T.of.C Championship Preview

<p>Both semifinal games at Tuesday’s Tournament of Champions evening sessions delivered on the tournament’s expectations for drama and flare at its 56th edition at the BOK Center in Tulsa.</p> <p>5A No. 3 Del City took down 6A No. 1 Jenks in overtime and 5A No. 1 Tulsa Memorial took 6A No. 8 Owasso to the wire. Now, Tulsa Memorial will compete for its fifth T.of.C title against a familiar foe, Del City, who won the 55th Tournament of Champions two years ago after defeating Tulsa Memorial in the semifinal game.</p> <hr /> <h4>THE MATCHUP</h4> <p>The T.of.C never fails to pit the best teams in Oklahoma against each other, and Wednesday night will be no different. Del City and Tulsa Memorial have split their last two meetings: In March of 2019, Tulsa Memorial defeated Del City at the Mabee Center to claim its third consecutive championship. Nine months later, Del City got its revenge on Tulsa Memorial, defeating the Chargers in the T.of.C semifinal game en route to a championship weekend that saw the Eagles take down Booker T. Washington in the T.of.C title game.</p> <p>Though spectators, writers and hoop junkies wanted a rematch in March, the 2021 5A State Tournament was canceled due to Covid-19.</p> <p>Then, the T.of.C was canceled for the same reason the following season, hence a two-year gap between the 55th and 56th editions of the esteemed annual tournament.</p> <hr /> <h4>WHO TO WATCH</h4> <p>With rosters as stacked as Del City’s and Tulsa Memorial’s, you can go deep into either team’s bench and predict with reasonable accuracy that any player on the floor could have a big night on Wednesday. These players, however, have had the most notable impacts so far during this T.of.C weekend:</p> <p>Jr. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967378" first="Seth" last="Pratt"]</strong>, Tulsa Memorial G -- <em>Has been a problem for each team the Chargers have played, shooting an uncanny 86 percent from beyond the 3-point line so far this weekend.</em></p> <p>Jr. <strong>Jaedon Foreman</strong>, Del City W --<em> Oklahoma State football commit had an exceptional game against Jenks, shooting 60 percent from the field in a 20-point semifinal performance.</em></p> <p>Sr. <strong>Ty Frierson</strong>, Tulsa Memorial PG -- <em>Senior leader for the Chargers and outstanding passer, has averaged 16 points, four assists in two games this week and will be the lone player on the floor with significant T.of.C experience.</em></p> <p>Jr. <strong>Percy Green</strong>, Del City G -- S<em>cored 19 and 15 points during first two games, respectively, and has been a breakout player for the Eagles.</em></p> <p>Sr. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049317" first="Killian" last="Spellman"]</strong>, Tulsa Memorial W/F -- <em>Efficient scoring contributor has been terrific for the Chargers on the wing, shooting 71 percent from the field.</em></p> <p>Jr. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068562" first="Brandon" last="Garrison"]</strong>, Del City C -- <em>Has anchored Del City defensively, forcing opposing scorers into bad shots and tallied a double-double against Jenks.</em></p> <p>Jr. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="981287" first="Terry" last="McMorris"]</strong>, Del City F -- <em>Scored game-sealing dunk in overtime to lift Eagles to title game in 14-point performance.</em></p> <hr /> <h4>WHEN AND WHERE</h4> <p>Tip-off for the 56th Tournament of Champions title game is set for 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29 at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa.</p>