Friday's Finest at the Big Friendly

Is alliteration is good for SEO and headlines? Anyway, we had a busy Friday night at Solid Rock, with a strong group of Oklahomans showing out. And a Kansas guard shining as well. Check back tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, etc for more coverage.      Whew. It's not often players as tall and strong as King have the type of burst she showed while pushing it in transition, or exploding to the rim in the halfcourt. Complete with nifty footwork on those drives to avoid defenders. Multiple outstanding finishes, with great touch. Mix in her willingness to rebound and get after it on defense, and the south Oklahoma product put in a complete performance to open the tournament. It seems with every viewing, King is becoming better and better. And she's likely still just scratching the surface of her potential.     Richardson's scoring ability has been the headliner for her. She got buckets again, complete with some of the best headfakes and ball fakes in Oklahoma. But there was a stretch where she ripped the opposing lead ballhandler twice in a few possessions, leading to easy points on the other end. Did a good job of balancing when to move her feet to make the opposition work. And knowing when to gamble to cause the aformentioned steals. Continuing to elevate her defensive game will make her one of the more complete players in Oklahoma.       Bright spot for Unity in a tough opener. Had a stretch in the first half where she caught fire from deep, with multiple threes in a short stretch. Also was a key part in helping to handle the pressure, spending more time on the ball. Displaying the complete strides she has made while becoming more of a wing than traditional four. Expect a Saturday bounce back from Unity, with Plunkett as a key part of it.     Tucker was a game changer on both ends in a 16U win for Enid Elite. Too fast in transition and too quick in the halfcourt. Add in her outstanding defensive anticipation skills and she racked up the steals to go along with her relentless driving. Not only was she driving to score herself, she played the role of creator. Making good passes and setting up teammates for open threes or clean looks at the rim. It was good to see that part of her game as recent viewings painted her as a defender and slasher. Growth as a playmaker for others will be vital for the bright future of the quick and aggressive guard.     Swung the night cap with energy and defense. Started with pass deflections and havoc causing plays, then added in tough one on one defense. Popped up to score or make unselfish passes when needed on offense. Her energy was vital in turning a close a game into a 20 point "dub". Seemingly fits in perfectly to a new squad, that is set for a tough national schedule. Where a gritty, versatile defender like Hightower, will be crucial to success. While also opening doors to collegiate options.     Outstanding first half for the Kansas guard especially as it came against a few of the top prospects in Oklahoma. Even on a court with other great athletes, she was one of the fastest. Complete with the ability to switch gears and have outstanding quickness. Was a terror in transition and even had some nifty tight window passes on drives. Good accuracy and velocity on those dimes, exciting player to watch. Even has some fight and quick hands on defense. Faded a bit in the second half, but there's still a lot to like about McCorry's all around game.

Is alliteration is good for SEO and headlines? Anyway, we had a busy Friday night at Solid Rock, with a strong group of Oklahomans showing out. And a Kansas guard shining as well. Check back tomorrow, Sunday, Monday, etc for more coverage.