STARS: Semifinals Friday, 6A and 5A
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Another night of hoops at Lloyd Noble Center saw the final four teams in Oklahoma’s largest classifications go head to head. With spots in the State Championship games on the line. 4:30 PM Edmond Memorial 33 Edmond North 45 6:00…
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Continue ReadingAnother night of hoops at Lloyd Noble Center saw the final four teams in Oklahoma’s largest classifications go head to head. With spots in the State Championship games on the line.
4:30 PM
Edmond Memorial 33
Edmond North 45
6:00 PM
Putnam City West 71
Owasso 45
7:30 PM
Sapulpa 60
Booker T Washington 51
9:00 PM
El Reno 47
Coweta 19
While Edmond North has an experienced core that is powering their attempt to win a third straight Class 6A title, it was the sophomore who provided a big boost that helped them separate in the third quarter. The strong forward prospect had a good run of finishing around the rim, while also providing stellar defense in walling off drivers with good positioning. She finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
Highlights
The Creighton bound senior has grown up over the years at Lloyd Noble Center. She went from a sophomore with nerves in an intense overtime State Championship game to the passionate heart of North’s attempt to win a third straight. Heathcock continues to play with her hair on fire with defense, while also hitting big time shots. She closed out the game in the fourth, stamping out any hope of a Memorial comeback, with big free throws and a huge transition score. She had a team high 15 points for the Lady Huskies.
A do it all junior wing, Hjelmstad is a great mix of toughness and skill. She was the only Bulldog to break into double figures, with a game high 16 points. A lot of her scoring came as she fearlessly attack the tough North interior defense. With a mixture of power to take contact or hit floaters and other skilled shots over out stretched arms. She’s another great representation of the loaded talent at the top of Oklahoma’s Class of 2025.
Highlights
The other half of the Lady Patriots second quarter explosion was the tough and skilled sophomore scorer, Jefferson. She would go on to have a game high 19 points, much of coming from downhill scoring where contact doesn’t bother her and she showed outstanding touch around the rim. Jefferson closed out the 24-2 second quarter for PCW with a corner three right before the buzzer sounded. Her mix of shooting and confidence off the dribble makes her a tough cover. Jefferson and company look focused to finish the job this year, after a tough semifinal loss to Edmond North last year.
The lone Lady Ram in double figures was the freshman. She’s a quality athlete for her size, and kept battling around the rim. Where she was effective with a 15 point and 8 rebound day. It was a super productive freshman season for Hill, as she played a key role in Owasso being one of the last four teams standing in Class 6A.
Highlights
The sophomore lead guard is a very unique prospect. As she’s a super strong and has great quickness in a compact package. At her height, grabbing 14 rebounds in a state semifinal game is ridiculous, especially as 6 of them were tenacious offensive boards. Along with the rebounds, she lived at the rim and scored 20 points on only 11 shots. From tough finishing to earning trips to the line, she was simply unstoppable on Friday night. Now Sapulpa aims for a second straight Class 5A title.
It was another signature performance for the athletic scoring guard. She’s simply too quick and strong at the rim, especially at her height and wingspan. Johnson almost single handily kept the Lady Hornets in the game, scoring well over half their points with a 29 point day. Even with all the defensive focus, she went 12-20 from the field. As she continues to refine her scoring package with her unique traits, she can be a special talent in a special Class of 2025 in Oklahoma.
After a slow first half, El Reno ran away in the second half. It was Sleeper at the core of it. Based on the last two days, the senior has to be the best passer in 5A. Amazing vision, actual no look passing. The stats provided at the games have been questionable all week, but the senior only being credited with 2 assists by the box score is the biggest head scratcher. She often delivered on the money passes and her impact was much bigger than her stat line of 6 points, 4 steals and 2 assists.
One of the best examples of her high basketball IQ came in the fourth. She drove from the wing, delivered a no look pass out, then redirected to the other corner. Got the ball back and drilled a corner three to cap El Reno’s amazing second half. Last year El Reno saw their season end in the semifinals to Sapulpa. The senior has her team undefeated, in the title game with a chance to get revenge and the Gold Ball.
The other sparkplug for the Lady Indians’ second half run, Bugaj along with Sleeper helped El Reno thrive in transition She’s a quality passer too, which is what really separates El Reno when they’re clicking. Their ball movement is crisp, especially in transition. The junior also scored all 9 of her points in the second half. Along with that scoring punch, she was credited with 4 assists. And caused havoc with 4 steals.