10,000 Foot View: Class 4A Preview

Basketball season is upon us! Scrimmages start this weekend and the coverage of Oklahoma high school basketball is ramping up! Here's an intro to Class 4A!     The Defending Champs: Weatherford   After two years of Silver finishes, the Eagles finally soared to Gold. They did it in dramatic fashion with CJ Nickson draining a jumper in the closing seconds of the title game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2335385' first='Jackson' last='Smith'] is the lone returning starter and he's started since his freshman year for the Eagles. Often an utility player while playing with his talented teammates, he did explode for 40 last season in a win over Tuttle. The Eagles will need more of that from him. And given the big games and stages he's played on in his first three years of high school, expect him to step up.   Top Contenders:   Crossings Christian:   The Knights will be in a bit of a transition period after the graduation of two four year starters and their head coach leaving Oklahoma. Talent wise though, they'll still right there as one of the best teams in the OKC metro (regardless of class). Their junior class has two players ready to take center stage in [player_tooltip player_id='2140790' first='Rylen' last='Sykes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382094' first='Bo' last='Barber']. While sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2381825' first='Beckett' last='Buckingham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2554643' first='Slade' last='Black'] aren't far behind. Then senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1552365' first='Braden' last='Buckingham'] has established himself as one of the best shooters in Oklahoma.   Cascia Hall:   After back to back Class 3A State Tournament appearances, the Commandos have been bumped up into 4A. Their one-two punch of [player_tooltip player_id='2140733' first='Dallas' last='Lowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323191' first='Memphis' last='Duffie'] is one of the best in the state. Lowe is a fast scoring guard, while Duffie is a physical shooting specialist. With quality guards around that duo, there should be little of an adjustment period as they ramp up for another March trip on I-44 from Tulsa to OKC.   Douglass:   The Trojans are the gold standard of the last 15 years in Class 4A. Even after the graduation of an outstanding Class of 2025, they'll be in the mix again. They received a big boost with the addition of senior duo [player_tooltip player_id='2393527' first='Zuo' last='Kpogba'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552385' first='Jamel' last='Morris']. They give them two All State quality performers. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2332741' first='Nkem' last='House Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2654485' first='Trevor' last='Snell'] stepped up last year, and will be ready for their bigger roles. They're signs of how there's talent throughout the Douglass roster.   Keep an Eye on: Ada   The Cougars are coming off a 16-10 mark and like a lot of small towns will blend the athleticism of football standouts with a core of hoopers. On the basketball side, [player_tooltip player_id='2382118' first='Rex' last='Reynolds'] moved in from Carl Albert. At 6 foot 6, the junior has a lot of of untapped talent as a scoring wing. He'll pair up with fellow junior, [player_tooltip player_id='2499146' first='Tarvaris' last='James'], an athletic forward. Ada will get even more size from the football front when 6'6 senior [player_tooltip player_id='2223698' first='Owen' last='Wofford'] trades his cleats for sneakers. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2834176' first='Tyse' last='Williams'] is an instant impact guard.     Best Player in the Class:   [player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'], Junior, Broken Bow   This might be a surprising pick to the hoop heads in the metro, but tucked away in the southeast corner of Oklahoma is one of the top athletes in Oklahoma. He's currently lighting up the football field and will be doing similar in gyms. The lefty is speedy and simply put a walking bucket.     Breakout Underclassman:   [player_tooltip player_id='2677318' first='Brian' last='Hopgood Jr'], Sophomore, Bristow   The talent and upside is obvious for Hopgood. Gamechanger around the rim, with his big wingspan and light on his feet movement. He started to put it together as a freshman, with double doubles and blocks. Few teams in 4A will be able to keep him off the glass or score over him. And now has a chance to turn the Pirates into a sleeper for State.   Class 4A Preseason All State   [player_tooltip player_id='1552385' first='Jamel' last='Morris'], Senior Guard, Douglass - Morris started his high school career at Douglass, then after two years at Crooked Oak has returned to the East Side. One of the best slashers in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'], Junior Guard, Broken Bow - Dual Sport standout, who's future is likely in football. Has put up video game like scoring numbers since his freshman year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552365' first='Braden' last='Buckingham'], Senior Guard, Crossings Christian - One of the top breakout players from last season. The senior can flat out shoot the rock and saved his best for last during the 4A State Tournament. Will now be a top option for the contending Knights.   [player_tooltip player_id='2323191' first='Memphis' last='Duffie'], Junior Guard, Cascia Hall - Elite shooter and rock solid all around player. Duffie stepped up down the stretch for the Commandos and carried that momentum into AAU play. Parlaying that into collegiate interest and offers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'], Junior Forward, Fort Gibson - A dominating physical presence on the interior, he anchored a State Tournament run for the Tigers. Committed to Oklahoma as a top 10 nationally football recruit, he's the state's premier interior enforcer.

Basketball season is upon us! Scrimmages start this weekend and the coverage of Oklahoma high school basketball is ramping up! Here's an intro to Class 4A!