PC North stays atop rankings with 11-game win streak
The regular season is over, so it’s time to see how the Fab 10 teams fare in the playoffs.
Each week, The Oklahoman’s Hallie Hart takes a look at the top high school basketball teams in the Oklahoma City area.
The smaller schools have won district titles, and everyone on the list is heading into regional play.
There isn’t much movement this week as the top squads continue to separate themselves from the rest, but a couple of teams are swapping places. Here are the rankings for Feb. 23-March 1:
1. Putnam North (22-1)
Putnam North escaped a close contest with Choctaw, managing to end the regular-season schedule on an 11-game win streak. The Class 6A Panthers slipped past the Yellowjackets, 74-73, on Friday. CJ Smith leads Putnam North with 16.4 points per game, while KeJuan Payne II has a team-high 6.3 rebounds per game.
Previous rank: 1
2. Douglass (20-1)
The Trojans are off to a solid start in the postseason. Class 4A Douglass rolled past Harding Charter Prep, 82-58, for the district championship. The Trojans carry an 18-game win streak into regionals, where they maintain homecourt advantage in the opening matchup.
Previous rank: 2
3. Dale (26-0)
The Pirates continue to dominate. Class 2A Dale opened the postseason with an 87-43 win against Wynnewood, claiming the district title. In their past six games, the Pirates have held every opponent below 50 points.
Previous rank: 3
4. Edmond North (20-2)
The defending Class 6A champions are in a good spot to start playoffs. Edmond North ended the regular season with a pair of Edlam wins. The Huskies edged Edmond Memorial, 51-49, before defeating Edmond Santa Fe, 63-50. T.O. Barrett leads the Huskies with 16.6 points per game, and Dylan Warlick registers 8.4 rebounds per game.
Previous rank: 4
5. Del City (15-5)
Del City capped the regular season with a 52-44 victory against Mid-Del rival Carl Albert, securing the Suburban Conference title. The Class 5A Eagles have won five consecutive games, and taking down the Titans is an indicator that they’re ready for the postseason.
Previous rank: 5
6. Kingfisher (20-3)
The Yellowjackets had a district bye, so nothing has changed with their standings. Class 4A is tough, but this team is no stranger to postseason success.
Previous rank: 6
7. Oklahoma Christian School (22-2)
After winning a thrilling regular-season matchup with Bethany, the Class 4A Saints defeated Western Heights for a district championship. Connor Owens led OCS with 16 points. The Saints get to enjoy home-court advantage again as they prepare for their first regional game.
Previous rank: 7
8. Crossings Christian (19-2)
The Class 5A Knights traveled to Tecumseh and secured their district title with an 84-67 win. Mack Gudell poured in 29 points, while Cam Parker had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Next, Crossings returns home to start regionals.
Previous rank: 8
9. Moore (16-6)
After winning their fifth consecutive game, the Class 6A Lions swap places with Carl Albert. Moore ended the regular season with a 65-60 victory over cross-town rival Southmoore.
Previous rank: 10
10. Carl Albert (18-5)
The Titans drop one spot because they lost while Moore won, but they’re staying in the rankings because of the caliber of their last opponent. No matchup with Del City is easy. Although the Titans lost two of their past three games, they’ve shown their capabilities this season. The playoffs offer a chance for a resurgence – and Carl Albert’s path starts against a winless Duncan team.
Previous rank: 9
Other teams considered
Millwood (12-10): The Class 3A Falcons defeated Harding Fine Arts for their district title.
Norman (15-7): The Tigers played an outstanding fourth quarter against Edmond Memorial to end the regular season with a win.
Southeast (13-6): Junior guard Micheal Graham Jr. stuffed the stat sheet as Southeast capped the regular season with victories against Guthrie and Lawton Eisenhower.
Westmoore (16-7): The Jaguars have been on a rough road lately, losing five of their past six games, but their overall body of work this season is solid.