By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
More predictions will be coming for the Classes 4A and below. The reason for that is trying to start from the first games of the tournament and trying to figure out where teams play their regionals is extremely difficult for somebody in their first year of covering Oklahoma. I think I have an understanding, finally.
Had the opportunity, or should I say privilege, of watching Crescent junior Prince Shaw in Dale last night. Being originally from Nebraska, I have always enjoyed watching the smaller schools battle it out every once in awhile.
Shaw is one of the less talked about talents in Class 2A thanks to players such as Blake Griffin and Pawnee's Keiton Page. He should be mentioned in the same sentence. If you are looking for a 6-1 player that can play the point and take over a game, look no further than Prince Shaw.
Without a doubt, Shaw is a good summer away from a Division I offer. Shaw's line in the 56-36 win: 26 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists. On three occasions, Shaw made no-look passes where his teammates missed lay-ups. In the third quarter, Shaw sent a Bobby Hickman shot attempt into the stands for his only block of the game. In the fourth quarter, Shaw had 15 points alone while single-handedly breaking Dale's full court pressure on numerous occasions.
On Saturday, Shaw and Page will play in the Area III Regional at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee. Shaw averages over 31 points per game, while Page averages a shade under 35 and seven assists for Pawnee as a junior this season. In Thursday's victory over Tonkawa, Page only managed 39 points.
I'm so excited about the matchup that I have offered to cover the game for free as a freelancer writer.
Also on Thursday, the Class 6A and 5A Girls Regionals got under way. I went 29-3 with my predictions, so my apologies go out to Choctaw, Ada, and Ardmore for picking against them.
I will make it a point to put something on here as often as I can. I will be busy with all of this basketball, but would I want it any other way?
Scott Hansen: shansen17@cox.net