a newcomer to Oklahoma, and has an unique game with a big body presence around the rim and floor stretching capabilities.   On the consolation side of the bracket, Tulsa Memorial is looking to make their 12th straight Class 5A State Tournament appearance. It's been a bumpy year for a program of Memorial's standards with five new starters. But junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1579600' first='Jalil' last='Cotton'] anchors an athletic and defensive minded squad, that is hoping the future is now with a strong group of juniors and sophomores that are now battle harded . While East Central is looking to play spoiler with players like promising junior guard Donovan Jackson and athletic senior Robert Elliot.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DECK THE HALLS FOR A STREET FIGHT</h2>   The top two defensive teams in 5A will square off with Collinsville (43.2 points allowed) against Holland Hall (40.5 points allowed). Collinsville is anchored by one of the most imposing presences in 5A with 6 foot 9 [player_tooltip player_id='1625127' first='Zac' last='Brown'] manning the middle. Not only does he deter attempts at the rim, he has an outstanding motor as a rebounder which limits the opposition's second chance points.   For Holland Hall, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1581111' first='Ethan' last='Taber'] has came along strong providing a post presence, even if he's not a skyscraper like Brown. But what possible separates the defense for the Dutch is the fact that their stars [player_tooltip player_id='1293568' first='Carter' last='Benton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552349' first='Julius' last='Wilson'] are willing to get their nose dirty on the defensive end. Both have fantastic size for guards in Oklahoma, and that makes them versatile defenders that allow Holland Hall to play big on defense.   When handicapping the match up beyond the defensive end, they're both 20 win squads. The aforementioned Benton and Wilson are one of the best one-two punches in 5A, with either one of them capable of delivering clutch buckets when called upon. While Collinsville does have their walking double-double (Brown) they'll need more than just him to counter the duo. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2789631' first='Aiden' last='Anderson'] is proving to be a sharpshooter for the Cards this year, averaging in double figures and shooting over 40% from three. Anderson and other Cardinals will need to hit from distance to keep the pressure off Brown.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHICH CONSOLATION BRACKET TEAM HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO MAKE STATE?</h2>   Tulsa Memorial (as covered above) would be a strong contender in this category. Along with a youthful but talented Rogers team and Sapulpa with quick junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2341552' first='Zachery' last='Lewis']. But let's turn focus to the depth of Class 5A on the west side. There's a strong case that 6 of the 8 best teams in 5A hail from the west side of Oklahoma. Del City and El Reno both will be favorites to win their consolation match ups on Friday, then will get the chance to knockout the losers of Midwest City-Guthrie and Carl Albert vs Crossing Christian match ups, respectively.   Del City are last year's defending 5A State Champions. But started the year with a new brand starting five, that remained scrappy and competitive in early season action. The Eagles then got a new boost by the evolving transfer dynamics in high school basketball. [player_tooltip player_id='1482833' first='Micheal' last='Graham'] JR was a mid year transfer after playing football at Westmoore. More important for Del City, Graham was also a two year starter at point guard on back to back 5A State Tournament teams for OKC Southeast. The addition of Graham has been a big boost to a tough Eagles squad, that includes one of the better defenders in 5A, [player_tooltip player_id='2310069' first='Jashawn' last='McCalister'].   El Reno has been of the more consistent 5A programs over the last decade, often in the hunt for the 5A State Tournament. And capable of shaking things up when they do reach the big stage. They're led by one of the best two way guards in Oklahoma, [player_tooltip player_id='1391434' first='Carter' last='Roman Nose']. The junior has started since his freshman year, and always shined on the defensive end with his quick hands and great instincts. He's taken his game to the next level this year, as he's continued to improve as a shooter. Continuing the defensive theme for the Indians, senior wing-forward Phoenix Whiteshirt is a plus athlete. Who is very active in racking up steals and blocks. While freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2332743' first='Kaleb' last='Blackwolf'] brings a football player mentality to the squad, with toughness that allows him to play bigger than his size and age.

Arguably the most wide open classification in Oklahoma, many of the top teams in 5A have tripped each other up. Setting the stage for what should be an exciting round of Area and an even better State Tournament next week.