Too Early 4A Preview: Private Schools return? Title Rematch?

August is the calmest month on the prep basketball calendar, so let's get out the crystal ball and speculate on what could be happening this winter in Class 4A with three big things.   The return of the Private Schools in 4A   I'm not going to look it up, but last year's Class 4A State Tournament had to be the first in a decade, if not decades without a single private school reaching the Big House. Last season, rule changes pushed Holland Hall and Crossing Christian up to 5A, while also pushing Victory Christian and Oklahoma Christian School back down to 3A. All four were State Tournament teams in their new classes, including OCS winning 3A. Now, if my understanding of the rule change back to the old format (two State Tournament appearances in the last three years plus a cap on how far a school can move up in classification) and the recent ADM numbers; all four of those schools, along with Metro Christian and Mount Saint Mary, should be adding to the depth of 4A. As all six of those schools have qualifier for the State Tournament at least twice in the last three years.   With the way the rules have changed over last few years, this could be the incorrect reading of which private schools are added to 4A. Or even as has happened before, there could be a mid season switch. Just like when Holland Hall cashed in the "move up to 5A" money in the bank briefcase during winter break of the 2022-23 season. Wait, I am being told it wasn't a money in the break briefcase? Err, the point still stands that Ardmore and Holland Hall switched classes in January in 2023. One thing I am fairly certain on when it comes to private schools in 4A, is Bishop McGuinness will be one. As their ADM is the 4th biggest in the class and their last State Tournament appearance came in 2022 in Class 5A. So, make that seven private schools that should be competing for a trip to the final State Tournament at Jim Norick Arena?   The reason it could be 7 in Class 4A and now 8 is because there also appears to be a new wrinkle to the private school program rule. The Boys and Girls private school program are no longer tied together. Which should mean that Lincoln Christian is in 3A? As their ADM slots in as a 3A program, and were up 4A because of the success of their girl's program. Tied into that rule change, I've also been told there's speculation that the smallest ADM schools won't drop down a class. Meaning that Class 4A could have an uneven amount of teams and some teams will receive byes come Districts? Yes, I broke out the Ron Burgundy question mark because I believe that's the case but I am not for sure how these rule changes will actually shake out. I'm here to only speculate a bit, not wildly speculate.   Rambling attempt to understand the changing landscape of the rules involving private school programs in Oklahoma aside, here's a look at some of the players who will be factors for some of the private school programs.   Due to the nature of graduation and the new wave of player movement, some of the private school programs returning to 4A aren't as stout as they were last year. But Holland Hall with senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1581111' first='Ethan' last='Taber'], senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2337862' first='Ryan' last='Levine'] and incoming junior wing-forward [player_tooltip player_id='2213327' first='Carter' last='Mardis'] give the Dutch a core that gives them a chance to extend their State Tournament run for another season. Meanwhile Crossings Christian should slot in as a top 5 team in 4A, and they're not 5. [player_tooltip player_id='1358852' first='Cal' last='Furnish'] is at the controls for the fourth straight year as a longrange marksman and cerebral tablesetter. The Knights also have senior [player_tooltip player_id='1391432' first='Cam' last='Parker'] providing the power downlow and a hungry group of 2026 and 2027 guards ready to step up.   Mount Saint Mary has rising sophomore sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2499131' first='Maddox' last='Hamilton'] and bouncy junior wing-forward newcomer Jamari Dubose. The Rockets might also have some other newcomers to keep a tab as well. Victory Christian returns a good one two bunch in their backcourt with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1475990' first='Connor' last='Hislop'] and junior Gunner Goodnight. While senior versatile wing-forward Jordan Brown provides a valuable inside-outside option for a program eager to keep their strong tradition alive.   Emerging Programs and Breaking into the Next Tier   Even without the private school programs, last year's 4A was still strong at the top. With the return of McLain to the state tournament and the continuing emergence of one of Oklahoma's newest school districts, North Rock Creek. North Rock Creek graduated a strong group of seniors that helped establish the competitiveness of the program. They still return a good mix of players that has started to establish a winning tradition for a school that is less then a decade old.   