Freshman Check In

Big games from some of the state's best. Along with new names emerging that provide depth for a very promising Class of 2028.    It's been a big close to January for the high upside Newcastle Lady Racer. It started with a 21 point and 7 rebound performance in a win over Bethany and concluded with 25 points in a win over against Tuttle on Tuesday. In between those performance was a loss to 6A Mustang. But in that game, Kindred had the team on her back with 28 points against one of the best defensive teams in the state.   Kindred entered high school already with high expectations, and only a few months in she seems on track to match and possibly exceed them. She's athletic and aggressive on the defensive end. Overwhelming older players for steals. With a quickly expanding offensive game, that includes pull up threes, the future appears to be now regarding Newcastle making a State Tournament push. All while playing a tough 4A schedule, with games against bigger schools mixed in.     Madill has won 13 straight, and while some of it is the boost of the return of Holmes' older sister, the younger Holmes sister is producing at a high clip as well. She has one of the fullest stat lines you'll see in Oklahoma, with 22.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.8 steals. Simply put, she's too tall, too fast and too skilled for the opposition. It shouldn't be a shock to see her hit the ground running after succeeding while playing up multiple grade levels this past summer. Holmes checks a lot of size and athleticism boxes that coaches look for at the next level. And with this freshman year production the offers should continue to roll in.     Douglass is undefeated against Oklahoma competition and ranked 2nd in Class 4A. The coach's daughter is a big reason for that. She's a remarkable combination of quickness and skill. As Woods already has the ball on a string, and is smooth in her movements. Equally capable of quickly pulling up off the dribble, or dropping dimes. Was impressive in her movements during Douglass' win over GRIND Prep on Tuesday night. The Trojanettes return a lot of pieces from their Class 4A State semifinals run last year. But it might just be their youngest starter that puts them over the top come March.     Before her high school career is over, Miles will likely produce a quadruple double, or two. She came close on Thursday night with a stat line of 13 points, 10 rebounds, 8 steals (felt like more) and 5 rebounds. That's without playing the last half of the fourth quarter in a 55-28 win for her 13th ranked Class 2A squad. It's remarkable on an off shooting night that she could be so productive. While also being the primary defender of a future college forward in Pawnee's Howell. But that's simply the type of impact that Miles makes on defense.   There's an old idiom in sports writing to describe non stop motor players and it fits the freshman. "Two thirds of the earth is cover by water, the rest if cover by [player_tooltip player_id='727813' first='Brooklyn' last='Miles']". That's how it feels watching her pick up full court, then be the in the passing lines for a deflection, and then go crash the offensive glass. All in one possession. In two viewings this year, her offensive output could've been better but the athleticism, motor, tenacity and feel she shows on the defensive end is uncommon.     Spencer is part of the more common non OSSAA path prospects are taking. She's the leader of a freshman heavy (and junior high schoolers playing up, including her sister Jayla) Owasso Prep squad. Had an in person viewing of her earlier this month, that included her going head to head with another promising Oklahoma freshman. Which Spencers' team taking the scrimmage.   The freshman is strong off the dribble, with a well drilled game that takes advantage of her strength. Will need to continue to work on disguising some of the "push offs" by becoming more subtle moves in some that she uses to create space. But do believe the potential for that is there. Especially with the pace and control she already plays with. Promising all around scorer, just as likely to pull up over a defender or get downhill and finish efficiently.     Cooper is having one of the more productive freshman seasons of any prospects in Oklahoma. Amazing combination of size and skill with her ball fakes and deceptive dribble moves. Capped off an strong January with 31 points and 9 rebounds in a 72-69 win over Harding Charter. The Lady Chargers are up to 10-6 on the year and with Coopers' ability to fill it up from all over the court, could be positioned to be a sleeper that makes some noise in 3A next month.     A lightning quick guard, Hallum is making her mark for 8th ranked Kiefer in Class 3A. Defensively, the freshman embraces pressuring the ball and fighting through ball screens. Looks to be good at setting the table for teammates with drives and kicks. While also capable of getting off the ball and hitting threes from catch and shoot situations. Very promising all around signs for an athletic guard with a good skill foundation. She's averaging double figures on the season, with spikes in production in the upper teams.

Big games from some of the state's best. Along with new names emerging that provide depth for a very promising Class of 2028.