Class 6A Rankings: Playoff Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the playoffs tipping off later this week, here's a check in on how the top teams in Class 6A shook out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also Considered</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmond Memorial 12-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmond North 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenks 14-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putnam City 18-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putnam City North 16-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westmoore 16-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Choctaw 16-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Exciting juniors give the Yellowjackets the capability to play with anyone in the state. Their recent victory against Norman speaks of that ceiling. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2218106' first='Steven' last='Anderson'] has recovered from mid-season ailments. His scoring abilities will be crucial as he combines with fellow junior standouts [player_tooltip player_id='2223689' first='Jayden' last='Hopkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2283661' first='Jordan' last='Valentine']. Mix in the floor spacing and rim protection of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2241907' first='Millet' last='Steelman'], and the talent is there for Choctaw to navigate a loaded Class 6A West playoff field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Southmoore 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last few years have seen teams win State "ahead of schedule". Edmond North in 2022 and Owasso last year. So on paper with the talented seniors and other teams ahead of them, Southmoore (who has no seniors) might be a year away. But the playoffs have a funny way of breaking. And the Sabercats have two guards who can break any game open. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2140800' first='Tyson' last='Pogi'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552339' first='Kolton' last='Brammer'] both look ready for the bright lights. They'll have a chance to shake up the Class 6A playoff picture when traveling across town to a regional hosted by Moore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Union 18-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A late season push has the Redhawks hosting their own Regional. It started with a momentum building in season tournament win over Midwest City. Then carried over with pivotal district wins against Westmoore and Owasso. They won 9 straight before ending the year by getting tripped up by Owasso. [player_tooltip player_id='1444135' first='Korbin' last='Gunn'] has been a monster down the stretch. The explosive guard plays bigger than his height, finishing at the rim, shooting from deep and handing out dimes. Look Gunn and complete scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1364821' first='Triston' last='Driver'] to put on a show this March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Sand Springs 18-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the Titan Classic, Sand Springs was at a turning point in their season. Losses to Norman and Norman North proved to be reset. The Sandites won 6 straight to end the year. Grinding out a tough win over Edmond North, then smacking Broken Arrow 60-42. Those results gave them a Regional hosting spot. Star players make star plays in March, and tough shotmaking [player_tooltip player_id='1756347' first='Deke' last='Thompson'] will look to do that as Sand Springs aims for their first State Tournament appearance since 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Deer Creek 19-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Antlers closed out the regular season with a tale of two teams. One was a 20 point loss at Norman North, where they looked a step off the pace all game. But a few days landed they responded like champions do by winning 59-49 at Southmoore. That win means they'll start the playoffs at home, hosting a Regional that includes a potential State Tournament quality match up against Choctaw. The path doesn't get easier and as long as the team that beat Southmoore shows up, they should be at the Big House in March for a third straight State Tournament appearance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Norman North 15-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One for all and all for one. During the Timberwolves playoff run it won't be shocking if they have a different leading scorer for each game. Their balanced and team based approach allowed them to shake up Class 6A District 1 and essentially clinch the title by demolishing Deer Creek, 52-32 on February 14th. They've won close, they've won big. With exciting sophomores and tough seniors, they've proven to have a winning formula. 6A West is a war, but they have the talent and teamwork to make their first Class 6A State Tournament since 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Moore 17-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard play and seniors win in March, if last week was any indication then Moore is ready to make a fourth straight Class 6A State Tournament appearance. The dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1391442' first='Tristan' last='Hankins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1391441' first='Roman' last='Miller'] first secured a Regional hosting spot with a 63-61 win over Choctaw. Then won bragging rights over school district rivals Westmoore. Miller has grabbed a lot of headlines with dunks, deep threes and everything in between. And Hankins has been making plays since his freshman year for Moore and is a big time shooter and tough defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Norman 19-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just win baby. That feels like the vibe of a Tiger squad that's keep producing and won District 2. Other than a fourth quarter that saw Choctaw rally and beat them on February 11th, they have been perfect for the last month. Including character building OT wins over Putnam City North and Edmond North. They closed out the regular season by handling out a loss to rivals Norman North on senior night. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552322' first='Beau' last='Billingsley'] is playing some of the best ball of any player in Oklahoma. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Broken Arrow 22-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 60-42 loss to Sand Springs should serve as a wake up call for the Tigers. Which they did respond by ending the regular season by burying Bartlesville and Enid on the road. More of the same could be expected this week at Regionals, with a field that Broken Arrow should be favored by double digits. And with a recent loss keeping them focus, it could be the start of a playoff run that ends with the Tigers playing on championship Saturday, March 15th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 Owasso 21-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union proved it's possible to take down the Rammers Rammers (Trademark Talk of the Town). But in the rematch to decide the District 3 title, Owasso reminded Union and the rest of the state just how good the Rammers Rammers can be. Owasso overwhelmed Union to the tune of 75-48. They have size, they have shooting, they have defense and they can slap the floor. The Rams are on the march to a repeat and will likely enjoy the pressure that comes with having the target on their back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->