Two more schools that reached the State Tournament and are expected to still be in the mix for another run are Anadarko and Stilwell. Andarko returns many of their gritty guards including seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2341389' first='Trenton' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2341444' first='Jakobi' last='Tallent'] along with junior Troy Pendarvis and more. No matter how good Class 4A is, the eastern Oklahoma based Indians of Stilwell have been a recent regular at the Big House in March. Impressively last year they made their run to the quarterfinals even after one of the best players, Class of 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1964985' first='Brayden' last='George'] went down. A healthy season for George will be crucial for the Indians to once again reach OKC.   Bethany has been knocking on the door of their first state tournament appearance since 2020 for a couple years now. It could be their time this winter with a strong senior class that is led by skilled lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1475988' first='Aiden' last='Todd'] and sharpshooting [player_tooltip player_id='2337849' first='Wyatt' last='Geissler']. There's two programs that will be leaning on star power to place their squads in the mix. Junior wing-forward Aiden Clark saw his summer come to a halt due to an unfortunate injury. Hopefully health allows the physical and skilled big man to have a breakout season for the Longhorns, who could emerge out of the northeast. Meanwhile in southeast Oklahoma, the favorite to lead Class 4A scoring is ready for his sophomore season. 2027 guard Grayson Howell is as explosive as he comes and is a much watch if he plays any games near OKC.   By small town standards, Fort Gibson has a super exciting sophomore core that could be ahead of schedule. Big man and potential two sport star sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'] is going to flat out be a match up program for most 4A teams. Another returning sophomore starter is the crafty point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2140727' first='Brody' last='Scott']. They also have a sophomore newcomer, [player_tooltip player_id='2389001' first='Cash' last='Keys'] who is expected to make an impact right away. Another sleeper to keep an eye has a new one-two punch in bouncy [player_tooltip player_id='1581112' first='Bryce' last='Cowns'] and sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1625156' first='Mason' last='Craven'] for McLoud.   What's fun about small town basketball is despite trying to catch a wide net to figure out who's in the mix, by Janaury there is sure to be new teams that emerge with new players attempting to lead their programs to the glory of the State Tournament.   Weatherford vs Douglass III?   While there are now fun storylines throughout Class 4A, there is still a strong feel of a potential collision course between the teams that have squared off in the last two state championships. Douglass has seen roster turnover but still have a three headed monster of a backcourt of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1475987' first='Davon' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1475984' first='Landry' last='Ballard'] Jr and [player_tooltip player_id='1796293' first='Jaden' last='Williams']. Add in springy senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2337846' first='Dashawn' last='Ransome'], rising sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2332741' first='Nkem' last='House Jr'] and the top tier talent remains for the Trojans to still be the favorite. And that's not even accounting for the next wave of hungry talent that is being cultivated.   There's nothing like the motivation of a painful loss, especially for seniors. Weatherford's core of [player_tooltip player_id='1391435' first='CJ' last='Nickson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1504903' first='Ethan' last='Sage'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1504901' first='Tate' last='Sage'] have helped transformed the program yet have came up short twice to Douglass. The size and versatility of the trio overwhelms most 4A programs and the return of them, plus junior guard Jackson Guard would be enough to have them in the picture for the title game. But in the case of a rare small town transfer, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1796295' first='Walker' last='Kennedy'] has moved to Weatherford. He's a do it all guard, who especially shines with a defensive mentality and a quality jumper. His addition could be crucial in helping the Eagles get over the hump.   Both squads have delivered classic title games, including last year's overtime game in front a nearly fully State Fair Arena. Will we see a third to close out the Big House in March?     Did I miss something? Want to yell at me about it?   Want to put a new player or team on my radar?   Did you actually enjoy the non player profile scouting based writing?   Did you actually ready all 1,500+ words of this article?   If any of the above question apply to you, then email me at samduren@gmail.com so I can work to improve my coverage of Class 4A and smaller classifications this winter.

August is the calmest month on the prep basketball calendar, so let's get out the crystal ball and speculate on what could be happening this winter in Class 4A with three big things.