Oklahoma Girls High School Basketball: Week Eight Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

There were a lot of tournaments scheduled for this past weekend, and there were a lot of games cancelled due to the blanket of ice and snow that covered the state. For the first time this season there is a new number one team, but not due to head to head matchup.

No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (Previously No. 2)

Edmond Santa Fe (10-0) picked up sixteen first-place votes to claim the top spot, despite not playing a game since the new year. The Lady Wolves hold the No. 6 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Friday when they host their toughest opponent yet, No. 5 Deer Creek (9-1), who is also undefeated within the conference.

The pick: Deer Creek 48 ESF 47.

No. 2 Choctaw (1)

Choctaw (10-1) brought in eleven first-place votes and slipped from the number-one spot for the first time this season, despite a dominating 85-17 performance over Northwest Classen (3-4) in the first round of the Ada Tournament. Their only loss this season was 52-45 to 4A No. 1 Ft. Gibson (9-0) at the Tournament of Champions.

The Yellowjackets hold the No. 2 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at 5A No. 13 Del City (4-6). They will also take on unranked Putnam City North (1-9) Friday. 

The picks:
Choctaw 70 Del 41
Choctaw 75 PCN 34

No. 3 Sand Springs (3)

Sand Springs (7-0) didn't get to play the whole Muskogee tournament, but they got in a 60-46 victory over Providence Academy before the ice storm hit and received two first-place votes. As always, the scoring was spread out with seven Lady Sandites on the scoreboard and three in double digits, led by sophomore Holly Kersgieter with a career-best 16. 

The Lady Sandites hold the No. 5 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Tuesday at unranked Muskogee (3-4), then will host unranked Bixby (3-7) on Friday. 

The picks:
CPHS 55 Muskogee 42
CPHS 55 Bixby 43

No. 4 Putnam City West (4)

Putnam West (10-1) handily swept the Putnam City Invitational last week with two blowouts and received one first-place vote. They dominated the OKC Storm (11-2) 70-49, topped in-town rival Putnam City (4-5) 81-72, then stomped No. 15 Union (6-3) 67-41. The Patriots hold the No. 1 offense, No. 14 defense, and No. 2 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Tuesday when they host unranked Lawton (3-4). 

The pick: PCW 60 Lawton 43

No. 5 Deer Creek (5) 

Deer Creek (9-1) is still undefeated in 6A with their only loss coming to 5A No. 1 Collinsville (9-1). Last week they topped Class A No. 12 Ft. Cobb-Broxton (11-5) 71-36, 4A No. 10 Blanchard (8-3) 59-40, and 4A No. 8 Anadarko (7-3) 46-40 in the Anadarko Tourrnament. 

The Antlers hold the No. 7 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Friday at No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (10-0). 

No. 6 Westmoore (6)

Westmoore (8-3) dropped a 51-48 upset to No. 9 Norman North (7-2) last week, then came in second at their home tournament, defeating the OKC Knights (3-8) 78-26 and No. 18 Sapulpa (5-4) 72-38 before falling 68-52 in the finals to 4A No. 2 Harrah (10-1). Junior Jessi Murcer led the team with 24.3 points per game, followed by freshman sister Kristen with 13.6. 

The Jaguars hold the No. 3 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Friday when they host No. 13 Edmond Memorial (5-4).

The pick: Westmoore 54 EDM 41.

No. 7 Booker T. Washington (7)

Booker T. Washington (9-3) had a rough time at the Westmoore Tournament last week, dropping two games by a single point. They dominated unranked Enid (4-9) 69-38 in the first round before falling 44-43 to 4A No. 2 Harrah (10-1) and 53-52 to No. 18 Sapulpa (5-4). 

The Lady Hornets hold the No. 4 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host unranked 4A Will Rogers (8-4). On Friday they will travel to another unranked 4A opponent in Tulsa Central (2-6). 

The picks:
BTW 61 Rogers 46
BTW 61 Central 32

No. 8 Norman North (9)

Norman North (7-2) bumped up a spot in the rankings after topping No. 6 Westmoore (8-3) at home last week. The Timberwolves hold the No. 8 offense, No. 12 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Friday when they travel to No. 18 Yukon (7-4). 

The pick: NN 50 Yukon 45.

No. 9 Norman (8)

Norman (7-2) slipped a spot in the rankings after a bye week, but will get the chance to make up for it Tuesday when they travel to No. 14 Mustang (4-4) and Thursday when they host No. 17 Edmond North (5-4). The Tigers hold the No. 9 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A.

The picks:
Norman 50 Mustang 43
Norman 49 EDN 46. 

No. 10 Owasso (10)

Owasso (7-5) won two of three games last week at the Skiatook Tournament, defeating the 5A No. 11 host team (6-3) 53-42 before falling 52-47 to 5A No. 12 Pryor (6-4). In the consolations they topped No. 16 Mustang (4-4) 46-42. Terryn Milton led the team with 14 points per game, closely followed by Mya Bhinhar with 13.6.

The Lady Rams hold the No. 19 offense and No. 19 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host unranked Jenks (2-5). They will travel to No. 12 Union (6-3) Friday).

