High School
Battle tested Rams look for return to Class 6A crown
AREA TOURNAMENT: Owasso vs. Sand Springs
TIME: Friday, 6:00 PM – Shawnee High School
BROADCAST: KYFM 100.1 FM (Click Here To Listen)
OWASSO – For Owasso Rams Head Coach Brian Montonati, the 2024-2025 basketball season has been one that he won’t soon forget.
From traveling to the celebrity laden City of Palms tournament in Florida, winning Oklahoma’s the Tournament of Champions at the BOK Center in Tulsa, the team has played some of the most competitive teams in the country, facing off with talent that will likely play in the NBA. It is a situation that has prepared them well for a trip to the Class 6A State Tournament next week, provided that they can win the games they need to at area play in Shawnee this weekend.
“We’ve been, we’ve been kind of all over the place, Tennessee, Florida, Dallas, and then obviously, you know, the district play here in Oklahoma,” Montonati recalled. “It’s been a really good year for our young men.”
To this point in the postseason, Owasso sailed through district play, only losing once to district rival Union in a 54-49 affair on February 6th. When the Redhawks came to the O-Rena in the regular season finale, the Rams roared back with a vengeance, dominating the second meeting with a 27 point victory. Heading into area tournament play on Friday, Owasso posts a 23-4 record, with three of those losses coming in early season tournaments.
The guys making it happen? In addition to Montonati’s son Jalen, the Rams boast a powerful starting lineup.
Owasso’s backcourt is led by junior Kobe Freeman, a quick and skilled shooter who also excels as a playmaker. His coach emphasized Freeman’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
“He’s a very, very underrated passer,” Montonati said. “He’s got next-level passing ability.”
Joining him in the backcourt is fellow junior Boden Williams, a two-way standout who makes an impact on both ends of the floor.
“He’s probably one of the more underrated kids, not only in our state but in the country,” Montonati noted. “He plays at a really high level, is a tough defender, deceptively athletic, shoots it well, and is very unselfish. He’s a kid that will do anything to help us win.”
Adding a physical presence to the lineup is senior Julius Wilson, a multi-sport athlete who also played wide receiver for Owasso’s football team.
“He’s one of those guys that brings toughness to our team from the gridiron,” Montonati said.
Inside, 6-foot-11 senior Jax Kerr anchors the paint. The Saint Louis commit has dominated throughout the season, making a major impact on both ends of the floor.
“He’s had a heck of a senior year so far,” Montonati said. “He’s been really dominant, averaging pretty close to a double-double and about three blocks a game.”
As for the chance to coach his son, Montonati said this season
“We’ve got Jalen—he’s still here and only a junior—but he’s really a scorer. His game is evolving, and he’s gotten a lot stronger. He’s no longer just a shooter; he has a well-rounded offensive game. He can score at all three levels, and defensively, his length really bothers opponents.” Montonati said. “As a dad, this is a really special time for us,” he said. “It’s crazy to think he’s already at the end of his junior year. Honestly, I consider him an early senior, which is hard to believe.“
Balancing the roles of coach and father, Montonati makes a conscious effort to separate the two.
“When we’re on the court, I’m his coach, not his dad,” he said. “But I’m really proud of him. He works incredibly hard, and I’m trying to slow down and enjoy this journey with him.”
Previewing Sand Springs
Owasso will face a tough test in Sand Springs (20-4), a battle-tested team fresh off a dominant 100-41 regional tournament win over Ponca City and a 61-53 regional championship victory over Westmoore.
Montonati recognizes the challenge ahead, emphasizing Sand Springs’ disciplined style of play.
“They control the ball and like to play at a slower, more methodical pace,” Montonati said. “They’re a senior-heavy team with a lot of experience, and they’re going to bring toughness on both ends of the floor.”
Defensively, Sand Springs presents a unique challenge with a variety of schemes.
“They defend like crazy and will throw multiple looks at us—everything from a triangle-and-two to a half-court trap, a 2-3 zone, and a 1-2-2 press,” Montonati said. “They’re going to try to slow the game down and keep us from getting out in transition.”
Class 6A
PC North 49, Broken Arrow 52
Union 41, Norman 39
Deer Creek 53, Owasso 51
Westmoore 48, Moore 52
Union 45, Norman 46
Mustang 63, Bixby 47
Sapulpa 49, PC North 74
Ed Memorial 54, Broken Arrow 72
TULSA – As the organizer of the state’s largest holiday tournament, and an all-around basketball guy, Tulsa Public Schools Athletic Director Mick Wilson couldn’t be happier with the fact that his participants are continuing a tradition of postseason success.
Comparing the TOC’s brackets from earlier in the year to the brackets coming from The Big House in Oklahoma City, it is many of the very same programs.
In girls’ action, Class B Hammon won the state tournament in their division on Saturday. In Class 6A, Broken Arrow and Edmond Memorial made the cut while Class 5A is seeing Booker T. Washington as a favorite to win it all. In Class 4A, Fort Gibson and Lincoln Christian are seeking the crown. The Dale Pirates won the championship in Class 2A, while in Class A, Quinton exited in the first round.
The boys side doesn’t feel much different. Owasso is the early favorite in Class 6A action after winning the Tournament of Champions in December. Booker T. Washington and Weatherford are there, along with Crossings Christian and Millwood. In the smaller classifications, Wilson made their appearance while Okay ended up making it to the finals eventually falling to Okarche.
Whether you watched the games live on television, or could feel the electricity in person at the BOK Center, the high stakes games are a feeling that can’t be replicated anywhere else – except maybe the state championship.
Wilson says the Weatherford Eagles are a great example of a team that showcased their talents in Tulsa at Christmas, and now have a chance to win it all.
“Back at the tournament, Weatherford was the one team in the state that gave Owasso a really good game,” Wilson noted during a halftime interview with T-Town Sports last week. “They are a phenomenal team and Derek Bull is a fantastic coach.”
It would be the Millwood Falcons however that played Owasso in the finals of the Tournament of Champions. They’ll open their state tournament run Thursday morning at the Big House, while Owasso is in action tonight.
Regardless, as he finalizes invitations for next year’s event, Wilson is hopeful that his annual event will continue to be a predictor of postseason success for decades to come.
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