MaxPreps Oklahoma Team of the Week: Oklahoma Centennial boys basketball

It’s one thing to be 18-1, ranked 24th in the state and a perennial Oklahoma state boys basketball power.

But Oklahoma Centennial (Oklahoma City) assistant coach Chris Gibson said the Bison should be applauded for defeating far tougher opponents than they face on the court.

Namely, peer pressure.

"These kids persevere through very rough living conditions on a daily basis," he wrote in his nomination.

Most of the players live in areas where gang activity is pervasive, Gibson said. Instead of partaking, the Bison request the gym be opened on weekends and holidays.

"Not only have these kids come together on the court to achieve one of the best starting records in Centennial history, but more importantly they refuse to give in to peer and gang pressure off the court," Gibson wrote.

Head coach Garrette Mantle said the team's love for basketball also helps keep the players out of trouble. And winning games.

"You have a tendency to win a lot of games when you have really good players," Mantle said. "Centennial has good players. This group really likes to play the game. In fact, they love the game. Furthermore, they are a very competitive group. They love to compete and find ways to win because it is important to them."

For their fast start, ability to steer clear of negative off-court influences, and overall love for the game, the Bison are the MaxPreps Oklahoma Team of the Week, presented by the Oklahoma National Guard.

Centennial has responded well to what most would call a successful 18-7 season in 2012-13. For the Bison, it was somewhat disappointing considering they won back-to-back 3A state titles the two previous years, going 24-7 and 24-5 in the process.

The three seasons before that, Centennial was somewhat of a state doormat, going 6-14, 11-13 and 1-18.

The Bison started 15-0 this season but, after a lopsided loss to Eisenhower, they have once again responded, this time with three straight wins.

The Eisenhower loss was an anomaly, Mantle said.

"(Eisenhower) attempted 17 3-pointers and made 15," he said. "They were bigger, stronger and faster at every position and their coach said that was the best game his team has played in many years. They are a Class 6A team and we are 3A. That being said, no one anticipated the outcome. But no one anticipated the Denver Broncos would struggle so much in the Super Bowl. It's a game of nights."

The Bison are led by 6-foot-7 senior center Austin Garner at 14.2 points per game. Junior Cory Morgan, a 6-2 shooting guard, isn’t far behind at 13.9 ppg and 5-11 shooting guard Malcolm "Boo" Mitchell at 11.2. The Bison average just over 70 points per game and also get consistent double-digit scoring from Mathew Johnson (9.8 ppg).

After the loss to Eisenhower the Bison were tested by MacArthur, but pulled out a key 65-64 back-and-forth win. Garner had 19, Morgan 12 and senior 6-3 senior forward Corneilus "Corn" McKiver had 11. There was no margin greater than two following each quarter.

Garner then broke loose for 24 in a 68-46 win over Marshall, before a 65-58 victory over Millwood.

Centennial plays Southeast (Oklahoma City) this week and then Capitol Hill (Oklahoma City) on Feb. 11. With a nice blend of experience and very promising youth — three seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and six freshman — the Bison should make a strong state-title push.

"These guys just love to play basketball," Mantle said. "It's what they do. They would all spend most of the day and night in the gym if I would make it available. It's not uncommon for me to have to run them out of the gym during the day when they are supposed to be in class."

MaxPreps editorial assistant Kirstin Beal contributed to this report.

Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Oklahoma Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at OKteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.