The picks:
Owasso 52 Jenks 46
Union 48 Owasso 44

No. 11 Midwest City (13)

Midwest City (7-4) made a statement last week with a 65-32 blowout over Lawton (3-4). The Bombers hold the No. 15 offense, No. 16 defense, and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host 5A unranked Lawton Eisenhower (2-7). 

The pick: MWC 50 Ike 42.

No. 12 Union (15)

Union (6-3) received a bump in the rankings after winning two of three games at the Putnam City Invitational. They dominated Putnam City North (1-9) 62-31 and No. 11 Edmond Memorial (6-4) 52-29 before falling 67-41 to No. 4 Putnam City West (10-1). The Redskins hold the No. 16 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host 5A No. 15 Bishop Kelley (3-4), then will host No. 10 Owasso (7-5) on Friday. 

The pick: Union 49 BK 39.

No. 13 Edmond Memorial (11)

Edmond Memorial (6-4) won two out of three games at last week's Putnam City Invitational, but dropped a 52-29 upset to No. 15 Union (6-3). They defeated Southmoore (2-7) 47-28 and Putnam City (4-6) 51-47. The Bulldogs hold the No. 17 defense in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host unranked Stillwater (2-8), then will travel to No. 6 Westmoore (8-3) on Friday. 

The pick: EDM 47 Stillwater 42

No. 14 Mustang (16)

Mustang (4-4) got a nice bump in the rankings after a 46-43 overtime win over No. 12 Bartlesville (4-5) in the first round of the Skiatook Tournament, despite falling 52-45 to 4A No. 1 Ft. Gibson (9-0) and 46-42 to No. 10 Owasso (7-5). Senior Abby Niehues led in two out of three games with an average score of 12. The girls hold the No. 18 defense and No. 17 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 9 Norman (7-2) and unranked Southmoore (2-7) on Friday. 

The pick: Mustang 50 Southmoore 41.

No. 15 Bartlesville (12)

Bartlesville (4-5) took a drop in the rankings after winning only one of two games at the Skiatook Tournament. They fell 46-43 to No. 16 Mustang, hammered 4A McLain (2-7) 52-18, then lost 56-50 to 5A No. 11 Skiatook (6-3). The Bruins hold the No. 6 defense and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at unranked Bixby (5-7), then will host No. 18 Sapulpa (5-4) on Friday. 

The picks:
Bartlesville 48 Bixby 45
Bartlesville 43 Sapulpa 38.

No. 16 Broken Arrow (14)

Broken Arrow (5-5) fell a few spots in the rankings after winning only one of two games at the Skiatook Tournament. They fell 38-35 to 5A No. 12 Pryor (6-4) and 52-48 to 5A No. 11 Skiatook (6-3) in overtime before getting a 48-40 win over 4A unranked McLain (2-7). Kinsey Callen led the team with an average of 13 points per game, followed by Jalise Smallwood with 9.6. The Tigers hold the No. 11 defense in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 19 Sapulpa (5-4).

The pick: BA 45 Sapulpa 44. 

No. 17 Edmond North (17)

Edmond North (5-4) held on to their position in the rankings after a bye week. The Huskies hold the No. 13 offense, No. 15 defense, and No. 13 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at unranked Southmoore (2-7), then will travel to No. 9 Norman (7-2) on Thursday.

The pick: EDN 52 Southmoore 41.

No. 18 Yukon (19)

Yukon (7-4) moved up a notch after sweeping the Chickasha Tournament with three solid wins. They defeated unranked 3A Douglass (2-7) 66-51, 5A No. 16 MacArthur (5-5) 59-47, and 5A No. 17 Duncan (6-8) 69-39. The Millers hold the No. 18 offense, No. 20 defense, and No. 18 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Friday when they host No. 8 Norman North (7-2).

No. 19 Sapulpa (18)

Sapulpa (5-4) slipped a spot in the rankings despite a pair of impressive top-ten upsets at the Westmoore Tournament this past weekend. They defeated 5A No. 10 Carl Albert (6-5) 58-48, fell 72-38 to No. 6 Westmoore (8-3), then topped No. 7 Booker T. Washington (9-3) 53-52. Kiarra Brooks led the team with 13 points per game, followed by Taylor Dement with 9.6. The Chieftains hold the No. 20 offense in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 16 Broken Arrow (5-5). On Friday they will travel to No. 15 Bartlesville (4-5). 

No. 20 Ponca City (20)

Ponca City (6-2) held on to their spot in the rankings after dominating unranked 5A Guthrie (3-6) 57-31 and unranked Jenks (2-5) 60-44 last week. Julissa Garcia scored 18 against Jenks, followed by Baylee Fincher with 14. The Wildcats hold the No. 12 offense, No. 7 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Tuesday when they host 5A No. 9 El Reno (6-4). 

The pick: Ponca 46 El Reno 45.

Conference Strength

1. Central Oklahoma (55)
2. Frontier Valley (39.5)
3. Big Ten (37.8)
4. Green Country (25.8)
5. All-City (9.9)

No. 3 Lady Sandites remain undefeated with 62-43 victory over Muskogee

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

CPHS 62 Muskogee 43

1Q Sand Springs 14-13
2Q Sand Springs 12-5
3Q Muskogee 15-11
4Q Sand Springs 25-10

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Kersgieter 14, Johnson 13, Mutiri 13, Pennington 12, McGee 7, Regalado 3. (Muskogee) Mims 20, Virgin 11, Patterson 8, Nash 1.

