By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
4A BOYS
Quarterfinals
Thursday at Moore
OKC Southeast (17-7) vs. OKC Star Spencer (21-5), 2 p.m.
Roland (24-1) vs. OKC Douglass (18-5), 3:30 p.m.
Victory Christian (21-6) vs. Elk City (24-0), 7 p.m.
OKC McGuinness (21-5) vs. Vinita (13-12), 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Friday at State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City
Roland/Douglass winner vs. Southeast/Star Spencer winner, 10:30 a.m.
Victory/Elk City winner vs. McGuinness/Vinita winner, 4:30 p.m.
Final
Saturday at State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City
Championship, 12:30 p.m.
Class 4A Boys Preview
Southeast Spartans (17-7): After winning titles in Class 5A in 2004 and 2005, Southeast drops a classification after losing in the Class 5A final to Tulsa Central last season. Jeremy Lay and Ben Smith are the main threats for the Spartans. Split season series with Douglass and own victories over Class 6A Sapulpa and Class 5A Bixby.
Star Spencer Bobcats (21-5): Sophomore Josh Davis and 6-6 senior David Douglas are two of many threats for the Bobcats as they are in search of their first hardware since 1996. Between 1976 and 1983, Star Spencer won five titles. Started season 6-3 before finishing with just two losses since January 11.
Roland Rangers (24-1): 6-4 senior Robert Thompson produces constant double-doubles and averages nearly 22 points and 12 rebounds per game. Senior Lee Massey is a nice second option for the Rangers.
Douglass Trojans (18-5): Repeat qualifier. With Ricky Hill and Bayshon Payne leading the way, Douglass made a run to the state final last season before losing to Bishop McGuinness. Hill, a 6-5 junior, averages 18 points and nine rebounds per game this season. On January 9, defeated Star Spencer in All-City Conference action.
Victory Christian Conquerers (21-6): Repeat qualifier. Four starters returned from a semifinal run a year ago for Victory Christian. Corey Stewart and 6-4 junior Robert Crawford lead the way for the Conquerers. Among the victories this season, a 76-64 win over Class 3A favorite Verdigris and Rotnei Clarke. Responded to a Regional loss to Fort Gibson before ousting them in the Area losers bracket final.
Elk City Elks (24-0): Repeat qualifier. Oklahoma signee Cade Davis leads the way for Elk City, who enter the quest for the gold ball with a perfect 24-0 record. Davis averages 23 points and 11 rebounds for Elk City, while Matt Jones averages 16 points.
Bishop McGuinness Fighting Irish (21-5): Defending Class 4A champions. Fighting Irish have won five titles since 1998. Only loss to Class 4A competition was in Area final to Southeast. Last season, McGuinness fell in the Area tournament as well. Michael Sosanya, a 6-5 senior, does most of the scoring while averaging 18 per game. Daniel Orton, a 6-9 sophomore, is one of the most dominant defensive players in the nation. Orton led Blake Griffin of Oklahoma Christian to 13 points earlier this season, by far his lowest point total.
Vinita Hornets (13-12): Don't pay too much attention to the record. Vinita went on an unbelievable run in the postseason to earn their trip to state. Among Vinita's victims were Sequoyah-Claremore and Douglass. 5-9 sophomore Dee Willis averages 17 points per game, while 6-3 junior Trey Lippe and junior Lance Williams are also catalysts to the Hornet arsenal. Survived a combined 47 from Douglass' Bayshon Payne and Ricky Hill to win the Area Final, 69-68 in overtime.
Favorite: Bishop McGuinness
Darkhorse: Star Spencer
Don't be surprised if: One of the OKC Public Schools makes a serious run. Take your pick with Star Spencer, Douglass, or Southeast.
3A BOYS
Quarterfinals
Thursday at Choctaw
Sequoyah-Tahlequah (22-2) vs. Lindsay (20-4), 2 p.m.
Verdigris (23-3) vs. Vian (19-5), 3:30 p.m.
Millwood (19-7) vs. Plainview (23-3), 7 p.m.
Adair (25-2) vs. Kingfisher (21-3), 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Friday at State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City
Sequoyah/Lindsay winner vs. Adair/Kingfisher winner, 6 p.m.
Millwood/Plainview winner vs. Verdigris/Vian winner, 7:30 p.m.
Final
Saturday at State Fair Arena, Oklahoma City
Championship, 5:45 p.m.
Class 3A Boys Preview
Sequoyah-Tahlequah Indians (22-2): Repeat qualifier. Cousins Lance and Mike Soap lead the potent Indian attack. Lance Soap averages 16 points per game, while Mike checks in at an average just below 12 per game. Sequoyah-Tahlequah are unbeaten against Class 3A competition, with their losses coming to Class 6A Jenks and 4A Victory Christian.
Lindsay Leopards (20-4): Seniors Collin Gentry and Cody Williams, along with 6-5 junior Josh Boydston all average in double figures for the Leopards. Boydston also averages nearly 10 rebounds per game for Lindsay, who are making their first trip to state since 2001.
Verdigris Cardinals (23-3): Repeat qualifier. Junior Rotnei Clarke calmly canned 57 points in the Area final victory over Adair. On the season, Clarke averages over 35 points per game. 6-7 junior Adam Holton averages 12 points per game for the Cardinals, giving them a viable inside scoring threat.
