Oklahoma high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/3/2024)

After Tournament of Champions title, Edmond North starts at No. 1

Basketball season has begun and teams are in the midst of their quest for a gold ball.

Some teams had the opportunity to play in a holiday tournament, and there are several teams flying under the radar this season in all of the classes. 

Oklahoma high school boys basketball: Here are the top point guards for the 2023-24 season 

Here is the first SBLive Oklahoma boys Top 25 rankings for the 2023-24 season. 

1. Edmond North (last season, Class 6A state champion)

While Edmond North - the defending two-time Class 6A state champions - returns junior Dylan Warlick, the Huskies lost TO Barrett. Both players made great plays last year and Warlick looks to lead his team to a three-peat.

Warlick has helped the Huskies off to a hot 5-0 start prior to the Tournament of Champions last week in Tulsa, which Edmond North won after downing Owasso for the championship.

2. Owasso (last season, Class 6A state semifinals)

Sophomore Jalen Montonati is one of the top players in the country and has several Division I offers. Owasso also has young role players in sophomore Boden Williams and junior Jax Kerr.

3. Dale (last season, Class 2A state champion)

Coming off an undefeated season and winning the last two 2A state championships, Dale is led by Oklahoma signee Dayton Forsythe, who threw down a one-handed slam dunk against Preston on the first play from scrimmage this season. Dale lost one game in a prestigious tournament in Illinois, and also lost to Owasso in last week's semifinals of the Tournament of Champions in Tulsa, but has looked flawless in their other contests.

4. Broken Arrow (last season, Class 6A runner-up)

Even though they lose Connor Dow, who is playing at Oklahoma State, the Tigers have revenge on their minds as they lost to Edmond North in the 6A title game last season. Junior duo De’Von Wallace and DJ Howell look to step up, along with senior Diego Ochoa.

5. OKC Crossings Christian (last season, Class 4A semifinals)

Crossings Christian jumped to Class 5A and is rolling so far. Junior Cal Furnish is a fabulous shooter, along with junior big Cam Parker. Sophomore Phoenix Woodson can defend well, as he is a 6-foot-8 big and also can shoot the mid-range well.

6. Weatherford (last season, Class 4A state runner-up)

Weatherford was one 3-pointer away from winning 4A and returns all their starters, including junior CJ Nickson, who averaged more than 20 points last season. The Sage twins (Tate and Ethan) are great role players and senior Nate Reherman is an excellent rim protector.

7. Choctaw (last season, Class 6A state semifinals)

The Yellowjackets made a huge - and especially memorable - postseason run last season and have the pieces to make another run. Seniors Ja’Mon Valentine and Will Smith both have great size and athleticism and know what it takes to return to the state tournament.

8. Edmond Deer Creek (last season, Class 6A state quarterfinals)

Deer Creek is led by junior Clyde Davis, who was big time last season for the Antlers in the postseason last year. Deer Creek also has two great players, in junior Ky Kougl and senior Hudson Linsenmeyer.

9. Midwest City Carl Albert (last season, Class 5A runner-up)

The Titans were close to beating Del City as they lost in overtime of the state title game, but returns players such as senior duo Jayden Motts and Quincy Hopkins.

10. OKC Douglass (last season, Class 4A state champion)

The Trojans now have one of the state's top athletes in Oklahoma, as Jaden Nickens transferred in from Millwood. They do lose Terry McMorris, but they have nice role players such as junior duo Corey Holman and Landry Ballard Jr.

11. Putnam City North (last season, Class 6A area finals)

The Panthers were upset in the area tournament last season and are determined to make it back to the state tournament. They have two outstanding guards in juniors Anthony Leonard and Khai Brown.

12. Del City (last season, Class 5A state champion)

Despite losing Brandon Garrison and their entire starting core, the Eagles look to win 5A again, as they do not rebuild, but will reload. Some young players who are filling their roles are seniors Quinton Edwards, Omari Overall and Kentrall Thurston.

13. Tulsa Memorial (last season, Class 5A state semifinals)

Tulsa Memorial does graduate duo Seth Pratt and Jarreth Ingram, but the 5A heavyweight has made the state title 11 seasons in a row. The Chargers have a great one in sophomore Fabian Harris.

14. OKC Millwood (last season, class 3A state champions)

All Millwood knows is winning, as the Falcons have won 17 state championships and look to three-peat, but have their work cut out now. Millwood recently lost star Jaden Nickens to Douglass, but does have sophomores Isaiah Wilks and Khris Klay, along with senior Xon Williams.

15. Caddo (last season, Class A champion)

Senior DJ Dill looks to bring Caddo a second consecutive gold ball, as he was huge in the Class A state championship game when he scored 23 points.

16. Mustang (last season, Class 6A area round)

Despite losing Jacobe Johnson, Mustang is primed to make a run in Class 6A. The Broncos do return junior Roman Miller and sophomore Jaden Johnson, the brother of Jacobe. This past weekend, the Broncos won the championship of their own Mustang Holiday Classic.

17. El Reno (last season, Class 5A quarterfinals)

The Indians are consistently challenging for Class 5A and that will not change this season. Sophomore Kason Haydon and junior Carter RomanNose are dangerous players who can both score and defend.

18. Fort Cobb-Broxton (last season, Class B champions)

Coach Scott Hines has won eight gold balls - the latest a season ago - but the Mustangs lose some of their best players. However, Fort Cobb does return senior point guard Kray Rogers who gets lots of assists, rebounds and can score for the Mustangs.

19. Moore (last season, Class 6A quarterfinals)

Junior Tristain Hankins and senior Darian Grant return for the Lions. Both players have Division II offers and will need to be huge if Moore wants to get to the state tournament for the third straight season.

20. Tulsa Holland Hall (last season, Class 5A semifinals)

The Dutch are just fine in Class 5A, as they were bumped up a class mid-season and made the semifinals of the state tournament. Holland Hall returns senior Carter Benton and sophomore Julius Wilson, who will make it tough for opposing teams to score.

21. Norman (last season, Class 6A quarterfinals)

Norman was a surprise last season making it to the state tournament. This year, they will be led by senior point guard Trashaun Combs-Pierce and junior Isaiah Amous.

22. Edmond Memorial (last season, Class 6A regionals)

The Bulldogs have several great young guard play, such as sophomore Hudson Franz. A veteran guard, though, is senior Drelen Nero, who transferred from Edmond Santa Fe. He was the leading scorer at Edmond Santa Fe and almost got them into the state tournament.

23. Southmoore (last season, Class 6A regionals)

The Sabercats have not made the state tournament since 2020, but sophomore guard Kolton Bramer is hitting his stride, along with senior Jesse Ledbetter.

24. Putnam City West (last season, Class 6A area tournament)

Four-star point guard Kaidon Rayfield is a skilled on-ball defender, but the Patriots also have Jordan Warrior to help them get to the state tournament. Coach Lenny Bert is an experienced coach, too.

25. Tulsa Booker T. Washington (last season, Class 6A quarterfinals)

Booker T. Washington bumps down to Class 5A this season. The Hornets lost some good players, but does return junior Jamarri Simpson.

Photo of Edmond North's Dylan Warlick (with ball) by Michael Kinney

-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK