Class 5A Top 10 Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're entering the stretch run for the Class 5A District races. Here's a check in on the top teams challenging for the 5A District Titles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also Considered </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coweta 10-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>El Reno 9-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pryor 10-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Collinsville 11-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District 3 is proving to be quite the race, with the Lady Cardinals beating Booker T Washington by 13 in January. But an early season loss to Coweta and an one point loss to Shawnee means Collinsville has ground to make up. They're already getting big contributions from freshman [player_tooltip player_id='898454' first='Rian' last='Lytle'], and have senior experience thanks to the guard duo of [player_tooltip player_id='573004' first='Hayden' last='McDowell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='574165' first='Jennah' last='Christian']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Durant 12-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 7-1 mark in district play has the Lady Lions in the second spot of District 4 and are positioned to be a Regional host. They're led by classic heart of height guard, junior [player_tooltip player_id='890046' first='Iyana' last='Wilson']. She's a bundle of energy on both ends of the court, and has the shooting range to make defenses pay as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Bishop McGuinness 13-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Irish have taken care of business against the teams they should beat, but have yet to earn a signature win. The core talent is there with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='593245' first='Mariah' last='Conally'] plus sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='913600' first='Acelynn' last='Tucker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917333' first='Kashlynn' last='Cooper']. They'll have one more crack each at Newcastle and Del City before the playoffs. Winning either would be quite the confidence booster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Shawnee 13-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top challengers for the District 3 crown, Shawnee lost a close one on the road to Booker T. But will get the return game on senior night for [player_tooltip player_id='572460' first='Daley' last='Rice'] on February 13th. Rice is a do it all guard, with good size and recently cleared 1,000 points for her career. She's an ideal ring leader for a team with quality athleticism across their roster and clear State Tournament potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Booker T Washington 11-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's 5A runner ups have been a bit up and down, but control their own dynasty in District 3 after a 51-46 win over Shawnee. In a recent win over Millwood, it was their junior of [player_tooltip player_id='999392' first='Kennedy' last='Glenn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='751199' first='Tianna' last='Butler'] who stepped up. Glenn had a full stat line of 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. While Butler got into double figures with 10 points and used his long wingspan, athleticism and timing to block 7 shots. If the Hornets are to make another state tournament run, the play of the junior duo will be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Midwest City 12-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a bounce back season for the Lady Bombers. Their only losses are to 6A programs in Tournament play. One of the key faces in the turnaround is a fresh one. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1222916' first='Brooklyn' last='Henderson'] is an electric scorer for the Lady Bombers, and already is one of the best players in the state regardless of class. They travel to rivals Carl Albert on Friday, with bragging rights and playoff seeding on the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Glenpool 14-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 9-0 in District play and the Sequoyah Tournament title under their belts, the Lady Warriors are the pride of the east side of the state. Junior Yaya Gibson has been on a scoring tear and is one of the toughest one on one match ups in Oklahoma. Athletic senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='572455' first='Tyra' last='McKennie'] cleans the glass, protects the rim and plays with an edge. Since a small hiccup at the Locust Grove tournament, they've ripped off three straight District wins to build their advantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Carl Albert 13-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans have ran through district play, while also battling in two different Tournament of Champions. They're anchored by the outstanding senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id='578039' first='Audrey' last='Plunkett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='574166' first='Jakary' last='Brown']. Plunkett recently went over 1,000 points and is a versatile scoring wing. While Brown is a tough bucket getting guard. They host their Mid-Del and District rivals, Midwest City on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Del City 15-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Del City has sought out a challenging non district schedule, which led to a narrow loss to Grind Prep last week. It's also paid dividends with tournaments wins in Norman and Bartlesville, where they've taken down multiple 6A programs. Now [player_tooltip player_id='1050414' first='Sacha' last='Hunt'] and company will be looking to cash in on those experiences when they take on Newcastle tomorrow. They narrowly lost to the Racers in December, and it honestly could be a State Championship preview. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Newcastle 16-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Racers are undefeated against Oklahoma competition, including a comeback win against 6A Mustang last Thursday. After reaching the 4A State Tournament last year in year one under new coach Jim Perinovic, Newcastle has adapted seamlessly to 5A. Fully backing up the belief that they would be instant contenders. As expected, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'] has looked like a star. While sophomore newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='913569' first='Amara' last='King'] has looked flat out unstoppable in spurts. Add in fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='913548' first='Jordyn' last='Richardson'], and Newcastle is built for success now and in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->