4A Players to Watch in Area I
Each area bracket has 15-17 teams competing for only 2 spots to the State Championship. Within each bracket, there are several players to watch out for because they can make a huge impact on a game, regardless of ranking. Let’s dive into Area I.
Memphis Duffie | 6’3 | G | Cascia Hall | 2027 | Duffie has made his name known this season for the Commandos across the state. He’s a versatile guard who excels at creating his own shot while also providing for his teammates. He’s highly versatile and makes an impact on both sides of the ball at all times. He’s been a very major piece in getting Cascia to the #2 ranking in the OSSAA 4A Poll and set his squad up for a good chance of bringing home the gold ball. Duffie is no stranger to the big stage as he ran with Legynds EYBL last summer and has earned a spot on the Southern Ties 17u squad on the PRO16 Circuit next summer. He was a dominant force for the 2025 Tournament of Champions in Tulsa and will do the same in the postseason.
Dallas Lowe | 6’3 | G | Cascia Hall | 2027 | Dallas Lowe is the other major piece in getting Cascia Hall the 2nd ranked spot in 4A as he is just as much of a threat as his teammate Duffie. Lowe will make a defender work every second he’s on the floor. He has a strong ball handle and makes smart decisions on the fly to produce for his guys. Lowe has a tough-to-defend downhill drive that is backed by his elaborate bag of tricks and moves. He excels at creating separation from opponents with clean footwork and ball control. His efficiency from the field will be a big help to the Commandos as they hunt for the gold ball.
Roman Poindexter | 6’5 | G | Cascia Hall | 2027 | Poindexter has been a major help for the Cascia Hall squad this season, especially when it comes to paint work and perimeter scoring. We first saw his name hit the highlights last December at the Tournament of Champions when he had a thunderous two-hand slam against Owasso. Not only can he hammer it home, he can also pressure opponents forcing turnovers and shoot it well from distance. He has a high rising shot that elevates away from a defender’s reach. The trio for Cascia is hard to beat and they will do some damage these next few weeks.
Travis Weast | 5’11 | G | Inola | 2026 | Travis Weast is the definition of a true competitor. He’s not afraid or shy to showcase his mentality or voice on the floor. He’s able to back up his actions though as he can facilitate defenses with several ways. Weast is an electric guard with a high speed motor that fuels an outmatched grit and hustle to make a play when needed. He has a pure shooting form that cashes in from distance routinely. He’s been a big factor to his Inola squad that has stayed ranked throughout the season. Just like his teammates, Weast is a multi-sport athlete who recently committed to golf at the collegiate level. It will be interesting to see how far he and his guys go.
Carter Mardis | 6’6 | SG | Holland Hall | 2026 | Carter is a tall guard with a lengthy but strong frame that causes trouble for opponents. He brings a leadership presence to the floor at all times and is very vocal for his teammates. Mardis is able to both drive in against defenders and shoot over them, thanks to his size difference. The Dutch could make a strong run if they capitalize on defensive mismatches against Mardis and convert those opportunities efficiently. He and his guys are hard to stop when they heat up in a game.
Waike Roblyer | 6’7 | F/C | Miami | 2026 | Waike Roblyer has a build that punishes teams and causes defensive nightmares when matching up against him. He backs down defenders with ease and will finish strong through contact if someone does put up a good fight in the paint. He has well-rounded hand-eye coordination that can enforce the No Fly Zone against opponents when attempting shots in his way. Not only can he go to work down low, he can also connect from beyond the arc and from distance. He’s a threat and could cause some trouble for teams these next couple of weeks.
Ayden Gaines | 6’1 | G | Oologah-Talala | 2027 | Ayden Gaines’ main sport is football, but that does not stop him from absolutely torching defenses on the wooden floor. Earlier this month, Gaines dropped an insane 51 points in a loss against Verdigris. This dude is a problem. If he gets hot like this against someone having a bad night, the Mustangs could very easily find themselves pulling off a huge upset. Gaines does a great job of creating shots for himself, getting to his spots, and knocking down the contested attempt.
Denton Jaggers | 6’3 | G | Bethany | 2026 | Jaggers is a physical, athletic, and competitive guard for the Bethany Bronchos. At 6’3, he can defend against every position as well as score at all levels. He’s got smooth handles, a pure jump-shot, pressuring defense, and some bounce to boom it at the rim. He’s been a big factor in getting his guys several wins this season, earning them the #11 spot in 4A. As a whole, Bethany does a great job of combining all skills and excels and working together to outlast opponents. They are my sleeper pick to go to state, thanks to Denton Jaggers assisting along the way.
Jackson Smith | 6’3 | G | Weatherford | 2026 | Jackson Smith wants nothing more than two gold balls in a row. He very well could do it as he’s led the reigning state champions to an impressive 23-2 record and the 6th ranked spot in 4A. Standing at 6’3, Smith is a dangerous asset on both sides of the ball, especially from distance. This kid is relentless when it comes to scoring and producing every game. He does a great job of making plays for his guys as well as he has excellent court vision to break defenses apart. Weatherford has a few tough losses this season but they manage to win the big ones. If Smith can keep up his contribution then the Eagles will very easily see themselves at OG&E next month.
Kadon Gaines | 6’8 | F | Woodward | 2028 | Kadon Gaines is only a sophomore but he’s already proven he’s a winner and a problem as he just surpassed the 1,000 career point mark this month. He towers over opponents at 6’8 and does an outstanding job of using that to his advantage. He has a slim frame but does not fear facing contact in the paint. He absorbs the hit and finishes off the glass or rim. Gaines’ dunking ability is a great benefit to his game as he can rise up and hammer it home. Gaines does a great job handling the rock at his size and can shoot it well from distance. It is hard to defend against this kid and he will make life difficult for opponents these next few weeks. The Bombers are coming off a big win against 10th ranked Kingfisher where Gaines was a big contributor to that. I would not be surprised to see more of this action occur next week.
James Huffmyer | 6’3 | G/F | OCS | 2026 | Huffmyer has had a solid senior season for the Saints and is looking to finish strong for his guys. Standing at 6’3, he can run and defend every position on the floor. He has a good eye for finding the weakness in defenses and will penetrate with ease. He has crafty moves to help him get to the rim regardless of who is in his way. His ability to shoot over defenders is a great asset as he can elevate when needed. He’s been a big help to his OCS squad as they look to go back to state.
Hudson Onan | 6’0 | G | OCS | 2026 | Hudson is a true definition of a floor general. He does a great job of distributing the rock across the floor and can pinpoint where the next play is going to occur. His strong handles reward him very often as they help him get to his spots and knock down the contested or open shot. Onan makes sure to lead his guys where they need to be and keep the game in his control at his pace. If he and Huffmyer can have breakout games, they too can make some noise this postseason.
Deion Robinson | 6’2 | SF | John Marshall | 2027 | Deion Robinson will stir some trouble for teams starting this weekend against OCS. He’s 6’2 but brings a strong, enforcing frame to the floor that is tough to stop. Robinson has agility and strength that reward him with tough buckets in the paint. He also can control the ball if need be while looking for the right next move. He makes his defensive presence known very well as he will swat shot contests away and force the turnover. Combined with a high percentage shooting night from his teammates, Robinson could help his Bears upset the ranked Saints team this Saturday.
