Too Early 4A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/2374/register/the-expo-oklahoma">Sign up for the Expo in Edmond on Sunday, September 13th</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/2326/register/oklahoma-freshman-showcase">Sign up for the Oklahoma Freshman Showcase in Edmond on Saturday, September 5th.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use promo code Sam26PH25OFF for a discount at checkout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Defending Champion: Cascia Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Commandos breezed through the state tournament with three double digit victories. They would've been the favorite to repeat, but due to an OSSAA rule change they are down in Class 3A and will be covered in that article. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contender</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catoosa </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians broke through last year, reaching State for the first time since 2018. Their stay was short, but likely only added fuel to the fire of a rising program. The formula is there for a longer stay in OKC come March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catoosa has exciting young talent, while also having one of the deeper senior classes in 4A. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140795' first='TJ' last='Hooks'] was fantastic as a junior and improved even more during his spring and summer. He has the look of a senior who leaves his mark in pivotal moments with his senior urgency. Two more senior guard difference makers are [player_tooltip player_id='2140788' first='Ryder' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2391631' first='Anthony' last='Barnes']. Both are key returnees. [player_tooltip player_id='2817024' first='LJ' last='Harrison'] transferred over from Broken Arrow. He's a quick and disruptive guard, adding to their depth and ability to pressure on defense. Another senior newcomer to keep an eye is Bryan Inegbenoise. At 6 foot 5 he brings size and athleticism to Catoosa's guard heavy lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Catoosa to win state, they'll have to do something no Indian team has ever done. Win a State Tournament game. They have an 0-4 record all time in State Tournament games. With their combination experience and high upside young talent, they are a team very capable of breaking records for the port city. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Douglass, Same Pride?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since 2010, Douglass has been the best program in Class 4A. Winning eight 4A State Titles (and another in 3A). They've won these titles with a variety of coaches and will attempt to add to their extensive trophy case with a new coach at the helm. Rodney Hill comes from Texas with college experience. The cupboard isn't bare either as senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='2332741' first='Nkem' last='House Jr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2654485' first='Trevor' last='Snell'] have played a big part in a lot of wins for Douglass. House Jr reached a new level of consistency as a skilled scorer during his junior campaign. Culminating in making clutch plays to push Douglass to the State Title game. Joining House and Snell to form a stingy two way back court is exciting junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2552538' first='Jadien' last='Dixon']. If Hill can get that trio hitting on all cylinders, no team will look [player_tooltip player_id='3664977' first='Forward' last=''] to facing the tradition rich Trojans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Small Town Guard Excellence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A always has a healthy amount of talent outside the metros of Oklahoma. The seniors this year have once again provided that. Here's five senior guards to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140743' first='Greydon' last='Howell'], Senior, Broken Bow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top athletes in Oklahoma, Howell has been pouring in major buckets since his freshman campaign. A smooth lefty guard, he makes it look easy on the court. Howell likely would've been a college hooper if he chose that path. But he's headed to Norman to play football at OU. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan Litherland, Senior, McLoud </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Litherland fully break out as a junior with McLoud. Has a very skilled and refined mid-range and finishing But don't sleep on his size or athleticism as a next level prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140727' first='Brody' last='Scott'], Senior, Fort Gibson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott is simply a winner and has been the creative and emotional engine for back to back State Tournament appearances. The task will be tough this year without their big man, but would not count out the Tigers with Scott leading an experienced group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2403967' first='Jayvyn' last='Bullock'], Senior, Poteau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wild card among this group. Bullock is spending his last high school year in Oklahoma after crossing the boarder from Arkansas. Has big time size and good athleticism for a new look Poteau Pirates program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Track Shoes Bobcats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Star Spencer is a newcomer to 4A, having been bumped up. They had a first year coach year, and should see a second year jump. Especially as they can put up points in a hurry. Senior Quamayne Evans has moved over after an explosive scoring junior campaign at Northwest Classen. He's a quick and shifty lefty, with a nice off the dribble game. Evans is a great addition to a squad that already boosts big time Class of 2028 scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2851081' first='Quashon' last='Mitchell']. It's a duo that will be hard to stop and should have Star Spencer capable of making some serious noise in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A's Rising Sophomores</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quite a few of Oklahoma's promising 2029 prospects compete in 4A. Here's a brief run down of those potential rising stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2921044' first='Timothy' last='Young'], 6'2 Guard, Heritage Hall </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young had outstanding highs during his freshman campaign with Chargers. He looked an improved player ready to reach the next level of consistency and excellence during the summer, especially at UCO team camp. Will now be the main man at Heritage Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodrick Hall Jr, 6'3 Guard, Catoosa </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big time scoring freshman, with huge moments during first season of varsity play. With his athleticism coming in, Hall could be the player that puts the Indians in over the top their pursuit of the Gold Ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2834176' first='Tyse' last='Williams'], 6'3 Guard, Ada</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physical guard, who is powerful and starting to live on the rims with dunks. Williams finished the summer very strongly and should be a force for his 4A sleeper program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3143862' first='Brody' last='Velletta'], 6'4 Wing, Tuttle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Velletta started to make his presence really felt down the stretch for Tuttle. Good size and his ability to score the rock should help Tuttle improve off their 10 win season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2950937' first='Houston' last='Hawkins'], 6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='3664977' first='Forward' last=''], Harding Prep </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New name to watch after transferring in. Doesn't have the production resume of other prospects on this list but the upside is there with his height and athletic profile </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->