(Sand Springs only)
Offensive Rebounds: Mutiri 5, Pennington 1, Regalado 1. 
Defensive Rebounds: Pennington 8, Kersgieter 5, Regalado 3, Johnson 2, McGee 2, Mutiri 2. 
Steals: Johnson 2, Regalado 2, Kersgieter 1, Mutiri 1.
Assists: Pennington 5, Kersgieter 4, Regalado 3, McGee 2, Johnson 1.
Blocks: Mutiri 3, Johnson 1.
Fouls: Kersgieter 5, Johnson 3, McGee 2, Regalado 1, Grant 1.

CPHS 60 Providence 46

1Q Sand Springs 16-9
2Q Sand Springs 16-13
3Q Sand Springs 12-8
4Q Sand Springs 16-16

Scoring: (Sand Springs) Kersgieter 16, Mutiri 12, Johnson 11, McGee 7, Pennington 7, Regalado 5, Collins 2. (Providence) Webb 18, Curry 11, Buivydiate 11, Siemans 3, Kash 3.

The No. 3 ranked Charles Page High School varsity girls basketball team (8-0 overall, 4-0 conference) traveled to unranked Muskogee (3-5, 2-2) and secured their eighth-straight double-digit win Tuesday evening.

Four Lady Sandites doubled in the affair and sophomore Holly Kersgieter led with 14 points and five rebounds. Destiney Johnson and Gloria Mutiri both scored 13 and Sydney Pennington had 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. 

It was a slow starter for the Lady Sandites, who average a 30-15 lead at the half thus far this season. The girls were only ahead by a single point after the first quarter and were only four points ahead by the fourth. 

The Lady Roughers should have been a breeze considering the Sandites' past performances this season, but Trena Mims was unstoppable to start the game, scoring the first nine points for the Roughers to lead the Sandites 9-4. The Sandites finally found their feet late in the first quarter to regain the lead, and pushed it as high as 26-18 in the second before being outscored 15-11 in the third. 

Kersgieter went to work in the fourth quarter, scoring nine straight points, followed by six from Gloria Mutiri. The Lady Sandites dominated 25-10 for a final score more closely resembling the rest of their games.

This was Kersgieter's second team-high in a row as she also scored a career-high 16 points this past weekend. The Lady Sandites won their first round game in the Muskogee Shriner Tournament 60-46 over Providence Academy. The rest of the tournament was cancelled due to weather.

Sand Springs will return to action Friday when they host unranked Bixby (2-4, 0-3). 

Oklahoma Mens High School Basketball: Week Seven Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

There's a new top dog in 6A after the previously No. 3 Union Redskins upset both of the top-two teams back-to-back to remain undefeated and win the Tournament of Champions. Only two other undefeated teams remain and Westmoore has the best record at 10-0.

No. 1 Union (3)

Union (6-0) made noise this past week at the Tournament of Champions, sweeping the tournament and the top two teams as well. They doubled 3A No. 4 Tahlequah Sequoyah (5-5) 81-40, then edged out No. 2 Midwest City (8-2) 45-42 and No. 1 Edmond North (8-1) 68-65. Ethan Chargois and Adrian Rodriguez each averaged 16 points per game, propelling their team to the top of the rankings with 23 first-place votes. 

The Redskins hold the No. 15 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action at the Putnam City Invitational with a first-round matchup against No. 20 Mustang (2-3) this Thursday. 

The pick: Union 57 Mustang 49.

No. 2 Edmond North (1)

Despite their 68-65 loss to No. 3 Union (6-0), Edmond North (8-1) still received three first-place votes after a runner-up performance at the Tournament of Champions. The Huskies hammered Class A No. 1 Ft. Cobb Broxton (9-2) 73-53 and 5A No. 2 Tulsa Memorial (10-2) 77-60 before their finals loss. Seven different players scored in the double digits over the course of the tournament and three averaged double digits. Marvin Johnson led the pack with 16 points per game, including 22 against Union.

The Huskies hold the No. 4 offense, No. 13 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action at Southmoore (0-6) on the 10th. 

No. 3 Midwest City (2)

Midwest City (8-2) topped 4A No. 2 Tulsa Central (8-3) 87-77 and 5A No. 2 Tulsa Memorial (10-2) 96-89 in overtime at the Tournament of Champions, but fell 45-42 to No. 3 Union (6-0). Though his team may have lost, Keyshawn Embery was the star of the tournament, averaging 30 points per game, and became only the sixth player in the tournament's 52-year history to score 50+ points in a single game. Jalen Redmond averaged 15.3 points per game and two other players doubled during the tournament. 

The Bombers hold the No. 2 offense and No. 5 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 16 Lawton (5-1).

The pick: MWC 73 Lawton 65.

