Too Early 5A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sign up for our upcoming camps!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2396/register/oklahoma-freshman-showcase">The Freshman Showcase on Saturday, September 5th!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prepgirlshoops.com/e/2427/register/the-expo-oklahoma">The Expo on Sunday, September 13th!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use promo code Sam26PGH25OFF for a discount at checkout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Defending Champs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Albert </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being a regular in the State Tournament, the Lady Titans finally broke through and won a State Title with a dramatic finish. While they lose two of the fantastic seniors who led the way, they still return quite a bit of talent in the backcourt. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1161380' first='Hadyn' last='Harrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1828685' first='Meliah' last='Hatchett'] will be tone setters on defense. While fellow guard [player_tooltip player_id='1247730' first='Zoie' last='Johnson'] will bring the same energy defensively, while also stepping into a bigger offensive role. Keep an eye on fellow sophomores Annabel and [player_tooltip player_id='1246936' first='Brynli' last='Crawford'] to provide the interior punch for Carl Albert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcastle </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Racers have arguably the best 2028 core in Oklahoma but fell short in the title game. Giving the trio [player_tooltip player_id='913569' first='Amara' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='913548' first='Jordyn' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'] a Revenge Tour narrative for their junior campaigns. All three took their games to new levels this summer and had a fantastic July playing together for Legynds' 16U EYBL squad. But for Newcastle to finish the job this time, they will need the keys guards around the trio to step up. From sparkplug senior Lilly Talliaferro, fellow juniors [player_tooltip player_id='913691' first='Jailiana' last='Salas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1325094' first='Kaelin' last='Horton'], to promising sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1828432' first='Khloe' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1222493' first='Makayla' last='Brown'], all hands will be needed on deck for Newcastle to finish the job. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Del City </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another program with strong recent success, Del City has talent in all classes. From incoming freshman post Jaleaha Finch, disruptive junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='917364' first='Jaciah' last='McCalister'] and a senior core of [player_tooltip player_id='750226' first='Addison' last='Uzzi'], [player_tooltip player_id='1109013' first='Saniya' last='Bonds'], and [player_tooltip player_id='642354' first='Kamyiah' last='Morgan']. Loook for Morgan and Bonds to lead the ways as scorers. Hopefully a reutrn to the court for promising junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='913686' first='Paris' last='Baker'] will be a big boos. She unfortunately missed most of last season and this past summer with a knee injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midwest City </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Bombers claimed the district crown over rivals Carl Albert, but a slip up in Area had them on the outside looking in duringt the State Tournament. Don't expect that to happen again with one of the best backcourts in the class. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1222916' first='Brooklyn' last='Henderson'] has established herself as a national recruit. And she has support in dynamic junior Bailee Guthrie, fellow sophomore scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1313459' first='Aurianna' last='Walter'] and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Side Wide Open?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Booker T Washington has moved up to 6A, and they likely would've been the preseason favorite on the east side. Their move up corresponds with Sapulpa coming back down. Before Sapulpa jumped up to 6A in 2025, they had played in three 5A State Title games in four years, winning two (2021 and 2023). However Sapulpa looked a little disjointed in June. They'll be a team to watch, but it does leave the door open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Sapulpa, there's Shawnee who since the district split have been a regular on the east side. East Central overcome a rocky year to make an amazing run to the state tournament. With more stability to go with their talent, they could make some serious noise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenpool has floated between 5A and 4A, ending up back up this year. Which they reached the 5A quarterfinals last year. They return one of the best scorers in the state, which will always give them a chance to make a run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Programs like Collinsville, Bishop Kelley, and Tahlequah also could be in the mix come February. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darkhose Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of the east side, Edison checked in at 15 in the preseason coach's poll. Last year they improved to 11 wins after being an only 2 win team. They also were only a game away from state after getting playoff wins over Tahlequah and Durant. It's quite the turnaround and the improvement likely isn't over in head coach Aaron Daniels' second year at the helm. Especially as they have one of the top freshmen in the 918 joining. [player_tooltip player_id='1850773' first='Kassidy' last='Crews'] is a dynamic scorer, who will be instant offense this fall. The Eagles are likely a lot closer to the top 8 in 5A than they are to 15th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The best player in 5A is...</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an tough debate with a pair of outstanding seniors, a few fantastic juniors and a super sophomore. Here's a quick look at a few of the 5A stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yaya Gibson, Senior, Glenpool - An electric scorer, she's too fast off the bounce. And is a big time shooter off the dribble. One of the most exciting players in Oklahoma to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='606266' first='Gia' last='Dennis'], Senior, Coweta - Dennis has big time game, with an unique mix of finesse and power on drives. She could almost single handily lead a State Tournament charge for Coweta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913552' first='Kalani' last='Kindred'], Junior, Newcastle - Simply count on production, on both ends of the court for Kindred. She has outstanding timing and feel on defense for blocks and steals. While also becoming a complete scorer on offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913569' first='Amara' last='King'], Junior, Newcastle - One of the most athletic and strongest players in Oklahoma. King is an one woman wrecking crew on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='992449' first='Chloe' last='Woodson'], Junior East Central - A quick guard, with a bag of moves off the bounce. She took over done the stretch to power East Central's run to State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1222916' first='Brooklyn' last='Henderson'] - Pure bucket getter, who played at the 17U level EYBL circuit. Has elite handles and footwork, drawing the attention of collegiate coaches all over the nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->