22 things to look forward to in 2022 for OK HS Sports

The start of a new year brings more opportunities for broken records, lifetime achievements and more.

Here are 22 things The Oklahoman’s staff is looking forward to in high school sports for 2022:

1. Bixby’s jump to 6A-I. The Spartans are on a 49-game win streak heading into reclassification, which puts Bixby in 6A-I for the first time. Can the winning ways continue?

2. 6A-5A basketball’s move to Lloyd Noble Center. For the first time in more than a decade, the Class 6A-5A basketball state tournament won’t be in Tulsa. Instead, OU’s Lloyd Noble Center will host the state’s best big-school basketball teams.

3. The Oklahoman’s 2023 Super 30. Summer will be here soon, which means another chance to feature Oklahoma’s best high school football players in the Class of 2023.

4. Can Ryder Cowan continue dominance? The junior golfer at Oklahoma Christian School has finished in the top five of every high school event in his first two years. He won six times as a sophomore.

5. Narissa Fults in Year No. 2. Norman North’s dynamic forward netted 21 goals and had 11 assists as a freshman. She even scored the game-winning goal in the state championship game last May.

6. David Castillo continues to rise. Bartlesville’s sophomore guard played on the U16 Team USA basketball squad late last summer and may be Oklahoma’s best basketball prospect. His next task? Leading the Bruins into the state tournament.

7. Class 5A football loaded at running back. With Grove moving to Class 5A, three of Oklahoma’s best running backs will be in Class 5A: Grove’s Emmanuel Crawford, McAlester’s Erik McCarty and McGuinness’ Michael Taffe.

8. Can Carl Albert football get back on top? For the first time since 2015, Carl Albert didn’t win a football state championship last fall. The Titans return a lot of experience this year, including senior quarterback Reed DeQuasie, but rivals Del City, Midwest City, defending state runner-up McAlester and others are waiting to stake their claim on top.

9. Who are the favorites in 6A-II football? Now that Bixby is in the top classification, 6A-II is up for grabs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington, Choctaw and Stillwater all return strong teams, but others are ready for their turn in the spotlight.

10. Jacobe Johnson’s options. The junior at Mustang is one of the best two-sport stars in the state. He has numerous Power-5 offers in football and basketball, including from OU and Oklahoma State. Following his year should be fascinating.

11. Will the basketball state tournament schedule change? Last season, the 4A-B state tournaments started on Tuesday and lasted until Saturday. There has been talk of keeping the tournament five days instead of three, but nothing is set in stone.

12. Will Tuttle wrestling extend streaks? The 4A Tigers have records for most consecutive state tournament (13) and dual state (12) victories. They have another loaded team and will try to remain the best in 4A.

13. Piper McNeil eyes more state titles. The Shawnee junior is arguably the state’s best swimmer and has claimed seven championships – four individual and three relay races – since her freshman year. The Wolves have competed in 6A but moved down and will be one of the favorites in 5A with McNeil leading the way.

14. Who will become the state’s best female cross country runner? Broken Arrow’s Payton Hinkle won her third consecutive 6A state title last fall as she capped her high school career. With Hinkle out of the picture, who will replace her as the state’s best? Among those who have a good shot are Edmond North’s Liesel Kehoe and Deer Creek’s Tabitha Fox.

15. Will Madi Surber shatter more track records? The Tuttle senior broke the state record in the 300 hurdles last year and also set a 4A state meet record in the 100 hurdles. The Oklahoma State signee will try to build from her junior season and put up even faster times in her final year with the Tigers.

16. Will Washington football get over the hump? The Warriors have lost in the past two Class 2A football state title games but will have another talented squad. Will they make the jump and claim their second championship in school history?

17. Community Christian volleyball eyes another title. The Royals have claimed two straight 3A state championships. With star Landry Braziel returning for her junior year, the Royals will attempt to make another deep run and get their fifth crown since 2015.

18. Second officially sanctioned girls wrestling state tournament to be held this year. Girls wrestling continues to gain popularity, and the state will have its second official girls state tournament on Feb. 25-26.

19. Can Southmoore softball 3-peat? Southmoore won the 2020 Class 6A title in dramatic fashion, winning in the final inning of each state tournament game. In 2021 with an experienced team, the SaberCats won handily. But with key players graduating in 2022, can Southmoore do it again?

20. Will another girls basketball team go undefeated? Norman put together an impressive 19-0 season en route to the 2021 Class 6A state championship. Now with more talent growing across the state, will another team such as Edmond North, Choctaw, Carl Albert or many others be able to achieve perfection?

21. Who will be the state’s best baseball player? Heritage Hall’s Jackson Jobe ran away with the unofficial title last year, becoming the third pick in the MLB Draft. Now, who will step into his place? Owasso’s Brennan Phillips, Fort Cobb-Broxton’s Jaxon Willits or a breakout season from a newcomer could have the answer.

22. The star-studded talent in girls basketball. Oklahoma high school girls basketball is filled with talent this year with athletes such as Classen SAS’ Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Tuttle’s Landry Allen, and Edmond North’s Laci Steele. But those three are just a small glimpse of the talent in the state. Five underclassmen, four of whom are in their first season, are already nationally ranked by ESPN. With so much talent, it’ll be fun to see how the season plays out.