NEW 5A Districts Reactions

It's the second of year district play for Oklahoma's largest classifications, meaning there's a new August tradition! Reacting to the district assignments and what it means for the top players, teams, sleepers and more. Throughout the upcoming months, there will be more high school season preview articles mixed in with the individual scouting write ups.   And what's better than an initial look at how 6A and 5A have shifted? Here's a link to last week's article on 6A, with 5A as the focus today.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Districts-Together.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/Districts-Together.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2527259" /></a></figure>   EDITORS NOTE: While we are tracking the player movement that is now common in high school, and factoring that into coverage, we might have missed a move or two. Sorry!   If changing schools and we haven't updated your prospect profile, you can claim it and edit your school. Which will help keep us in the loop on where you watch YOU play this winter.     District 1: El Reno ready for primetime?   The last time El Reno played for the Class 5A title was in 2011, when they finished runner up to Booker T Washington (shout out to Devante Moore, he was a bucket). Could the Indians be poised to make a return trip to the 5A title game? Based on their play this June and the player movement that has occurred during the wild summer, they are looking to be a favorite to make the State Tournament. Which starts by taking care of business in District 1. Their biggest hurdle will come via one of the powerhouse programs in 5A, Carl Albert. The Titans are reshuffling a bit. But as they proved in 2022 even after gradating near all their production off a State Championship team, few programs in Oklahoma can reload like Carl Albert. The other top rival for the Indians comes from Lawton MacArthur. They have a strong one-two punch of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2341388' first='Keyion' last='Brown'] and junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2335345' first='Brennan' last='Malone']. Malone in particular gives the Highlanders an athletic and strong edge in the interior, which till will need if they are going to challenge the Indians.   Why are the Indians viewed as a favorite? It starts with one of the best two-way guards in Oklahoma, [player_tooltip player_id='1391434' first='Carter' last='Roman Nose']. The senior has elite feel and timing on the defensive end, while also being a strong offensive threat. There's also the return of forward [player_tooltip player_id='1391437' first='Tre' last='Davis'], who started his career as a freshman for El Reno and is not back after two years at Enid. He's arguably the best forward in Class 5A. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1796297' first='Jonathan' last='Reed'] is another new face for the Indians, and he's a quality scorer that can has a "3 level" scoring game at the high school level. With a combination of scoring by that senior trio and gritty overall defense, El Reno are strong candidates for the top spot in 5A.     District 2: Champs given tough slate   Midwest City dramatically claimed the mountain last spring under first year head coach and Bomber alum Torey Noel. Their reward for reestablishing the Gold Ball tradition, arguably the toughest districts in 5A. It starts with 5A newcomer, Lawton. The Wolverines have an elite senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1796291' first='Tavaris' last='Deans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1796289' first='Pene' last='Vaisagote']. Dean is an athletic, high motor, walking double double. While Vaisagote has similar athletic gifts and is capable of catching fire from deep. Quick junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2335421' first='DeAuvyahn' last='Young'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2297011' first='Anthony' last='Patrick Cacciola'], another athletic and skilled wing, add to the potential high producers for Lawton. Adding to the depth of District 2 is Midwest City's school district rivals, Del City. They've been a powerhouse in 5A recently and lost key contributors following yet another State Tournament appearance. It might a slow start for the Eagles, as two of the top players Mishaun Graham and [player_tooltip player_id='2310069' first='Jashawn' last='McCalister'] are also standouts in football. OKC public school programs John Marshall and Classen SAS are a pair of dark horses in District 2. Especially with John Marshall having the addition of junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552375' first='Davon' last='Chaffin'].   While the task won't be a cake walk, the Bombers very well could claim the district crown before making another run to the State Tournament. They still have elite guard play, especially with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1293573' first='Jarvis' last='Nash'], a hard nosed, elite defender. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552391' first='DeShawn' last='Denson II'] has been a steady riser, adding more and more to his game. Now he'll have a heavy weight on his shoulders as he is best positioned to become the go to scorer for the Bombers. With a silky shooting touch, and an expanding all around game, he's set up to put up big scoring nights.     District 3: Can either Cardinal swat the Hornets?   Booker T Washington returns every starter from last year's Class 5A runner up team. With senior leaders [player_tooltip player_id='1475991' first='Jamarri' last='Simpson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1685526' first='BJ' last='Harris'], rising juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1783190' first='Isaac' last='Sanders'], and sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'], the Hornets have a starting 5 that could compete in 6A. While they will need some faces to step up to provide depth, they are expected to be the preseason favorite in 5A. Because any of the starting five are would be capable of being a star player on most rosters in 5A. Which makes the chemistry and energy they play with together all the more impressive.   To borrow from the animal kingdom, it's fitting that it's a pair of birds that are most likely to prey on the swarming Hornets. And it turns out they're both Cardinals. East Central and Collinsville. Collinsville will rely on the senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2789631' first='Aiden' last='Anderson'] and Walton Cavanagh. While juniors Jarrett Bristol and Dylan Scyrkels are poised to step into bigger roles.   East Central was a fun and athletic bunch last year, and have three new names that elevate them from "sleeper" to "potential contender". Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1552318' first='Rickey' last='Bruner III'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140742' first='Gregory' last='Nash'] (2027) are transfers from Booker T, and transform the Cardinals' backcourt to one of the better in 5A. They also make the two regular season match ups with Booker T Washington must watch games. East Central has a third newcomer, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1665873' first='Damario' last='Adams']. The talent has always been there for the 6 foot 9, athletic and skilled forward. Consistency has been a missed aspect of his game, and if a change of scenery to East Central helps provide that, look out Class 5A.   District 4: Green Country Conference Reunion   The advent of Districts saw the end of the Green Country Conference and some of the rivalries that defined 918 basketball. In District 4, there will be some familiar scraps with the trio of Edison, Memorial and Rogers. After a rebuilding year that saw the Chargers of Memorial end a long 5A State Tournament streak, they looked to be back to their juggernaut ways with a strong month of June. They have size ([player_tooltip player_id='1579600' first='Jalil' last='Cotton']), athletic guard play ([player_tooltip player_id='2395118' first='Jarrell' last='Colbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2640832' first='Antonio' last='Love']) shooting ([player_tooltip player_id='1552317' first='Fabian' last='Harris']) and untapped, unique upside ([player_tooltip player_id='2286954' first='Isaiah' last='Garrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2392225' first='Jaden' last='Johnson']). The signs are pointing to the Chargers putting it back together and going back to their role of being the hunted in 5A.   Doing that hunting in District will include a very promising and exciting Class of 2027 group at Rogers. The future could be now as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2327104' first='Branden' last='Crosslen'] has the tools to turn into one of the best two-way wings in Oklahoma. Edison is also building a promising future, with sophomores DeAndre Rhodes Jr and Jett Crawford ready for bigger roles after hitting big shots during last season's playoff run. Sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2140795' first='TJ' last='Hooks'] is expected to step up as well, while speedy and quick senior guard Donald Jackson is a game changer in transition

It's the second of year district play for Oklahoma's largest classifications, meaning there's a new August tradition! Reacting to the district assignments and what it means for the top players, teams, sleepers and more. Throughout the upcoming months, there will be more high school season preview articles mixed in with the individual scouting write ups.