Bubba Davis went to his spot in the corner. Time was winding down, game tied. State title on the line. Ricky Hunt Jr. drove to his right. And just like in the dreams of millions before and after; shot goes up, buzzer goes off, and ball rips through the net. Millwood Falcons 53 Community Christian Royals 50. State Champs. It was the 16th state championship for Oklahoma Hoops powerhouse Millwood.

“That felt great,” said head coach Michael Jeffries. “It was an emotional year, we were able to find an amazing chemistry toward the end of the season.”

Jeffries was able to construct that chemistry by using a platoon system. Five players started the game, five more came in about half-way through the first quarter, including freshman star Jaden Nickens and Davis.

“Jaden was able to find chemistry with that group coming off the bench, it allowed us to have incredible competition in practice.”

Jeffries refers to this year’s senior class as his babies. He took over when Ricky Hunt Jr, Camarion Cudjoe and William Mays were in the sixth grade. That trio along with Carlos Strong are seniors and ready to defend their state championship. It was the first state title for Jeffries, who replaced the man who had coached every othe Millwood team since the school began playing basketball in 1972, Varryl Franklin.

There have been a few additions to the roster from a year ago. Junior Xon Williams is a super quick guard moving in from Edmond Memorial and sophomore Zyhir Fisher has loads of potential after seeing action at Northwest Classen. Cudjoe returned to the fold after spending a year at Santa Fe.

That trio joins an experienced group of returning players. Hunt doubles as a Division-I football recruit at running back and is the floor general for the Falcons. Mays is the defensive stalwart of the group and averaged 7 points per game along with Carlos Strong’s six points per contest. Nickens, now just a sophomore, earned national acclaim even back to younger days for his incredible basketball skill. And after just one year with the Falcons football team, has Power 5 coaches trying to pry him away for a future on the gridiron. Robert Wilson and freshman Khristopher Clay will both see extensive action as a part of another deep Falcons team.

Multiple sport participation has left the gym a little empty in the offseason. With six players out for a football program that expects to be playing well into December, chemistry might take a little while to come together.

The Falcons may take some lumps early against an always tough schedule
featuring the likes of OKC public school foes and Heritage Hall. Don’t read into a few puzzling early season scores.

Count on Millwood to be back in March in hot pursuit of its 17th state title.