10,00 Foot View: Class 4A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Basketball season is upon us! Scrimmages have started and the regular season will soon tip. Stay locked into PGHOklahoma with full coverage of teams and prospects from all over Oklahoma.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Defending Champs: Lincoln Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back to back runner up finishes, LCS closed out the Big House with a hard fought game to finally reach the mountain top. Early signs this preseason are that they will be contending again. They are led by an outstanding senior trio of future collegiate guards [player_tooltip player_id='572965' first='Maddi' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='572964' first='Alexis' last='Leyva'] and [player_tooltip player_id='413627' first='Kayli' last='Atkinson']. That grouping alone would have them in the conversation to repeat. What could help the Lady Bulldogs really separate is their fantastic depth. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='829844' first='Jayla' last='Albert'] is an athletic paint presence and junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='779229' first='Ivey' last='Wheeler'] can hit big shots from deep. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913597' first='Azariah' last='Woodruff'] would be the best guard for many teams in Class 4A. They even have promising freshmen in [player_tooltip player_id='1240770' first='Laine' last='Dooley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240460' first='Hayden' last='Van Valkenburg'] and [player_tooltip player_id='898434' first='Hayleigh' last='Michalec']. The talent well isn't running dry anytime soon, and LCS is already playing with a business like mentality in early scrimmages. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglass - If the ball had bounce a couple different ways, it very well would've been Douglass as the defending champs. Even with the bitter taste of a narrow defeat, it's been a fantastic two year turn around for the Lady Trojans. As they also had a semifinal appearance two years ago. They graduated a fantastic group of guards but have a stellar one-two punch with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'] and senior N'Kiyah Burge. With a challenging out of state schedule, the Trojettes will be well tested come playoff time. Which should help players Ileya Combs, [player_tooltip player_id='913862' first='Sarenity' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1325502' first='Darriana' last='Gates'] and more be ready to step up when the lights are brightest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Bow - One-two punches are a theme for 4A contenders. Broken Bow's junior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='881182' first='Tyson' last='Woolsey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866548' first='Jaylen' last='Cauthron'] certainly fit the bill. They have ideal guard-forward chemistry, especially as they have also been travel ball teammates. Both are outstanding athletes, with likely D1 futures. Last season they helped the Lady Savages to a 22-8 mark and were only two wins away from a State Tournament appearance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Locust Grove - The Pirates have their own duo to lean on as they attempt to make their third straight 4A State Tournament run. There's the multifaceted, long arm junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='593784' first='Olivia' last='Stokes']. And the sharpshooter senior [player_tooltip player_id='574241' first='Claire' last='Hooker']. At nearly 6 foot, Hooker has fantastic positional size. Last weekend in Broken Arrow, she looked more effective off the bounce last week. Those are the two main standouts for the Pirates, but also keep an eye on senior [player_tooltip player_id='1231532' first='Tatum' last='Stokes']. She was a clutch scorer during LG's quarterfinals win last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keep an Eye On:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuttle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers were a 21 win team last year, and two games away from a State Tournament appearance. They had a pair of freshman gain valuable experience with forward [player_tooltip player_id='986727' first='Evalynn' last='Mitchell'] and guard [player_tooltip player_id='992458' first='Lakyn' last='Smith']. Both have the look of future All Conference type players as seniors. If they continue to grow up in a hurry to compliment standout senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='523902' first='Marissa' last='Sandlin'], the Tigers have the talent to make noise. Especially with the ability to lean on Sandlin to score tough buckets in close games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player in the Class:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='572965' first='Maddi' last='Stewart'], Senior Guard, Lincoln Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not a rebound or loose ball that Stewart isn't going to go for. As she's either high pointing and strongly grabbing contested boards. Or is often the first to the floor for loose balls. Plays with a similar fire on the offensive end, as a clutch scorer off the bounce. Stewart averaged 14.7 points, grabbed 6.6 rebounds, handed out 3.8 assists and recored 2.5 steals per game as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Underclassman:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1254723' first='Zoe' last='Elizabeth Hyde'], Freshman Guard, Fort Gibson </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Tigers have won a lot of games over the years, with outstanding guard play. Next up for them is Hyde. She's a quick and determined defender. While also equally capable of either scoring or setting up teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Class 4A All State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='572965' first='Maddi' last='Stewart'], Senior Guard, Lincoln Christian - Nebraska signee with possibly the best motor in the State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='572964' first='Alexis' last='Leyva'], Senior Guard, Lincoln Christian - An exciting floor general, Leyva is committed to Wichita State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866548' first='Jaylen' last='Cauthron'], Junior Guard, Broken Bow - After winning Class 3A with Idabel in 2025, Cauthron made the short transfer north to Broken Bow. She has continued to put up big time numbers, while making showtime players thanks to her quickness, handles and exceptional vision. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'], Sophomore Guard, Douglass - Silky smooth scoring guard, capable of drilling daggers in the mid-range and from three. Will likely be playing college basketball at the biggest levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='593784' first='Olivia' last='Stokes'], Junior Wing, Locust Grove - Stokes is a skilled wing, who is continuing to play more and more like a big guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->