Class 5A Rankings: Early January

As the first month of the season progressed, the depth of Class 5A became apparent. There's a top tier of contenders, but the group of teams battling for the final spots in the state tournament will be a bit of a musical chairs. There's new names that are capable of being among the final eight, and traditional powerhouses that are still hanging on tightly.   Also considered (alphabetic):   Bishop Kelley 6-3   Classen SAS 6-4   Collinsville 4-4   Lawton MacArthur 5-2   McAlester 5-3   Shawnee 6-3     10. Carl Albert 6-1   The traditional powerhouse has taken care of business in the first month of the season, winning the games they should. Racking up victories by double digits against a variety of district foes. Followed up by defeating smaller school but talented foes in the consolation bracket at the Mustang Holiday Classic. Their best opponent so far was Class 6A Jenks, which saw a slow start for the Titans and their first lost of the season. They're currently leaning on upperclassmen, but there's flashes from a strong sophomore group ([player_tooltip player_id='2499150' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='2382118' first='Rex' last='Reynolds'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2499145' first='Austin' last='Johnson']) that as the season progresses the ceiling should continue to raise for Carl Albert. With goals of a 15th straight Class 5A State Tournament, expect Carl Albert to continue to grow.   9. John Marshall 5-2   With a junior backcourt to rival nearly anyone in the class, the Bears have started to shake up the Class 5A landscape. Size and athleticism make [player_tooltip player_id='2393527' first='Zuo' last='Kpogba'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552375' first='Davon' last='Chaffin'] one of their tougher match ups to contain. They pushed El Reno but came up just short at the Harrah tournament. A week later they fully broke through when they took down the defending champs, Midwest City (65-59). Those games have proven they can play with anyone in the class, but a loss to Shawnee also shows the depth of 5A. Along with how the rising team is still vulnerable to slip ups. It's been a while since John Marshall made a State Tournament run (2019), but early signs show they have the top tier talent to compete with the best of 5A in any one game scenario.     8. East Central 5-1   The talent is there for East Central to claim the Gold Ball. Especially with the addition of freshman phenom point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2560570' first='David' last='Douglas']. He joins a balanced backcourt that will provide a good combination of creation and scoring with [player_tooltip player_id='1552318' first='Rickey' last='Bruner III'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140742' first='Gregory' last='Nash']. The key to East Central's season will be for senior star [player_tooltip player_id='1665873' first='Damario' last='Adams']' continued consistency. He anchored impressive wins against non OSSAA foes, South Central Prep and OSL (New York). When he's engaged and locked in, there's not a tougher match up in 5A. With the rising backcourt around him, the sky is the limit for the Cardinals. But in their early season match up with Booker T Washington, they struggled mightily showing they have room to grow before they can compete with the top teams in the class. The addition of "Bubba D" should provide a big boost for EC to make a push as the season heats up.     7. Tulsa Rogers 7-1   The Ropers' exciting sophomore group has them sitting joint top of District 4. They'll have a chance to take control of their destiny on Tuesday against Tulsa Memorial with a pivotal district match up. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2327102' first='Dkarrion' last='Titsworth'], [player_tooltip player_id='2327108' first='Terence' last='Buckley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2450447' first='Cyrus' last='Pete'] have the makings of a State Tournament caliber backcourt. Titsworth and Buckley in particular can be game changers from beyond the arc. Joining the sophomore guards is high ceiling sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2327104' first='Branden' last='Crosslen']. He's an athletic prospect and is already a difference maker in the paint. With the room to grow into a complete offensive weapon. The question around the Ropers, is the future now for the young squad? Tuesday could be an answer to that question, and give them the momentum to set up a home Regional come February.     6. Tulsa Memorial 6-3   Memorial's defense and rebounding will have them in every contest. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1579600' first='Jalil' last='Cotton'] has expanded aspects of his game and is becoming a go to option for the Chargers. He's a good representative of this year's Chargers squad with commitment to defense and versatility. The unanswered question for Memorial as they head into the meat of the schedule. Do they have the guard play to compete for a Gold Ball? Junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1552317' first='Fabian' last='Harris'] has been among the candidates, and has had some strong shooting performances from deep. And senior [player_tooltip player_id='2640832' first='Antonio' last='Love'] has dynamic unpredictable qualities to his game off the dribble, but needs consistency. Strong play from that duo over the next month could be an indication that Memorial's ceiling has been raised and they're ready to compete for a state title.   5. Midwest City 8-4   The defending Class 5A champs have had an up and down season. They've played a challenging out of state schedule, going 4-1 against out of state teams. But due to some injuries and possibly the target they have on their back as the champs, have been tripped up a handful of times in state. They now have ground to make up in district play to earn a home Regional. And they definitely have the guard play to do just that. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552391' first='DeShawn' last='Denson II'] has thrived in his new primary scoring role. [player_tooltip player_id='1293573' first='Jarvis' last='Nash'] is one of the top defenders in 5A and [player_tooltip player_id='1640908' first='Chance' last='Davis'] has flourished since his move from Millwood. A strong holiday weekend in Texas indicates the Bombers are trending up while their schedule heats up.   4. Del City 7-1   The Eagles continue to grind out victories behind a classic Eagle stingy defense. There's football toughness through the squad with a senior group headlined by defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='2310069' first='Jashawn' last='McCalister'] along with fellow multi sport stars Mishaun Graham and D'Marion Turner. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2332743' first='Kaleb' last='Blackwolf'] is another hard nose two-sport star who plays with a poise beyond his years for a youngster. Along with the dual sport stars, junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2138641' first='Kamonz' last='Shaw'] has stepped up this season, as a quick disruptor on defense and a lefty threat from deep. Their only loss their season came against 6A program Norman North, and they've handled business in 5A with double digit wins over Midwest City and Lawton MacArthur. This week they tangle with a surging Lawton squad for district supremacy. Followed up by a big non district measuring stick with the 6A heavy field at the McGuinness Classic.   3. Booker T Washington 7-5   After a whirlwind season that saw the Hornets storm through much of their schedule and finish runner ups in Class 5A, Booker T Washington has ran into more bumps this season. They've set up more marquee in state match ups, including the Tournament of Champions. And they've gone out of state in search of other top tier competition. So the record is a bit deceiving as any 5A squad would likely have hit quite a few bumps as well. One thing remains true; from a talent standpoint their starting five is likely the deepest in the class. But it's bit of a juggling act right now, as they're all more perimeter inclined. But it's more of a blessing than a curse to have five different players capable of going for 20+ points on any given night. An aspect that when they settle into 5A play, will allow them to handle a lot of teams. Just look at their result against East Central.   The ceiling is still claiming another Gold Ball for the Hornets' prestigious trophy case. Especially with sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'] giving off star qualities. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1685526' first='BJ' last='Harris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1475991' first='Jamarri' last='Simpson'] have the experience and athleticism to play bigger than their size and make clutch plays. Then junior sharpshooters [player_tooltip player_id='1783190' first='Isaac' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'] both change games from deep. Still, when watching the Hornets they seem a step off from last year's squad that was a buzzsaw. Once they regain that extra bit of special quality, they'll be the most dangerous teams in the 5A field.   2. Lawton 12-1   Newcomers to 5A, the Wolverines have put the class on notice by beating last year's champ Midwest City. And taking down 918 powerhouse 5A program, Tulsa Memorial. The senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1796289' first='Pene' last='Vaisagote'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1796291' first='Tavaris' last='Deans'] are arguably the top athletes in the class. They both put on a show in transition and can beat up opponents on the glass. A deep cast of juniors proves there's little drop off for Lawton, with rising junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2297011' first='Anthony' last='Patrick Cacciola'] and guards [player_tooltip player_id='2723504' first='Champ' last='Brewer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2335421' first='DeAuvyahn' last='Young'].   Only Class 4A powerhouse Weatherford has put a blemish on their record. Which they immediately bounced back by heading to Texas and winning the In-and-Out tournament. It's clear that they have the talent to be competing for the Gold Ball at the Big House. But their new status to Class 5A gives them less experience at making a playoff run that some of the other top teams. A Tuesday trip to Del City will give the Wolverines an opportunity to make a further statement, along with really taking control of District 2. Go on the road and win that, and the argument for the 580 squad to be the top team in 5A intensifies.   1. El Reno 7-0   The Indians are 7-0 with a complete squad. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1391437' first='Tre' last='Davis'] has elevated his game as a dominating post presence, with stretch/face up forward capabilities. There's a strong argument that given his size and skillset, he might be the toughest match up in the class. Rounding out their top tier one-two punch is [player_tooltip player_id='1391434' first='Carter' last='Roman Nose']. He's an elite defender, and can also be a go to scorer. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1796297' first='Jonathan' last='Reed'] has slotted into more of a running the show role, but has a full scoring game as well. And junior Kason Hayden is starting to scratch the surface as a high flying and disruptive two-way presence. They're not quite as battle tested as Lawton and Booker T Washington, but their schedule is about to heat up. Four match ups with Carl Albert and Lawton MacArthur will likely dictate the winner of District 1. While a usually Class 6A heavy field at the Shawnee field will be a chance for them to sharpen their blades in a three game scenario against State Tournament quality competition. El Reno has knocked on the door recently, with a State Tournament appearance in 2023, but this could be the year they're ready to break it down and make a full run.

As the first month of the season progressed, the depth of Class 5A became apparent. There's a top tier of contenders, but the group of teams battling for the final spots in the state tournament will be a bit of a musical chairs. There's new names that are capable of being among the final eight, and traditional powerhouses that are still hanging on tightly.