The Mustang Broncos have put Class 6A on notice.
Led by a pair of All-Tournament selectees, including the Most Valuable Player, the Broncos (8-3, 3-2) reeled off three straight wins on route to capturing the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic championship last weekend.
Coach Scott Hodges’ squad showcased its potential.
The Broncos didn’t just win three games – they defeated a well-coached Marlow Outlaws squad, cruised past the defending Class 5A state champion Del City Eagles, and capped the week with a revenge win over the Putnam City North Panthers for the tourney title.
Match those three victories with a mid-December 10-point win over the Deer Creek Antlers, who ended Mustang’s 2022-23 campaign, and the Broncos have a strong four-game win streak entering the season’s second half.
“We’re just playing with a chip on our shoulder,” said junior guard Roman Miller, who was named the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic MVP after a sensational three-day performance. “We’re really trying to prove to everyone that we’re a good team.
“It started with that Deer Creek game and having it in our mind that they beat us in the last game last year. Like coach always says, we’re a team that’s only going to get better throughout the season. With more games and more reps and playing more together, we showed this is what we can do when we play at a high level.”
Miller sparked a 65-31 win over the Panthers in the championship game, recording a double-double with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. He went 8-for-17 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, and dished out three assists.
The 6-foot-4 junior also blocked two shots and finished with two steals on the defensive end.
His confidence is surging, evident as he turned to Mustang’s bench with zero doubt the three-pointer he had released over a PC North defender was going to tickle the twine.
Roman Miller (Jr.) goes up for a shot during Mustang’s 65-31 win over Putnam City North in the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic championship game on Dec. 30, 2023, at the Mustang Event Center. Miller was named the tournament MVP following the victory. (Photo by Hunter Sheppard)
“Roman is a special player, he really is,” Hodges said after the championship game. “He has struggled a little bit this season and hasn’t quite played to his potential, but the thing about him is he is a great kid and a great teammate.
“We knew he would break out. He is the complete package. He can score, defend, and rebound. I was proud of him for earning the MVP and like our team, he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Miller scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Mustang’s quarterfinals win over Marlow. He poured in 13 points with five boards against Del City in the semifinals.
Tyson Pogi, who has felt out Class 6A and varsity hoops for a month now, also showed why he is one of the top guards in the state.
The freshman point guard was selected to the All-Tournament team after averaging over 19 points per game. His three-point marksmanship was on full display, going 13-for-22 (59%) across three games, as well as his mid-range and playmaking ability.
Pogi scored 28 points while going 8-for-13 from beyond the arc against Marlow. He stayed hot with a 22-point performance against Del City, going 4-for-6 from deep, and wrapped up the tournament with nine points and four assists in the title game.
The Broncos feature a talented mix of underclassmen, including sophomore twins Jaden and Jaytee Johnson, who played well throughout the tournament.
Jaden recorded a double-double in the championship game, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 boards over 26 minutes. He also scored 12 against Del City and chipped in nine points with four rebounds and four assists against Marlow.
Jaytee, who is working his way back on the court after a collarbone injury suffered during football season, averaged over six points per game, including 11 points in 13 minutes against PC North.
Freshman Jayden Reyes, who saw real varsity action for the first time, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists, and played fabulous defense in just over 15 minutes against the Panthers.
Tyson Pogi (Fr.) was selected to the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging over 19 points per game and going 13-for-22 from three-point range. (Photo by Hunter Sheppard)
Cole Clipson, who provides the most upperclassmen minutes as a 6-foot-6 senior forward, scored 12 points throughout the tournament and provided valuable defense in the post.
“I think the potential that we have,” said Hodges when asked what stood out the most last weekend.
“We have two freshmen and two sophomores on the court. We’re not a very old or experienced team, but we can be a pretty dangerous team. When we play the right way and share the basketball and defend like we can, we’re going to be tough to beat.”
The same potential showed against Deer Creek on Dec. 15.
Miller scored 25 points with nine rebounds while Jaden Johnson scored 19 and Pogi scored 15.
“It’s just kind of coming all together,” Hodges said. “We have lost some guys the last couple of weeks and needed some guys to step up. And that’s what they’re doing. This week was a great example.
“That’s the great thing about having a team full of these guys who care about each other and do what it takes to win.”
