Boys' 5A State Title Hoops Preview

Originally Published: Feb 24, 2010 9:5 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

OKLAHOMA –Even though Edison High School leap-frogged Tulsa Memorial to claim the top spot in the regular season’s final poll doesn’t mean the Chargers are dead. They (and up to a dozen other 5A hopefuls) have a great shot at bringing home the 5A gold ball this March. The east side of the state has much stronger teams this season, but 5A still oozes parity and offers a bunch of possible top-tier matchups this postseason.

EARLY FAVORITE:
Edison Eagles – 5A’s #1 ranked team

Yes, they were just semi-crowned the top team in the state, but Edison (19-3) has been playing like 5A’s team to beat since early January. The Eagles finished the season 8-2 against fellow top-20 squads, including sweeps of Booker T. Washington and East Central. The Eagles will face off with Collinsville Thursday night in the first game of the Regional round, and could face either Tulsa Central (11-11), a team they beat in the season finale, or Coweta (10-12).

TEAM TO WATCH:
Claremore Zebras – 5A’s #4 ranked team

It’s hard to argue with a 20-1 record. The Zebras’ only loss this season came in their third game of the season in the first round of the Harrah Tournament. Claremore fell to Choctaw 66-58, and promptly reeled off 18 straight wins. Nobody is hotter than the Zebras. The Grove Ridgerunners get the task of trying to take down the streaking Zebras. If they can’t, Claremore will matchup with the winner of Booker T. Washington and Tulsa Hale Saturday night. Those Regional round games will be played in Claremore.

BEST REGIONAL ROUND MATCHUP:
No. 3 East Central Cardinals (17-5) at No. 13 Bishop Kelley Comets (13-10)

A titanic Claremore – BTW collision would top the charts as the far-and-away best Regional round showdown from the postseason’s opening weekend if it were not for the possibility of a red-on-red war. East Central and Bishop Kelley could meet Saturday night if all goes according to their plans. The Comets clash with the Pryor Tigers (10-8) Friday night at 6:30 followed by the Cardinals and Will Rogers (3-18) at 8. Based on their regular season track records (30-13 records combined), the prospect of seeing these two meeting is pretty feasible.

LAST FIVE STATE CHAMPIONS:
2009: Guthrie Blue Jays
2008: Guthrie Blue Jays
2007: Carl Albert Titans
2006: Tulsa Central Braves
2005: Southeast Spartans