What to Know about Class 4A

Class 4A basketball has produced some of Oklahoma's best teams and players and this year is no different. back, a rising 405 power and Lincoln Christian eager to scale the mountain, there's not   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/11/what-to-know-about-class-4a/">Click here for Part 2 of the Class 4A preview serie</a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/11/the-stories-to-know-in-class-4a/">s</a>     Defending Champ:   Bethany   Back to back titles in Class 4A has cemented the Lady Bronchos as the favorites till anyone knocks them off their perch. They led by Oklahoma signee [player_tooltip player_id='309978' first='Keziah' last='Lofton'] and ORU signee [player_tooltip player_id='550961' first='Kayten' last='Donley']. Both have loads of big game experience. Lofton has been a star for years now, while Donley was clutch last year and has graduated from a "X Factor" to a leading lady. She's a versatile weapon, complete with a big time three point shot. New names will have to emerge around the duo, with 2027s [player_tooltip player_id='751295' first='Ali' last='Linn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='935299' first='Camryn' last='Regier'] are among the candidates to step up. A freshman to keep an eye is Kamryn Donley.     Top Contender(s)   Douglass and Lincoln Christian   Douglass' rise was rapid late season. Speedy guards and an athletic front court had Douglass reach 20 wins, and the semifinals where they pushed the eventual champs, Bethany. The speedy backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='927283' first='Brianna' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='556315' first='Jordyn' last='Anderson'] returns. And now they have reinforcements in newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='315227' first='Mar'kia' last='Pratt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'] (a freshman, who's the daughter of head coach Latesha Woods). The backcourt alone would be enough to have the Trojanettes talking title. They're now deeper in the front court too. Last year it was was anchored by versatile <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nkiyah-burge/">N'kiyah</a> Burge, and now she'll have help from one of the best athletes in Oklahoma, [player_tooltip player_id='310155' first='Jazzlin' last='Brown']. Who made her way to the east side after helping Putnam City West win Class 6A. The starting 5 for Douglass is fast, versatile and will be a problem all year long.   The other squad that's taking aim at knocking off Bethany has reached the title game the last two years, and came up short both of those times. Juniors led the way for a deep team, with [player_tooltip player_id='572965' first='Maddi' last='Stewart'], who plays every possession like it's her last. Expect her to rebound, dive on the floor for loose balls and more. Fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='572964' first='Alexis' last='Leyva'] joins as a key piece, as her father is now in an assistant coach role for Lincoln Christian. Junior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='413627' first='Kayli' last='Atkinson'] has a claim as one of the best shooters in Oklahoma. The senior, who's urgency they'll rely on come the playoffs is Missouri State signee [player_tooltip player_id='331825' first='Audrey' last='Hopkins']. Who has wing skills, but at her size will be valuable post presence. Toss in athletic sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='829844' first='Jayla' last='Albert'], and it's quite the starting 5 for a team that would likely be a State Tournament team even up in Class 6A.   Dark Horse   Holland Hall   After two years in Class 5A following changes in OSSAA rules, the Lady Dutch are back down in Class 4A. And have a senior core that even in the deep class shouldn't be overlooked. [player_tooltip player_id='357390' first='Ava' last='Casper'] leads the way as skilled scorer, who also should help with running the show. [player_tooltip player_id='802033' first='Mia' last='Adams'] is an athletic dynamo that was impressive throughout the spring and summer. [player_tooltip player_id='802000' first='Makayia' last='Johnson'] brings a jack of all trades, versatile aspect, while also providing a scoring punch. New to Holland Hall is fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='315243' first='Addi' last='Price'], a sharpshooter, who's tough mentality should fit in like a glove. Guard play and seniors are two winning recipes come the playoffs, and Holland Hall has both.     Best Player   [player_tooltip player_id='309978' first='Keziah' last='Lofton']   Lofton has been so good, for so long, that she makes it look easy on the court. Need her to set up her teammates? She'll thrive. Need tough buckets, there's few ways to stop her from getting wherever she wants. Even if it's a contested look, she's a tough shot maker. With two State Championships on her resume and nationwide success, hopefully Oklahomans properly appreciate her high school swan song as she chases her third title.   Top Freshman   [player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred']   Similar to the class a a whole, there's a lot of exciting freshmen who will hit the ground running in Class 4A. There's [player_tooltip player_id='957120' first='Elexis' last='Holmes']at Madil, Woodruff at Lincoln Christian, [player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'] at Douglass, [player_tooltip player_id='913569' first='Amara' last='King'] at Ardmore and I'm sure more I'm missing. A hypothetical team of just 4A freshmen would likely have growing pains throughout the season, but come playoff time would be dangerous. Among that talented group, Kindred shines bright, as she already has extensive experience playing up in age group and thriving for [program_tooltip program_id='712433' first='BTR' last='']. She's going to rack up the "stocks" on the defensive end and be a mismatch problem on offense. The star power in Oklahoma has been bright and Kindred is expected to be the next to thrive under the spotlight.   Preseason All State Team   [player_tooltip player_id='309978' first='Keziah' last='Lofton']Nationally ranked Lofton seeks a third straight Class 4A title before she heads to Norman.   [player_tooltip player_id='572965' first='Maddi' last='Stewart']Hard nosed Stewart will beat opponents up on the glass, then give them buckets.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/eniyah-holmes/">[player_tooltip player_id='578032' first='E'Niyah' last='Holmes']</a>An injury prematurely ended what should've been her breakout campaign, expect the southern Oklahoma star to be back with a vengeance for her junior season.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nkiyah-burge/">[player_tooltip player_id='572452' first='N'kiyah' last='Burge']</a>Athletic junior Burge is a mismatch threat nightly and is a focal point of a Douglass team that has real title aspiratons.   [player_tooltip player_id='310154' first='Laynee' last='Stanley']A skilled workhorse forward for the tradition rich Fort Gibson program, she's signed with North Texas.

Class 4A basketball has produced some of Oklahoma's best teams and players and this year is no different. back, a rising 405 power and Lincoln Christian eager to scale the mountain, there's not