January Tip Off: Power Rankings, Oklahoma's Top 10 teams

10. Dale 9-2   The Pirates are still positioned as the favorites to win Class 2A for the fifth straight time. Their only losses come from two teams ranked higher on this list, Mustang and Millwood. But they were also pushed this past week by Pocola, the team that has finished runner up the last two years in 2A. In the end of that contest, and a double digit comeback win against 6A Choctaw, [player_tooltip player_id='1672779' first='Denton' last='Forsythe'] proved to be the difference. Athletic 6'7 Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2565158' first='Keldan' last='Meely'] has started to step up next to Forsythe. While keep an eye on gritty senior Wyatt Seeley as a sparkplug for their dreams of another title.   9. Mustang 8-2   When the Broncos are rolling, they look near unstoppable. Shooters. Athletes. Sharing the ball. Playing at pace. It's a blast to watch. The ceiling is there for them to compete for a State Title. Which is why a blowout loss to Class 4A Crossings Christian was a head scratcher. The Knights caught fire from there early and Mustang was never able to get back into the game. It could make sense from the concept that Mustang is still a bit of a work in progress with a new coach and new pieces still gelling. Potentially creating a bit of a roller coaster effect throughout the year, not unlike last year's 6A champs Deer Creek. They'll have a chance to hit the highs of the roller coaster this week with a trip to the Bartlesville tournament. With potential match ups against Owasso, Union and Broken Arrow.   8. Crossings Christian 7-4   Will the real Crossings Christian Knights please stand out? As it was a tale of two tournament for Crossings in the month of December. They struggled to start the month with a 1-2 showing at the Edmond Open. They closed out the month with three straight double digit wins over Class 6A teams. Including one of the most impressive complete team performances by any team in the state with how they won the title game over Mustang. If that win proves to be a sign of things to come, then Crossings should be the 4A favorite. Especially with a big three of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552365' first='Braden' last='Buckingham'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2140790' first='Rylen' last='Sykes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382094' first='Bo' last='Barber'] to lead the way.   7. East Central 8-3   The Cardinals only in state losses are to Millwood, which there is no shame in that. They've picked up quality wins over Del City and Cascia Hall, with Del City being a real proof of concept victory for EC. They are anchored by outstanding guard play with sharpshooting . Not sleep on athletic wing DeAndre Rhodes JR. Who can be a streaky shooter from three, while also providing the muscle for their guard based attack. They have a potential 5A State Tournament type test this week if they square off against Carl Albert at the Lincoln Christian tournament.   6. Edmond Santa Fe 6-2   One of the most athletic teams in Oklahoma could potentially get even more athletic and add legitimate height. 6 foot 7 sophomore Brian Hopgood from Bristow is expected to be an addition to their roster for the second semester. He'll add an extra dimension to an already high flying roster. What could help Santa Fe elevate to State Title quality is the backcourt combo of senior Money Robinson and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2381835' first='TJ' last='Newton']. Robinson is the steady ring leader, while Newton could stamp himself as one of the top players regardless of grade in Oklahoma by March.   5. Broken Arrow 6-1   The Tigers have taken down two of the fellow top 6A contenders with hard earned wins over Mustang and Edmond Santa Fe. Then they suffered a 7 point setback after leading early against Putnam City North. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2224276' first='Corban' last='Dow'] is proving to be a legitimate number one go to option. And he could be getting a big boost in the second semester if standout Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2327117' first='Gene' last='Mason'] can recover from a foot injury. This upcoming week has the Tigers potentially facing off with a combination of Union, Mustang and Owasso at the Bartlesville tournament.   4. Owasso 7-3   The elephant in the room for the Rams is the wrist/hand injury to senior star [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati'] which happened the day before the Tournament of Champions. Leading to a first round loss to Cascia Hall. They bounced back with two wins to finish the week on a high note. The expectation is that Montonati should be back at some point in February. Till then [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552386' first='MJ' last='Milton'] and the Wilson brothers will be expected to hold the down the fort. And it's very like the experience gained there could lead to the Rams being better prepared come March.   3. Putnam City North 11-1   The Panthers are undefeated against Oklahoma foes, with State Tournament quality resume wins over Norman, Edmond Santa Fe and Broken Arrow. While defeating some of the best teams in the region in out of state play. Often there's a lot of focus on their talented backcourt. The Panthers also have one of the toughest and better front courts in Oklahoma. With seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1552344' first='Nate' last='Muriithi'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2218107' first='TJ' last='McNeely'] as gritty heartbeats for the Panthers, they have the capability of beating anyone in Oklahoma.     2. Booker T Washington 9-0   The defending 5A champions started the new year with a 89-32 shellacking of district foe Coweta. So far their in state schedule has been of that variety, but they have ventured to Texas, Arkansas and Kansas to play stuff competition. Which has led to similar results as only Har-Ber (AR) has played Booker T Washington within single digits. The Hornets' biggest in state test is coming up in less than two weeks, with a January 17th match up where they host Millwood.     1. Class 3A Millwood 12-2   Just like every team on this list, the Falcons are talented. What separates them is the chemistry and pure effort they bring. Especially on the defensive end. Not a single team in Oklahoma has played them within double digits and they have plenty of impressive out of state wins. After winning the Tournament of Champions and taking down their Soul Bowl rivals Douglass with a 15 point win; their next big test comes when they travel back up the turnpike to play Booker T Washington.     Also Considered (Alphabetical Order)   Class 4A Cascia Hall 9-3   Class 5A Del City 7-4   Class 4A Douglass 8-3   Class 4A Fort Gibson 5-2   Class 3A Heritage Hall 6-0   Class 6A Norman 8-2   Class 5A Newcastle 5-1   Class 3A Roland 7-0   Class 5A Tulsa Memorial 10-2   Class 6A Union 5-1   Class 6A US Grant 5-0

10. Dale 9-2