Games Watched: Mustang Holiday ClassicrnThe lefty is starting to gain college momentum as one of the top “JuCo” recruits in the state, while also racking up wins for the top ranked Titans.  While not a high flyer or explosive player, England shines with a hard nose, gritty and crafty style around the rim and in the midrange. There’s a bit of a “old man” style to his scoring abilities, making him at times look like an “Oklahoma Andre Miller”.

One of the biggest progressions in his game this season has been improved shooting from beyond the arc. He’s taken the same efficient midrange game from last year and turned into more of a sniper. Especially off the dribble.

Taking home tournament MVP honors was senior guard Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK . The senior standout would finish with 11 points in the tournament title game but his MVP honors were earned for his consistent play throughout the tournament. He wasn’t the leading scorer in Saturday’s game against the Spartans but his impact was certainly felt throughout. That’s why England is one of the more underrated players in the state’s 2023 class. Now, he’s a player that we’ve been writing about for the last eight months and he’s earned all of the recognition. England can impact a game in a variety of ways. Earlier in the tournament, he had a performance where he went 7-9 from beyond the arc. The Titans didn’t need him to fill it up from the perimeter on Saturday. He played within the flow of the offense and was a calming presence as Bixby tried to rally. Keep an eye on the lefty and the Titans.

England averaged 16 points for the tournament for Class 5A contenders. His biggest scoring outburst came in a semifinal match up with 24 points against one of the top defenses in the state, Putnam City North. In that game, England was unstoppable in the second half, while he had his usual gritty scores at the rim. He also was on fire knocking down off the dribble shots in the midrange and from deep. In their opening round victory over Southmoore, he also scored key points in the second half. Against a tough Booker T Washington team, he was subdued in his offensive point.

From watching England so far this season, it’s consistency that separates him between “good” and “great”. If the senior league guard more often channels the energy and intensity he showed in second halves against North and Southmoore, the Titans will have a strong chance to win it all in 5A.

The good news. The second half was the best half of basketball I’ve seen from the hard nosed senior leader for the Titans. England recorded 24 points, with 19 of them coming in the second half. They were hard earned points. Often hitting contested jumpers or muscling his was to the rim in a valiant attempt to rally Carl Albert, who trailed by double digits for much of the game. England even hit a late three that got the deficit down to only 6.  He was 4-7 from three on the day.

The bad news. The first half was a struggle for England. Carl Albert’s offense was stuck in the mud in the first half, only scoring 16 points as a team. England looked uncomfortable against Putnam City North’s quick guards. In a big game against a State Championship caliber team, it would’ve been better to see a strong straight from the Titans’ leader. But it was great to see the second half response. And hopefully the slow start was a lesson for the senior to propel him forward as the Titans challenge for a State Title in Class 5A.

The senior leader had a quiet start to the game, seeming to pick his spots on offense. He handed out 5 assists, which was a good sign when it comes to the development of England as a playmaker. He also came up big when it mattered the most with a go ahead finish at the rim in the final minute and then shortly after two more free throws to seal the victory for Carl Albert.

Carl Albert has been one of the best teams to start the 2022-2023 season and they were dominant once again on Tuesday as they went on the road and took down Midwest City 78-57. Leading the way on Tuesday night was senior guard Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK . The senior would finish with 22 points in the win and was once again very efficient with what he did on both sides of the ball. England has been a player that I personally have written about quite a bit over the last nine months as his game has continued to grow. The Titans have been consistent and high-scoring so far this year, scoring at least 70 points in all four of their wins. The 21-point win over Midwest City was also their “closest” win so far this season. The Titans host Ada on Friday before participating in the Mustang tourney in two weeks.

England made a big splash last season with a 15.2 point per game average for the Class 5A Semifinalist Titans. What’s impressive is that he had big shoes to fill as he stepped into a starring role for the tradition rich Titans, who graduated many of their top contributors from their 2021 Class 5A State Championship team. Now with England firmly entrenched as the leader of a talented Titan team, he’ll be looking to navigate them past a tough Class 5A field, which includes Mid-Del districts rivals Del City, for another Gold Ball.

For me personally, the player that I’m most familiar with is senior guard Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK . After watching him multiple times in person throughout the spring and summer, I know what I’m going to get with England on the court and a lot of it is going to be very good for the Titans. Last year, England averaged just over 15 points per game and we think that is right around where he will be this season. England can fill it up and he has the potential to average 20+ points per game but we don’t think that’s the best case scenario for the team. England showed this offseason that not only can he fill it up, he can run the point and get others involved. And he has some very talented players around him. This Titan team is going to be scary if the scoring is balanced out.

One of the most accomplished players entering the camp, England had a breakout junior season as a conference MVP and then built off that with a successful summer on the circuit.  What stands the Carl Albert guard apart from most players in the state is the damage he does in the midrange. That was on display Sunday with pull ups and iso fade aways. He currently holds a McPherson (KS) offer but the interest and offers should grow as the regional small colleges start to scout high school games this winter.

One of the top performers that we saw at local Prep Hoops Circuit events throughout the spring and summer was Carl Albert guard Jordan England Jordan England 6'2" | CG Carl Albert | 2023 State OK . The Carl Albert product started elevating his game during his junior season and he continued that improvement throughout the spring and summer. During the first few times I watched England, the first thing that jumped out to me was his defensive abilities. Then as we got to watch him more, the offensive moves within his game started standing out and England became a strong guard prospect within the state’s 2023 class. England had an outstanding offseason and he’s hoping to take that momentum into this season with the Titans. England is definitely one of the more consistent prospects within the top ten.