6A Quarterfinals Standouts and Keeley Parks' Moment

Game 1   Norman 46   Union 45   Game 2   Mustang 63   Bixby 47   Game 3   Putnam City North 74   Sapulpa 49   Game 4   Edmond Memorial 54   Putnam City North 72     The purpose of the PrepNetwork sites is covering high school level athletics from a scouting angle. Which is why there's a block of scouting reports that fill those needs. And will continue to. If that's what you're here for, scroll past the paragraphs of text. But I would be remiss as an observer and lover of basketball, and athletics in general, to not acknowledge the moment [player_tooltip player_id='309980' first='Keeley' last='Parks'] had Tuesday morning.   Yes, it was a game winner in the State Tournament, always special! Always memorable! But this was so much more. Given the context around her injury and the way the game played out, it was a goose bumps worthy moment. Even for an usually stoic person like myself.   Some context.   Parks didn't play in the first 7 minutes and 45ish seconds of the contest. She turned her ankle late in Norman's Area Championship win last Thursday. In the days since, I'm sure she's spent countless hours receiving treatment, keeping her foot elevated and anything else to give her a shot to play. She spent much of the first quarter bouncing around behind the Norman bench, trying to stay loose. Likely begging her coach and father Frank Parks to put her in the game. Especially as the Union lead ballooned.   Coach Parks finally relented and she checked in late in the first quarter. It wasn't a Hollywood moment. She went 0-3 from the field in the second quarter, leaving shots shorts. And not have any of the burst that made her Norman's all time scoring leader for women's basketball. Considering the start to Keeley's high school career was marred by a torn ACL, it was extremely unfortunately that it looked like the end of her career would be similarly obscured by an injury.   But this is where athletes are built different and why sports can be the most rewarding pastime. Norman kept battling and Parks was able to hit a couple shots, including an "And 1". She had 6 of Norman's 21 third quarter points. What was a blowout was suddenly a hard fought contest.   In that final frame, Norman would find themselves with their backs against the wall again. Down 2, 6 seconds left. Parks hadn't scored since her little scoring burst in the third. The drought. The pressure. The injury. None of it matter. All that mattered is that it was winning time.   Norman pushed the ball up the court, Parks broke free. She caught it, she let it fly over a closeout. Swish. The sleepy morning gym erupted, so did Parks. Her teammates kept their cool as there were a few seconds remaining. They forced a turnover to secure the victory. The Lady Tigers converged together in a group hug, screaming and yelling.   Parks surely let out all the emotion she had been feeling since Thursday night. It had to be days of uncertainty and concern that an injury would rob her of a chance to write the final chapters of high school career.   Hitting the three had to be extra sweet. Overcoming the injury and knowing she would have at least one more high school game. That her last high school basketball memory wouldn't be struggling in the Big House. That there would be at least one more bus ride with her teammates. One more time playing for her father. One more chance to chase the elusive Gold Ball.   Moments like Tuesday are what make sports precious and separate them from any other form of media or entertainment. It's why even after leaving the Big House at past 11 following Monday night's, 5A Boy's games, I peeled myself out of my bed Tuesday morning. And made the drive in traffic to be there at 9:00 AM. Because I HAD to see the next chapter in an amazing Class 6A Girls season.   Just in case something unpredictable and amazing happened. It did. Hopefully 6A and the rest of the Girls still playing for Gold will write similar moments.   Moments like today are the beauty of sports.   A member of the Norman Tiger basketball community also pointed this out on social media.   <a href="https://twitter.com/combspiercekids/status/1899488036955594786?s=46">https://twitter.com/combspiercekids/status/1899488036955594786?s=46</a>   And that's the magic of sports. Especially basketball in March.    Gray has been a game changer on both ends for Putnam City North all season. She's one of the better shooters in the Class of 2026, while also becoming more of an all around scorer this year. Her evolution from sharpshooter with Putnam City West's title winning team last year, to all around leader for Putnam City North has been fun to watch. She finished with 20 points, 3 steals and the energy of a difference maker.    [player_tooltip player_id='315220' first='Halyn' last='Browning'], Senior, Norman   The reason Norman was in a position to need Park's heroic shot was fellow senior Browning. She's been killing down the stretch, hitting tough shots and setting the table. With more on her plate Tuesday morning, she responded. She had 18 points and 5 dimes. Browning is one of the few unsigned seniors looking for a home, and she's a for sure college prospect. Skilled and plays at her own pace.   [player_tooltip player_id='309979' first='McKenzie' last='Mathurin'], Senior, Broken Arrow   2,000 for Mathurin. She had 27 points, but the 15th point she scored had to be the sweetest, as that was 2,000 for her career in a Tiger uniform. Skilled scorer and Broken Arrows runs good action to get her downhill and in positions to take advantage of her advanced ISO game. There's at least one more game for the Michigan signee to add to her scoring total and continuing to chase Gold.   [player_tooltip player_id='315224' first='Macy' last='Marraccini'], Senior, Broken Arrow   The cerebral point guard is usually impressive as a table setter. Have called her "Miss Makes All the Right Decisions" when it comes to passes, reads and handling the rock. She was all that and also more at the State Tournament. She went 4 for 4 from three, much of it in the first half to help carry the scoring load. Also for a smaller guard, she's a heck of a rebounder. Grabbing 8 boards to go along with 16 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. The only drawback is the senior left the game early, after a hard foul lead to an awkward foul. And she came up holding her wrist.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120716' first='Lovely' last='Haywood'], Sophomore, Mustang   Balanced Mustang had contributions up and down the board, but why not put a spotlight on a sophomore. Who is also next up in the Haywood family. Finished with 13 points, including 7-8 free throw shooting. Starting to look smooth and athletic when she gets down hill. While also having the same havoc causing gene that runs through the Haywood family. Mustang is a deep and balanced team, and there's no drop off when the younger Haywood subs in off the bench.   [player_tooltip player_id='909642' first='Kianna' last='Littlebear'], Sophomore, Sapulpa   Sapulpa ran into the buzzsaw that is PCN basketball this year. But the sophomore gave a great accounting of herself. Kept her personal turnovers to a minimum, while also going 4-5 from three. Scored a team high 19 points. Quick, heady and a sniper from deep. That's a good combo for the young floor general from the 918.   [player_tooltip player_id='315217' first='Avery' last='Hjelmstad'], Senior, Edmond Memorial   Last but certainly not least there's the ending of an outstanding prep career for the Utah signee. She went out with guns a blazing with 25 points. Throughout the second half, she kept finding ways to get to the rim and score. She eventually fouled out while desperately trying to cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter. The versatile senior has been of the most productive players of Oklahoma's historic Class of 2025. Finishing her career with over 1,500 points.

Game 1