OKC Storm claims the 6A Gold Ball

My game report of OKC's blowout win Tuesday was uninspired.  It was difficult to give the guys a proper review with clips from a game in which the nation's best homeschool team led 64-24 at halftime.  But I did write in that post that the Storm is the best high school team (along with one other) of any type I've seen in recent memory.

This statement caused a high school coaching friend back home (after he watched the highlights from Tuesday's game) to doubt my judgement.  I guess he wasn't so impressed.  Well if he is not impressed after seeing OKC's performance in Wednesday's gold ball game blowout win over one of homeschool's finest program's, Dallas HSAA, we will just have to agree to disagree.

In the highlights above, you'll see a well oiled machine.  I don't know where to start.  So I'll start on the perimeter, where 6'4" guard BJ Maxwell plays.  Maxwell has a sweet shooting stroke, and he handles the ball like a point guard.  He is fluid in attacking the basket and either finishing at the rim or in the mid range.  And the fact that he routinely drops floaters and runners over defenders setting up to take the charge or challenge him at the rim makes his package complete.

Kole Talbott, who is one of the fiercest competitors I've seen, is a 6'3" guard who handles and passes the ball extremely well and knocks down long range jump shots.  Talbott, guard Wyatt Dressler and power forward Mark Malone have played together since they were twelve.  These three have been the heart and soul of OKC's squad for years.  And they have established a wonderful culture for winning and excellence.

I haven't mentioned Jalone Friday, the 6'7" Bowling Green bound forward with solid footwork and post moves, and the ability to shoot from deep better than most guards.  Or 6'7" Tevin Townsend, whose athleticism and skill allow him to punish teams in the open court and on the boards.  And he guards opponents of all sizes and positions.

The OKC Storm is a truly impressive basketball program.  It will not be soon that another one comes along like it.