What to know about Oklahoma high school basketball tournaments this weekend
Numerous high school basketball tournaments are taking place across Oklahoma this week.
Several are underway, and many more are set to start Thursday.
Here’s a look at the tournaments spanning from Thursday-Saturday across the state:
More: Oklahoma high school basketball: A look at week-long tournaments outside OKC metro
Bobby Hicks Invitational
Where: Little Axe
Boys city-area contenders: Christian Heritage, Harding Charter Prep, Harding Fine Arts, Little Axe, McGuinness JV, Santa Fe South, The Academy
Girls city-area contenders: Christian Heritage, Harding Fine Arts, Little Axe, Santa Fe South, The Academy, U.S. Grant
Top teams: On the girls side, Christian Heritage is 9-3 with a four-game win streak.
In the boys bracket, The Academy — a small private school in Oklahoma City — is 12-3 in its OSSAA debut, but there’s potential for a tough second-round matchup with Harding Charter Prep. Harding Charter (9-4) defeated The Academy, 63-54, in December at the Minco Tournament.
Bridge Creek Tournament
Where: Bridge Creek
Boys city-area contenders: Blanchard, Bridge Creek, Luther, OKC Storm, Tuttle
Girls city-area contenders: Blanchard, Bridge Creek, Luther, Southmoore, Star Spencer
Top teams: No. 13 Bridge Creek and No. 10 Blanchard’s boys teams head into the Bridge Creek Tournament riding 11 wins while No. 16 Tuttle currently sits at 10-5.
In the girls bracket, 11th-ranked Class 3A Luther carries an 8-3 record into the tournament. Halyn Browning, a Ouachita Baptist commit, is averaging 18 points per game.
More: Vote for The Oklahoman's Landmark Fine Homes HS girls athletes of week for Jan. 9-15
Bruce Gray Invitational
Where: Deer Creek
Boys city-area contenders: Deer Creek, McGuinness, Midwest City, Western Heights
Girls city-area contenders: Deer Creek, Douglass, Stillwater, Western Heights
Top teams: The defending Bruce Gray Invitational champion Deer Creek has picked up steam from where it left off a year ago. The Antlers currently have a 11-3 record heading into the tournament behind the stellar play of Clyde Davis Jr., who is averaging 15.7 points and 1.6 steals per game. Another team to watch is Midwest City as the duo of Oklahoma State commit Carlsheon Young and Roy Henderson has led the Bombers to sit atop District 5A-2 at 10-2.
Tulsa Holland Hall is the Bruce Gray Invitational’s reigning girls champion. The bracket also features 20th-ranked Class 4A Douglass, a team that recently gained experience against larger schools and finished as the runner-up in the Putnam City Invitational. Since then, Douglass (9-3) has defeated Ardmore and Millwood with junior guard Brianna Jones recording a double-double against the Falcons.
Buckle of the Wheatbelt Tournament
Where: Kingfisher
Boys city-area contenders: Guthrie, Harrah, Kingfisher, Perkins-Tryon
Girls city-area contenders: Guthrie, Harrah, Kingfisher, Perkins-Tryon
Top teams: On the boys side, undefeated Perkins-Tryon is off to an electric start fresh off a Noble Tournament win. The fourth-ranked Demons are led by senior guard Tucker Shepherd, who recently became the first player in Perkins-Tryon program history to eclipse 1,000 career points. Guthrie’s boys team is also off to a hot start heading into the tournament. Amidst a turnaround from last year’s disappointing season, the Bluejays currently sit second in the District 5A-1 standings at 11-2, totaling the same amount of wins from their 11-15 season a year ago.
In the girls bracket, Kingfisher and Weatherford are the 10th- and 16th-ranked teams, respectively, in Class 4A.
More: Vote for The Oklahoman's Landmark Fine Homes HS boys athlete of the week for Jan. 9-15
Cashion County Line Tournament
Where: Cashion
Boys city-area contenders: Cashion, Community Christian, Oklahoma Christian School
Girls city-area contenders: Cashion, Dale, Oklahoma Christian School
Top teams: Oklahoma Christian School is the Cashion County Line Tournament reigning boys champion and has a good chance to repeat. OCS star big man Luke Gray is off to a tremendous start for the Saints, averaging 23.5 points and 16 rebounds per game as they head into the tournament 10-1. Another team to watch for is Community Christian as senior guard Destin Edwards is off to a strong start in the new year.
