Buzzer Beater: Hoopfest and November Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Closing out a busy November with a look back at the preseason and the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scrimmages and Games</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, November was jam packed with hoops. Many small school programs have started their seasons. There was the new premier Pride of the East Side Showcase at Douglass and of course scrimmage action. If you click on my name at the top left of the article, you'll find writes up from major scrimmages, 10 high schools game watched in person, and more watching online. It's only a tip of the iceberg of my commitment to provide as much coverage as possible of teams and prospects from all over the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 Watchlist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with the in person work in gyms, the 2029 watchlist was released. It's a first look at early names to know this winter and ones who should emerge down the road. <a href="https://prephoops.com/oklahoma/rankings/oklahoma-high-school-boys-basketball-2029-class-player-rankings/">If you haven't, check it out</a>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thanksgiving Hoopfest Recap</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/scout-the-stream-pcn-and-btw-hoopfest-dubs/">Went deep on the two signature wins for Putnam City North and Booker T Washington with this Saturday article. </a> They both proved it was no fluke when they kept applying pressure on Saturday. Putnam City North won a 74-70 shootout over DeSoto. And Booker T Washington notched a double digit victory against Frisco Memorial (62-51). An outstanding start for two programs with sky high expectations this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barn Storming Trojans </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglass took a little bump on Friday with a 56-55 loss to Grace Prep. As champions tend to do, they rallied with a 47-44 win over Argyle on Saturday. Compared to other 4A State Tournament contenders, the Trojans might not have as pretty of a record come playoff seeding time But there likely won't be any team more battle tested than Douglass. The month of December will see Douglass travel out of state to Texarkana, Illinois and Missouri. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend as showcase hosts, they proved that even with new faces, the same pride, toughness and swagger is still present. And their challenging out of state schedule is proof that they're not ducking any smoke on the east side. They very likely will be ready to make another run to the Class 4A State Tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central Sophomore Shines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a sophomore who stole the headlines in the Aces' Hoopfest win on Friday. They took down a squad from OTE, with sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2635389' first='Parker' last='McDaniel'] pacing them with 19 points and a few steals. McDaniels' talent as a shooter has never been in question, with deep range and the ability to work in the mid-range. But he also had a good take to the rim. Looks to be expanding his all around game while playing with college bound seniors and against national competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rams on a Mission </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owasso opened their season with a 81-63 win over Lufkin, Texas at the Hoopfest. OSU signee [player_tooltip player_id='1552319' first='Jalen' last='Montonati'] was in fine form with 35 points. It should be the first of many 30+ games for the senior who has been putting up outrageous scoring numbers since his freshman campaign. Joining him in leading the way was his long time teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='1552362' first='Boden' last='Williams']. Williams, an ORU signee, had 22 points, putting an impressive capper on a sizzling month for him. The duo have been starting for the Rams since their freshman year, and have been AAU teammates for longer than that. This is their last ride together before they go their separate ways for college. And they clearly have Gold on their mind after their shocking quarterfinal upset this past March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552362"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692d0255e179b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Usually the tag "most improved player" goes to a youngster, or a maybe a senior who is a first time starter. Williams is one of the most experienced players in the state and has always been good. But based on the month of November, he's going to close out his high school career in the class of great. It's a testament to his hard work. Along with a renewed spirit and swagger. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Have watched Williams at a few different scrimmages and there were times even with multiple other future D1 player on the court that Williams looked the best. He's shooting the ball from deeper and with more confidence. While starting to putting on the college ready good weight needed to be a tough defender and a more explosive finisher at the rim. Making the jump from good to great is never easy. It sure looks like this Ram has it in him to be great night in and night out this winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->