Class 3A Quarterfinals: the Prospects to KNOW
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State Tournament Week in Oklahoma tipped off on Tuesday morning with the ladies of Class 3A taking the court in OKC. Games: 9:00 AM Bethal 27 Washington 54 10:30 AM Community Christian 45 Roland 37 12:00 PM Jones 34 Alva…
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Continue ReadingState Tournament Week in Oklahoma tipped off on Tuesday morning with the ladies of Class 3A taking the court in OKC.
Games:
9:00 AM
Bethal 27
Washington 54
10:30 AM
Community Christian 45
Roland 37
12:00 PM
Jones 34
Alva 49
1:30 PM
Adair
Idabel
Johnson was a key component of Washington’s smothering post defense and aggressive rebounding. She has a nose for the ball on the offensive glass, along with constantly moving off the ball to open spots. The sophomore showed a good first step and quickness when attacking with the ball and enjoyed a super productive game as she helped top ranked Washington to a quarterfinal win at the Big House.
After Beller’s freshman campaign ended with an injury in the 3A State Championship game last year, she started her sophomore run at the Big House on a much better note. She’s a steady hand as the lead guard for Washington’s deep team, and sprinkled in some big time threes in the contest. The sophomore also showed great defensive instincts in the first half with a steal, and save to a teammate as her momentum carried her out of bounds.
Shelbie Caveness
Shelbie Caveness
Another Washington prospect with a quality first step, and difficult to keep out of the paint. On those drives, she finished with both hands throughout the contest. While also looking to push the tempo after defensive boards. Her intensity carried over to more than just rebounding, as she made her mark on the defensive end with a quality, quick hand deflection to deny a pass to a cutter.
The junior had an outstanding season for the Lady Wildcats, and had to deal with the waves of pressure and size that Washington threw at her. Her obvious plus athletic traits stood out with her movements. Especially on the defensive end with high motor plays to track down loose balls and rebounds, while also playing big around the basket. At times it looked like the defensive focus was making her press on the offensive end, but she still showed some nice skill and touch with mid-range scores later in the game.
Highlights
The speedy lead guard was the heart for Community Christian. She plays with fantastic tempo, always looking to push with her head up and great playmaking instincts. While the lefty seems more than happy to share the love with the teammates when setting them up, Hartsock also can fill it up herself. There were some coast to coast scores, where she was simply too fast.
Then there was the way she closed out the third quarter. Hartsock had a nice drive and take, that included a great ballfake that froze a helpside defender and gave her a clear lane to the basket. She followed that up with a huge three pointer that just beat the third quarter buzzer. Her combination of speed and feel for the game, made her often look unstoppable in the huge win for the Royals.
Laney Venables
Laney Venables
Non stop energy from the freshman, as she won 50/50 balls, crashed the glass on both ends of the floor. The same energy and intensity also made her play bigger than her height on the defensive end, allowing her to deflect post entry passes and block shots well for her size. While it’s the always running motor for Venables that stood out the most, she displayed some good fundamental footwork on a couple drives. With a good euro step and finish early, then a pump fake, two foot stop and nice touch on a 8 footer in the final frame.
Hope Martin
Hope Martin
Martin contributed throughout but stepped up big in the final frame. The junior utility opened the fourth with a huge triple. She would connect again in an even bigger moment. As with two minutes left, she drained another three. This time it put Community Christian ahead, a lead they would not give up as they advanced to the semifinals, on Friday night in Yukon.
Lilly Medicine Bird
Lilly Medicine Bird
The senior was a focal point of Roland’s offense, with great post scoring repertoire. She was capable as a face up threat, or posting up opponents on the block. In both scenarios, Medicine Bird was great at finishing strongly though contact. Along with the post scoring, she was a monster on the offensive glass to start the contest.
Halle Freeman
Halle Freeman
A mobile hybrid forward prospect, the freshman was impressive with her two-way impact. Particularly her use of her big wingspan and timing when it came to challenging shots (even jumpers) along with helpside blocks. She ended the third quarter with a flurry that included grabbing a defensive board, and going coast to coast, to draw a foul. Freeman’s combination of athleticism, comfortability on the perimeter and defensive instincts makes her a very interesting long term prospect.
Jones continues their quest for four straight State Titles and Woodson was the main contributor throughout. She controlled the paint on both ends of the court. Once she got herself established on the low block, it was seemingly automatic for the senior. It was similar with the way she secured rebounds. Even when she wasn’t the one to get second chance opportunities for the Lady Longhorns, the attention Alva had to pay her opened up rebounding opportunities for the whole team. With soft touch to go along her height, the senior is a force to be reckoned with around the basket.
Highlights
Karma Lewis
Karma Lewis
The quick junior guard is a sparkplug for Jones, she seemingly was always the player to win 50-50 balls. From diving on the floor, chasing down long rebounds and more, she often did the dirty work that helped Jones advanced to the semifinals on Friday. Quickness and great anticipation are always a positive impact for any winning team.
Through three games at the Big House, the northwestern Oklahoma standout has been the best long distance shooter of the tournament. She drilled a DEEP three from a few steps beyond the three point line to end the first quarter. Throughout the game, Gaddie showed she was lethal off the dribble as well. From pushing it in transition and hitting 18 footers, to simple one or two dribble redirects to open spacing and hitting, the junior guard was a flamethrower from the mid-range and three. And her shooting ability was a big a reason why the Lady Goldbugs were able to keep it close for the first three frames.
What a Big House debut for the freshman guard. Cauthron is a super skilled combo guard, with outstanding handles, ball fakes and passing vision. A transition behind the back pass was among her highlight reel plays. She generally kept the ball on a string and toyed with the Adair defenders. The only drawback to her start was poor shooting from outside. She eventually started to connect from distance and looks set for a big week in the 405, as Idabel chases a Gold Ball.
The athletic lead guard covers an insane amount of distance on the court. She seemingly teleports to pop into passing lanes and has a big time motor when racing to chase down long rebounds and other loose balls. The junior also uses that speed to be a big time threat in transition. More than just a high level athlete, Lopez scored it well with consistent finishing around the rim. And big time shooting from distance, as at one point in the third quarter she was outscoring Adair by herself.
Along with the two star guards, Carden makes the Lady Warriors a complete team. Her size advantage makes her an outstanding rebounder on both ends of the court. To close out the first frame, she threw a great outlet off a defensive rebound to the quick Idabell guards. A trait that makes Idabel that much more dangerous as a high scoring team. She also understands how to contest and block shots without fouling. And has similar strong fundamentals on the offensive end. With keeping the ball high and soft touch at the rim.