The Stories to Know in Class 4A

<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/11/what-to-know-about-class-4a/">For Top Teams, Preseason All State and more, click here for Part 1 of the Class 4A preview series.</a>   Toughest Class in Oklahoma?   It's likely if you ask any coach in Class 4A, they'd either wish their school was big enough to sneak into Class 5A or small enough to drop to Class 3A. As there's a general agreement that Class 4A is LOADED. One of those examples come in Glenpool, who reached the semifinals last year. They return a star senior scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='315199' first='Aaliyah' last='Shawnee'], athletic junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='572455' first='Tyra' last='McKennie'] and have an exciting sophomore lead guard Ayianna Gibson. In a lot of years, that collection of talent would be the formula to be considered one of the favorites in Class 4A, or most classes. But with what the three other Class 4A semifinalists are returning as well, they're likely slotted in as 4th in the class. And that will be a hard spot to hold onto with the depth of talent that is spread throughout Class 4A. There's 20+ win teams from last year like Bristow, Duncan, Inola, Kingfisher, Mannford, Purcell, Tuttle, Wagoner and Weatherford. While some of those programs did lose key pieces, Kingfisher in particular should still very much be in the mix. As they're led by a very good senior-junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='639709' first='Raegan' last='Snider'] and [player_tooltip player_id='643471' first='Abbie' last='Myers']. Class 3A champs Idabel has been moved up to 4A as well, bringing another program with a winning tradtion and senior star [player_tooltip player_id='801998' first='Mercades' last='Lopez'].   A trio of programs just west of the OKC metro in Harrah, McLoud and North Rock Creek all have future collegiate pieces and look ready to make a jump into the 20+ win territory as well. Then there's southern Oklahoma Madill, who won 17 games last year and were two games away from State. And that's with an early season injury that sidelined Class of 2026 star [player_tooltip player_id='578032' first='E'Niyah' last='Holmes']. Now she's back and has little sister [player_tooltip player_id='957120' first='Elexis' last='Holmes'] (2028) to join an experienced group. They're a top 10 program in Class 4A, and certainly not 10th.   The playoffs for 4A will be a gauntlet and any Area game, even the consolation ones, will be filled with quality basketball and future collegiate players. Small town girls basketball has always have a strong tradition throughout Oklahoma, and this season will write a new exciting chapter.   Best One-Two Punch in 4A?   Last year [player_tooltip player_id='881182' first='Tyson' last='Woolsey'] was an one woman wrecking crew for the Lady Savages, as a skilled and athletic post presence. Plus she was only a freshman. This year she'll have some extra help with newcomer to Broken Bow, [player_tooltip player_id='866548' first='Jaylen' last='Cauthron']. They have skillsets that perfectly compliment each other, with Cauthron being an electric lead guard with ankle snatching handles. The one-two punches in Class 4A are quite frankly ridiculous. But it's hard not to be excited about the potential future of these two sophomores, who already project as D1 caliber players. Most of their games will be tucked away in southeastern Oklahoma, so they could go under the radar at times. But their highlights and productions will be loud all season long.     The Race to Contend?   While at Classen SAS, Jim Perinovic put together one of the best girls basketball teams Oklahoma has ever seen. The 2021-2022 Classen squad went 24-1. Their only loss was to a nationally ranked out of state team. They also produced a McDonald's All American, set scoring records and won the Class 4A State Title. And the only Oklahoma teams to play them within single digits with Class 6A powerhouses Edmond North, Bixby and Putnam City West. It will be hard to reach those lofty heights again, but he'll try to replicate it at a Newcastle program that won state in 2016 but hasn't reached the Big House since 2020. Newcastle should be in the mix sooner rather than later, as among the newcomers to the squad are tall and athletic sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='751200' first='Ziyah' last='Sims'] and freshman[player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'].   With a showcase in Arkansas to start off the season, the Lady Racers are already 2-0 after taking down Bryant (AR) and Earl (AR) in close victories. The foundation is being laid for future success, but no team should sleep on Newcastle. Especially come playoff time.   Will a Plague of Pirates descend on the Big House?   The theme of Class 4A is it's TOO DEEP. What better example than how this article closes out with a Locust Grove program that reach the Class 4A quarterfinals, and they're only just now being highlighted! They're one of the tallest teams in the state with the versatile frontline of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='572961' first='Hannah' last='Bond'], [player_tooltip player_id='574241' first='Claire' last='Hooker'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='593784' first='Olivia' last='Stokes']. Bond is an elite rebounder and skilled modern forward. Hooker provides valuable floor spacing as a taller guard. While Stokes is a blend of them both, with an amazing combination of size, athleticism and skill. They've already drilled Skiatook to start the year with a 46-22 win. In what is sure to be the first of many double digit victories. If there's a team to upset one of the expected top four teams in the state, Locust Grove would be the top contenders.

For Top Teams, Preseason All State and more, click here for Part 1 of the Class 4A preview series.