What to Know about Class 6A

Starting off the season preview series with a look at Oklahoma's largest classification   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/11/the-stories-to-follow-in-class-6a/">Click here for big storylines to keep track of this season</a>     Defending Champ   Putnam City West   For much of the last decade, PC West was among Oklahoma's elite programs. Producing college players and earning acclaim at out of state events. But a State Championship had eluded them. The Lady Patriots were able to finally climb the mountain top by dramatically winning in the final seconds of last year's Class 6A State Championship game. They now enter a new era for PCW basketball, with Kennedi Simien sliding a seat over and going from assistant coach to head coach. Junior guard Kimiya Bullard will be tasked with providing experience and production for a young roster that will attempt to make noise in 6A District 3   Top Contenders   Edmond Memorial and Edmond North   In recent years, Edmond North has been the bully on the block for the Edmond school district, and all of Oklahoma. They won back to back titles in 2022 and 2023, then had a narrow defeat in last year's title game. They graduated a lot of production, but return a trio of juniors ready for bigger roles in [player_tooltip player_id='525640' first='Grace' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='574257' first='Kyndal' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='578026' first='Johari' last='Hall']. Hall in particular is ready to make the leap, as a nightly double double threat with a more skilled scoring game. Sophomore Kinzie Hazzard looks ready to be an impact player around the paint. While senior newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='550706' first='Skylar' last='Durley'] will provide a scoring punch for the backcourt. Early signs point that three things can remain true, death, taxes and Edmond North with a chance to win it when the calendar turns to March.   February 14th 2020, that's the last time Edmond Memorial took down Edlam rival Edmond North. It was a 45-40 win for Memorial, and it's been a long four years since. Including a bitter loss for the Bulldogs in last year's Class 6A semifinals to the Huskies. Even though the two Edmond programs are in different districts, an early non district clash will still be expected to be one of the games of the year in Oklahoma. On December 12th, Memorial will host North and attempt to build momentum for a Class 6A State Title run. With arguably the best duo in Oklahoma, [player_tooltip player_id='309983' first='Janiyah' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='315217' first='Avery' last='Hjelmstad'] Memorial will have a great chance to end the streak. The tenacious do everything duo will be a must watch before they take their talents to the next level at Oregon (Williams) and Utah (Hjelmstad).     Dark Horse   Norman North   Speaking of dynamic duos, [player_tooltip player_id='309986' first='Seleh' last='Harmon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='310158' first='Olivia' last='Watkins'] make for a talented one as well. Harmon is a walking bucket. Need a big three? She'll hit it. Need a player to slice through the defense for a tough score? She'll find a way. Especially with the pace and control she plays with. Watkins is a great match next to Harmon, as the athletic forward prospect can stretch the floor on offense. And play a variety of roles on the defensive end. Mix in junior [player_tooltip player_id='662103' first='Lydia' last='Plummer'], another versatile and athletic wing-forward prospect and there's all the ingredients for Norman North to be vastly improved from their 10-14 record.     Best Player   [player_tooltip player_id='309980' first='Keeley' last='Parks']   The state's reigning Gatorade Player of the Year is back for her final year of high school. She's a lethal scorer as you can find, and nearly carried Norman back to the State Tournament last year. Along the way she set the school record with 51 points and had other eye popping totals. Honestly to find a comparable comp for the ridiculous scoring numbers that she's putting up, we might need to go to the boy's side and compare her to another player who was a product of Norman public schools. Trae Young. Young's senior season was a walking highlight reel with deep threes, ankle breaking handles and elite passing. Those are all traits Parks also has and will provide plenty of highlights of this year. Young also won Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, and included Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas among his final college choices. Just like the undecided Parks, who is also down to those three programs. Parks will have a chance to one up the fellow Normanite, Young never won a State Championship. Parks meanwhile has one more shot at capturing a Gold Ball.     Emerging Star   [player_tooltip player_id='900488' first='Madilyn' last='Hill']   Hill made waves as a freshman, as a double double threat and skilled forward during Owasso's run to the Class 6A semifinals. Now as a sophomore, the expectations are high for the two-sport standout. And she has the talent to match and even exceed those expectations as the focal point of the Lady Rams' offense and a defensive anchor.     Preseason 6A All State   [player_tooltip player_id='309983' first='Janiyah' last='Williams']   [player_tooltip player_id='309980' first='Keeley' last='Parks']   [player_tooltip player_id='309979' first='McKenzie' last='Mathurin']   [player_tooltip player_id='315217' first='Avery' last='Hjelmstad']   [player_tooltip player_id='315218' first='Brandie' last='Harrod']       Top Freshman   [player_tooltip player_id='901716' first='Nadia' last='Traylor']   The athletic and skilled freshman has caught the attention at camps and during early scrimmages. She's a handful off the bounce, with the burst to go by defenders. Along with the handles to stop on a dime and drain jumpers over defenders. Traylor spent a spring and summer often playing up against older groups. That experience should help her hit the ground running.

Starting off the season preview series with a look at Oklahoma's largest classification