Guthrie shows that they are state material

For the third straight year the Guthrie boys basketball program took part in one of the elite large school tournaments in the state and came out as they did the previous two seasons. State tournament potential qualifiers.

Guthrie has been to the tournament the last four seasons and if the Jays team that played in the Titan Classic shows up in late February and early March they will be attending their fifth.

The Jays picked up wins over No. 3 Ardmore and No. 6 (6A) Midwest City this past weekend before falling short to No. 1 (4A) Douglass. Side note: if Douglass was a touch more sufficient at times they may be the best team in the state regardless of class.

Guthrie, Ardmore, Western Heights, El Reno, Carl Albert, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen are the current teams that appear to be state material on the west side of the state. Of the six teams, Guthrie will have played five of them in the regular season.

West side teams and fans, don't have any good news to report this week. The East side of the state's third best team East Central Cardinals, maybe fourth best and maybe one of the top two teams, took down 6A's No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe for the Jenks/Union Tournament championship.

Carl Albert and El Reno are teams that I believe Guthrie wants to avoid in a regional, or area tournament. Granted its going to be tough no matter what team it is in a playoff setting, but those two teams I just assume be at another gym.

The jury is still out on Western Heights, Capitol Hill, and Northwest Classen. I know how good those teams are in January and early February, but I also know how good El Reno, Carl Albert, and Ardmore are in regional and area play.

Devon Hall showed how good he can be for this Jays team during the Titan Classic. His inside play can be a difference down low, but he has shown he can be consistent at times with the 15 foot shot.

Kentrell Brothers has shown that he can put points on the board when needed as he forms into basketball shape. The 26 points against Piedmont was nice, but I was more impressed with his point production against better competition.

The guard play is improving and that is what I and everyone was looking for in this squad. Tim Zupo is coming onto the scene for Coach Pete Papahronis and is a nice addition to this team.

All the tournaments are over and now we have a solid month of games left before we get out the brackets and start playing games that determine your next day.

Current 5A West Power Rankings: 1. Western Heights 2. El Reno 3. Guthrie 4. Ardmore 5. Carl Albert 6. Northwest Classen 7. Capitol Hill