The STORIES to follow in Class 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second part of today's two-part preview series for Class 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/11/what-to-know-about-class-5a/">For part one, click here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shawnee ready to challenge again?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawnee head coach Wendy Wells is one of the more accomplished women in Oklahoma high school basketball. It started with her playing days as an electric scorer at Fort Cobb-Broxton (including a post high school playing career with Arkansas and the Los Angles Sparks. And since 2008 she's led Shawnee to over 300 wins and a 2012 5A State Tournament. But it's been a few years since the Lady Wolves' dancing extended to the State Tournament. Returning [player_tooltip player_id='802124' first='Serenity' last='Casteel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='572460' first='Daley' last='Rice'] would've been enough to have them competitive in District 3 (as they're being sent east). But with the changing landscape of high school athletics, they've benefited from the addition of Tulsa signee [player_tooltip player_id='331864' first='Josie' last='Megehee']. Rice and Megehee should combine to form arguably the best perimeter shooting duo in Class 5A. Their big time shooting ability should help elevate Shawnee to being one of the favorites to make a trip to the State Fairgrounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TPS Deepest Since?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As covered in part one, Booker T Washington is expected to be one of the top teams in the state. But they're not the only reason to be excited about basketball in the 918. East Central legend Samy Mack is back on the sidelines for the Lady Cardinals, this is after he helped Tulsa KIPP to a Class 3A State Tournament. Expect an immediate improvement on their 8-15 record from last season. Tulsa Memorial is another TPS squad looking to continue to trend upward. Last year they jumped from 5 wins to 10 wins, even with the move to district play leading to a tougher schedule. They're ald by senior [player_tooltip player_id='315198' first='Mataya' last='Hall'], a signee with UT Rio Grande Valley. A trip to Area and even more could be in the cards for a surging Chargers program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tulsa Rogers has a new coaching staff, but are fresh off a Class 5A State Tournament run. And have one of the top backcourts in the 918 with [player_tooltip player_id='896391' first='Lynzie' last='Overstreet'] and [player_tooltip player_id='876592' first='Saniyah' last='Morrison']. A senior duo with winning experience and can serve up buckets will keep the Lady Ropers in the Class 5A State Tournament picture. Especially as guard play is the key to advancing in the playoffs. Good luck to any team trying to slow down the dynamic duo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dpes Mid-Del Wars dominance continue?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season three of the eight State Tournament teams came from the Mid-Del school district with all three of Carl Albert, Del City and Midwest City reaching the Lloyd Noble Center. Now they will turn their attention from heading down Sooner Road, to across I-40 for a trip to the State Fairgrounds. Even with some roster turnover, Carl Albert is firmly in the mix to challenge El Reno for the District 1 claim. All signs point to [player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'] being ready to make the leap from good to great. Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='574166' first='Jakary' last='Brown'] will make for quite a 1-2 punch. While [player_tooltip player_id='913548' first='Jordyn' last='Richardson'] leads an exciting youth movement for a program on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In District II, Del City and Midwest City are expected to clash at the top. Del City has a game changing anchor in the paint, North Texas signee [player_tooltip player_id='802036' first='Shelby' last='Thornton']. They also have one of the top incoming freshmen in Oklahoma, athletic and aggressive [player_tooltip player_id='917364' first='Jaciah' last='McCalister']. Midwest City has some roster turnover off last year's squad but juniors [player_tooltip player_id='847028' first='Kenadi' last='Downer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='847006' first='Sevyn' last='Miller'] impressed this past spring and summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reloading Tigers?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After graduating a fantastic senior core, Tahlequah will be leaning on a pair of juniors to step up. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='847010' first='Lauren' last='Stephens'] has the opportunity to be one of the better interior defenders on the east side of the state. While also providing interior and scoring in the mid-range. [player_tooltip player_id='847027' first='Carsyn' last='Gilbert'] meanwhile will provide valuable floor spacing from the backcourt as a big time shooter. Who also is willing to mix it up with hard nosed play. A freshman who's time could be sooner rather than later is [player_tooltip player_id='992448' first='Brenly' last='Lamb']. After the expected top two of Coweta and Rogers in District 4, the field looks to be wide open. Which is a perfect opportunity for the Lady Tigers to grow and take advantage as a team that should be peaking at the right time come February and March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->