2020-21 Season Preview – Norman Tigers

<strong>Norman High Tigers - 6A - Norman, Oklahoma - Head Coach: Michael Neal</strong> <strong>2019 Record:</strong> 24-1 <strong>Players Lost:</strong> <strong>Bradyn Brown</strong> (5-10 F) - Coffeyville Community College, <strong>Rylan Flecker</strong> (5-4 SG) <strong>Players Gained:</strong> <strong>Zya Vann</strong> (5-8 CG) <strong>Players Returning: [player_tooltip player_id="30543" first="Chantae" last="Embry"]</strong> (No. 2-2021 - 6-1 PF - 16.8 PPG - Committed: Texas Tech), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30552" first="Kelbie" last="Washington"]</strong> (No. 5-2021 - 5-6 PG - 15.3 PPG - Committed: Oklahoma), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160440" first="Mikayla" last="Parks"]</strong> (No. 5-2022 - 5-8 SG - 10.3 PPG - Committed: Kansas State), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160437" first="Myka" last="Perry"]</strong> (No. 3-2022 - 5-10 CG - 10 PPG - Committed: Florida), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197945" first="Aaliyah" last="Henderson"]</strong> (No. 5-2023 - 5-8 PG - 9.8 PPG - Uncommitted) <strong>Outlook:</strong> Geez, what can you even say about this team? Four D-I committed players, a returning sophomore with D-I talent and a freshman who just received her first D-I offer. They basically didn’t lose any starters from a one loss team. Unbelievable, really. Almost unheard of. It almost leaves you wondering how this team could lose? Well, in the world of Covid, I guess anything could happen. But, this team is loaded for a run at another championship after being stopped short last season because of the pandemic. Anything other than an undefeated season could be a disappointment given the level of talent that the Tigers have. They will be extremely exciting to watch. <strong>Games to Watch:</strong> <strong>Dec. 30</strong> - Tournament of Champions (Tulsa) - We don’t have the brackets for the TofC yet, but Norman and Classen SAS (4A) are both scheduled to be there. Assuming they meet in the championship, it could be one of the biggest games of the 2020-21 season in Oklahoma Girls’ High School Basketball. Classen SAS finished last season with a 22-3 record, having lost only once to an Oklahoma team (Millwood). The Tigers and the Comets were probably the two best teams in the state last season. <strong>Jan. 5</strong> - Deer Creek (6A) - Norman will look to avenge their only loss from last season when they meet up at home with Deer Creek who finished the season with a 22-3 record. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="53096" first="Skylar" last="Vann"]</strong>, the No. 7 player in last year’s class, scored 27 points to lead the Antlers to the biggest win of their season. Now, Vann is gone and Norman is the one with a Vann, freshman <strong>Zya</strong>. Coming off of the Tournament of Champions, Norman could be motivated and confident - or will they be worn out from such a competitive schedule? <strong>Jan. 23</strong> - Deer Creek Tournament (Edmond) - Tournaments don’t always shake out the way the pundits think they will, but there is a good chance that Norman could once again meet up with Deer Creek in the Saturday finale of the Antlers’ home tournament. Despite having lost <strong>Bri Scott</strong>, the No. 15 player in the class of 2020, the Antlers still have her younger sister <strong>Angel</strong> who - like her sister - is committed to Stephen F. Austin University. Last season Angel averaged 14 PPG and will be called upon to lead her team this year. &nbsp;