No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (tied for 5)

Edmond Santa Fe (6-1) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action Thursday at the Bishop McGuinness Classic. The Wolves hold the No. 14 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in 6A. They will take on 5A No. 17 Bishop McGuinness (2-6) in the first round of the tournament.

The pick: ESF 71, McG 41.

No. 5 Westmoore (tied for 5)

Westmoore (10-0) is the winning-est team in 6A at 10-0 after a sweep at the Duncan Holiday Tournament. They dominated U.S. Grant (2-5) 82-32 and Elgin (2-5) 69-43, then topped No. 20 Sand Springs (5-4) 62-47 in the finals. Four players doubled in the victory over Sand Springs.

The Jaguars hold the No. 8 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in 6A and will travel to No. 8 Norman North (2-2) Tuesday for their toughest match of the season.

The pick: Westmoore 70 Norman North 57.

No. 6 Putnam City North (4)

Putnam North (6-2) dipped a few spots in the rankings after back-to-back bye weeks. The Panthers hold the No. 5 offense, No. 20 defense, and No. 11 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action at the Putnam City Invitational with a Thursday matchup against the Oklahoma City Storm (16-12).

The pick: PCN 70 OKC 58.

No. 7 Putnam City West (8)

Putnam City West (6-4) is coming off a bye week and will return to action Thursday at the Putnam City Invitational with a first-round matchup against Putnam City (3-4). The Patriots hold the No. 12 offense and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A.

The pick: PCW 62 Putnam 60.

No. 8 Norman North (7)

Norman North (2-2) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 5 Westmoore (10-0). The Timberwolves hold the No. 1 offense and No. 13 margin of victory in 6A.

No. 9 Booker T. Washington (11)

Booker T. Washington (5-2) is coming off a bye week and will return to action Thursday at the Skiatook Tournament. The Hornets hold the No. 6 offense and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A and will take on 5A No. 20 Pryor (2-4).

The pick: BTW 78 Pryor 61.

No. 10 Muskogee (10)

Muskogee (6-0) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and won't return to action till the 10th when they host No. 19 Sand Springs (5-4). The Roughers hold the No. 7 offense, No. 14 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A.

No. 11 Broken Arrow (9)

Broken Arrow (5-2) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action Thursday at the Skiatook Invitational with a first round matchup against Daniel Webster (1-7). The Tigers hold the No. 18 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A.

The pick: BA 68 Webster 59.

No. 12 Norman (14)

Norman (4-2) will have taken nearly a month off by the time they take on the Bishop McGuinness Tournament this weekend. The Tigers hold the No. 9 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A. They will take on No. 15 Edmond Memorial (3-4) in the first round of the tournament on Thursday. 

The pick: Norman 69 EdM 68.

No. 13 Sapulpa (13)

Sapulpa (4-2) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action with a first-round matchup against Newcastle (1-5) Thursday at the McDonald's Classic in Ada. The Chieftains hold the No. 10 offense and No. 16 margin of victory in 6A.

The pick: Sapulpa 67 Newcastle 60.

No. 14 Yukon (12)

Yukon (4-3) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action with a first-round matchup against Deer Creek (3-4) Thursday at the Bishop McGuinness Classic. The Millers hold the No. 11 offense, No. 16 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in 6A. 

The pick: Yukon 62 DC 53.

No. 15 Edmond Memorial (16)

Edmond Memorial (3-4) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks and will return to action this Thursday at the Bishop McGuinnes Classic with a first-round game against No. 12 Norman (4-2). The Bulldogs hold the No. 11 defense in 6A.

No. 16 Lawton (15)

Lawton (5-2) is returning from a solid performance at the Hobbs Invitational in Las Cruces, New Mexico where they went 2-1 against impressive teams with winning records. They defeated the Cleveland Storm (9-3) 70-66 and the Hobbs Eagles (7-4) 89-80, but fell 61-49 to Las Cruces (12-1). The Wolverines hold the No. 13 offense and No. 18 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at No. 3 Midwest City (8-2).

No. 17 Bartlesville (18)

Bartlesville (3-3) hasn't played in nearly four weeks and they'll jump back into action Thursday at the Arvest Invitational. The Bruins hold the No. 5 defense and No. 20 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action against Enid (3-7).

The pick: Bartlesville 57 Enid 51.

No. 18 Bixby (17)

Bixby (3-3) is coming off back-to-back bye weeks. The Spartans hold the No. 6 defense in 6A and will take on 5A No. 1 Carl Albert (8-0) this Thursday at the Bartlesville Arvest Invitational. 

The pick: CA 67 Bixby 54.

No. 19 Sand Springs (tied 20)

Sand Springs (5-4) secured a pair of dominating wins this past weekend at the Duncan Holiday Tournament and gave No. 5 Westmoore (10-0) a run for their money. Kyle Keener averaged 20 points per game and Colt Savage averaged 16.5. Savage had previously averaged 21 points per game this season, and was unable to play in the finals against Westmoore. They defeated Duncan (1-10) 87-34 and 5A No. 12 Northwest Classen (3-2) 58-41 before falling 62-47 to Westmoore.

The Sandites hold the No. 16 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action on the 10th when they travel to No. 10 Muskogee (6-0).

