3 Key Matchups and Featured Players January 3, 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A look at 3 Key matchups to start of the New Year. These 3 caught my eye for several reasons: Rankings, Talent Level or just plain old rivalry. There were 2 other games that I considered but I am more familiar with the OKC area. If in the OKC area check these games out. As team's head into January every game matters regarding placing yourself in rankings for playoffs. So good luck to all teams</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Choctaw @ Putnam City West</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Choctaw 8-1 Ranked #4 Class 6A: </strong>Choctaw looks to return to the court after suffering their first lost of the season to #3 Ranked Edmond Memorial. Lady Jackets got behind early before finding their shots in the second half of the Championship game. This Choctaw team can shoot the 3 and is well disciplined to run their offense til they get the shot they want. <strong>Choctaw Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197977' first='Raven' last='Jackson'] [player_tooltip player_id='480770' first='Katelyn' last='Davis'] <strong>Aliyah Duval Brook Curry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Putnam City West 8-2 Ranked #6 Class 6A</strong>: PCW comes into Tuesday night winning 5 out of their last 6 games and 8-2 on the season. PCW losses have came to 2 powerhouse programs. Lady Patriots return from playing in the Jerry Tarkanian Class in Vegas right before break. PCW picked up 3 wins in the trip including a win over powerhouse Mater Dei with their only lost coming to Sierra Canyon who is ranked #2 in the Nation. PCW are loaded with talent and will be in the mix come State Tournament time. <strong>Putnam City West players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197968' first='Jazmin' last='Adams'], [player_tooltip player_id='242119' first='Caya' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='238723' first='Shamar' last='Bert'] [player_tooltip player_id='310155' first='Jazzlin' last='Brown']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Jones @ Dale</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jones 4-1 Ranked #2 Class 3A</strong>: After losing their first game to Bergman in the Arkansas TOC Jones has won 4 straight since that lost. Two of those wins coming against tough opponents Southside and Lamain at the TOCr. Jones returns almost everyone from last year State Championship team. Jones has a good team chemistry of strong senior leadership and young players who have bought into the tradition. <strong>Jones Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197944' first='Boston' last='Berry'] <strong>Zoe Tucker</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='331849' first='Sofi' last='Woodson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dale 10-1 Ranked #2 Class 2A</strong>: After losing their first game the Dale has won 10 games in a row. Their only lost coming to Preston who was unranked at the time but is now ranked #5 in Class 2a. Dale does have a win over a Top 5 team, with a win against Luther Ranked #5 in Class 3A Dale is always a very sound defensive team with outstanding shooters on offense. <strong>Dale Players to watch: </strong> <strong>Brook Rutland Gracie Waller</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='331824' first='Kaleigh' last='Strange']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">MacArthur @ Piedmont</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MacArthur 3-3 Ranked #12 Class 5A</strong>: MacArthur comes into the game on a 2 game winning streak including 2 wins over Top 20 opponents in Class 5A Two of MacArthur loses have came to 6A powers Norman and Midwest City. <strong>MacArthur Players to watch: Tajanea Mardenborough Alayna Vines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Piedmont 5-2 Ranked #6 Class 5A</strong>: Piedmont enters the game with a 3 game winning streak including a big win vs #4 El Reno right before the Christmas Break. Piedmont is a heavy senior loaded team that can shoot the ball and knows how to play <strong>Piedmont Players to watch: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331850' first='Lily' last='Anderson'] <strong>Khloe Carr</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='261734' first='Jillian' last='Crawford'] [player_tooltip player_id='550966' first='Rylie' last='Burnett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Other notable games</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lomega 10-0 Ranked #1 Class B @ Okeene 7-1 Ranked #17 Class A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston 6-2 Ranked #5 Class 2A @ Morris 5-1 Ranked #10 Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->