Class 5A Rankings: Playoff Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the playoffs tipping off later this week, here's a check in in on how the top teams in Class 5A shook out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Pryor 18-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Firmly in the mix for one of the four State Tournament berths out east. A narrow loss on the road to Durant, made Pryor just miss out on hosting a Regional. As is, they'll have to be road warriors this week with a trip to Shawnee to play Claremore, a program that's just a 20 minute drive from Pryor. They're a balanced squad, usually having a variety of players reach double figures. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Durant 16-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team has overcome more than the Lady Lions this year. A February 15th 43-41 win over Pryor helped them secure a pivotal Regional hosting spot. They've played the second half of the year under the guidance of Tony Robinson, a long time Oklahoma high school and college coach. He took over after the tragic passing of Durant's head coach and his son Will Robinson and granddaughter Clara Robinson after a late December car accident. In the win over Pryor, athletic sophomore guard Ella Sorrels produced a 19 point and 10 rebound double double. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Classen SAS 14-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an one-two punch of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='578033' first='Makiya' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='846970' first='Paige' last='Williams'], no teams will look forward to seeing the 405 team during the playoffs. This was their first year in 5A, and with a new coach. But there's been little drop off for the recent powerhouse as their blend of senior forwards and the junior guards proved to be a winning formula. They host OKCPS school district rivals Southeast to start the playoffs, then one of southwestern Oklahoma based Lawton or Guymon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Duncan 16-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Demons have made noise this second semester, finishing second in District 2. And even taking down Del City with a 50-48 win. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='846981' first='Dasia' last='Givens'] is playing some of the best ball in Class 5A. Big time shooter, who has ice in her veins. As evident by a pair of go ahead free throws in the minute in that win over Del City. They head to El Reno's Regional this week, looking to produce more upset magic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Shawnee 16-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losses to 4A programs North Rock Creek and Tuttle give an air of uncertainty around a potential State Tournament team. They'll turn to senior [player_tooltip player_id='331864' first='Josie' last='Megehee'], a rare 2,000 point career scorer, to right the ship for this upcoming playoff run. By finishing second in their eastern based district, they avoided road trips for the Regional round. They will host a four team group of themselves, Tulsa Memorial, Claremore and Pryor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. El Reno 19-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't count out the heart of a champion. The senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='315196' first='Lilly' last='Thomas'], Ragan Bugaj and Emmary Elizondo give the Lady Indians the top talent and experience to compete with anyone in the class. But for the El Reno to repeat, they will need more contribution around that trio. A potential Regional championship test against a rising Duncan team could be just what El Reno needs to regain their mojo after recent losses to Carl Albert and Mustang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Del City 19-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they won their district, they did end their season on a sour note with a home loss to a red hot Duncan team. It should serve as a good reset as an athletic and tall Eagle squad gets ready for the war of the playoffs. Their regular season efforts earned them a Regional host, where they'll be heavy favorites to walk away with a Regional title on Friday afternoon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Carl Albert 24-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two decisive wins over El Reno cemented a district title for the Lady Titans and also signaled them as a true threat to win it all in March. They've reached the State Tournament for four straight years now, but haven't made championship Saturday during that run. With do it all star [player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'] leading a deep roster, could that change this year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Coweta 21-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Tigers close out the regular season on a 18 game win streak. They demolished their district play and won a strong tournament field at Shawnee. Winter weather prevented a measuring stick match up against 6A Bixby. But they are largely the same roster that made a run to the Class 5A semifinals last year. Meaning they are a battle tested and hungry group. Another trip to the 405 is likely on the horizon, and they'll have a chance to be playing for it all on March 15th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 Booker T Washington 23-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a non district losses to 4A powerhouse Douglass, Booker T Washington has handled business. The wins over the last few weeks have all been by 32 points or more. They're deep and talented, but all eyes will be on star [player_tooltip player_id='309984' first='Marcayla' last='Johnson'], as she looks to help the Lady Hornets to their first State Title since 2018. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->