On the girls side, reigning state champion Dale (16-0) is the top-ranked team in Class 2A. Teague Muncy leads the Pirates with 14.6 points per game and eight rebounds per game.
Coyle Invitational
Where: Coyle
Boys city-area contenders: Coyle, Crescent, Okarche, Oklahoma Christian Academy, Southwest Covenant
Girls city-area contenders: Coyle, Crescent, Okarche, Oklahoma Christian Academy, Southwest Covenant
Top teams: Watonga’s girls team is 7-4 with winning experience against Southwest Covenant and Okarche. Despite going through a coaching change soon after the season started, Okarche has regrouped for an 8-7 record.
On the boys side, Okarche is surging with a 12-2 record.
More: Who made The Oklahoman's 111th All-State high school football team? Meet the full roster
Heart of Oklahoma Tournament
Where: Purcell
Boys city-area contenders: Bethany, OKC Knights, Purcell, Yukon
Girls city-area contenders: Bethany, OKC Knights, Purcell
Top teams: In the girls bracket, top-ranked Class 4A Bethany (9-4) has challenged itself with a couple of prestigious national tournaments before staying close to home for this one. The Bronchos’ lineup features two future Sooners: senior guard Zya Vann and junior guard Keziah Lofton. Other teams to watch are No. 4 Anadarko and No. 13 Purcell, both in Class 4A.
On the boys side, fourth-ranked Bethany has jumped off to a hot start and looks to make its mark early. The Bronchos are led by junior Aiden Todd who is currently averaging over 20 points per game as Bethany enters the tournament 11-1. Meanwhile, Purcell’s Kobe Freeman looks to continue his hot streak, as he’s averaging 24 points and five rebounds through the Dragons’ first 13 games.
John Nobles Tournament
Where: Moore
Boys city-area contenders: Carl Albert, Destiny Christian, Millwood, Moore, Putnam City, Westmoore
Girls city-area contenders: Choctaw, Midwest City, Millwood, Moore
Top teams: Third-ranked Class 3A defending champion Millwood headlines the boys bracket, entering the John Nobles Tournament battle tested. Dorrian Williams’ 10-4 Falcons currently are 4-1 against other teams ranked in the Top 20 behind the electric play of senior Xon Williams, who leads the team in scoring.
Choctaw’s girls basketball team rolls into the tournament with an 11-0 record, including a first-place finish in the Weatherford Classic. Senior guard/forward Kate Davis is averaging 18 points per game, while sophomore guard Aliyah Duval is averaging four assists per game. Midwest City (11-1) is also off to a strong start. Senior forward De’Yanna Douglas is the Bombers’ all-time leader in rebounds.
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Jones Kiwanis Invitational
Where: Jones
Boys city-area contenders: Classen SAS, Dale JV, John Marshall, Jones, Heritage Hall, Mount St. Mary
Girls city-area contenders: Classen SAS, Heritage Hall, John Marshall, Jones, Mount St. Mary, Mustang JV
Top teams: In the boys bracket, Classen SAS heads into the Jones Kiwanis Invitational rolling as the Comets have won seven of their last nine games. Senior Carlous Williams has spearheaded Classen SAS’ efforts as their lead defender while averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds per game. No. 13 Mount St. Mary has also had a strong start to the new year having won six of its last eight games.
After three-peating as the defending Class 3A state champion, Jones’ girls basketball team enters this tournament on a five-game win streak. The Longhorns graduated several leaders, but senior forward Kneah Smith has emerged as a standout, averaging 19.5 points per game during the past week. Skylar Durley of Classen SAS (9-6) is another star to watch.
Rocky Clarke Invitational Washington Tournament
Where: Washington
Boys city-area contenders: Casady, North Rock Creek, Tecumseh, Washington
Girls city-area contenders: Casady, North Rock Creek, Tecumseh, Washington
Top teams: North Rock Creek’s boys team has been on a tear to start the season as it is currently 13-1. The second-ranked Cougars' sole loss came to Oklahoma Christian School after winning the Konawa Tournament, and they are led by guard David King. Casady guard Bryson Buckingham has been the driving force for the Cyclones, averaging nearly 18 points per game.
