Stock Risers: Union vs. Edmond North
The third-place game in the Jenks/Union Invitational was a defensive battle from the tip. When the smoke cleared, Union was victorious by a final score of 57-49. Edmond North’s defense had the home team on the ropes in the first…
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Continue ReadingThe third-place game in the Jenks/Union Invitational was a defensive battle from the tip. When the smoke cleared, Union was victorious by a final score of 57-49. Edmond North’s defense had the home team on the ropes in the first half. Some offensive scheming and an outstanding effort from sophomore Takayla Pitts proved to be the difference-maker. Union outscored Edmond North by 10 in the second half to secure third place in the tournament.
1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | ||
Union | 7 | 8 | 15 | 27 | 57 |
Edmond North | 13 | 4 | 12 | 20 | 49 |
Individual Scoring
Union: Takayla Pitts – 23, Sydni Smith – 12, Jayla Burgess – 9, Kaylen Nelson – 5, Darian Carr – 4, Makenzie Malham – 2
Edmond North: Graycen Holden – 17, Toni Papahronis – 12, Laci Steele – 8, Amaia Maxwell – 7, Akajia Handsom – 2, Elle Papahronis – 2
Stock Risers
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Takayla Pitts | 6-0 G/F | Union
Earlier in the tournament Union head coach Joe Redmond said that T.K. Pitts was an outstanding scorer and just had not got the chance to show it yet. After her 23 point outburst in the third-place game, Redmond added that she can be a little streaky, but when she does score it is a sight to behold. Today, the streak was a good one. Pitts is tall and lanky and uses her length very well on both ends of the court. Add in the fact that she has a great scoring touch in the lane and it is no wonder that Pitts’s stock is rapidly rising. The sophomore has already taken unofficial visits with hometown teams Tulsa and Oral Roberts, as well as Oklahoma State and a few Texas schools. As she consistently develops with age, expect Pitts to take many more visits and receive plenty of attention from Division-I schools.
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)
Graycen Holden | 6-1 C | Edmond North
Not many rosters list a player as a center these days, but Edmond North’s roster lists Holden as their only true center; it makes complete sense when you watch her play. Holden is an inside presence with a very strong body and advanced post moves. She comes off the screen very well with quick feet and finds herself open more often than not. Defensively, Holden is a bruiser and did an admirable job helping to contain Union’s two dominant inside players in Jayla Burgess (9 points) and Sydni Smith (12 points).
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)
Toni Papahronis | 6-0 G | Edmond North
Papahronis has a drive that is evident from the outset of the game. Her will to make every possession an absolute challenge for the ball handler is mesmerizing. She appears to be a little streaky shooting the ball and could definitely stand to make the extra pass instead of the contested shot occasionally, but that should come with time. Papahronis is a sophomore and is playing big minutes for a very talented team. Her size helps immensely in closing off passing lanes for the opposing point guard. But her 12 points kept Edmond North in the game as well. With time, expect Papahronis to become a true force in Oklahoma 6A hoops.