Vian Wolverines (19-5): Vian is making their first-ever appearance in the state tournament. Londell Taylor, Vfastv Locust, junior Zach Rodgers, and Ryan Taylor lead a balanced attack for the Wolverines.
Millwood Falcons (19-7): Repeat qualifier. The Falcons used their athleticism, led by Tennessee football recruit Gerald Jones, to win Class 3A last season with a 61-43 victory over Jones. Millwood have one of the top programs in the state, with head coach Varryl Franklin winning 12 state titles in his 33 years at Millwood. Tremain Swindall, Chris McCleary, and Kirl Williams join Jones to give Millwood the most athletic squad in the field.
Plainview Indians (23-3): Senior D.J. Kuntz leads the way with an average of 16 points per game for the Indians, who are making just their second trip to state in school history. Junior Justin Blackmon averages 14 per game, while Colton Renick also averages in double figures.
Adair Warriors (25-2): Repeat qualifier. Spencer White, Drew Crawford, and Kenny Davis lead the way for the Warriors. All three average in double figures, while Jerod Peper averages eight points and eight rebounds per game.
Kingfisher Yellowjackets (21-3): Heath McKay leads a senior-laden squad for the Yellowjackets, averaging 16 points per game. 6-7 Cale Myers averages 11 points per game for Kingfisher.
Favorite: Verdigris
Darkhorse: Kingfisher
Don't be surprised if: Adair makes a serious run.
2A BOYS
Quarterfinals
Thursday at Southern Nazarene, Bethany
Oktaha (21-5) vs. Mangum (20-6), 2 p.m.
Oklahoma Christian (24-3) vs. Crescent (16-10), 3:30 p.m.
Pawnee (24-2) vs. Coalgate (19-8), 7 p.m.
Foyil (19-8) vs. Washington (16-10), 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Friday at Southern Nazarene, Bethany
Oktaha/Mangum winner vs. Pawnee/Coalgate winner, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma Christian/Crescent winner vs. Foyil/Washington winner, 8:30 p.m.
Final
Saturday at State Fair Arena, Okla. City
Championship, 7:30 p.m.
Oktaha Tigers (21-5): Repeat qualifier. Oktaha made a run to the semifinals a year ago before losing to Oklahoma Christian. Their return trip to state is somewhat of a surprise after losing all five starters from a year ago. Junior Brandon Vogt leads the Tiger attack, while 6-4 junior Weston Elam, and 6-1 freshman Cale Elam also are relied upon to play significant roles for the Tigers.
Mangum Tigers (20-6): A senior-led squad, led by John Merritt, Paul Epperson, and Jace Clayton. Qualified for the state tournament with a 44-42 victory over Rush Springs in the Area Consolation final after losing to upstart Washington in the winners' bracket.
Oklahoma Christian Saints (25-3): Defending champions are returning to the state tournament, and could be better than ever. Only loss to in-state competition was to Class 4A defending champion, Bishop McGuinness. Oklahoma signee Blake Griffin could be one of the most talented players the Sooner State has produced in years. Griffin averages 27 points, 15 rebounds, and nearly five assists per game. Along with Griffin is 6-7 Wilson Holloway, who signed in February to play football at Tulsa.
Crescent Tigers (16-10): Repeat qualifier. As Prince Shaw goes, so does Crescent. Shaw is one of the most underrated players in the state, and comes into the state tournament averaging over 30 points and eight rebounds per game. Crescent gave Pawnee, one of the pre-tournament favorites, all they could handle for a half before Pawnee got fire and never looked back. Darin Hunt runs the point, while Tanner Lewis plays taller than his 6-feet.
Coalgate Wildcats (18-8): 6-4 senior Shawn Linton is the catalyst to the Coalgate attack, while sophomore Tyler Ennis controls the paint for the Wildcats. Coalgate started the season with a 6-6 record before catching fire as February rolled around. Rebounded from a District loss to Tushka before winning six straight to qualify for state.
Pawnee Black Bears (24-2): Repeat qualifier. Another player that has produced eye-popping statistics is Pawnee's Keiton Page. The 5-10 junior, who is already committed to Oklahoma State, averages over 35 points and six assists per contest. Page also hits over 53 percent of his three-point shots this season. Pawnee aren't very big, but guard Jonas Lyons gives the Black Bears a viable second option. Post player Manny Abington might just be 6-1, but shoots over 73 percent from the floor.
Washington Warriors (16-10): Repeat qualifier. Although the record doesn't appear that the Warriors belong, it appeared that way last season as Washington made a run to the state finals. Seniors Tyler Simmons and Thomas Mayo, junior Tyler Hancock are the main threats in the Warriors balanced attack.
Foyil Panthers (18-7): 6-3 junior Taylor Antle, senior Eric Murray, and 6-4 senior Jason Kersey lead the way for the Panthers. Qualified from Area IV after beating Pocola in the loser's bracket final.
Favorite: Oklahoma Christian
Darkhorse: Washington
Don't be surprised if: In the first round, either Griffin or Shaw get 50 points. Crescent's tallest player is 6-1, compared to Griffin at 6-9. OCS lacks the guards to stop Shaw.
