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High school boys preview: Players to watch

Memorial’s Cameron Downing (right) rebounds against Booker T. Washington’s Dylan Seibert during a game last season.STEPHEN HOLMAN /Tulsa World file

 
By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 11/4/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/4/2009  12:57 PM

 A look at five of the top players in the Tulsa area heading into the 2009-10 boys basketball season:

Cameron Downing

Memorial - Center

Cameron Downing has high expectations for his senior season as he looks for a second state title.

"We have the potential to be better than we were we won the state championship (in 2008)," Downing said.

Downing was a big contributor for the Chargers when they won the 6A gold ball when he was a sophomore. This season, the Chargers have moved to 5A and Downing will likely need to be an even bigger factor for Memorial to come away with the championship."

"In the past two years he's had a lot of scoring help," Memorial coach Eric Savage said. "This year he's going to need to be a little more of a scoring factor. He's in the best shape he's ever been and he's really jumping well."

Downing is especially eager for this season to start as Memorial didn't reach the state tournament last March after being ranked No. 1 for most of the year.

"That loss stuck with us all summer," said Downing, who is committed to the University of Buffalo.

Downing, a 6-9 senior, averaged 15 points, 9.4 rebounds and shot a 6A-leading 73 percent from the field for the Chargers last season. As a sophomore he also led 6A in field goal percentage, averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds, and made a last-second overtime shot in the regional final to spark Memorial's run to the gold ball.

C.J. Sidorakis

Jenks - Guard

At
first glance, it would appear that Jenks is headed for a rebuilding season after finishing as the Class 6A runner-up with a 27-2 record last season. The Trojans don't have any returning starters and only three returning players who have seen significant playing time.

However, it would be a mistake to overlook the Trojans, who will be led by C.J. Sidorakis — the brother of former Jenks all-state player Nick Sidorakis, who plays for Oklahoma State. C.J. Sidorakis is a 6-2 senior who has made some important contributions as a reserve in the last two seasons. The Trojans have made four consecutive state tournament appearances.

"I've got to be a leader," Sidorakis said. "We're young, but we should be pretty good. Last year was a lot of fun and I think we will surprise a lot of people this year, I guarantee you. I think we proved that this summer at the OSU and Tulsa team camps. A lot of people didn't think we would do anything there."

Jenks coach Clay Martin is optimistic the Trojans can again qualify for the state tournament.

"C.J., John Leonard and Tyler Ott were a part of last year's run, and they've got to come up big for us," Martin said."

Oren Faulk

Muskogee - Forward

When basketball fans talk about "The Big O" in Muskogee, they aren't referring to basketball hall-of-famer Oscar Robertson.

Muskogee's "Big O' is Oren Faulk, a 6-7 senior who helped 6A Muskogee reach the state tournament last year for the first time since 1999. Muskogee stunned defending champion Memorial to qualify for the state tournament and then reached the semifinals.

"We surprised some teams last year," Faulk said. "It was exciting to be a part of the state tournament and we want to return there."

Faulk, who had a pivotal three-point play in the quarterfinals, averaged 10.6 points and 10 rebounds per game last season.

"He's got a lot of potential," Muskogee coach Terry Scott said. "He can step out and shoot, he's a good leader and he's a good kid to coach."

Missouri State and Tulane are showing the most interest in Faulk, who has qualified academically.

Clyde Hill

Edison - Guard

Clyde Hill, 5-8 senior point guard, doesn't score many points but he made one of last season's biggest shots.

Hill's basket with 5.7 seconds left lifted Edison over top-ranked Booker T. Washington 54-53 in the 5A state semifinals as the Eagles stunned Hill's former team that had beaten them in all three previous meetings during the season.

"He's a great leader and fantastic with the ball in his hands," Edison coach Michael Parish said. "He's a good free-throw shooter, too."

Hill is looking forward to a complete season playing for the Eagles as he did not become eligible last season until mid-January after transferring. The Eagles return four of their five starters and several key reserves.

"We've got more experience and we'll be better," Hill said. "I now know what to expect from my teammates and they know what to expect from me. I expect to win every game that we play."

Clay Wilson

Lincoln Christian - Guard

During a recent practice, Lincoln Christian coach Teddy Owens learned how much stronger Clay Wilson had become during the offseason.

"We were short on our players and I was guarding him in the post," Owens said. "I'm at 200 pounds and he's pushing me around at 180."

The 6-3 Wilson averaged 20.4 points per game as he helped the Bulldogs reach the Class 2A state tournament for the first time. He also was one of the state's top free-throw shooters at 90 percent.

"I spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer," said Wilson, who added 15 pounds. "It'll help my game a lot. I knew I needed to get stronger because I was wearing late last season."

Wilson's summer included attending Clemson's camp as one of 30 invited players. His favorite player is Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash.

"I look up to him because he never quits and he's creative with the ball," Wilson said.

Wilson, the Bulldogs' only returning starter, averaged 25 points over the first 19 games last season before some injured starting players returned to the lineup.
By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer

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