Underclasmen thrive in Yukon-Norman North elimination game

The playoffs kicked off for Class 6A last night. One of the more even match up games on paper was Norman North vs Yukon. At halftime it was playing to script with tied at 28 all. But blistering shooting and transition points allowed a Norman North full of young talent to pull away for a 67-53 win.    McCoy had been steadily improving throughout her sophomore campaign. On Thursday night she took a huge leap forward. She was all over the court on the defensive end. Racked up steals; from jumping to high point passes to straight up ripping away the ball from opponents. Read a play in transition and slid over to take a charge. Her energy and impact was enormous throughout the game on the defensive end.   Equally impressive was the speed and control she attacked with off the bounce on offense. Carved up the Yukon defense on multiple occasions. And that's where the hard work she's put in over the last year has really paid off. She has improved as a finisher at the basket and that was apparent throughout the game. For good measure, she drained a couple threes during a third quarter run that proved to be a back breaker.     Seniors are the difference makers come playoff time and Diaz brought it in the paint. Recorded at least three emphatic, tone setting blocks around the rim. Including one time where she hustled back in transition to get a piece of a shot. Also asserted her will around the rim on offense. Established deep positon, to get high percentage looks on post ups. Or clean up misses with putbacks. When Diaz is locked in like Thursday night, she's a game changer inside the paint.     Slow start for the exciting freshman, but finished the game with a flurry of makes from three. She was pushing the tempo and stepping into deep threes like they were easy. Harrison is an up tempo guard, who plays with a chip on her shoulder. Add in the range she has a shooter and she has a very promising future as a super productive high school player. Who should be well prepared to play at the next level.     Sharpshooter who keyed the second half run for the Lady Timberwolves. Went off for three triples in short succession. Knows how to run to her spots and has range from deep. Along with the second half flurry, she hit another three in the first half. Key part of Norman North's exciting sophomore core. As she helps provide gravity for her fellow sophomore guards to attack the rim.     Fulmer came out gunning for the Millerettes. Started with three pointers, then mixed in other scoring throughout the game. Scored a nice floater after being ran off the line. Was impressed when she ran to an opening in the middle of the zone, then quickly and fluidly drained a free throw line jumper before the defense could react. Appears to be a smart off the ball shooter, with next level height.     It was a very freshman game from Nickson. Had a stretch in the second half where she ran around hunting and successfully blocking shots. While also generally looking more confident and decisive with her moves on the offensive end. But there were also some turnovers and the fouling of a three point shooter late in the second quarter. There's a lot of promise, because she's naturally gifted with good height, wingspan and athleticism. The building blocks are there for her to take a big leap over the next year.

The playoffs kicked off for Class 6A last night. One of the more even match up games on paper was Norman North vs Yukon. At halftime it was playing to script with tied at 28 all. But blistering shooting and transition points allowed a Norman North full of young talent to pull away for a 67-53 win.