6A-3A State Title Recaps: New Stars and Powerhouses
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Putting a bow on four of last Saturday’s State Title Games. Including a signature performance from a freshman, more Gold for a signature program and breakthroughs for two programs that had been knocking on the door. Jaylen Cauthron HEIGHT 5'9"…
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Continue ReadingPutting a bow on four of last Saturday’s State Title Games.
Including a signature performance from a freshman, more Gold for a signature program and breakthroughs for two programs that had been knocking on the door.
When watching Cauthron in the quarterfinals on stream, there was obvious electricity to her game. In person at the 3A Title Game, the sizzle was turned up to 11. The freshman went 6 of 8 from three, on the way to 25 points. Her three point shooting was LOUD. Especially the ankles she snatched at one point during a second half run for Idabel. Cauthron’s combination of handles and off the dribble shooting ability already makes her a big time scorer. With that skillset and a State Title already on her resume, look for the southeastern Oklahoma standout to continue the strong run of elite prospects produced in Oklahoma.
The Lady Patriot sophomore was simply a bucket in all three game. From the game changing second quarter run in the semifinals vs Owasso to the go ahead “Old Fashion three point play” in the final minute of the championship game, Jefferson made a loud impact on the Oklahoma basketball scene. She’s a crafty and skilled scorer, who plays under control on drives with two feet stops and a nice floater game that routinely scored over out stretched arms.
With clutch performances now decorating her resume, look for Jefferson to team with fellow big time Class of 2026 Putnam City West guard Jayla Constant Jayla Constant 5’7″ | PG PC West | 2026 State OK . The backcourt duo and other returnees for the Lady Patriots are expected to keep the Patriots in the 6A title picture for the next few years.
Vann closed out her decorated high school career with another Gold Ball. As a lead guard, she’s looked to be complete package as a scorer with a mix of “get by you” quickness, along with tremendous feel at changing pace on drives. When the title game was still in doubt late in the third, she had a great example of changing gears on a baseline drive that saw her beat two defenders for a big score. Her ability to manipulate the defense with ball fakes, stop on the dime for jumpers, all make her such a tough cover.
Leading Bethany to a second straight class 4A championship was a fitting finish for a big time player. Vann has the scoring capabilities to help her older sister, Skylar, next year at the University of Oklahoma.
On a team of stars, Donley has given the appearance of a Swiss Army Knife player in two different viewings this season. Her performance to win the Class 4A State Title was another great example of that.
In the first half it was big time three pointers. While in the second half she got it going at the rim on the way to a game high 17 points. There was transition scoring, good drives and contested finishes. But it wasn’t just on the offensive end that she made her impact felt. She’s a tall, versatile defender who gave some good one on one reps on Lincoln Christian’s star. While also causing some havoc with blocked shots and deflections.
There were some big time guards covered last weekend and the El Reno floor general deserved to be mentioned among them. Sleeper gives life with how she plays basketball with her brilliant floor vision and the way she helped orchestrated the Lady Indians attack. On Thursday and Friday, she was a catalyst with her elite passing abilities leading to game changing runs.
She’s not too shabby on the defensive end either, with quick hands and great anticipation skills. Then on Saturday to complete the mission for El Reno, she stepped up from long distance with a 3-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc. It was a complete team performance to secure the perfect season and Gold Ball and Sleeper left her fingerprints all over the Lady Indians’ success.