OKMULGEE BULLDOGS
COACH: Cordell Love, Sr.
Record: 12-12
OUTLOOK
With a deep roster and a large group of returners, the Okmulgee Bulldogs enter the new season with confidence and elevated expectations under head coach Cordell Love, Sr. Now in his fourth year leading the program, Love believes experience, quickness, and defensive identity will shape the Bulldogs’ success. “This year, we have an upperclassmen team. I have around 8–10 kids coming back from last year. Out of those 8–10, we have maybe 7–8 that was getting plenty of playing time,” Love said. The stability of that returning core gives Okmulgee a strong foundation to build upon.
The Bulldogs boast a talented backcourt led by Javin Hutchinson (5-7, Sr., 10 ppg) and Larry Yahola (5-7, Sr., 10 ppg)—both Top 100 nominees who bring speed, scoring, and senior experience. Alongside them is fellow nominee Keonte Youngblood (5-6, Sr., 7 ppg), whose toughness and motor make him an impactful two-way guard. Issac Brand (5-8, Jr., 10 ppg) is another key playmaker and Top 100 selection who gives the Bulldogs a dynamic ballhandler capable of pushing the pace.
Okmulgee’s guard depth continues with Chase Spain (5-6, Sr., 5 ppg), Kingston Butler (5-8, Sr., 3 ppg), and Nolan Yates (5-9, Jr.), all of whom bring quickness and intensity on both ends.
Inside, the Bulldogs feature a strong frontcourt anchored by Jemaar Penn (6-5, So., 10 ppg). His size and skill give Okmulgee a true interior presence. Joining him is Marcus Jefferies (6-2, Sr., 4 ppg), along with Preston Powell (6-3, Sr., 4 ppg) and Mathias Wilson (5-11, Sr.), providing depth, rebounding, and physicality in the paint.
Love emphasizes that defense will define this group. “We are very quick this year with a couple of decent big guys to go along with. We will get up and down the floor with a lot of intensity pressing,” he said. “We will bank our season off defense this year like normally…”
With many seniors, multiple high-caliber players, and a coach committed to high-energy, defensive basketball, the Bulldogs enter the 2025–26 season ready to take a major step forward—driven by experience, toughness, and a relentless pace.
