TAHLEQUAH TIGERS

BOYS

Coach: Duane Jones

22-23 Record: 14-12

Duane Jones returns to coach a Tahlequah program who has had four head coaching changes since 2017. Jones, who takes over for Quinn Wooldridge following Wooldridge’s departure to take the same position at Southwestern Christian University, was previously the Tigers’ head coach from 2017-2020. The Tigers return five players that had starting roles from a state tournament team a season ago.

But they lose their biggest piece in standout forward Hayden Smith, an Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State selection that averaged better than 15 points last year. “This is a hard-working group that is very competitive. We have high expectations on the season,” Jones said. Donovan Smith (6-5, F, Sr.) will be asked to fill Hayden Smith’s role and is a VYPE Top 100 nominee. Donovan Smith averaged 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds as a junior and has seen starting roles over the previous two seasons. “[Donovan] is a very versatile player that can play in the post or on the perimeter,” Jones said. “He has a high motor and is very competitive.” Other key returnees include Brycen Smith, a 6-foot senior guard who averaged 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season, Zeke Guerrero (5-10, G, Sr.) and Cash McAlvain (6-0, G, Jr.). Guerrero averaged 5.9 points, and McAlvain averaged 7.0 points to go along with 2.5 assists. Senior forwards Cole Robertson (6-1), Avery Fields (6-3) and Gage Hodgson (6-0) will contribute, as will JJ Antwine (6-1, F, Jr.), Jordan Daughtery (5-11, G, Jr.), Noah Barrett (6-0, G, Jr.), Miquel Rodriguez (6-0, F, Jr.), Kaden Tibbets (6-0, G, Jr.), Preston Holcomb (5-11, G, Jr.) and Daniel Carey (5-10, G, So.).