Friday’s Finest: December 1st

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were among the best in Oklahoma for the first big Friday night of hoops?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the big game nights on Tuesday, Friday and in-season tournament Saturdays, be sure to tag or DM @PrepHoopsOK on X/Twitter with top individual performances to be featured in future articles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with a recap of a big Class 5A battle, between Holland Hall and Tulsa Memorial. A game that I attended, and featured some of the top rising talent in the 918.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holland Hall took an early lead, then weathered a counter punch from Memorial in the second quarter. And then controlled the second half in route to a 51-38 victory. That gives the Dutch two big district wins to start the season against fellow 918 squads, Memorial and Edison. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at four standouts from that game, then a look at some of the top performers from around Oklahoma. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1293568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Benton opened the game with a triple, and closed it with a pair of late triples. In between he did a little bit of everything on his way to 21 points. When Chargers closed out too heavily to run him off the line, he put his head down and got to the rim.  He finished through contact and would relish the physical nature of the game. He also busted out a very smooth, one legged fadeway jumper from about 12 feet out at one point.rnrnIt's a testament to the work ethic of Benton, of how he's matured into an overall scoring threat. And has already started to add the muscle that will be needed to compete at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1579600"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The only Charger in double figures, Cotton was a strong finisher at the rim, who was extremely active in blocking shots and grabbing boards on defense. As a bouncy 6 foot 6 prospect, just those traits would be enough to view as a promising college prospect. But he also had some moments as a face up forward, with a couple good drives, nailing a free throw line jumper, and even making a good kickout pass when the defense collapsed.rnrnMemorial's identity this season will likely be built around grit, defense and toughness and Cotton is a great representation of that.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1552349"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The super sophomore started strongly, he corralled a loose ball near his own three point lane and out raced the Charges for an easy layup. He quickly followed that up with psychical drives and smooth jumpers for nine points in the first frame. Wilson cooled off the in the second quarter, and some of the control and poise he played with seemed to at times fade away. As one possession in particular, he pushed it himself and when the play wasn't there he pressed and eventually missed a contested mid-range shot badly.rnrnWhen Wilson plays within himself and within the system he looks so smooth.  Especially as he's a good passer, with either hand. His second half wasn't loud as his first, but he did a better job of not forcing and picking the correct spots to attack. He did attack late in the third, taking a smooth behind the back stepback jumper. Wilson got the shooter's roll, and was even fouled. He converted the three point play at the line.rnrnSigns this past summer pointed to Wilson being one of the best sophomores in what is looking to be a deep Class of 2026 in Oklahoma. He backed that up tonight with his 14 points tonight.  Only a couple weeks removed from a productive football season, it's coming in flashes. But when he puts together a complete game, it will be loud.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2286954"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Garrett didn't get the start, but he logged big minutes for the Chargers. And it was easy to see why, as the lanky sophomore plays with toughness and aggressiveness. He has a sneaky good handle for a young wing, as he was one of the more effective Chargers at actually getting downhill and pressuring the Dutch's tough defense. While he did convert a few of his drives, he did struggle with the physicality at times. But to his credit, he never backed down.rnrnGarrett is young and raw, but has the physical traits to be a high upside player and will need to be monitored more going forward.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1391440"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Putnam City West moved to 2-0 in District play with a 98-65 road win over Northwest Classen. They had 5 players in double figures, with do it all wing-forward [player_tooltip player_id='1391440' first='Kaidon' last='Rayfield'] leading the way. He had a team high 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. So far, he's 3 for 3 in recording double doubles this season.  The junior is quickly becoming one of the most dominant forces in Oklahoma, and even picked up a University of California offer earlier today,rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/PCWestBBall/status/1730797310366326999u0022u003eSource: PCWestBball on Xu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2277651"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A couple weeks ago, [player_tooltip player_id='2277651' first='Mason' last='Matulis'] caught the eye with a pair of big slams and played with the moxie of a more experienced player.  That scrimmage performance was a sign of things to come as he opened his sophomore campaign with a team high 29 points.  It was a key part of a big season opening 81-57 Hornets victory over Bishop Kelley. Which each passing day, the sophomore class in Oklahoma looks strong and stronger, and Matulis has thrown his hat into the ring to add more depth to it.rnrnSource: Coach Contact","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1367219"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Carl Albert went west on I-40 to El Reno and picked up a 66-49 victory to start the season. While they had three players in double figures, it was senior [player_tooltip player_id='1367219' first='Quincy' last='Hopkins'] who had a team high 19 points. He's a physical and quick power guard, who when his jumper is on, will be nearly unguardable in Class 5A this season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/MWC_Beacon/status/1730789950830829970u0022u003eSource MWC Beacon on Xu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1482836"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Jones and OCS went 2-0 on the week, with Friday's night victory coming as a loud personal statement for Jones and the Saints as a whole. They went to new OSSAA program Casady and trounced them 72-50. Jones even put an exclamation on the game with a powerful two handed slam in transition.  Along with the two points from the slam, the Kansas Wesleyan signee finished with 29 points. Including six three pointers.  Next week Jones and OCS will be headed to Dale, to play in the Pirates' in season tournament.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/JONESOKC/status/1730809158151114928u0022u003eSource: Parent Submitted Infou003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1367222"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"After the Tigers' suffered a road loss to open the season on Tuesday, the senior helped Norman defend homecourt with a 71-57 win over Yukon. Combs-Pierce put in his claim as the best defender in the state with three rejections, as the lanky wing-forward can clamp guards on the perimeter and turn the paint into a no fly zone. To go along with his defensive exploits, he had 21 points and 5 rebounds.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/KREFsportsTV/status/1730807659387883818u0022u003eSource: KREFSportsTV on Xu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["2287070"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Hobart made it to the Class 2A State Tournament last year, where Johnson looked a promising athlete and driver, but shot it poorly in a loss. Tonight was a different story as the senior guard poured in 50 points in a season opening 96-38 victory over Cordell.  Along with the points, Johnson stuffed the stat sheet with 8 rebounds and 7 assists.  As the Bearcats gear up to make another run to the Class 2A state tournament, the explosive scoring senior guard will need to be kept tabs on in case he puts up more video game like numbers.rnrnSource: Coach Contact","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656ac4712505f"} /-->