MCALESTER BUFFALOES
COACH: Lou Dawkins
Record: 12-12
OUTLOOK
The McAlester Buffaloes enter the 2025-26 season with high expectations under first-year head coach Lou Dawkins, who brings a wealth of experience and a winning mindset to the program. After a .500 campaign last year, Dawkins believes this young, talented group has what it takes to turn heads across Class 5A.
“We will be one of the biggest surprises in the state,” said Dawkins. “We will be very young but talented. It will be a learning experience early on, but as the year passes, the early game experience will get us prepared to make a run in the playoffs.”
Leading the charge for McAlester is sophomore Rodney Washington (6-2, SG), who returns after averaging 24 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals per game. Washington is already on the radar of multiple Division I programs. “Rodney is one of the most dynamic players that I have ever coached in high school or college,” Dawkins said. “Our job will be to make him into a complete basketball player—reading his defender, posting up, becoming a consistent three-point shooter, raising his free throw percentage, and being a tenacious on-ball defender. He had a tremendous summer on the Nike EYBL, leading the 15U division in scoring at 25 points per game.”
Joining Washington are returning starters Brandon Smith (5-10, Jr., PG), Devion Bickham (6-5, Jr., PG), and Davien Pouncil (6-4, Jr., SG), all key pieces in McAlester’s experienced backcourt and frontcourt rotation. Smith averaged 16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals, providing stability at the point, while Bickham added 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per contest. Pouncil, who also returns after posting 9 points and 7 rebounds, has earned praise from Dawkins for both his play and leadership. “Davien is probably one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” said Dawkins. “He’s a big shooting guard that can play inside and out and handle the ball in the open court. He has great vision and awareness, and in the classroom, he carries a 3.8 GPA. Teachers and peers love him.”
Another name to watch is sophomore Cayven Hill (6-7, PF/C), a rising underclassman already attracting college attention. “Cayven is a long 6-7 wing who can shoot the midrange and three, beat his defender off the dribble, and defend both the post and perimeter,” said Dawkins. “He already has a junior college offer from Redlands and strong interest from TCU.”
With Washington’s elite scoring, Smith’s leadership, and the size and versatility of Hill, Bickham, and Pouncil, the Buffaloes are poised to surprise opponents across Oklahoma.