No. 20 Mustang (19)

Mustang (2-3) hasn't played a game in nearly a month and will return to action this Thursday at the Putnam City Invitational. The Broncos hold the No. 7 defense in 6A and will take on No. 1 Union (6-0).

Oklahoma Girls High School Basketball: Week Seven Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The top of the girls 6A basketball rankings remained unchanged after a slow week during Christmas break. There is still no unanimous top dog, with four teams receiving number-one votes and two teams still undefeated this season.

No. 1 Choctaw (Previously No. 1)

The Yellowjackets (9-1) competed in the prestigious Tournament of Champions last week and ended their nine-straight win streak with a 52-45 loss to 4A No. 1 Ft. Gibson (6-0). Ana Llanusa averaged 21 points per game, including a 31-point performance in a 62-39 victory over 2A No. 3 Cashion (4-2) and a 21-point performance in a 69-46 win over over 5A No. 3 East Central (8-3). Sister Aliyah Llanusa led the team with 13 points in the loss to Ft. Gibson and averaged 9.6 points per game. 

Choctaw holds the No. 2 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 1 margin of victory in 6A and brought in fifteen first-place votes despite the loss. They will return to action Thursday at the Ada Tournament.

No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (2)

Edmond Santa Fe (10-0) picked up eight first-place votes after sweeping the Sapulpa Girls Tournament to remain the winningest team in 6A. The Lady Wolves hammered 2A unranked Northeast Academy (3-4) 80-11, topped No. 13 Midwest City (6-3) 43-22, then edged out Fort Smith Northside (7-6) 56-55 in overtime. 

Santa Fe holds the No. 6 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action on the 13th when they host No. 5 Deer Creek (6-1).

No. 3 Sand Springs (3)

Sand Springs (6-0) picks up two first-place votes after a bye week. The Lady Sandites hold the No. 5 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action this Thursday at the Muskogee Bedouin Shrine Tournament with a first round game against Providence Academy (7-6). 

The pick: CPHS 62, Providence 39.

No. 4 Putnam City West (4)

Putnam West (7-1) picked up a pair of first-place votes after a bye week. The Patriots hold the No. 1 offense, No. 5 defense, and No. 2 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Thursday at the Putnam City Invitational with a first-round game against the OKC Storm (14-2).

The pick: PCW 69, OKC 48.

No. 5 Deer Creek (5)

Deer Creek (6-1) held on to their top-five ranking after a bye week and will return to action Tuesday when they host No. 19 Yukon (4-3). The Antlers hold the No. 8 offense, No. 16 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in 6A. 

The pick: DC 56, Yukon 47.

No. 6 Westmoore (6)

Westmoore (6-1) is coming off a bye week and will launch the new year Tuesday at No. 9 Norman North (6-2). The Jaguars hold the No. 3 offense, No. 14 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A.

The pick: Westmoore 51, Norman North 50.

No. 7 Booker T. Washington (7)

Booker T. Washington (8-1) held on to their ranking despite a 50-37 loss to No. 17 Broken Arrow (4-3) in the opening round of the Sapulpa Holiday Classic. They doubled down on Bixby (3-6) 58-29 in the consolations, then hammered No. 14 Sapulpa (3-3) 72-37 in the consolation finals, led by an 18-point performance from Megan Jackson. 

The Lady Hornets hold the No. 4 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Thursday at the Westmoore Tournament.

No. 8 Norman (9)

Norman (7-2) moved up a spot in the rankings after a 2-1 performance at the Ardmore Tournament. They lost their first game 58-53 to 4A No. 6 OKC Classen (11-0) but hammered 5A No. 8 El Reno (4-3) 52-38 and Bentonville West (1-8) 53-29 for fifth place. Bethany Franks, Turner Mattlingly, Darieanna Hunter, and Skye Watts all scored in double digits throughout the tournament. 

The Tigers hold the No. 9 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action on the 10th when they travel to No. 16 Mustang (3-2).

No. 9 Norman North (12)

Norman North (6-2) received a big bump in the rankings after a convincing sweep at the Enid Holiday Classic. They pounded U.S. Grant (1-9) 84-17, topped Life Prep Academy (3-4) 50-38, then outlasted the OKC Storm (14-2) 48-43 for first place. Jacie Evans led the team with 17 points against OKC and was named the Tournament MVP and Kenna Stergell and Emma Base both made the All-Tournament Team. 

The Timberwolves hold the No. 7 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A and will host No. 6 Westmoore (6-1) Tuesday.

No. 10 Owasso (8)

Owasso (5-4) had a rough time at the Tournament of Champions, falling 61-53 to 3A No. 1 Adair (7-2) and 54-38 to 5A No. 1 Collinsville (8-1), but rebounded with a 71-59 win over Class A No. 3 Cyril (9-3). Terryn Milton scored 29 against Adair and averaged 17 points per game. Mya Bhinhar averaged 13.6 and Leiloney Culley averaged 10.6 including a 23 point performance against Cyril. 

The Lady Rams hold the No. 18 offense and No. 20 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Thursday at the Skiatook Tournament with a first-round match against 5A No. 11 Skiatook (4-2).

The pick: Owasso 47, Skiatook 45.

