YOUR 5-MINUTE GUIDE TO THE CLASS 2A TOURNAMENT
BOYS The Oklahoman’s championship picks
Jacob Unruh: Wright City. The Lumberjax have not lost to a team below Class 3A this season and have tightened their defense in the second half of the season.
Adam Kemp: Wright City. Riding an 18-game winning streak heading into the Tournament, Wright City is shooting nearly 40 percent from 3-point range and is winning games on average this year by 25 points.
Three players to watch
Robert Briley, Jr., Wright City: An absolute rim-rocker, if Briley sees any daylight as he drives to the hoop he can throw it down. Leads his team in scoring, rebounding and averages more than three steals a game. Syrus Grisby, Jr., Luther: A load on the block for Luther, Grisby is a smooth finisher around the basket and will be looked upon to protect the paint for the Lions. Trent Smith, Sr., Latta: One of two returning starters from last year’s championship team, Smith has taken over as the main scoring option for the Panthers.
Fresh faces
While several returning powers are back again, several teams are looking to make their first appearance in years.
Luther is ending the longest drought of this year’s class. The Lions last made the state tournament in 1998. Hooker is right behind them with its last appearance coming in 2000.
Crossings Christian is making just its second appearance, the first coming in 2016.
GIRLS The Oklahoman’s championship picks
Jacob Unruh: Cashion. The Wildcats brought in Totsy Manning for a reason, and that’s because she knows how to win titles. One last run with her daughter, Sydney, makes it even more special.
Adam Kemp: Christian Heritage Academy. The surprise of last year’s state tournament is now the favorite to run the table undefeated and win back-to-back championships.
Three players to watch
Rylee Langerman, So., Christian Heritage Academy: The undefeated Crusaders’ point guard helps balance out a potent offense with four starters scoring in double figures. She also averages six rebounds and five assists.
Sydney Manning, Sr., Cashion: A member of The Oklahoman’s Super 5 team last season at Deer Creek, the Missouri State signee has only improved and leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists.
Jalei Oglesby, Jr., Howe: A prolific scorer, she dropped 45 in a game early this season and then scored 30 in last weekend’s win to clinch a state berth.
Moving on up
Howe junior Jalei Oglesby isn’t approaching the state’s overall scoring record, but she passed one of the former record holders’ school record.
Oglesby enters the state tournament with 2,042 career points. That sets the school record once held by Stephanie McGhee, who held the state’s all-time 5-on-5 scoring record for 13 years but played at both Howe and Pocola. Classen SAS’ Taylor Roberts passed McGhee’s overall mark last season.
Oglesby, at 5 feet 8, averages more than 30 points and 10 rebounds per game.