December Class 5A Top 10

With the move to Districts in Class 5A, the weekly coaches polls have been phased out. Here's a check in on contenders in Class 5A as we head into the Holiday Tournaments and the new year.   10. Carl Albert 4-0   The Titans have had quiet start but do have four straight forward wins. The winter break came at a good time, giving them time to jell as they integrate their football standouts back into their squad. Including two very important pieces, juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2499150' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2499145' first='Austin' last='Johnson']. Once they're back in basketball shape, they'll have a chance to challenge for a 5A State Tournament berth. Three games at the Mustang Holiday Classic this week should be a great experience for CA to grow.   9. Edison 5-4   The Eagles aren't ducking smoke this season, playing 4A contenders Cascia Hall, and battling 6A programs, Jenks, Mustang and Union. So their record might not be as pretty as other teams but they're very much a State Tournament contender. Especially with the intensity and athleticism of senior [player_tooltip player_id='2404886' first='Nehemiah' last='Liggins']. Freshman AY Pinder is a sharpshooter, but is at his best as a table setting, distributing guard. He has outstanding vision and feel for his age.   8. Collinsville 8-0   All the Cardinals seem to do is win. They're filled with shooters and cutters, that make them a hard match up even for the best defensive teams. As they will find the openings all over the court. They even have a go to option, with one of the more underrated scorers in the state, senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-scyrkels/">[player_tooltip player_id='3102293' first='Dylan' last='Scyrkels']</a>. A trip to the 405 this year would be their third straight State Tournament appearance. January match ups with Edison (January 6th) and Booker T Washington (January 15th) will be their toughest tests to date.     7. Midwest City 5-1   A double digit loss to school district rivals Del City was a bump in the road for the Bombers in the first semester. Otherwise with senior scorer Deshawn Denson II at the helm, they have dominated fellow 5A competition and beat two 6A teams. A preseason knee injury to promising [player_tooltip player_id='2423499' first='Kenyon' last='Brown'] has hurt the Bombers. But a potential second semester return would supercharge the tradition rich program in their quest for another State Tournament appearance.   6. Classen SAS 6-2   With experienced guards and the addition of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2854298' first='Daylan' last='Williamson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140782' first='Pierson' last='Vanlandingham'], the Comets have vaulted toward contending status in 5A. Williamson is an athletic guard, who broke out over the summer. While Vanlandingham is breaking out now, by playing to his size as a rebounder and post presence. The Anadarko Tournament and a trip to Newcastle are early January opportunities to further stamp their credentials as a contender.   5. Newcastle 9-1   A narrow loss in a back and forth contest against Del City is the only blemish on a good start to the year. The Racers are one of the few teams in 5A with legit post size, as senior [player_tooltip player_id='2352732' first='TJ' last='Williams'] has been a bouncy presence around the rim. When they play through him, they look really good Especially as fellows seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1552339' first='Kolton' last='Brammer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2223702' first='Ivan' last='Antwi-Donkor'] are quality scorers in their own rights. Back to back games on January 12th and 13th against McGuinness and Classen SAS will be pivotal in keeping their District 1 Title hopes alive.     4. Del City 6-2   The Eagles currently are the class of the 5A west side with wins over Newcastle, Midwest City and Classen SAS. The last two were by double digits. Throw in a win over 6A Norman and they clearly have the best resume on the west side, even with losses to East Central and 6A Putnam City North. Upperclassmen guards, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2138641' first='Kamonz' last='Shaw'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2332743' first='Kaleb' last='Blackwolf'] bring experience and steel. While the emergence of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2553586' first='Marquis' last='Fleming'] could be what is needed to put them over the top. Winning a Mustang Holiday Classic field this week with some of the top teams in Oklahoma could be good prep for a State Tournament run.   3. East Central 5-1   East Central is headlined by three headed backcourt monster of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2560570' first='David' last='Douglas'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552318' first='Rickey' last='Bruner III'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140742' first='Gregory' last='Nash']. Douglas is an all energy guard, with emerging explosiveness, crafty passing and a killer mid-range game. Bruner is a quick senior guard, who has has been torching the nets from deep. Nash is a steady presence, who proved his big game credentials with a strong performance in the State Quarterfinals last year. Throw in athletic junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140734' first='Deandre' last='Rhodes Jr'] and they have the talent to win it all in 5A. A 11 point win over Del City is proof of that.   2. Tulsa Memorial 9-0   The 918 based program might be the most complete team in 5A when it comes to players fitting to their roles. The example of that comes with senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1888702' first='Shon' last='King'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552317' first='Fabian' last='Harris'] playing their role to a T. King is a rocky steady point guard, with years of varsity experience. While Harris is a pure knock down shooter. They have post depth in senior [player_tooltip player_id='3025473' first='Jay' last='Oates'] and junior Kam Boone. Along with two dynamic wings/off guards with senio [player_tooltip player_id='2286954' first='Isaiah' last='Garrett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2527381' first='Jarius' last='Bossell']. Bossell as a rising sophomore could be the key in unlocking their high ceiling. Which could start as soon as this week at the loaded Tournament of Champions.   1. Booker T Washington 8-0   Arkansas program Har-Ber is the only team to play Booker T Washington within single digits. And it's not because the Hornets are playing poor teams, they've won six out of state contests and handled their two 5A district foes with ease. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140748' first='Jacques' last='Mitchell'] is a special athlete, who has taken his game to another level. While seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1783190' first='Isaac' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'] have big game experience and top tier shooting.. The Hornets are the favorites in Class 5A, and could be the best team in Oklahoma regardless of class.     Also considered:   Bishop McGuinness 5-2   Coweta 6-1   Lawton 4-1   McAlester 4-2   Noble 5-3

With the move to Districts in Class 5A, the weekly coaches polls have been phased out. Here's a check in on contenders in Class 5A as we head into the Holiday Tournaments and the new year.