Buzzer Beater: November and Hoopfest Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Closing out a busy November with a look back at the preseason and the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scrimmages and Games</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the season doesn't formally tip till Tuesday, the small town teams of Class 2A, A and B have heated up. With many of them already multiple games into their season. And a handful of the bigger schools have also tipped off. So far, PGH has seen Douglass, Choctaw, Del City, Piedmont, Stillwater, Dale, Ponca City and Byng play in person. With multiple December tournaments, expect the number of teams and prospects watched to increase tenfold in December. We'll keep working hard to make it all over the state to provide the best possible college of Oklahoma's talented young women hoopers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2029 Watchlist</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2029 watchlist was posted this month. Myself and Johnny Vick broke down a wide variety prospects from that list that has us excited about the now and future of Oklahoma basketball. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/oklahoma/rankings/oklahoma-high-school-girls-basketball-2029-class-player-rankings/">Check out the list and the articles here!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hoopfest Storylines </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panthers Pass First Tests</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The preseason expectations for the defending Class 6A champs were sky high. On paper they had arguably the best backcourt in Oklahoma. But before Friday night they hadn't made it official on the court. A hard earned win on Friday night against hosts Duncanville set the tone. Then they poured it on DeSoto with a 74-49 win. [player_tooltip player_id='572453' first='Jayla' last='Constant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='578034' first='Da'Nae' last='Jefferson'] are possibly the best 1-2 scoring punch in Oklahoma. And the Lady Panthers are loaded around that senior duo. Constant is the flash, with lightning like ability to force steals, break ankles and silky finishing on drives. In the win over Duncanville, Jefferson brought more of the steel. She's a tough shot maker off the bounce. Specializing in mid-range pull ups and floaters. Tough around the rim, she's a smart off the ball cutter and even popped up with more than her fair share of putbacks for a guard. Constant is signed with UNLV and Jefferson is signed with Northern Colorado.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Del City and Douglass bounce back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Oklahoma's top teams started their years at the Pride of the East Side showcase with tough defeats. Both came out of the holiday with 2-0 records at the Hoopfest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglass started their Texas two step with a 53-39 win over Arlington Grace Prep. Then they grinded out a 49-46 win over Argyle. Their one-two punch of N'kyiah Burge and [player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'] was in fine form. Burge led the way with 18 in the win over Grace Prep. Then sophomore sensation Woods had 16 against Argyle. Travel is heavy on the Trojettes' schedule for December with trips to Texarkana, Phoenix and Dallas. But they do have a Friday morning match up against Crooked Oak at the SOS Foundation Sick of Sickle Cell Showcase in Norman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Del City won decisively 53-29 over South Grand Prairie on Friday, then a 53-46 dub over Cy Springs. It was good bump for the Lady Eagles headed into district play, which heats up quickly with a December 9th match up against Newcastle. Potentially one of the best games of December and an early tone setter for District play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Still GRINDing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GRIND Prep started their holiday week with two tough match ups in Florida. Then made it back to OKC for a small break, before heading south to pick up a 64-49 win over iSchool (TX) on Saturday. Oklahoma basketball fans will get a chance to check them out on Friday and Saturday at the YFAC in Norman at the Sick of Sickle Showcase. They have a premier early Friday evening match up against North Crowley (TX) and a Saturday evening game against Muskogee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["613423"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692cf00265633"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Oklahoma's newest stars, Jackson was on a scoring tear last week in Florida. Scoring 26 points and 27 points in two contests against top tier national competition. Before that trip, the Pride of the East Side was the first in person viewing by the PGH Oklahoma team. She backed up the highlight reel expectations of her as a skilled and strong scorer. Compliments her handles with physical strength and good short area explosiveness for tough finishes and even helping out on the offensive glass. Complete scorer, with a tough mindset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->