On the girls side, host Washington is 13-1, and the Class 3A Warriors’ sole blemish has been a two-point loss to Class 5A Carl Albert. North Rock Creek (12-2) also has momentum. Sophomore guard Kadence Munn led the Cougars with 17 points in their Jan. 9 victory over Oklahoma Christian School, and they have since added two wins.
More: 'We're dangerous when rolling': Oklahoma Christian routs undefeated North Rock Creek
Shawnee Invitational
Where: Shawnee
Boys city-area contenders: Choctaw, El Reno, Mustang, Shawnee, Southeast
Girls city-area contenders: El Reno, Harding Charter Prep, Northwest Classen, Shawnee, Southeast, Yukon
Top teams: Choctaw’s boys team rolls into the Shawnee Invitational with a 9-2 record after finishing as the Bishop McGuinness Classic runner up. The Yellowjackets' two-man tandem of Camden Hyman and Ja’Mon Valentine both averaged over 15 points per game in the tournament. Mustang also has been sneakily lethal since winning its Christmas tournament thanks in large part to the dynamic duo of Roman Miller and Tyson Pogi.
El Reno’s girls team arrives with a 12-0 record. Senior forward Pauline Black-Harmon received the MVP award at Anadarko’s Midfirst Warrior Classic with 37 points, 17 rebounds, six steals and five blocks. Yukon (10-3) is also having a solid season with a seven-game win streak.
Sweet Pea Invitational
Where: Newcastle
Boys city-area contenders: Del City JV, Douglass, Newcastle, Noble, OKC Storm
Girls city-area contenders: Destiny Christian, Mustang, Newcastle, Noble, Piedmont
Top teams: Douglass, the reigning Class 4A boys state champion, heads into the Sweet Pea Invitational as the defending tournament champion as well. While the third-ranked Trojans are spearheaded by their backcourt of Landry Ballard and Davon Scott, in comes newly added OU football commit Jaden Nickens, who is set to make his debut team this week.
On the girls side, host Newcastle (8-5) recently won the Noble Dental Lodge Classic. Mustang is also a promising contender. Junior forward Cherish Haywood recorded a double-double in the Broncos’ Friday win over Norman North.
Titan Classic
Where: Carl Albert
City-area contenders: Carl Albert, Del City, Edmond Memorial, Epic Charter, McGuinness, Putnam City
Top teams: The Titan Classic is a girls-only tournament this year, and host Carl Albert arrives with an 11-2 record. Edmond Memorial’s girls team has a 10-game win streak with a lineup featuring nationally ranked juniors Janiyah Williams and Avery Hjelmstad.
Other high school basketball tournaments set for Thursday-Saturday
Allen Mustang Winter Classic, Allen
Bi-County Basketball Tournament, Merritt
Bowlegs Invitational, Bowlegs
Buffalo Invitational, Buffalo
Bulldog Bash, Healdton
Caney Valley Tournament, Caney Valley
Checotah Crossroads Classic, Checotah
Cherokee Strip Conference Tournament, Pioneer
Jenks-Union Invitational, Jenks and Tulsa Union
Kellyville Basketball Tournament, Kellyville
Mounds Invitational, Mounds
Muscogee Nation Okmulgee County Invitational, Mvskoke Dome in Okmulgee
NEO Invitational, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami
North Country Classic, NOC-Tonkawa and Tonkawa High School
Old Fort Classic, Fort Gibson
Paden Invitational, Paden
Pawhuska Invitational, Pawhuska
Port City Classic, Catoosa
Pryor Invitational, Pryor
Roper Invitational, Tulsa Will Rogers
Shattuck Shootout, Shattuck
Sixty-Six Conference Tournament, Prague
Skeltur Conference Basketball Tournament, Stride Bank Center in Enid
SRT Invitational, Roff
Tri-County Basketball Tournament, Western State in Altus
Wampus Cat Classic, Atkoka
Wapanucka Tournament, Wapanucka
Warner Eagle Classic, Warner
Yale Basketball Tournament, Yale
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What to know about key Oklahoma high school basketball tournaments
