10,000 Foot View: Class 6A 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: Putnam City North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Lady Panthers' run to the Gold Ball, they won their three Start Tournament games by 25 points, 17 points and 17 points. It was a dominating ending to a season where the only Oklahoma teams to play them within single digits were Norman and Edmond North. There's a possibility their encore could match last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They are beneficiaries of the changing nature of high school basketball transfers. They reunited their standout senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='578025' first='Kiana' last='Gray'] with her PCW 2024 State Title teammates. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='578034' first='Da'Nae' last='Jefferson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='572453' first='Jayla' last='Constant'] spent last year at GRIND Prep but are now at PCN. Those weren't the only guards they added, as the former Classen SAS duo of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='578033' first='Makiya' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='846970' first='Paige' last='Williams'] are new Panthers. It's an amazing collection of senior guards. With a promising junior class to support the outstanding seniors, the Panthers are set up very well to defend their title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contenders:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bixby - Over recent years, Bixby has been a consistent in the 6A State Tournament. And this year is not expected to be any different. At the opening BA super scrimmage, they were arguably the best team in the gym. With a tough minded senior quartet of guards [player_tooltip player_id='572438' first='Kate' last='Wernli'], Brooklyn Scarborough, [player_tooltip player_id='1260200' first='Kate' last='Datel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773867' first='Addilyn' last='Kramer']. They're supplemented by deep sophomore and junior class of players who are projected to be future collegiate athletes. The Lady Spartans possibly can shoot the ball from deep the best of any team in Oklahoma. Size could be an issue for the Spartans, but the athletic Scarborough is capable of holding her own in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mustang - The runner ups from last year, the Broncos are headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='396323' first='Mya' last='Alston']. She's one of the top players in Oklahoma and will led the way for a Mustang team that graduated key players around her. Two juniors who are ready to step up and help Alston are [player_tooltip player_id='1120716' first='Lovely' last='Haywood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='877232' first='Scarlett' last='Allison']. Haywood could be one of the best defenders in Oklahoma and Allison should provide floor spacing as a shooter. Keep an eye on 6 foot 2 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1234117' first='Adriana' last='Brown'] to help provide interior play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union - With energy giving and tone setting upperclassmen guards, and an exciting sophomore forward duo; the Lady Redhawks will be one of the best defensive teams in the state. They'll likely to generate a lot of transition points from that outstanding defense. After an up and down start last season, a 10 game winning streak defined their season. And helped them make a State Tournament push. Which ended in heartbreak in the quarterfinals. Losing on a last second shot. But heartbreaking moments tend to galvanize teams in the following year. Expect them back in OKC in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keep an Eye On:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It starts with junior forward, [player_tooltip player_id='751175' first='Adriana' last='Radinovic']. Her first two years at the high school level have been filled with production around the rim and sneaky shooing from deep. There's a fun group of guards around her. Which should help the Lady Antlers improve on their 13-11 mark from last season. With a west side that looks wide open after the top tier of teams, they could be knocking on the door of a State Tournament appearance come March.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player in the Class:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='572451' first='Kyiah' last='Prestridge'], Senior, Westmoore </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arkansas commit has been a nationally regarded recruit for years. She put up explosive scoring numbers as a junior, including a 40 piece against Bixby. The bar is set high, but she has the skillset to set a new career high as a complete scorer. With Prestridge and her younger sister leading the way, they are capable of being the State Tournament mix come March.</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='882125' first='Jada' last='Davis'], Sophomore, Union - This could go for her or her twin sister, Mika. Both shined in spots for Union last year, but this summer and early scrimmage action indicates they're both ready to take a big leap forward. Jada is an unique athlete, with the ability to play along the perimeter. While also standing over 6 foot tall and capable of doing the dirty work down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 6A Preseason All State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='572453' first='Jayla' last='Constant'], Senior, Putnam City North - Electrifying guard, with the quickness and handles to break down any defense. Will score big buckets and set up her talented Lady Panthers teammates. Recently committed to UNLV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='957120' first='Elexis' last='Holmes'], Sophomore, Muskogee - After a dominating freshman year in Class 4A, Holmes' father took the Muskogee job. She's now ready to become a state wide star as a true guard at her impressive 6 foot 1 height. Makes it look easy off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='396323' first='Mya' last='Alston'], Senior, Mustang - One of the best shooters in the state, Alston is a tall scoring guard who is commited to Quinnipac. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard - [player_tooltip player_id='572451' first='Kyiah' last='Prestridge'], Senior, Westmoore - The Arkansas commit is an elite prospect with the size to be a forward, but the skillset of a guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forward - [player_tooltip player_id='578026' first='Johari' last='Hall'], Senior, Edmond North - Workhorse forward for the Lady Huskies. Has evolved her all around game over the last year and can still beat up opponents in the paint. Committed to Lafayette of the Patriot League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->