10,000 Foot View: Class 5A 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: El Reno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this case, the defending back to back champs. It's been quite a run for the Lady Indians. After an undefeated title run in 2024, they shook off speed bumps during the regular season, with a perfect playoff run. Now the question is, can they keep the run going? They once again graduated a group of collegiate players with big shoes to fill. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='574243' first='Juliana' last='Thomas'] was impressive during AAU season, and looks ready to blaze her own path. Hopefully Haley Ferguson, [player_tooltip player_id='1225112' first='Mya' last='Robles'], [player_tooltip player_id='1162091' first='Eryn' last='Roman Nose'] and company are ready to make similar jumps. It could be a bumpy ride during then regular season at times, but never count out the heart of a champion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contenders:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Albert:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A recent regular at the State Tournament, the Lady Titans are still searching for a Saturday appearance and shot at a Gold Ball. With [player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='574166' first='Jakary' last='Brown'] as their dynamic scoring senior duo, this could be the year they breakthrough. Junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1161380' first='Hadyn' last='Harrell'] and Meliah Hatchett are big helps on the defensive end. Also, keep an eye on their promising incoming freshmen to possibly provide a boost. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Del City: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent in the Mid-Del district remains deep, as Del City is once again in the 5A State Tournament picture. They have one of the best sophomore duos in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='913686' first='Paris' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917364' first='Jaciah' last='McCalister']. They are two defensive minded prospects, who make life very hard on the opposition. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1050414' first='Sacha' last='Hunt'] and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='642354' first='Kamyiah' last='Morgan'] are quality shooters, while junior post [player_tooltip player_id='1109013' first='Saniya' last='Bonds'] will be relied upon in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcastle: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In year one under Jim Perinovic the Lady Racers reached the Class 4A State Tournament. Even with the move to Class 5A (which some might argue is an easier path to the State Tournament than 4A), the expectations for the Lady Racers is the same. Challenge for Gold. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'] was an one woman wrecking crew as a freshman. And now she has additional help with the transfers of sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='913548' first='Jordyn' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='913569' first='Amara' last='King']. The trio are well verse in playing together from AAU basketball. With size and shooting around the trio, Newcastle has one of the highest ceilings of any team in Oklahoma, yet alone 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player in the Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'], Senior Forward, Carl Albert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best athletes in Oklahoma, Plunkett is a big time mismatch. Too fast and skilled for forwards, while too tall and strong for opposing guards. It's a bit shocking her recruiting has not taken off more but one thing is for sure. She's set to produce this winter as a go to open for the title challenging Lady Titans.</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='1222916' first='Brooklyn' last='Henderson'], Freshman, Midwest City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A special talent, Henderson checks all the boxes of a future star. She an athletic scoring guard, with a DEEP bag of moves. Who along with the offensive flash, plays with steel on the defensive end. Henderson should hit the ground running for a much improved Lady Bombers team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A Preseason All State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='642354' first='Kamyiah' last='Morgan'], Junior Guard, Del City - As a sophomore Morgan showed she has a big time ceiling as a sharpshooter with next level measurable. Can catch fire from deep and hurt opponents off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='992449' first='Chloe' last='Woodson'], Sophomore Guard, East Central - A newcomer to East Central, Woodson is one of the most talented players in Oklahoma. Lightning fast, with handles to match. She should take the state by storm as a dynamic scoring guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='606266' first='Gia' last='Dennis'], Junior Guard, Coweta - Has started the past two years for Coweta during their back to back 5A semifinals runs. Powerful and quick guard, who picked her spots over the last two years. Now is the go to option for a program that is used to winning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'], Sophomore Forward, Newcastle - Potentially a special recruit, who is equally likely to carve up a defense off the bounce or protect the rim on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'], Senior Forward, Carl Albert - An athletic Swiss army knife, Plunkett can do it all on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->