Border War 2022: Day One Oklahoma Standouts
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The Border War kicked off today at the Springdale Rec Center and the gym was jumping from 8 am until well after the sun went down. There was plenty of talent on display from all age groups and every state…
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Continue ReadingThe Border War kicked off today at the Springdale Rec Center and the gym was jumping from 8 am until well after the sun went down. There was plenty of talent on display from all age groups and every state bordering “The Natural State,” but for now we’re going to focus on the Oklahoma players; mainly because PGH had scouts from other states there, also. Take a look at the players who really caught this scout’s eye on the first day of the Border War!
Madison Carter Madison Carter 5'8" | CG Wright City | 2024 State OK | 5-8 CG | Fusion 2024 / Wright City | 2024 | @madisoncarter05
Possibly the best passer I saw out there today, Carter was whipping one-handed passes, chest passes, football passes, any pass you want, she was slinging them all over the court. She showed outstanding vision and with her size and length, it is clear that the D-II coaches in attendance were looking at a guard who is going to play for one of them in the future. She can shoot it from deep and showed a sweet touch from midrange. Madison is a very good defender and has a high basketball IQ. Her Fusion squad is very, very good and she is a big part of what they do on both ends of the floor.
Reagan Bowling | 6-0 F | Fusion 2026 / Morris | 2026 | @bowling_reagan
Bowling is a very young, very good post player who does so many things well that I had to keep checking the roster over and over to make sure she was actually a 2026 and that I hadn’t read that wrong. She is a very good rebounder who does a tremendous job of searching out a body when the shot goes up and comes down with A TON of rebounds because of it. She has a plethora of post moves, she can step out and drain it from deep and can make just about any pass that would be expected of most guards. Reagan didn’t back down on defense against even the biggest opposing posts and more than held her own. Another great young star for Oklahoma Fusion!
Mataya Hall Mataya Hall 5'9" | CG Tulsa Memorial | 2025 State OK | 5-8 CG | Swift 2024 / Sapulpa | 2025 | @HallMataya
Hall is one of several 2025’s on this 2024 Swift squad that plays far beyond her years. It would be very easy to be overshadowed on this team loaded with talent, but Mataya is sure to be seen due to her tremendous heart and hustle. She goes hard from tip-off to the final horn and she does all of the little things that make a team a winner. When she sees a teammate step out and go for a steal, she jumps over to help pick her up on defense. She pops out of nowhere to gather rebounds that seemed certain to go to the other team. Hall is the glue that holds this very good Swift squad together and it is great to see a team – and young player – so dedicated to doing all of the little things to win games.
Kianna Littlebear | 5-7 G | PWP 2027 / Sapulpa | 2027 | @Ki_Littlebear
You do not see many point guards with this level of poise, let alone a 2027 point guard. Littlebear is on a whole other level when it comes to game management. She doesn’t let the defense speed her up. She dictates how the offense is going to run. She is in charge. She is smart, smooth, and confident. She has incredible handles and is extremely unselfish when it comes to distributing the ball on the offensive end. Honestly, she may be too unselfish at times. She showed the ability to shoot it and passed up some very good looks to set up her teammates instead. But, that will come with time. I mean, it’s a good problem to have. Sapulpa and PWP will be happy either way.
Nellie Simmons Nellie Simmons 6'0" | C Will Roger College | 2024 State OK | 6-1 F | Team Griffin 2024 / Will Rogers | 2024 | Hudl
Nellie was a revelation today. I had seen her back during the very first game of the season for Will Rogers and from then to now was a drastic change – for the good. She is getting up and down the court better. Her footwork in the post is unbelievable. She is moving better laterally on the defensive end and has become a real force in the paint. Her rebounding is very, very good. She is getting up and making the ball hers. One of the most exciting players that I saw today was Nellie Simmons Nellie Simmons 6'0" | C Will Roger College | 2024 State OK and I was so excited to get back to the hotel and let everyone know via this article. Heading into her junior year, she is going to be a legitimate gamechanger in high school and I can’t wait to see it!