Gym Time Hoops

Tip-Off Classic

Author: Dr. Roy Pinder - GTHSR
Published November 11, 2009

Over this past weekend many of the elite high school teams from Eastern Oklahoma took the floor to begin their preseason play. The event was hosted by Hardwood productions. There were approximately 32 boys team ranging from class A to 6A working out the early season kinks. However, some of the teams appear to be in midseason form already.

In particular the BTW Hornets, they seem to be comfortable moving the ball well on offense and ahead of most teams on defense. Coach Seals does a great job executing the full court zone press, which gave Muskogee a variety of challenges in the opening scrimmage at Bixby High School.

The hornets have the unique ability to put 5 skilled players on the floor at the same time and coach Seals can play the eight to nine guys without losing much. Corey Bilburry seems to be the guy to lead from the point guard position, replacing Brian Harris who graduated last year. Bilburry is a big physical point guard, which is a switch from what BTW have experienced over the last few years. Bilburry can also move over to the shooting guard position as well. The senior Therone Chilton, the lone returning starter will have to be consistent on a nightly basis. If the kid plays consistently, he can dominate the game and make the Hornets tough to handle. Chilton is the nephew of former NBA player Lee Mayberry and have some similar skills, the game certainly comes easy to him and he has the tendency to take off, but I did not see any of that over the weekend, which maybe great news for the Hornets. The freshman Juwan Parker, as stated is “The Next Best Thing” the kid has extended his game away from the basket; his jump shot behind the arc is becoming potent. He has good bounce and body looks great. Other notables are Dominique Sells who will replace Ion Ponds who is currently enrolled at Pitt State, Brandon Brantley, who will help with the ball handling duties, and CJ Hyslop will be tough in the interior. Guard Tyler Lockette will contribute as football concludes.

The Muskogee Roughers has a great looking front court in Oren Faulk and Dante Wharton. Oren is physical imposing in the paint; he caught a monster dunk of the rim that brought the crowd to their feet. Oren did a good job on the boards controlling the paint in many of the scrimmages, but had some difficulties with BTW Hornets. Dante Wharton, who is coming of a harm string injury, is considered a beast in the paint. The young man is strong and quick in the pivot, once he gets back to through form he will be back on track to dominate. Devonte Wilson adds to the perimeter strength of the team with the long ball and deep penetration to the basket. Wilson is a big guard who can post up and rebound well, he did a good job getting to the basket and rebounding which will help Muskogee on their campaign for the gold ball. Muskogee will need to get stronger at the point guard position, if they fall short of the gold ball it may be due to inconsistent play at the point.

East Central Cardinals will be tough again; Coach Wallace has unleashed a hidden gem, Jamie Richardson. This is Richardson second year playing high school basketball, but he will give opposing defenses a lot of problems with his deadly crossover. At first glance Jamie game is similar to a kid straight out of New York City that has all the glamour and understanding of the point guard position. Jamie can first of all create plays of the dribble, penetrate, and execute his deadly floater and consistently knock down three pointers. In addition, Jamie defended on and off the ball well. Jamie will have the help of Tony Foster and Courtney Gaiters, who are both combo guards that will help Richardson with leading the team. However, with the good guard play in place, Andrew Wilson the 6’7 forward will control the paint. Andrew was blocking shots, catching alley hoops, rebounding the ball and leading the break. Wilson is a high college prospect and he did not disappoint anyone. His jump shot looks good and he played with a high motor. East Central seemed a lot more discipline in the offensive sets and their shot selection was sound. There are a few key players that will join the Cardinals after the football season is completed. Stay tune, more to come from this group.

The Tulsa Central Braves under the leadership of new head coach Mark Cudjo will continue to build the program with his group of young and exciting talent. The Braves are small on the front line, but super athletic. They were smothering teams with their pressure in the afternoon session with their defense. The Braves converted many of the points from their defensive pressure. Ryan Devers the 5’8 point guard, who is the lone returning starter, will lead the braves’ pursuit of the gold ball. Ryan is an excellent ball handler, who knocked down the long ball and attacked the basket to create plays. Mylan Williams will lead with his defense and three point shot. Mylan is aggressive on both ends of the floor; this will be good news for coach Cudjo. Corey Frasier is long and has a long wing span; Frasier is 6’3 and has the entire package. He will be pivotal to the braves run for another state title. Ravey Norton, the sophomore wing is athletic and skilled; he can get to the rack and finish above the basket. Has the ability to knock down the three, he can create space for his shot and is one of the better rebounding guards in the state. Chris Bates a sophomore will control the paint and demonstrated some nice moves in the paint. Ronnie Peters another sophomore will be active in the paint on the defensive end and Charles Boaz another sophomore will help Devers with the ball handling duties.

Tulsa union will arguably have the best back court in the state, led by Ed Daniels and Quawan Carter. These two explosive guards will put up big numbers and give opposing defenses a variety of problems. Bryce Brown who stands 6’7” will control things in the paint, Bryce is considered an elevator type guy, and he goes up and gets it. Bryce knocked down the fifteen foot jumper and attacks the goal aggressively. Bixby’s own Jacob Parker will lead the charge. Parker stands 6’6” and can score in a variety of ways with his tough play. Sean Young standing 6’10”, he controlled the paint by blocking shots and rebounding. The Rogers Ropers, led by Coach Jimmy Walker will continue to compete. The Ropers are young and athletic; coach walker has done a great job with his team. They play tough defense and are much more discipline on the offensive end of the court. The small school of Roff showcased Dylan Lemley a 6’6” forward who has soft touch around the goal and a nice fifteen foot jumper. Millwood was awfully tough in the afternoon session; they are athletic and put a lot of pressure on the ball. Drelyand Tripplet the high flyer leads the charge along with Richard Dumas Jr. who plays on the perimeter. Metro Christian ran their discipline offense and shot the ball well from behind the arc. Alex Stanley one of the best leapers in the state had a dunk in traffic that brought the crowd to their feet.