10,000 Foot View: Class A Preview

Basketball season is upon us! Scrimmages are in full swing and the coverage of Oklahoma high school basketball is ramping up! Here's an intro to Class A! Which some schools have already started their season! Exclamation Points!     The Defending Champs: Okarche The Warriors have won back to back titles, including an undefeated 32-0 mark last season. They will be tested at Tournament of Champions this season, so another undefeated run is less likely. Leading the way for Okarche are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1552358' first='Jett' last='Mueggenborg'] and Easton Roby. Roby is a baseball standout, who is also already well over 1,000 points scored on the court. Mueggenborg is a heady and smart guard and one of the best overall players in Oklahoma. Last season they proved they can handle the pressure of being the hunted. Now can they cement their legacy with a rare three-peat?   Top Contenders   Okay: The eastern based Mustangs are also looking for their fourth straight Class A State Tournament appearance. During that time they had two runner up finishes, including last year. During past years, they featured one of the best one-two punches in Oklahoma with Diezel Davis and [player_tooltip player_id='2223704' first='Chase' last='Clark']. Davis has graduated and is now at Independence Community College. It will fall on the broad shoulders of Clark, how's also the son of the coach, to power another run to OKC in March. This spring and summer, Clark was one of the most impressive scorers in regional and RecruitLook AAU play. While he's an unselfish player by nature, expect eye big time scoring numbers to highlight his game.   Rattan: The Rams senior class enters the year with 82 wins. Headlining that group is guard Canyon James. James is a smooth scorer who poured in 24 points in Rattan's Quarterfinals win last year. His ability to score off the dribble, especially in the mid-range, will likely power the Rams back to another State Tournament appearance. Last year, for three quarters they hung with and traded blows with Okarche in the semifinals.   Caddo: Another school no stranger to post season success. They won Class A in 2023 and have made State four straight years. Went 24-5 last season, with a semifinals appearance. To keep the winning tradition, look for go getter junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2934249' first='Noah' last='Bacon'] to play an even bigger role. He's a physical guard and can also light it up from deep. He'll combine with senior Kale Brister and company to power the Bruins' in their attempt to make their fifth straight trip to OKC in March.     Keep An Eye On:   Ripley - While Ripley bowed out in Regionals last year, they did post a 21-7 record. They added [player_tooltip player_id='2409388' first='Brodey' last='Bursiaga'] from Perkins. Bursiaga is a 6 foot 6 forward, who gives them a size advantage. While also having some guard skills, making him potentially one of the toughest match ups in Class A. They're one of the teams to already start their season. They did so with a 77-30 shellacking of Class B Agra. Senior sharpshooter Kolby Zetterberg had 24 points and four three-pointers in that win.     Best Player in the Class:   [player_tooltip player_id='2223704' first='Chase' last='Clark']   This is fierce three way debate between Mueggnborg, Clark and Harman of Cyril. It's hard to go wrong with any of them, as they will all finish their careers as decorated small town scorers. Clark gets a slight nod for being more athletic and stronger. Which means along with his ability to dominate the mid-range and pull up from three. He's an explosive above the rim finisher. He showcases this ability with acrobatic finishes against defenders and rim rattling dunks when given a lane in transition or halfcourt. Is committed to NSU in Tahlequah.     Breakout Underclassman:   [player_tooltip player_id='2831751' first='Wyatt' last='VanZee'], Sophmore Guard, Mooreland   A youngster with big time range as a shooter, he impressed as a freshman. And carried that over into a productive 15U run during AAU play. He'll be looking to up his production for a Mooreland program that hasn't made state since 1973.     Preseason All State   [player_tooltip player_id='2223704' first='Chase' last='Clark'], Senior Guard, Okay   Explosive above the rim finisher, with a complete scoring game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1552358' first='Jett' last='Mueggenborg'], Senior Guard, Okarche -   Mueggenbrog has an outstanding mix of scoring chops and the unselfishness to make his teammates better. Has an eye for the spectacular with his vision and anticipation with his passing ability. Great touch around the rim to compliment his deep shooting.   [player_tooltip player_id='2779035' first='Nash' last='Harman'], Senior Guard, Cyril -   Southern Oklahoma guard who is a certified bucket. Assuming health for this season, he will finish his career with well over 2,000 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2079283' first='Gunner' last='Starnes'], Senior Wing, Southwest Covenant -   Starnes has one of the best motors in the state. His inside-outside game makes him a big time mismatch. Last season, the hard working wing led his team to a 22-4 mark and finished one win away from the State Tournament.   [player_tooltip player_id='2385522' first='Micah' last='Westrope'], Senior Forward, Pond-Creek Hunter   Blue collar forward, who is a walking double-double at the Class A level. Westrope makes great use of his height and wingspan advantage to dominant the paint. Helped the Panthers to an Area trip last year, looking to go at least one step further this year.

Basketball season is upon us! Scrimmages are in full swing and the coverage of Oklahoma high school basketball is ramping up! Here's an intro to Class A! Which some schools have already started their season! Exclamation Points!