No. 11 Edmond Memorial (10)

Edmond Memorial (4-3) slipped a spot in the rankings after a bye week and will return to action at the Putnam City Invitational on Thursday. The Bulldogs will take on unranked Southmoore (1-5) in the first round of PCI.

The pick: Memorial 48, Southmoore 42.

No. 12 Bartlesville (11)

Bartlesville (3-3) slipped a spot in the rankings after their second-straight bye week. The Lady Bruins hold the No. 15 defense and No. 18 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Thursday with a first round game against No. 16 Mustang (3-2) in the Skiatook Invitational. 

The pick: Bartlesville 44, Mustang 43. 

No. 13 Midwest City (13)

Midwest City (6-4) maintained their ranking despite a 34-30 loss to No. 17 Broken Arrow (4-3) and took fourth place in the Sapulpa Holiday Classic. They defeated No. 14 Sapulpa (3-3) 48-36 but were sent to the consolation bracket after a 43-22 loss to No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (10-0).

The Lady Bombers hold the No. 17 offense, No. 19 defense, and No. 17 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host unranked Lawton (3-2).

The pick: MWC 45, Lawton 42.

No. 14 Broken Arrow (17)

Broken Arrow (4-3) earned a winning record with a pair of upsets at the Sapulpa Holiday Classic, topping No. 7 Booker T. Washington (8-1) 50-37 and No. 13 Midwest City (6-4) 34-30, but falling 38-25 to Fort Smith Northside (7-6). Jalise Smallwood led her team in all three games, averaging 14 points with a 20-point performance against the Bombers. 

The Lady Tigers hold the No. 7 defense in 6A and will return to action at the Skiatook Tournament with a first round match against 5A No. 12 Pryor (3-3).

The pick: BA 41, Pryor 36.

No. 15 Union (15)

Union (4-2) held their ranking after a second-straight bye week and will return to action Thursday at the Putnam City Invitational. The Lady Redskins hold the No. 20 offense, No. 11 defense, and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A and will take on unranked Putnam City North (1-6) in the first round of the PCI. 

The pick: Union 50, PCN 38.

No. 16 Mustang (16)

Mustang (3-2) held their ranking after back-to-back bye weeks. The Broncos hold the No. 16 offense, No. 17 defense, and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will take on No. 12 Bartlesville (3-3) in the first round of the Skiatook Tournament on Thursday. 

No. 17 Edmond North (18)

Edmond North (5-4) earned a winning record at the Duncan Holiday Shootout, defeating 4A unranked Harding Charter (6-8) 73-44 and 5A No. 17 Duncan (5-6) 65-27 before falling 36-32 to 5A No. 7 Shawnee (6-4) in the finals. The Huskies hold the No. 12 offense, No. 18 defense, and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action at unranked Southmoore (1-5) on the 10th. 

No. 18 Sapulpa (14)

Sapulpa (3-3) took a dip in the rankings after falling in two out of three games at their own tournament. They defeated 2A unranked Northeast Academy 53-26, but fell 48-36 to No. 13 Midwest City (6-3) and 72-37 to No. 7 Booker T. Washington (8-1). 

The Lady Chieftains hold the No. 19 offense in 6A and will return to action Thursday at the Westmoore Tournament when they battle 6A No. 10 Carl Albert (4-4).

The pick: Carl Albert 48, Sapulpa 47.

No. 19 Yukon (19)

Yukon (4-3) held on to their ranking after a pair of bye weeks, and will return to action Tuesday at No. 5 Deer Creek (6-1). The Millerettes hold the No. 13 defense and No. 16 margin of victory in 6A.

No. 20 Ponca City (20)

Ponca City (4-2) held on to their ranking after back-to-back bye weeks. The Wildcats hold the No. 13 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 11 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday when they host 5A unranked Guthrie (3-3). 

The pick: Ponca 46, Guthrie 40. 

Conference Strength

1. Central Oklahoma (54)
2. Frontier Valley (41.3)
3. Big Ten (37.7)
4. Green Country (24.7)
5. All-City (9.9)

Oklahoma Boys High School Basketball: Week Six Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Few games were played over Christmas Break this past week and the four undefeated teams had bye weeks. The OSSAA has released their week six rankings and the Big Ten conference has moved slightly ahead of Central Oklahoma in overall team standings.

No. 1 Edmond North (Last week No. 1)

Edmond North (6-0) brought in seventeen first-place votes after a bye week. The Huskies hold the No. 4 offense, No. 10 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Wednesday at the Tournament of Champions with a first-round match against Class A No. 1 Ft. Cobb-Broxton (8-0).

The pick: Ed North 65 Ft. Cobb 48

No. 2 Midwest City (2)

Midwest City (6-1) received one first-place vote after a bye week. The Bombers hold the No. 1 offense and No. 2 margin of victory in 6A and are undefeated in the Big Ten. They will return to action Wednesday at the Tournament of Champions with a first-round match against 4A No. 2 Tulsa Central (6-2).

The pick: MWC 65 Central 60

No. 3 Union (3)

Union (3-0) received one first-place vote after a bye week. The Redskins hold the No. 17 offense, No. 1 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Wednesday at the Tournament of Champions with a first-round match against 3A No. 4 Tahlequah Sequoyah (5-2).

