FIRST LOOK: Class 4A, 3A and 2A Area Brackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use promo code OKHoops50 at checkout for a discount on your first month's subscription</em>. <em> </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This morning the OSSAA released the road to the State for Classes 4A, 3A and 2A. Here's a quick reaction with storylines to keep an eye on, as long with State Tournament team predictions. <a href="https://simplebooklet.com/2026basketball">To check out the full brackets, here's a link that also includes Class A, B-1 and B-II. </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Class 4A's Toughest Area - I </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a tough call between Class 4A Area I and Area III. But when tie breaking for this, the strength of the unranked reams in Area I makes for trickier path. Let's start at the top with Cascia Hall. A newcomer to 4A after finishing as runner ups in 3A last year. There's also the defending Class 4A champs Weatherford headlining this area. But neither one will find it easy given the depth. Bethany and Oklahoma Christian School are the next up among the ranked teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethany is red hot with seven straight wins. It checks out as the Bronchos are loaded with football-basketball standouts, meaning it took a little longer to get going. And also they're tough and athletic. Including sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2408658' first='Breck' last='Brady'], a 6 foot 5 load in the middle. And a future Power 4 TE. With junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140771' first='Malachi' last='Chatman'] heating up from deep of late for the Bronchos, they have a variety of ways to hurt the opposition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard play often wins come playoff team, especially experienced guards. Oklahoma Christian School has one of the deeper backcourts in this Area. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2883896' first='James' last='Huffmyer'] is their ring leader and a tough bucket getter. Odds are if they make it a run, it's with his drives and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552387' first='Hudson' last='Onan']'s shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the unranked teams that could make noise are John Marshall, Holland Hall, Miami and Woodward. After a slow start Holland Hall, has turned the corner in the new year. Including a win over Class 6A Jenks. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2213327' first='Carter' last='Mardis'] is an imposing rim presence for the 4A level. Along with improving young guards sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2874860' first='Mekko' last='Coon'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='3344600' first='Layton' last='Owens'], they very well could be better than their 10-10 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miami is now 10-11 after a loss today to 2A contenders Fairland. They're a team capable of highs with young guards and their own rim presence. For example, just this past Friday night, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2821056' first='Waike' last='Roblyer'] was unstoppable with 40 points in a win over Oologah-Talala. A feat the Wardogs will hope he repeats in a couple weeks, when they play them again in districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western based Woodward will have to travel a bit with their area, but they're bringing a big presence. Literally. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2638586' first='Kadon' last='Gaines'] has already cleared 1,000 points for his career. And even though he stands around 6 foot 8, he'll also be among the top shooters in this Area. Anytime a school has a player like him, they always have a chance for a playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Toughest Class 3A Area - III</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roland is the clear cut favorite to win this area. But a recent loss to Muldrow does prove that on any given night, the Rangers can be tripped up. Although given how important guard play is and how good [player_tooltip player_id='2398309' first='Damonte' last='Owens'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140760' first='Kade' last='Shook'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552348' first='Raidyn' last='Knight'] are; maybe the rest of the Area is playing for the consolation spot on Area Saturday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler has state tournament experience, along with dogged junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140757' first='Jordan' last='Denson'] to led the way. The Ironheads of Eufaula are 19-3, with quality wins over Okay and Muldrow to win tournament titles last month. Proving they are no stranger to winning on Saturday nights in high pressure situation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tahlequah Sequoyah has one of the best shooters in the state, junior Aden Hooper. When he's on, he can change games by himself. He'll combine with senior Malakhi Baccus to give the Indians a chance to shake up the bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final ranked team in this area is Victory Christian, who as it is for most urban area small classification teams play a daunting schedule. The experience should serve them well as potential spoilers in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unranked Westville adds to the Area's depth as they're 15-6. And are led by a former Roland Ranger, senior guard Buck Triplett. They've won 8 straight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Toughest Class 2A Area - II</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a pair of Oklahoma City private school programs and traditional tough small town teans, Area-II won't be a picnic. OCA is led by the tough duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2408566' first='Carter' last='Coleman'] and Matt Mason. As evident in their recent win over Class 4A OCS, good luck to teams stopping the combo of Coleman's height and athleticism along with Mason's power from getting to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside has one of the best scoring guards in Class 2A, with junior [player_tooltip player_id='2327618' first='Daniel' last='Creepingbear'] turning into an one man wrecking crew for them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Christian Heritage is hoping the future is now. They're loaded with sophomore and freshmen who contribute with [player_tooltip player_id='2958602' first='Sterling' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2834550' first='Devon' last='Cruz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2829537' first='Mekko' last='Bobo'], [player_tooltip player_id='2831717' first='Tyson' last='Tircuit'] and more. Literally. As [player_tooltip player_id='2958602' first='Sterling' last='Moore']'s older brother [player_tooltip player_id='2374600' first='Swift' last='Moore'] is a bouncy junior presence, who can dominate the paint during a playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cashion went on a semi miraculous run to make State last year. And Wildcat teams can always shoot the ball well, aka the great equalizer come playoff time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Unranked Sleeper</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A - McLain </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TPS schools can be overlooked by the rest of Class 4A. And it feels like that for the Titans with their first year head coach and alumnus, Ebi Ere. They're 15-6, with half their losses coming against 6A teams. They have a potential game breaking junior guard, KD Nichols. He'll pick the pocket of many during the playoff run, while also being one of the toughest covers in 4A Area-IV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3A - Adair </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors are 12-6 and with most of their losses coming against 4A programs. They also have a wild card in sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='2756926' first='Kyler' last='Green']. He's a 6 foot 5 wing, who looked promising during a freshman viewing. And now is tearing it up with averages of 22.4 points and 11 rebounds. He's gone for over 30 points three times, including back to back games. And recorded a 28 point, 13 rebound, 10 block triple double against ranked 4A Inola. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2A - Wynnewood </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Oklahoma Wynnewood check in at 15-4 and as a potential fly in the ointment in Class 2A Area IV They have athleticism in their backcourt with senior Brylan Williams being an uptempo havoc causer. With some sauce to his handles as well. Fellow senior Tay Benett provides perimeter shooting as an off guard. While junior Desmond Fields mans the middle at 6 foot 5 and some explosiveness. Throw in sharpshooting junior guard Braylon Pierce and speedy football-basketball standout senior Marques Williams, and no rank team will look forward to facing this unranked team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Initial 8 For State</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascia Hall </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oklahoma Christian School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglass </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ada </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crossings </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Gibson </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Rock Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catoosa </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crooked Oak</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage Hall </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingston </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roland </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellyville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rejoice Christian </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hooker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OCA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside Indian School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pocola </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wewoka </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vanoss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hartshorne </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->