The STARS of Semifinals Friday, 6A and 5A
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Day four of State Tournament week in Oklahoma saw the semifinals for Class 6A through 2A. With an early morning start at Lloyd Noble Center, here’s the players who rose to the occasion in Class 6A and 5A. Games Class…
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Continue ReadingDay four of State Tournament week in Oklahoma saw the semifinals for Class 6A through 2A. With an early morning start at Lloyd Noble Center, here’s the players who rose to the occasion in Class 6A and 5A.
Games
Class 6A
9:00 AM
Owasso 53
Broken Arrow 43
10:30 AM
Edmond North 56
Edmond Memorial 34
Class 5A
12:00 PM
Booker T Washington 63
Crossings Christian 56
1:30 PM
Midwest City 56
Carl Albert 54
The tallest player in Oklahoma’s junior class is finishing his campaign on a high note. He mixed in the jumpers he loved as a sophomore with a killer mentality around the rim. Finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds. When Kerr checked out the game with Owasso, he shared a hug and long talk with Owasso Head Coach Brian Montonati. The high upside junior has come a long way from this summer, his first at Owasso. Where at team camps Montonati would implore the big man to embrace his size and go dominant the post. With his soft touch to go with his size and improved motor, Kerr just did that on the biggest stage of the season so far. It’s a huge step forward for the Rams as a D1 prospect.
For a player of Montonati’s high standards, 12 points and 7 rebounds is a quiet game. But it helped delivered the victory and send Owasso to the Class 6A State Championship game, something Shake Milton didn’t even do as a Ram. He drilled a tough corner jumper to end the first half, and peppered in tough makes throughout the contest. It was a mature performance as he didn’t pursue bad shots, and trusted in his teammates to deliver them a hard earned semifinal victory.
Howell’s main next level attribute will be his defensive versatility. He’ll be a point of attack defender against primary ballhandlers, while having the size and strength to also cover off the ball scorers and wings. In the semifinals loss for the Tigers, there were flashes of a scoring game that will be needed for him to thrive at the next level. He led the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds. There was promise with some of the mid-range shots he hit, and a near poster dunk he pulled off. Becming a consistent threat from three will be a crucial next step. Especially as threes and defense are a clear path for him to become a next level contributor.
Dylan Warlick Dylan Warlick 6’6″ | SF Edmond North | 2024 State #226 Nation OK improved to 8-0 at the Lloyd Noble Center in March. The evolution of his passing ability and vision continues to allow him to fill the stat sheet, with 5 assists to go along with his 16 points and 7 rebounds. As always, the physical wing draws so much gravity with his drives and post ups. And he makes defense play by seemingly always making the right play. If left covered one on one, he’s simply two strong and skilled. Making him the biggest mismatch in Oklahoma right now.
Highlights
Joining Warlick in leading the way for North was the crafty point guard. He got active on the glass, grabbing 6 boards while scoring 16 points. Tramble reads the game so well, especially knowing when to push and sense weakness in transition. He’s not a burner with the ball in his hands. But he still is great at pushing it and either finishing himself or dropping highlight reel worthy dimes to teammates. The senior is a newcomer to North, so a chance at a winning his first State Title will be extra sweet for him. Before he heads off to Independence Community College.
The last time Booker T Washington played in a State Semifinal game, Harris was a freshman on an upperclassmen laden squad. Now as a junior, he’s a key leader for one of the youngest but talented teams in Oklahoma. The bully ball guard was locked in from the jump, hitting crucial early threes that got the offense flowing for the Hornets vs a tall Crossings team. After that he started finishing through the size, while also helping setting the tone for the Hornets’ aggressive press defense. Harris finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds, while being a step closer to the 5A Gold Ball.
The other junior who was on that 2022 Booker T Washington squad was credited with the same state line, 13 points and 7 rebounds. Simpson’s big time athleticism was a key part in the Hornets out rebounding the bigger Knights. He can really climb the ladder for rebounds and other plays around the rim. While his quickness for his size can get defenders on skates. Harris and Simpson will be at the heart of Booker T Washington as they go for the program’s 17th Gold Ball on Saturday.
While it was a bitter sweet ending for Woodson’s sophomore season with the loss, the steps he’s taken in the last month are apparent. He went out with 25 points and 7 rebounds, with those 25 points being big time scores through out the game. The physical forward was a bully on the block, while also looking more fluid and skilled on face up moves and finishes.
Along with the skill progression, the maturity and consistency he played with not only today but yesterday were great signs of his progression. Woodson played with fire and stay focused on battling, doing a better job of ignoring adversity. A big spring and summer awaits the high upside Class of 2026 prospect.
The tradition rich Midwest City program will be playing for a State Championship for the first time in over a decade, with Young playing a big role in their turnaround this season.
Oklahoma’s top junior helped swing the intense rivalry game with a big seven point run in the third quarter, which was capped with a big slam. Young’s progression this year with a more smooth off the dribble shooting game has made him become an even more efficient sniper from deep. He went 6-8 from the field, 2-4 from three, with a game high 16 points.
James is a big time football recruit, but he was the difference maker for Carl Albert. Along with providing size and athleticism, his energy was NON STOP for the Titans. During a frantic comeback attempt, he corralled offensive rebounds, chased down loose balls and seemingly did everything else. He finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Power Five football is his future, but he’s a fun watch in basketball right now.