The pick: Union 58 Sequoyah 53

No. 4 Putnam City North (4)

Putnam City North (6-2) didn't play any games last week. The Panthers hold the No. 5 offense and No. 11 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action after the new year at the Putnam City Invitational.

No. 5 Edmond Santa Fe (tied for 5)

Edmond Santa Fe (6-1) didn't play any games last week and are still undefeated in the Central Oklahoma Conference. The Wolves hold the No. 13 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action after the new year at the Bishop McGuinness Tournament.

No. 6 Westmoore (tied for 5)

Westmoore (7-0) didn't play any games last week. The Jaguars hold the No. 9 offense, No. 5 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action Wednesday at the Duncan Holiday Tournament with a first round matchup against unranked U.S. Grant (1-3).

The pick: Westmoore 76 Grant 44

No. 7 Norman North (8)

Norman North (2-2) didn't play any games last week. The Timberwolves hold the No. 2 offense and No. 13 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they host No. 6 Westmoore (7-0).

No. 8 Putnam City West (7)

Putnam West (6-4) dropped a spot in the rankings after going 1-3 in the Tarkanian Classic last week in Las Vegas. The Patriots fell 64-59 to Bishop O'Dowd, 53-44 to Clark, Nevada, and 71-68 to Windermere Prep, Florida. They defeated Cathedral Catholic 54-46. They hold the No. 12 offense and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Putnam City Invitational.

No. 9 Broken Arrow (10)

Broken Arrow (5-2) moved up a spot after a bye week. The Tigers hold the No. 18 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Skiatook Invitational.

No. 10 Muskogee (11)

Muskogee (6-0) moved up a spot after a bye week. The Roughers hold the No. 7 offense, No. 14 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they travel to unranked Jenks (0-6).

No. 11 Booker T. Washington (9)

Booker T. Washington (5-2) slipped a few spots in the rankings despite a dominating 91-65 victory over 4A No. 11 McLain (3-4). RJ Fuqua scored an incredible 38 points in the onslaught and two other players also doubled. The Hornets hold the No. 6 offense and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Skiatook Tournament.

No. 12 Yukon (14)

Yukon (4-3) moved up two spots despite having a bye week. The Millers hold the No. 11 offense, No. 15 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they host unranked Deer Creek (3-4).

No. 13 Sapulpa (13)

Sapulpa (4-2) holds the No. 10 offense and No. 17 margin of victory in 6A. The Chieftains had a bye week last week and won't return to action till after the new year when they play the McDonalds Classic in Ada.

No. 14 Norman (12)

Norman (4-2) holds the No. 8 offense, No. 11 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in 6A. They are coming off a bye week and won't return to action till the Bishop McGuinness Tournament in January.

No. 15 Lawton (16)

Lawton (3-1) holds the No. 14 offense, No. 19 defense, and No. 16 margin of victory in 6A. They are coming off a bye week and will return to action Wednesday at the Hobbs Invitational in New Mexico.

No. 16 Edmond Memorial (15)

Edmond Memorial (3-4) holds the No. 13 defense in 6A and will return to action after the new year against No. 5 Westmoore (7-0).

No. 17 Bixby (18)

Bixby (3-3) holds the No. 6 defense in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they host No. 18 Bartlesville (3-3).

No. 18 Bartlesville (17)

Bartlesville (3-3) holds the No. 4 defense and No. 20 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Arvest Invitational.

No. 19 Mustang (20)

Mustang (2-3) holds the No. 7 defense in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Putnam City Invitational.

No. 20 (tied) Owasso (unranked)

Owasso (1-2) holds the No. 17 defense in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at the KSA Holiday Classic in Orlando.

No. 20 (tied) Sand Springs (unranked)

Sand Springs (3-3) holds the No. 16 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 9 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Wednesday at the Duncan Holiday Invitational with a first-round matchup against 5A unranked Duncan (0-8).

The pick: CPHS 64 Duncan 45.

Conference Strength

1. Big Ten (53.2)
2. Central Oklahoma (50)
3. Green Country (47.7)
4. Frontier Valley (43.2)
5. All-City (29.8)

Oklahoma Girls High School Basketball: Week Six Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The High School basketball season has slowed over Christmas break, but a few games have been played and several teams have shuffled around in the latest rankings by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA). Four teams remain undefeated and four teams picked up first-place votes in the latest coaches' poll.

No. 1 Choctaw (Last week No. 1)

The Yellowjackets (7-0) pulled in 14 first-place votes after a bye week. They are tied for first in the Big Ten Conference standings. They also hold the top offense, top defense and the largest margin of victory in the league. So far they have only played three ranked opponents and no ranked 6A teams.

Choctaw returns to action on Wednesday at the prestigious Tournament of Champions.

No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (2)

Edmond Santa Fe (7-0) picked up one first-place vote after a bye week. They are tied for first in the top-rated Central Oklahoma Conference. The Wolves hold the No. 6 offense, No. 4 defense, and No. 6 margin of victory in 6A with wins over five ranked opponents and four ranked 6A opponents.

