Battle in the Big Friendly: Power Players

<div> This weekend I was in Oklahoma City, OK at “Battle in the Big Friendly” and there was so much talent in the building. I enjoy seeing good teams compete against one another in the name of basketball. I would like to highlight the “Power Players”. Power players are essential to a successful team. They are the glue that keeps things together and a without them there is no win. <strong>Hianhni Howard | 5’11 / F | Stigler HS | EYG 2024</strong> Hianhni is a Blue-collar type of player that will roll up her sleeves and get to work. She works hard down low and is always ready to make things happen towards the basket. She brings instant energy and is a high IQ player. I like that she is crafty with the ball, is a great finisher, and a good rim protector. Hianhni plays the game the right way and is a great asset to the EYG Basketball team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197963" first="Meredith" last="Mayes"] | 6-2 / F | Bixby HS | Team Griffin Elite 2023 Wernli</strong> Meredith is a presence you notice immediately. Her size and length alone allow her to dominate in the paint on both ends of the floor. One thing that doesn’t get preached enough is Meredith’s versatility, she can guard all positions. She has exceptional hands and feet at the forward position that allows her to make a huge impact for her team. She is committed to Abilene Christian University and when I say they are getting a good one, it is an understatement. I look forward to watch her dominate her senior season at Bixby High School this upcoming season. <strong>Avery Oder | 5-9 / F | Collinsville MS | Tulsa Lady Hawks 2026</strong> Avery is a player that will do everything on the court to help her team win. She fights down low for great post position and finishes well in the paint in multiple ways. She runs the floor with the best of them and has a mid-range shot that is consistent and effective. I enjoy watching Avery go to work, she has a bright future if she continues to develop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="261745" first="Mackenzie" last="Forgione"] | 6-1 / F | Jenks HS | Team Griffin Select 2023 Cobbins</strong> Mackenzie is a solid player that has the ability to dominate against the majority of players at the 6A level in Oklahoma. The times I saw her used her body it wasn’t even close. She is a match up problem. How do you guard her? When teams played behind her she backed them down and went to work. When teams fronted her, she worked them up and had the ability to catch and score the ball despite the weak side defender coming. What impressed me about Mackenzie was two straight possessions she caught the ball on the block and hit a turn-around fader toward the baseline; one over the right shoulder and the next over the left shoulder. That is tough! But she made it look easy. <strong>Kaylee Ward | 6-3 / C | Mansfield HS | Shock 2025 Diaz | 2026</strong> Kaylee is a coach’s dream! Her long 6’3” frame gives her the ability to do damage on the court. She towers over everyone but she is willing to work down low for the ball. When she catches it, she makes it a point to power up every time with her effective 1-dribble drop step. She is playing up a grade but the physicality didn’t seem to bother her. If she continues to develop it is scary to see what her potential will be. <strong>Kyiah Prestridge | 6-0 / F | Moore Central MS | Team Trae Young 16U | 2026</strong> Kyiah is a versatile player that can do it all. She is great in the high post but can bring the ball down and run the offense. She is strong with the ball and does great using her body to finish. She can rebound and push the fast break and is a willing passer. She has quick hands and feet and is a disciplined rim protector. She can give you production in the paint and can stretch the floor and knock down the outside shot. Kyiah has a lot of upsides to her game and with her playing two grades up she is holding her own pretty well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197943" first="Alyssa" last="Nielsen"] | 6-0 / F | Bixby HS | Team Griffin Elite 2023 Wernli </strong> Alyssa is a player that can give you production in multiple areas on the floor. When she goes to work, there are not many that can stop her. She runs the floor very well and is smooth with her finishes at the rim. Her patent turn-around jumper is something you don’t see much in the women’s game but she has it down to a science. The secret to her game is her willingness to sacrifice her body and take a charge. Taking charges energizes her game and definitely helps her team. Her outside shooting is under-rated and her mid-range game is unstoppable. </div>