Stream Report: Edmond Memorial vs Owasso
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With the top spot in Class 6A District 3 on the line, Owasso made the trip down the Turner Turnpike to take on Edmond Memorial. The hosts would establish an early lead and keep the visitors at an arm’s length…
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Continue ReadingWith the top spot in Class 6A District 3 on the line, Owasso made the trip down the Turner Turnpike to take on Edmond Memorial. The hosts would establish an early lead and keep the visitors at an arm’s length throughout much of the contest. But midway through the fourth Owasso would make a run, even getting it to a three point game with a couple minutes remaining. Edmond Memorial would calm down, hit free throws and make stops to secure a 48-40 win. Which puts them up two games for the District Title with only a few weeks left in the regular season.
Williams plays with visible passion to her game and appears to be the heart and soul of Edmond Memorial. She was a dominant force from the opening jump ball to the very end. It started when she corralled a defensive rebound, pushed it was ease down the court and drilled a 8-10 footer. Her next level athleticism remained on display throughout with more rebounds, a big time block, and outstanding finishing through contact. She was simply unstoppable on drives, while even hunting post up mismatches. Including sealing perfectly when an opponent tried to front of her, catching the pass and easily scoring two points.
The junior made a couple winning plays in the fourth. She took a big charge, which she was just as fired up to take the charge as any of the points she scored. Then when the lead was cut to three in the final two minutes, she buried a tough 15 footer to stop the bleeding. Williams was among the Lady Bulldogs to hit free throws to salt away the game.
The junior sharpshooter had a stretch in the second quarter where she made threes look like layups. She has a pure stroke and hit threes from spots all around the arc like it was an “around the world” shooting drill, as she hit at least five three pointers in the contest. Along with Hjelmstad’s shooting exploits, she had some great moments as a help defender, causing steals and other havoc causing moments with her quick hands and long arms.
Highlights
Every great team needs good players to star in their role and that’s what Johnson did tonight. The soccer standout is a key part of Edmond Memorial’s hounding defense, with ball pressure and deflections. While also helping to provide a calming presence as a primary ballhandler, especially in the closing stages of the contest. But when needed too she also provided a scoring punch, finishing well with either hands at the rim. And even knowing when to reject a ball screen and go get the bucket herself.
Hawkins had a couple strong moments to close out the first half in style. Against Owasso’s pressure defense, she hit a nice dribblem move to break into the open court and feed an open teammate for a three point attempt. Then a couple possessions later, a similar dribble hesitation move in the halfcourt left her defender in the dust and drew a foul at the rim. To help close out the game, she had a great one on one steal. Hawkins is quick, and knows when to pick her spots to do damage.
Madilyn Hill
Madilyn Hill
The freshman was active on the glass from the jump, when she snagged an offensive rebound, put it back up and got fouled for an old fashion three point play. That was the start of a theme for Hill, as she was active on the glass on both ends of the court. Overall, she was a good scoring from 15 feet in on the night. Another of her impressive scores came when she grabbed a longer offensive rebound and this time buried a mid-range jumper. When Owasso did cut the lead to three late, it was off a tough finish around the rim from Hill. With a battler’s mentality and efficient scoring on the night, she’s a prospect to keep tabs on going forward.
The senior lead guard was a huge reason why Owasso was able to make a run in the fourth quarter. She caught fire from three, where she consistently drilled spot up looks. Off the dribble, McGarrah had a good drive to the rim but also looked shaky when firing up a three that didn’t have near the same accuracy as her set shots. Along with the scoring punch, she was often tasked to play a key role in handling the ball pressure that Edmond Memorial applies.
A patient and controlled player, the forward can put it on the floor a bit. It started when she pumped fake a shooter, and hit a solid spin move to draw a foul at the rim. But she doesn’t just look to get to the paint when driving, she can hit in the mid-range or pass out to open shooters when she draws a crowd. It wasn’t her most productive night, but the strong foundation of a skilled prospect was evident.
Highlights
The softball standout is a big time energy player for the Lady Rams. She’s a heady, havoc causing defender in the backcourt, from playing the passing lanes to even picking the pocket if she spots a lazy dribble near her. Her defensive presence extends to the frontcourt as well, as Austin had good moments of playing big around the rim without fouling. With the energy she plays with, there’s shades of an another former Lady Ram Softball-Basketball standout; Rylie Boone.