Santa Fe will return to action Wednesday at the Sapulpa Girls Tournament.

No. 3 Sand Springs (3)

The Lady Sandites (6-0) picked up two first-place votes after a bye week. They are the only undefeated team remaining in the Frontier Valley Conference. They hold the No. 5 offense, No. 2 defense, and No. 4 margin of victory in 6A with wins over five ranked opponents and four ranked 6A opponents.

Sand Springs will return to action after the new year at the Muskogee Bedouin Shrine Tournament.  

No. 4 Putnam City West (4)

Putnam West (7-1) picked up a pair of first-place votes after going 3-1 at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas last week. They topped Mullen, Colorado 53-31, Liberty, Nevada 64-22 and Bishop Gorman 66-64, but fell 51-47 to Campbell County, Wyoming. The Patriots are still undefeated in the Big Ten. They hold the No. 2 offense, No. 5 defense and No. 2 margin of victory in the league.

The Patriots will return to action after the new year at the Putnam City Invitational.

No. 5 Deer Creek (5)

Deer Creek (6-1) maintained their ranking after a bye week. They hold the No. 8 offense, No. 13 defense, and No. 8 margin of victory in 6A and are still undefeated in the Central Oklahoma Conference.

The Antlers will return to action after the new year when they host No. 19 Yukon (4-3).

No. 6 Westmoore (7)

Westmoore (6-1) moved up one spot after a bye week. They hold the No. 4 offense, No. 12 defense, and No. 5 margin of victory in 6A and are still a contender for the Central Oklahoma Conference title with only one loss thus far.

The Jaguars will return to action after the new year when they travel to No. 12 Norman North (3-2).

No. 7 Booker T. Washington (6)

Booker T. Washington (6-0) slipped a spot in the rankings despite a dominating 73-34 victory over 4A unranked McLain (3-3). The Lady Hornets are the only 6A team and only undefeated team in the Green Country Conference. They hold the No. 3 offense, No. 3 defense, and No. 3 margin of victory in the league.

Washington will return to action Wednesday at the Sapulpa Girls Tournament.

No. 8 Owasso (8)

Owasso (4-2) maintained their ranking after a bye week. They hold the No. 15 defense and No. 20 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Wednesday at the Tournament of Champions.

No. 9 Norman (11)

Norman (5-1) has continued to climb in the rankings after a four-straight winning streak and a sweep at the Southern Oklahoma Invitational. They hold the No. 7 offense, No. 7 defense, and No. 7 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Tuesday at the Ardmore Tournament.

No. 10 Edmond Memorial (10)

Edmond Memorial (4-3) maintained their ranking after a bye week. The Bulldogs hold the No. 18 defense in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they host unranked Stillwater (1-6).

No. 11 Bartlesville (9)

The Lady Bruins (3-3) slipped in the rankings after a bye week. They hold the No. 12 defense and No. 19 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Skiatook Tournament.

No. 12 Norman North (13)

Norman North (3-2) moved up a notch after a bye week. The Timberwolves hold the No. 10 offense and No. 12 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Thursday at the Enid Holiday Classic.

No. 13 Midwest City (12)

Midwest City (5-2) dropped one spot after a bye week. The Bombers hold the No. 11 offense and No. 13 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Wednesday at the Sapulpa Holiday Classic.

No. 14 Sapulpa (15)

Sapulpa (2-1) moved up a spot in the rankings after a bye week. The Lady Chieftains hold the No. 14 offense and No. 18 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action when they host the Holiday Classic Tournament this Thursday.

No. 15 Union (14)

The Lady Redskins (4-2) slipped a spot in the rankings after a bye week. They hold the No. 19 offense, No. 9 defense, and No. 14 margin of victory in 6A. They will return to action after the new year at the Putnam City Invitational.

No. 16 Mustang (19)

Mustang (3-2) moved up in the rankings after a bye week. They hold the No. 18 offense, No. 16 defense, and No. 15 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year at the Skiatook Tournament.

No. 17 Broken Arrow (16)

The Lady Tigers (2-2) slipped a spot after a bye week. They hold the No. 17 defense in 6A and will return to action Wednesday at the Sapulpa Holiday Classic.

No. 18 Edmond North (17)

The Huskies (3-3) dropped a spot after a bye week. They hold the No. 16 offense and No. 17 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action Wednesday at the Duncan Holiday Shootout.

No. 19 Yukon (19)

Yukon (4-3) held their spot in the rankings after a bye week. They hold the No. 20 offense, No. 11 defense, and No. 16 margin of victory in 6A and will return to action after the new year when they travel to No. 5 Deer Creek (6-1).

No. 20 Ponca City (unranked)

Ponca City (4-2) entered the rankings after a bye week. They hold the No. 13 offense, No. 8 defense, and No. 10 margin of victory in 6A. The Lady Wildcats are the only 6A team without a conference, playing an independent schedule since the collapse of the Centennial Conference.

They will return to action after the new year when they host 5A unranked Guthrie (1-2).

Conference Strength

1. Central Oklahoma (52)
2. Frontier Valley (43.2)
3. Big Ten (37.7)
4. Green Country (25.3)
5. All-City (9.9)