By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Oklahoma Rankings Breakdown
Boys
1. Jenks (5-0): Oklahoma State signee Nick Sidorakis leads the way for the Trojans, who won the Tournament of Champions in Tulsa over the holidays. In a 59-49 victory over Midwest City in the Tournament of Champions final, Bryson Pope scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Vince Boncaldo added 17 points. Sidorakis paced Jenks with 15 points.
2. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (7-1): A semifinal loss to Jenks in the Tournament of Champions is the only blemish thus far for the Indians. Sequoyah took third place in the tournament with a 73-63 victory over Pawnee. Chris Little, Lance Soap, and Jessee Factor are the leaders for the Indians.
3. Midwest City (7-1): The Bombers are off to a solid start to the campaign despite losing in the Tournament of Champions final to Jenks, 59-49. In the loss to the Trojans, Midwest City star Xavier Alexander barely played in the second half due to foul trouble. Alexander scored just nine points in the final.
4. Elk City (7-0): Led by Oklahoma signee Cade Davis, Elk City has won their seven contests by an average of 20.2 points per game. Matt Jones is another significant scoring threat for the Elks.
5. Putnam City (6-1): Xavier Henry is one of the top players in the nation for Putnam City and he is showing why despite an early loss to North Crowley (Fort Worth, TX). The Pirates started a three-game winning streak against Heritage (Colleyville, TX) before blowing out Choctaw and Edmond North. Henry, a 6-6 sophomore guard, is averaging 21 points per game for the Pirates.
6. Union (Tulsa) (6-0): Union, led by Division I signees Derrek Lewis (Texas A&M) and Justin Glenn (Centenary) are rolling using stingy defense. The Redskins are allowing just 37.3 points per game in their six victories.
7. East Central (Tulsa) (6-1): East Central lost in the first round of the Tournament of Champions to Sequoyah-Tahlequah, but rebounded in the consolation bracket with victories over Stringtown and Victory Christian. Sidney Hadnott had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the fifth-place game after having 26 against Stringtown.
8. Bartlesville (3-0): Markell Carter leads the way for the Bruins, who are off to a 3-0 start, winning their games by an average of 28 points. Bartlesville will be tested after the holidays as they host Jenks on Jan. 5 before traveling to Union on Jan. 9.
9. Putnam City North (4-0): Putnam City North are one of the surprising teams in Oklahoma, off to a 4-0 start. Sophomore Brentrell Friday is averaging 18.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Panthers, while senior Josh Gamblin averages 15.5.
10. Hennessey (6-0): Class 2A Hennessey are off to a fast start this season. Cody Quimby is averaging 19 points per game and shooting 94.4 percent from the free throw line (34 of 36). Drew Seiger checks in at 13 points per game for the Eagles.
Outside Looking In
11. Bishop McGuinness (Oklahoma City) (4-2): The defending Class 4A state champions have recovered from early losses to Putnam City North and Union. Their trip to Ardmore Holiday Festival resulted in a tournament title after defeating Class 6A Del City in the final. Michael Sosanya and sophomore Daniel Orton make for arguably the top inside combo in the state.
12. Okeene (5-0): The Whippets have won all five of their games by an average of 20.8 points per game. Brady Wardlaw leads the way for Okeene along with Zack London and 6-8 senior Winston Brown.
13. Eisenhower (Lawton) (3-1): The only loss of the season was to Putnam City to open the season. Since the loss, Eisenhower has rattled off impressive victories over Ardmore, Lawton, and Norman. De'von Bailey and Eddie Williams are the leaders for the Eagles.
Girls
1. Mustang (8-0): Mustang are fresh off their second straight title at the Mid-America Classic in Ada after defeated ninth-ranked Cache 66-57. In the semifinals in Ada, the Broncos narrowly defeated tenth-ranked Elgin, 38-36. The defending Class 6A state champions are led by juniors Jordan Pyle and Lacy Ramon.
2. Jenks (5-1): Jenks are recovering from an early loss to Sapulpa with a tournament victory at the KTXR Lady Classic in Springfield, MO. In the finals, the Trojans defeated Republic (MO) 79-59 after comfortable wins in the first two rounds of the tournament. 6-3 junior Tia Magee and senior Angie Criner are the leaders for Jenks.
3. Sequoyah-Tahlequah (7-0): Sequoyah-Tahlequah have rattled off seven straight to open the campaign and have won 60 of their last 64 games. Sequoyah are coming off two consecutive state titles in Class 3A, led by junior Angel Goodrich and Kensey Hall. Victories this season include a 40-38 triumph over Sapulpa.
4. Owasso (5-0): The Lady Rams have rolled to five easy victories already in 2006-07. Jasmine Webb returns from a 13-10 club to lead the way for Owasso. Kylie Spurgeon, a track star for Owasso, combines with Webb to make for a potent inside combo.
5. Sapulpa (6-2): Despite early losses to Woodward and Sequoyah-Tahlequah, the Lady Chieftains are one of the top teams in the state after wins over Jenks and Sand Springs. Both Jenks and Sand Springs won their respective tournaments in Missouri and Florida over the Holidays. 6-3 junior Alyssia Brewer is a dominant force in the post, while Tatum Beer transferred in from Broken Arrow to provide another scoring threat.
6. Union (Tulsa) (6-0): Union is rolling. The Lady Redskins rattled off five easy victories to start the season before defeating Claremore 37-36 in the Holiday Hoopla in Tulsa to win the tournament. Jessica Roberts, Lindsay Palmer, and Breynna Winkler lead the way for Union.
7. Norman (6-2): Norman are off to a nice start despite early losses to Del City and Overland Park Aquinas (KS). The Lady Tigers, a Class 6A state semifinalist a year ago, are led by Kara Vaughan and Ashley Bruner.
8. Adair (8-1): Adair dropped an early decision to Seneca (MO) before winning seven straight games heading into January. Adair are led by sophomore Kevi Luper and senior Megan Fraley. Both averaged over 20 points a game a year ago.
9. Cache (5-1): Sophomore Taylor Thompson scored a Mid-America Classic tournament record 94 points over three games over the holiday break as Cache suffered their only loss of the campaign to top-ranked Mustang. Seniors Jena White and Jessica Schlegal also provide a threat for the Lady Bulldogs.
10. Elgin (8-1): A two-point loss to top-ranked Mustang is the only blemish thus far for Elgin. Elgin picked up a key victory earlier this season when they defeated Elk City. Casi Rawls, junior Maggie Oliver, and junior Abbey Basler lead the way for the Lady Owls.
Outside Looking In
11. Beaver (11-0): Beaver, a Class A school, have rolled to 11 straight wins to start the season, including a tournament win in Canadian, Texas.
12. Roland (6-0): Class 4A Roland have won their games by an average of 25.3 points per game thus far.
13. Afton (4-1): Class 2A Afton average 64.4 points per game while running their record to 4-1 this season.