The Game: Edmond North vs. PC West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been happening pretty often these last few years - Edmond North and Putnam City West meet up at least once a season. Usually they meet in the State Championship or Semifinals, but this time basketball fans were treated to an early preview of what will likely be the State Championship Final once again this year. It looked for a while like the game may not live up to the hype, then came a furious second half run and all of a sudden, "The Game" came back down to a final shot just as it has the last few times these teams have met.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/JasonGreenBball/status/1749472906935935403?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/JasonGreenBball/status/1749472906935935403?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, it was the Patriots who executed to perfection time and time again, even after No. 1 player in the state of Oklahoma [player_tooltip player_id='242119' first='Caya' last='Smith'] fouled out with 5:35 still on the clock, and PC West walked away with a hard-won 47-45 victory. They remain undefeated at 17-0 and the Huskies from Edmond North pick up their first loss in 702 days. I have a feeling that these teams will meet again, not too long from now... on a really big stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player of the Game:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["572453"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":843002,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It's hard to win u0022Player of the Gameu0022 anytime you're out there on the court with the best player in the state, but this was honestly an easy choice for me. Jayla opened her scoring with a three in the first quarter, then used her incredible speed and silky handles to get to the line over and over and over in the second. As you can see by the last play of the game, it was her ability to move the ball up court at a blindingly fast pace, under control, that had the Huskies off balance most of the night. Yes, [player_tooltip player_id='242119' first='Caya' last='Smith'] does bring the ball up court a lot, but there is a whole different type of offense going on when Jayla does it. The dichotomy is a great thing for head coach Ja'Ron Jefferson to have in his arsenal. Constant is a tall, long, guard who is dedicated on the defensive end and is a tremendous all-around prospect!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65aeb2e733690"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["578026"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":843004,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I had seen Johari play in the AAU environment where she was impressive, but seeing her on this stage was a true revelation. On the defensive end, she could shut down the lane. Not only is she six feet, maybe slightly more, but she is really well-built and strong. Her footwork has been improving all season and she does a great job of guarding her opponent off the ball and denying passes into the post. On the offensive end, she did a wonderful job of announcing her presence with authority, as you like to see bigs do. She made space and finished through contact. Most of the night PC West didn't have an answer for her and I wouldn't be surprised to see her be the difference-maker the next time these two face off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["242119"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":843012,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Speaking of difference makers, let's talk about the best player in the state of Oklahoma. [player_tooltip player_id='242119' first='Caya' last='Smith'] is still listed as 6'0u0022 in the program and announced that way at the beginning of the game, but the eyeball test says otherwise. She looks to be closer to 6'2u0022 these days, yet can still play any position, one through five. She is long and strong and is going to do some absolutely amazing things in head coach Jennie Baranczyk's offense at OU next season. Her shooting stroke is a thing of beauty. She hits from the line consistently. She acts like a professional on the court with a demeanor beyond her years, even when fouling out due to what some might term u0022untimely officiating.u0022 There is not enough praise to go around for Caya and her game. She is a true asset to Oklahoma basketball.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["249267"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":843020,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another top senior in Oklahoma was on the court on Saturday night and it was pretty obvious from the outset where PC West's defense was focused. Not only was it focused on Allison, it was focused on disrupting her game with physicality and seems to have worked as she uncharacteristically missed five of seven free throws and left the game looking as if she had just crawled out of the briar patch. It was still clear to see when Allison got it going, especially in the Huskies' big second half, why she is a top player in the state and heading to Division-I Creighton next season. Her shot is a thing of beauty and she is an incredibly hard worker on both ends of the court. Her length is almost unmatched and she is the player that head coach Pete Papahronis clear trusts in every important situation.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["578034"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":843022,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The more I watch Da'Nae, the more I start to realize that she has a Division-I level game. Not only is her game D-I, her body is, as well. She is a tough, strong, 5'8u0022 player who goes hard all game long. As with a lot of young players, you can see her getting in her own head a lot, especially when calls are going against her team. I don't usually mention things like that in my reports, but I say it here in hopes that word will get to Da'Nae. She is a slight step away from being in the conversation over the next few years of being one of the best players in the state of Oklahoma. What it will take is to look no further than to the senior leaders on her team and adopt some of their ego and mentality. Shamar and Caya are the example. Da'Nae has all of the skill and talent. When it all comes together, this whole state is in trouble.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65aeb2e7337df"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PC West Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='578025' first='Kiana' last='Gray'] | 5-6 CG | 2026 - </strong> Young guard worked hard all game long and came up big when it really mattered. Definitely one to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='580532' first='Brennen' last='Bert'] | 5-5 CG | 2026 -</strong> Another sophomore and another Bert for this Patriots squad. Ended the game with five points. Hit a big three to start things off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238723' first='Shamar' last='Bert'] | 5-5 CG | 2024 -</strong> Always one of the best on and off ball defenders on the court, had a quiet eight points. Senior leader for this great team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edmond North Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525640' first='Grace' last='Jackson'] | 5-7 G | 2026 -</strong> Young player starting a big-time game for a big-time team. Looks to be one of the next big stars for the Huskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318207' first='KK' last='Peeler'] | 5-5 G | 2024 -</strong> Future Friends University Falcon had eight points with two very timely three-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='525661' first='Mallory' last='Jackson'] | 5-11 F | 2024 -</strong> Great inside/outside player, worked hard defensively in limited action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241014' first='Kate' last='Melton'] | 5-7 G | 2024 -</strong> All-Tourney team performer had nine in the final. Future RSU Hillcat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->