5A State Tournament Preview? El Reno vs Tulsa Memorial

While the winter weather that impacted the first tournament weekend of 2025 had many draw backs, it did led to at least one positive. A rare match up between Class 5A State Contenders Tulsa Memorial and El Reno. The Chargers were more than willing to make the cross state drive to El Reno, for a match up that usually had only been reserved for the State Tournament. As I believe the last game between the two was at the 2019 State Tournament. It was a semifinals match up that saw Tulsa Memorial rally from a double digit halftime deficit and win at the buzzer thanks to Chargers legend Kalib Boone.   This match up had a playoff type feel, with a feeling out period and neither team ever fully pulling away. The teams traded the lead throughout the contest. It was a three from El Reno star [player_tooltip player_id='1391434' first='Carter' last='Roman Nose'] that pushed them ahead midway in the fourth quarter. A lead they would never give up as they turned up the pressure on defense to defend homecourt.    There are few players in Oklahoma who can change games on both ends of the court as well as Roman Nose does. Need him to switch onto a big and make a stop? He'll do that by using his outstanding defensive awareness and deceptive hops and quickness. Big threes? Tough buckets at the rim? Teleporting out of nowhere to deflect/steal a pass? He does it all and he did all those things throughout Saturday's win.   Roman Nose was the go to man in the first quarter, and showed that it's not a mismatch when he's on a post player. As he has quick hands and timing to block shots of taller players. Then in a tied game, it was Roman Nose who drilled the go ahead three from the corner. There might be players who are more flashy than the El Reno senior, but few are more productive than the stone faced Roman Nose.       A skilled all around guard, Reed has often settled into the facilitator role for the Indians. But a deep scoring bag is still there and he scored timely buckets throughout. Strong and plays at his own pace on drives, with a floater and other mid-range moves. Then will mix in the occasional crucial three pointer. Seems to have a great feel to know when to score himself, and when to set up his teammates.     Harris' productive junior season (double digit scoring and nearly 50% from three) continued on Saturday. He stepped up in a big environment by consistently hitting big threes throughout the contest. Especially in the first half. Harris runs hard to his spot in transition and generally is best when hunting for threes off the ball. As he's always ready to shoot and has a pure shooting form. Did a little of damage off the bounce when the Indians did run him off the three point line. Key scoring piece, who has a chance to elevate a tough and defensive minded Chargers squad.     There's a handful of plays each game that will make an observe go "wow". He's a wing, who often moves like a guard with the way he can blow by defenders and his body control on drives. Does a good job of also looking to pass on those drives. The potential remains off the charts for the 918 junior. His season has been a bit up and down, but he appears to be turning a corner in this second semester. Which is crucial for his own development and Memorial's ceiling.     The Chargers are one of the few teams with the size and depth to throw a lot at Davis to slow him down. In the first half, it seemed to work as he was quiet by his high standards. But he had a strong spurt late in the second quarter and into the second half that proved crucial for the win. He got it going around the rim as a scorer, then even stepped out and hit a three. He's been a dominating influence this year and Saturday was a good test as he attempts to put the Indians on his back for a State Title run.     The talent has always been there and it appears the senior urgency might be setting in for Johnson. Went on a 7-0 run by himself in the third quarter. Ran the floor hard, and was too strong on finishes at the rim in transition and halfcourt. Hit a triple as well during that stretch. Johnson has a lot of natural tools with height and athleticism that few can match. When he locks in like that second half spurt, Memorial can play with anyone in the state.     El Reno's senior core is among the best in Oklahoma, but to win a State Championship teams always need contributions from across their roster. Osburn provided that extra bit of spark on Saturday. He knocked down a pair of big threes in the second half. Then despite often being one of the shorter players on the floor, corralled a couple tough rebounds in the final frame. Good example of a prospect who can star in his role and leave a lasting impression on a senior heavy team.

While the winter weather that impacted the first tournament weekend of 2025 had many draw backs, it did led to at least one positive. A rare match up between Class 5A State Contenders Tulsa Memorial and El Reno. The Chargers were more than willing to make the cross state drive to El Reno, for a match up that usually had only been reserved for the State Tournament. As I believe the last game between the two was at the 2019 State Tournament. It was a semifinals match up that saw Tulsa Memorial rally from a double digit halftime deficit and win at the buzzer thanks to Chargers legend Kalib Boone.