Edmond North and Owasso Punch Tickets to State
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Recapping a pair of Area championship games via their streams, with a look at standouts from both squads. Games Watched Via Stream Edmond North 56 Mustang 40 Owasso 34 Choctaw 31 Allison Heathcock OK #3 SG #2 HEIGHT 6'0" POS…
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Continue ReadingRecapping a pair of Area championship games via their streams, with a look at standouts from both squads.
Games Watched Via Stream
Edmond North 56
Mustang 40
Owasso 34
Choctaw 31
The senior wing was a key part of back to back Class 6A State Championship teams, primarily as a “3 an D” type prospect. The strides she has taken as an all player this year has been remarkable. Edmond North raced out to a 6-0 lead, with Heathcock as the spearhead of their aggressive defensive. She helped forced turnovers that led to easy run out points. But her attacking of the rim wasn’t just limited to transition points, her handle has improved as a senior. With a killer crossover and in and out moves that have taken her ability as a driver to the next level.
It’ll be a challenge for the Lady Huskies to climb the mountain for a third straight year, but the dynamic all around play of Heathcock will give them a chance to do that next week in Norman.
The other component to Edmond North’s hot start was their quick floor general. She’s a pest on the defensive end, with quickness and reading of the game honed by being in the Edmond North program for years. Along with the energy and boost she provides as a disruptive defender, she’s a consistent table setter for her teammates. Finding open shooters, cutters and more as a half court and tranisiton distributor.
The senior forward is a quality player for Edmond North, who pops up in the right place, at right times for rebounds, open looks and more. Her height is useful as a rebounder and when helping to contest shots on the defensive end as well. She even took a charge in the fourth quarter, fitting for the Lady Huskies program. Mix in the occasional mid-range jumper and finish around the hoop, and Jackson is a key component in the well oiled machine that is the Edmond North.
The athletic junior forward has no back down to her game. And her efforts, especially on the defensive end were a key part of Mustang’s rallying back from their early deficit. Haywood’s biggest impact on the defensive end where she was disruptive in passing lanes. Including one play where she tipped a pass, then was able to track it down before it went out of bounds and save it to a teammate. Plays like that became common for Haywood, with blocked shots, ripping the ball around on steals and swarming defenders as a trapper.
Offensively, she was effective as a strong finisher around the basket. As the game progressed she mixed in more of a floor game and even hit a deep three pointer. The junior had a nice spin move off a drive from the top of the key, that ended with her drawing a foul.
Mustang closed the second quarter strongly and traded punches with the defending champs. Trammell logged big minutes during that run, with space carving rebounds. Along with hitting a nice floater after catching in the mid-range, and knocking down a mid-range jumper. It’ll be an all hands on deck situation for the Lady Broncos to keep their season alive on Saturday and the senior will surely play her part well.
Big time players make big time plays in big game. If Friday night was any indication, Yokley is a big time player. She was a huge reason for her team’s success on the offensive end. It actually often started on defense. If she grabbed a rebound or loose ball, her head was immediate up and she pushed it very well for a forward. Sometimes it was only a dribble or two, then a pitch ahead. Other times it was going nearly coast to coast, finishing with assists and hockey assists to teammates.
When needed to, she scored herself including a triple to cap off the Lady Rams’ strong first half. Then an even bigger three to answer one of Choctaw’s in the fourth. It was a complete performance from the senior. Which led to Owasso win an Area Championship and send them to Norman next week.
Highlights
Another senior, another big time performance. McGarrah and Yokley absolutely set the tone on the night for Owasso. She looked strong, quick and confident off the dribble. With a first step that often allowed her to get downhill and really pressure the rim. Where she was also confident with runners and other shots in the 6-12 foot range. Once the defense started to expect her to drive, she even drilled a big stepback three in the middle of the second quarter.
The only drawback to the night, was when McGarrah went down with an injury on a drive in the final frame. Hopefully it’s an injury she’s capable of recovering from before next week’s game at the State Tournament.
It’s the second time watching an Owasso game this year and the second time asking if the two sport star ever gets tired? Austin was simply relentless on the glass, especially on the offensive end. It wasn’t just grabbing boards around the rim, she was chasing long rebounds and leaving it all on the court. Every team could use a pure shot of energy and effort that Austin provides.
The versatile senior kept Choctaw’s head above water on a difficult night for the Lady Yellowjackets. She had an impressive stretch in the second quarter, that showed off a variety of skills. Pherigo had her moments around the basket, with an aggressive putback, along with craving out space in the high post and then quick’y scoring. She followed up that little run, by rifling a pass to a shooter for a big three. The senior didn’t have the same impact on the offensive end in the second half. But she took a big charge late in the third. Her consistent play displayed a high level of awareness and feel for the game.