Team Power Rankings: Playoff Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Use promo code OKHoops50 at checkout for a discount on your first month's subscription</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are here for the smaller classifications, and we are on the door step of Regionals starting for 6A and 5A. The favorites are established in each class, but how do the top teams stack up regardless of class?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Class 2A Dale 24-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dale suffered December losses to a pair of teams ranked higher than them on this list, and since then haven't looked back. [player_tooltip player_id='1672779' first='Denton' last='Forsythe'] is a powerful and complete scorer, looking to complete his high school career with a fourth basketball State Championship. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2831204' first='Jeremiah' last='Skaggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2565158' first='Keldan' last='Meely'] have stepped up this season as talented new starters. While senior Wyatt Sealey is a gritty X-Factor, who's impact goes beyond the box score. It will take all hands on deck for the Pirates to win their fifth straight Class 2A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Class 5A Newcastle 22-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent has been there all year and it looks like it's starting to gel. They closed out the regular season by avenging their two losses (Del City and Classen SAS) and have won 11 straight games. They have two of the top athletes in 5A with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2223702' first='Ivan' last='Antwi-Donkor'] and T.J. Williams. But they're not just relying on their size and athletic advantage, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1552339' first='Kolton' last='Brammer'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2045444' first='Joey' last='Folsom'] headline their backcourt. Which just got deeper with the return from injury of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2439601' first='Cole' last='Seely'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Class 5A Carl Albert 22-2<br>Just win baby! That's what the Titans do. They're powered by a variety of players who already tasted Gold this school year as part of the juggernaut that is Carl Albert football. [player_tooltip player_id='2499150' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] is a future D1 running back who is making waves as a bucket getting guard. He looks the part of a running back with his combo of his quickness and strength on drives. While also impressing with a throwback mid-range game. Look for senior sharpshooter Brandon Rogers to be a clutch shot maker as the Titans contend for the 5A title. As they have the depth, toughness and discipline to potentially push the 5A favorites.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: while yes, Carl Albert did narrowly win at Mustang on Friday night. The Broncos only played their seniors, meaning four of their usual starters did not play in the contest. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Class 6A Mustang 21-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the Broncos are on, they are scary good. Complete squad with shooters, some of the top athletes in the state and heady PG [player_tooltip player_id='2464132' first='Scyon' last='Wilborn']. They only lost one game in 6A District play (Choctaw) and they avenged that with a 89-63 victory. With the amount of juniors and sophomores who play key roles for Mustang, this should be the start of an impressive run. But sharpshooting senior Andrew Reynolds will want to go out with a ring. He's already put together some of the best shooting performances of any player in Oklahoma and will be a game changer this March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Crossings Christian 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4A contenders only losses since 2026 started have come to the top team Millwood and Class 6A contenders Edmond Santa Fe. Ever since their Mustang Holiday Classic Tournament victory, they have looked a different team from the squad that started 4-3. They are one of the most complete teams in Oklahoma, with a stingy zone defense and a clear hierarchy of roles and understanding on offense. There is a question mark for the Knights' capability of winning 4A, the health of [player_tooltip player_id='1552365' first='Braden' last='Buckingham']. The senior scoring guard broke the thumb on his non shooting hand. But an emergency surgery from none other than Dr Shin in California should give Buckingham the opportunity to return during the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Edmond Santa Fe 21-3 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolves keep taking care of business, with their only recent set back coming in their overtime loss at Putnam City North. They are deep with players capable of scoring 15+ points on any night. With a recent example coming in their Regional host spot clinching win over Broken Arrow, where it was junior [player_tooltip player_id='2140735' first='DeWayne' last='McKinney Jr'] who led the way. They have the grit of seniors Money Robinson and Jojo Baba to lean on. While the untapped ceiling of sophomores of [player_tooltip player_id='2381835' first='TJ' last='Newton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2560270' first='Joshua' last='Baba'] and Brian Hopgood JR could push them to the top of Class 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Owasso 20-5 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owasso has their Ace card back and [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati'] is flame throwing from deep like he never left. Since his return he's set a school record (15 threes and 56 points) in one win, helped them secure a District Title against rivals Union and blew out 5A contenders East Central. He had a smooth 40 ball in that last victory. But it's not just Montonati tearing it up for Owasso, fellow four year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams'] is making plays on both ends of the court. The ORU signee is handing out dimes and hitting big threes left and right. Will the senior duo be enough to claim the Class 6A Gold Ball like they did as sophomores in 2024?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Booker T Washington 23-1 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other than a road bump against Millwood, Booker T Washington has been flawless this year. Often drilling fellow 5A teams by 30 or more points. They have four of the best players in Class 5A, with any of Joc Mitchell, [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1783190' first='Isaac' last='Sanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2327104' first='Branden' last='Crosslen'] likely being the best or second best player on other teams. Last year they showed the extra gear when they won in the semifinals and finals of 5A by 27 and 24 points respectively. Needless to say, when the Hornets are on, they're really freaking good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Putnam City North 23-1 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers completed the regular season with an undefeated mark against in state teams. They have a lot of the ingredients of title winning teams. The senior heart and grit with the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1552344' first='Nate' last='Muriithi'], [player_tooltip player_id='2218107' first='TJ' last='McNeely'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2495271' first='Malakye' last='Schoats']. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1437034' first='Mekhi' last='Thomas'] is a heady guard, who can fill it up from deep. And is looking to follow in his older brother's footsteps, who won Class 6A as a junior with the Panthers in 2018. Then sophomore guards [player_tooltip player_id='2509295' first='Keaton' last='Murry'], Devion Gillisipie and [player_tooltip player_id='2381839' first='CJ' last='Heskett'] have all had their moments in the sun this season. Will it all come together and deliver the Panthers' their second Gold Ball in school history?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 Millwood 21-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons have soared higher then any team in the state. No team in Oklahoma has played them within single digits, and it's not like they're playing traffic cones. They've laid the smack down on 2A favorites Dale, 3A contenders Crooked Oak and Heritage Hall, 4A contenders Crossings and Douglass (twice for the Trojans), 5A favorite Booker T Washington and more. They aren't the biggest team, but odds are no one is going to out compete them. In an era where playing hard is a skill, the Falcons are throwback of a prideful and disciplined group. They're going for back to back in Class 3A and a state record 19th State Title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also Considered </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A Broken Arrow 17-5 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A Cascia Hall 22-4 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A Del City 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A East Central 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A Fort Gibson 20-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A Norman 21- 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A North Rock Creek 21-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3A Roland 20-1 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 5A Tulsa Memorial 21-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A Union 19-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->