4A Players to Watch in Area II
After taking a closer look at this Area, it is anyone’s game. The final two spots for state will be hard to achieve as there are several teams in here capable of competing at that level. Here’s my list of guys to keep an eye on:
Cooper Baxter | 6’3 | F | Lone Grove | 2026 | Baxter is a versatile forward who can punish opponents in several different areas. He’s a very physical and competitive athlete who will make you work for a bucket. He’s not afraid to put his shoulder down and drive to the rim. Not only is he a threat in the paint, but from the perimeter as well as he can cash in from beyond the arc.
Jamel Morris | 6’4 | G/F | Douglass | 2026 | Jamel Morris is one of a kind. He brings a different level of energy to the floor every time he’s out there. He stands at 6’4 with a physical and lengthy frame that rewards him on both sides of the ball, especially when scoring. Grabbing rebounds and finishing back off the glass is one of his specialties. He’s got smart ball control and can manipulate a defender to get to the rim for a flashy finish. He makes sure to get to his spots and will knock down the shot when needed. He’s not afraid of the big stage and thrives in competitive environments.
Zuo Kpogba | 6’2 | G | Douglass | 2026 | Zuo is an elite scorer for the Trojans. He’s got an electric first step that zips past defenders for easy buckets. He has a high motor that propels him to make a difference every second he’s out there. Zuo runs the floor and keeps the game in his control, making sure he and his guys get to the rim. He does a great job of handling the rock as he has a deep bag of shifty handles. He’s an excellent shooter as well and can hit from any distance. If he and Jamel get hot and stay that way, they will be tough to beat.
Kenyon Sweat | 6’1 | G | Cache | 2028 | Kenyon is a flashy guard who does a great job of making a difference for his guys. He’s only a sophomore but is showing signs of early potential and upside. Don’t let his age steer you away though. He isn’t afraid to take the big shot and will arise to the challenge. His speed will come into play matching up against the guards at Sulphur first round.
Bridge Barrett | 6’1 | PG | Sulphur | 2026 | Bridge Barrett is a true athlete and he does so in three different sports. He’s got accolades and stats for each one with hitting the 1,500 Career Points mark earlier this month being his for hoops. He started off the season relentlessly as he averaged nearly 30 points a game. He’s still averaging over 20 points a game and will light up a defense if they don’t match up well. Barrett plays with poise and does a great job of running the show. He stays calm and collected with the rock and can produce for his guys. He has a great eye for reading defenses which allows him to get to his spots or find the open man. I’m excited to see what this dude can do these next few weeks.
Carter Hicks | 6’8 | C | Pauls Valley | 2028 | Carter is an absolute beast in the paint. If he gets fed down low, he’s going to work and make life difficult for defenders. He says controlled and collected when the defense collapses, but finishes through contact. Hicks does a great job of grabbing boards on both sides of the ball, utilizing his frame and strength. If he can draw fouls early against opponents, he will have some big games and possibly propel Pauls Valley to a solid run in the postseason.
Aedan Ellison | 6’0 | PG | Ardmore | 2026 | Ellison is a lightning quick point guard who is rewarded by his shifty handles and ability to connect from any distance. He’s got a slim 6’0 frame but that just makes him harder to defend against as he is always moving around the floor, looking to make a play or an impact any way he can. He’s got over 1,000 career points and will look to use that confidence to score against tough opponents these next few weeks.
Daxton Glenn | 6’1 | G/F | Bridge Creek | 2026 | Glenn is an athletic wing who can run the guard and short forward position with ease. He’s got a physical frame that can back down mismatches and finish through contact. He isn’t afraid to leap up for a slam at the rim either, got to watch out for that. When in the paint, Daxton makes smart decisions and has crafty moves to score off the glass. He’s a solid spot-up shooter as well. He and Landon will be causing some chaos for teams these next few weeks.
Landon Smith | 5’11 | G | Bridge Creek | 2026 | Though slightly undersized as a guard, Smith makes up for it in several different ways, especially when it comes to shooting from beyond the arc. You cannot leave this dude open or even let him get to his spots because he will connect. He’s a highly skilled and competitive player who stays down and works. He can serve as the point or the shooter very precisely, doing the job needed for his squad. He is a difference maker and can change the tide of a game in the snap of a finger.
Jace Birdshead | 5’11 | SG | Byng | 2026 | Jace is a sniper from distance. He will light up the scoreboard with the three ball all day from the line or a few feet behind. He does a great job of getting to his spots and knocking down the open or contested shot. His defensive presence is also a big help to the Pirates as he stays locked down and fast on his feet. Overall, he’s a great 3-and-D player who can cause some trouble for teams these next few weeks.
Rex Reynolds | 6’5 | G | Ada | 2027 | Standing at 6’5, Reynolds possesses a threat at every position on the floor. He has a smart ball control when the rock is in his hands and can facilitate a defense when needed. He does a great job of taking advantage of his length to shoot over defenders and then snag loose rebounds on both sides. His court vision is a great addition to his game and won’t hesitate to drive to the rim for a nice dunk. He will play a big role in getting his Cougars to the state tournament, which they are very capable of.
Miilan Riley | 6’1 | PG | Ada | 2026 | Riley is the right-hand man to Reynolds as the pair are tough to beat. Miilan is an excellent point guard who does a great job of not only providing for himself, but producing for his teammates as well. He’s a consistent scorer and will stay physical when a challenger steps up. If Riley and Reynolds don’t get matched up against, they will torch a defense, leading to easy wins.
Jagger Rogers | 6’3 | G | Madill | 2026 | Jagger Rogers is an athletic beast. He’s a slasher who not only can finish strong in the paint, but hit from distance as well. He’s a great catch-and-shoot player that won’t hesitate to pull the trigger over any defender. In the paint, good luck trying to get a shot off near this guy because he will fly in and swat the attempt away into the stands. He’s a fearless finisher who isn’t afraid of anyone in his way. Very competitive dude as well.
LaDamien Williams | 6’4 | SG | Mcloud | 2026 | Williams is tough to matchup against which will make gameplans difficult for first round teams. He’s got a 6’4 frame that has a wide wingspan perfect for inside scoring, distance shooting, and grabbing boards. Williams will very easily drop a double-double if he does not get stopped. He’s played a big factor for McLoud this season and will help them advance too.
Aveon Stokes | 5’10 | G | Tecumseh | 2026 | Stokes is a unit of a point guard but also knockdown shooter. He has done a great job of leading his team to several key wins and will continue to do so first round when they have a chance of upsetting McLoud again in Districts. Funded by the ability to separate himself from defenders, Aveon has a pure shot that connects night in and night out. If he and his guys can stay locked and catch fire tomorrow, they could start off with some real momentum.
Emory Smalley | 6’0 | G | Blanchard | 2026 | Smalley is one of the most intriguing players to watch in this Area bracket. Standing at 6’0, he possesses the exact traits of a true floor general who can lead his team on both sides of the ball. He’s a very vocal and smart-minded guard with a great feel for the game. Emory does a great job of working a defense and creating plays for himself or his guys. He’s also a sharpshooter and when he heats up, he is hard to stop. He’s currently averaging almost 20 points a game and will rack them up when the time arises. Blanchard saw a berth to State last year, and Smalley will lead his squad back this year.
Press Lippoldt | 6’4 | G/F | Blanchard | 2026 | Lippoldt is the next big factor for the Blanchard Lions in their gold ball hunt. He excels in several different areas on the floor, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers or poor shot selection from opponents. He’s got a sharp shot from beyond the arc and can connect even if contested. Watch out at the rim as well because Press will slam it home with some flashy dunks.
