The Surprise Team of the Class A Playoffs
No team in the state of Oklahoma has had a playoff run quite like the Turpin Cardinals (23-2) have so far in 2022. On Friday (or maybe Saturday after yet another ice storm) they will take on No. 13 Garber (22-3) in Enid at the Stride Bank Center, but in order to get there, the “Cardiac Cardinals” have done some amazing things. The only unranked team (and don’t ask me why they are unranked with a record like that and not having lost a game to an opponent in their own class) to have progressed to the Area Championship, the Cardinals needed five overtimes to dispatch No. 12 Arapaho-Butler (20-5) on Monday evening, 78-71. But, as we all know, this time of year is all about surviving and advancing and Head Coach Travis Smalts has his senior-laden squad doing just that. Now, let’s take a look at this stellar team and the players who have this machine rolling at just the right time.
Lizzete Aquino | 5-7 F | 2022 | @Lizzeteaquino
Aquino is a do-it-all, small school forward who can go inside and outside. She can shoot it from long range, as well as scoring with good post moves down low. Where she really stands out on the tape that I saw is in her tenacious defense. She flashes into the play any time there is a slightly slow pass to be snagged and is quick back to the other end of the court to finish strong in transition. Lizzete is quick in a set offense and very fast in the open court. Her shot is smooth with a quick release. She is a college prospect and uncommitted. If you’re looking for a combo guard/forward who can very much do it all, you’re going to want to catch the Cardinals over the course of the last few games.
Calli Jones | 5-7 G/F | 2022 | Hudl
This lefty shooter can absolutely light it up from long range. Not only can she fill it up, but she does at the most crucial times. A flare for the dramatic is exactly what her team needed in their five overtime game against Arapaho-Butler as it seemed Calli knew exactly when her team needed a dagger three and did not miss. She also works her butt off on defense, which seems to be a trend on this outstanding squad. She shows a midrange jumper and can finish at the rim through contact. Basically, if you give her an inch, she is going to score.
Ginna Buller | 5-7 F | 2022 | Hudl
Buller is a very strong, small school post who works hard all game long. Watching some game footage will leave you thinking she actually spends half of the game on the floor. She is a loose ball hunter and clearly has the “want it” that a team needs to make it this far into the playoffs. Ginna’s calling card is most definitely her post defense. She may not have the dramatic shot swatting ability of a 6-1 forward who can jump out of the gym, but she is a problem for scorers in the paint. She has quick hands and knocks the ball loose as her opponent tries to finish at the rim at an incredible rate.
Riley Lehnert | 5-8 CG | 2022 | Hudl
Now, this kid is a flat-out baller. A guard with very good size, she has handles, speed and a very pretty shot from long range with a nice, high, “hand in the cookie jar” finish. Riley is very, very quick – especially on the defensive end. She flashes into the play from a position that the in-bound passer didn’t anticipate and next thing you know she is off to the races to finish with a left hand at the rim. She is a smart player who seems to always be in the right place at the right time and does all of the little things. A huge part of the Cardinals run has been the work ethic of Riley Lehnert.
Allison Weber | 5-9 F | 2022 | Hudl
Weber is a very tall, very long forward who works hard inside and blocks a lot of shots. She also racks up the steals with a very high basketball IQ. You can see her in video after video reading the play and stepping into the passing lane a split second before the pass is made. She is very impressive. In other videos, you will see her get hot from long range with a quick stroke, high release and the ability to hit from all over the place. She receives the ball in a great position to get the shot off and doesn’t miss too often. Weber is a great all-around player and you’re definitely going to want to see her in person.
Abby Buller | 5-9 F | 2024 | Hudl
The “sixth woman” and a player who played a huge role in the five overtime game on Monday is Abby Buller. Clearly she has great size for a small school forward, but her ability to stretch the floor is really what stands out. She can step out and hit the three and against some of the Class A schools in Oklahoma, that can be a difference maker as the “bigs” for the other schools are not able to get out and get a hand up in time to stop her. Buller is quick on defense and almost won the game at the buzzer of one of the overtimes with a very quick steal and lay-up that barely missed. No matter how this fantastic run ends up, it is good to know that the “Cardiac Cardinals” are in good hands for years to come.