Oklahoma high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (2/21/2024)

Playoffs for teams in Classes 6A and 5A about to get under way

Nearly every classification in Oklahoma boys basketball has begun the playoffs, except for Classes 6A and 5A, and those playoffs will begin Thursday. 

The playoffs for Class A and B are in the area tournament starting Thursday. Class 2A, 3A and 4A play regionals this week.

Here are this week’s SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 boys basketball rankings. 

Note: Rankings and records are through Feb. 20.

1. Tulsa Union (21-2); last week (1)

The Redhawks are red hot going into the playoffs. They finished the regular season on a 14-game win streak. Union's signature win of the season was against Owasso back in early February. Owasso did win the district outright, but the Redhawks have most recently beaten them head to head. Tulsa Union will begin its playoff run against Muskogee Thursday and looks to get to the state tournament for the first time since 2020.

2. Owasso (20-3); last week (2)

The Rams are district champions and ride a four-game winning streak since their loss to Tulsa Union. In their final games, they have won by more than 30 points and scored 91 points against U.S. Grant to wrap up the regular season. Owasso will play Ponca City in the first round of the playoffs.

3. Edmond North (19-3); last week (3)

The defending Class 6A state champions have its thunder back since the 21-point Moore loss. They closed out the regular season last Friday by beating Edmond Santa Fe, 74-41. Edmond North are the district champions, and will play Lawton Eisenhower in the first round of the playoffs.

4. Dale (24-2); last week (4)

The Pirates' 2A district match against Mounds was a cakewalk, as Dale won, 90-37. Dale is on a 10-game win streak and has a realistic chance to three-peat as 2A champs. Its only losses have come in the Tournament of Champions in Tulsa in late December. For regionals, Dale will host Elmore City-Pernell Thursday.

5. OKC Douglass (14-4); last week (5)

The Trojans' district matchup was no challenge, as they beat ASTEC Charter, 89-4. The competition will get more tough, as Douglass plays a much-improved Tecumseh team Thursday. Should the Trojans win, they likely will play Sequoyah-Claremore. The Trojans will have to lock down on defense, as Sequoyah can shoot well, having made 18 3-pointers against Oologah earlier in the month.

6. Choctaw (18-4); last week (6)

Choctaw are district champions and beat Jenks, 73-67, in overtime for their final game of the regular season last week. Ja’Mon Valentine - already known for making memorable clutch shots - hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send this game into overtime and made many plays in overtime. Valentine will have to continue to make plays in the playoffs if the Yellowjackets want to win a gold ball. Choctaw will play winless U.S. Grant in the playoffs.

7. Weatherford (23-1); last week (7)

Weatherford had no problems in its district matchup when the Eagles played Woodward. The Eagles won the game, 65-34, and will face Mannford in regionals Thursday. Should they win, they will play the winner of OKC Community Christian or Oologah.

8. Midwest City Carl Albert (19-4); last week (8)

The Titans have been battle-tested in their tough district, but found a way to be district champions. Carl Albert looks to get back to the Class 5A state championship and finish the job, since the Titans were beat by Del City last year in the championship game. Carl Albert will play Noble Thursday in the playoffs.

9. OKC Crossings Christian (16-6); last week (9)

Crossings Christian has had tough losses, but does have lots of experience, as the Knights return all of their starters from last season. Their playoff run will not be easy and they play OKC Southeast Thursday, who gave up more than 100 points to Midwest City last week. Should they win that one, they will likely play defending Class 5A champion Del City.

10. Edmond Deer Creek (18-5); last week (10)

The Antlers did finish second in their district, but are on a three-game win streak to close out the regular season. Deer Creek looks to get back to the state tournament and will host Yukon Thursday. Should the Antlers win that, they will play the winner of Edmond Santa Fe or Norman North in the regional final.

11. Midwest City (20-3); last week (11)

The Bombers are loaded and ready for the playoffs. They are coming off a 103-44 victory over OKC Southeast and it is the second time they scored more than 100 points this year. Midwest City will play Western Heights in the playoffs Thursday, then likely will play El Reno in the regional final.

12. Tulsa Booker T. Washington (20-1); last week (12)

The Hornets are district champions and have not lost a game in 2024. For their first playoff game, they will host McAlester Thursday, then likely will play Sapulpa in the regional final.

13. Norman (18-4); last week (13)

The Tigers are district champions and have a great chance to get back to the state tournament. Norman will host OKC Capitol Hill in the first round of regionals Thursday and will face the winner of Piedmont or Westmoore in the regional final.

14. Moore (17-5); last week (14)

The Lions finished the regular season win with a gritty 63-60 win over rival Southmoore.

Moore now has a 13-game winning streak going into the playoffs, where it hosts OKC Northwest Classen Thursday. With a win, the Lions will play the winner of Lawton or Putnam City North.

15. Edmond Memorial (15-7); last week (15)

Edmond Memorial has been tested and is ready to make a run at the state tournament. The Bulldogs missed the tournament last year, but made it in 2022. They will play Stillwater in the first round of regionals. Should they win, they will likely play Broken Arrow in the regional final.

16. Tulsa Holland Hall (19-3); last week (16)

The Dutch are looking for a deeper run in Class 5A, as they made the semifinals last season. Holland Hall hosts a struggling Pryor team Thursday and will likely play the winner of Coweta or Tahlequah in the regional finals.

17. Bixby (14-9); last week (17)

Bixby has had a week to practice for the playoffs and looks to make the state tournament for the first time since 2014. Bixby will play Putnam City Original Thursday, then will likely play Tulsa Union in the regional final.

18. Broken Arrow (16-7); last week (18)

Broken Arrow looks to return to the state tournament and finished second in their district. Thursday, the Tigers host Bartlesville and with a win, they will play the winner of Stillwater or Edmond Memorial.

19. Jenks (14-9); last week (19)

Jenks lost two games in a row to end the regular season. The Trojans will play Enid in the first round of regionals and with a win, the Trojans will likely face Owasso in the regional championship.

20. Guthrie (20-3); last week (20)

The Bluejays finished second in their district, with a huge 46-43 win over OKC Crossings Christian. Guthrie has not made the state tournament since 2012. Guthrie hosts Guymon Thursday in the first round of regionals and will likely play Lawton McArthur in the regional final.

21. Oklahoma Christian School (20-2); last week (21)

The Saints had a bye in their district rounds and will face Lindsay in the regional semifinals at Lindsay. With a win, the Saints will play the winner of Kingston or Frederick.

22. Calumet (28-0); last week (22)

Calumet is one win away from going back to the state tournament. They beat McCurtain in the regional championship and will play Kinta in the area championship. Should Calumet lose, they still can get into the state tournament through the area consolation.

23. El Reno (17-6); last week (23)

The Indians have been challenged, but did have some big wins in the regular season. The Indians will begin their playoff run against OKC Santa Fe South Thursday. With a win, El Reno will likely play Midwest City in the regional championship game.

24. Pocola (23-1); last week (24)

Pocola defeated Wilburton by 30 points in the district game. In the regional semifinal, Pocola will play Hulbert. With a likely win, Pocola will face the winner of Wister or Warner in the regional championship game.

25. Tulsa Victory Christian (18-4); last week (25)

Victory Christian dominated Perry in district play, 87-44. The Conquerors look to get back to the state tournament after missing it last season. Victory Christian will play Blackwell Thursday in the regional semifinal. With a win, the Conquerors will play the winner of Alva or Tulsa Lincoln Christian.

Photo of Choctaw's Ja'Mon Valentine by Michael Kinney

-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK