Scott’s Power Poll: Large-school boys
Time for the return of the boys basketball Power Poll, but first, a little about the decision-making process. This poll is based on a lot of factors… past performance, recent success, big victories/bad losses, and on some level, future potential. Records are included only as a courtesy. Records mean very little in the Power Poll. Who you beat and who beat you mean far more. And in the end, this is all based on opinion, so there’s no need to get mad, but feel free to share your opinions in the comment section.
Large Schools (4A-6A)
1. Douglass, 4A (7-3): To answer your questions before you ask them, yes, they’ve lost three times, and yes, they’re still the best team in the state. The next two teams on the list are close, but neither has the full house of weapons the Trojans have. All three losses are to out-of-state teams in big-time national tournaments, including a team ranked No. 3 in the country by USA Today.
2. Edmond Memorial, 6A (11-0): Here’s the team with the best shot at taking the top spot away from Douglass. The Bulldogs don’t have a true big man — their post player, Obi Emegano, has signed with W. Illinois as a two-guard — but they’re dangerous at all five spots and very versatile.
3. Tulsa Washington, 5A (8-0): Super-athletic with a lot of weapons, and it’s going to be fun watching sophomore Juwan Parker grow up the next couple years. Clear favorite in 5A after winning it all last year and losing only one starter.
4. Midwest City, 6A (8-2): Here’s where the Power Poll starts to get murky. Based on winning the PCI — which had six legitimate 6A state tournament contenders in the field — the Bombers are in this spot, but there’s not a ton of separation between them and the 10th spot. MWC might also have the most untapped potential because of their youth.
5. Edmond Santa Fe, 6A (6-2): The performance might not justify being this high on the list, but the return of Michael Onuoha gave them a huge boost, and also gives them something not many other 6A teams have — a strong, athletic 6-foot-7 forward who can score.
6. Muskogee, 6A (9-2): The Broken Arrow loss in their hometown tournament was a surprise, but otherwise, the Roughers have been good. They don’t the space-eater inside that they had with Oren Faulk last year, but they’ve still got good strength and scoring potential.
7. Ardmore, 5A (8-2): Nino Jackson and Trey Cohee are one of the state’s most dangerous combos. One loss came without Jackson and the other was a four-point defeat to Midwest City. They’ve got to be one of the most intriguing teams in the poll.
8. Bixby, 6A (6-3): Not a lot of people are talking about these guys, and the loss to Owasso last week is puzzling, but they look like a team that can continue to make some noise.
9. Mustang, 6A (8-2): The biggest thing this team is missing is a really good shooter to keep defenses honest at the perimeter. But otherwise, the Broncos are really good, and we should’ve seen this coming. They started last season 2-7, then got within a game of the state tournament.
10. Bishop McGuinness, 5A (8-4): Joe Edmonds’ return is huge going forward (see what the Boneman had to say on the topic). They’ve got inside game, outside game, and they’re playing with confidence. Right now, I see four teams who are legitimate 5A title contenders and they’re one of them.
Just missed the cut
A half-dozen 6A teams: Seriously, the parity in 6A right now is unbelievable. I could make a case for any of the three Putnam City schools, Del City, Bartlesville, Tulsa Union, Claremore… probably a few more. I can’t imagine how entertaining the rest of the season is going to be.
Northwest Classen, 5A (8-2): Took a hit with 16-point loss to McGuinness, but still a strong team.
Bridge Creek/Vinita, 4A (9-0): Both are dominating everyone they play, but no wins that really stand out — yet.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
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