Too Early Class 3A 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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's 5 teams that could help define the story of Class 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Defending Champions: Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two years ago, a strong junior class helped Washington get the monkey off their back and win their first State Title in nearly 20 years. The same core of girls helped the Lady Warriors go back to back in dominating fashion. Even with the graduation of outstanding seniors, the 3A State Title still runs through Washington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Warriors are expected to be a bit on the younger side, as they will lean on their junior class and sophomores to power them. Luckily for Washington, they are deep and talented groups. The junior class has familiar last names anchoring with [player_tooltip player_id='1741141' first='Briley' last='Beller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1860400' first='Harper' last='Johnson'] both being younger sisters of recently graduated Washington standouts. Beller in particular has started to blaze her own path. She's a nard nosed wing, who gets after it on defense and makes hustle plays that help swing games. With improving shooting, she's set for a breakout junior campaign. Keep an eye on sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1554049' first='Hadley' last='Beard'] as another difference maker. As a freshman, she was a gritty forward around the rim. She's made strong strides in her all around game this summer. With improved shooting and handles that indicate she could be able to develop into more of a wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1542324' first='Bentli' last='Brantley'], Sophomore Guard </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the members of the senior class were the heart and driving force of Washington's most recent title run, it was hard to not feel that the most talented player on the team was the lefty freshman. Now the reigns will more often be in Brantley's hands. Which based on this summer, she looks more than up to the task of leading Washington. She has collected big time D1 offers from coast to coast. The lefty has some of the best handles in the state, and can string together makes from deep in a hurry. Expect Brantley to continue to shine this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Class, Same Mission </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over recent years, Lincoln Christian School has been one of the best programs in the state regardless of class. They've cemented that status with back to back 4A titles. Now due to OSSAA rule changes they're down in 3A. It sets up a potential juicy State Title game match up between two athletic programs with high exceptions. But with the senior trio LCS graduated, nothing is guaranteed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anchoring LCS's attempt to add to the trophy case is senior [player_tooltip player_id='829844' first='Jayla' last='Albert']. She's a hard working battler around the rim. Albert is also agile and fast when running the floor. She'll be a key part of setting the tone in the paint for the Lady Bulldogs. Joining her as senior leaders are a pair of sharpshooters. [player_tooltip player_id='779229' first='Ivey' last='Wheeler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='913442' first='Lauren' last='Still'] both have serious range, while also playing with contagious energy and encouragement. While that group and more key returnees may have early growing pains, LCS is well positioned to peak at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913597' first='Azariah' last='Woodruff'], Junior Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodruff showed her star potential during last year's State Tournament. She's an unique guard with outstanding size and a smoothness to her athleticism. Now after two years after competing, learning and playing with some of the best guards in Oklahoma, it will be the junior's time to shine. "Z" also enters her junior campaign with offers from Cornell, Lamar, Missouri State, LA Tech, UMKC, ACU, UNLV and the list goes on and on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Falcons soaring even higher</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an alum at the helm, Millwood improved from a 6 win season to a 19 win mark. And a Class 3A State Tournament berth. It's likely only the start for Millwood, as the Flacons should be considered a top 5 team in 3A. They have waves of defensive guards, capable of making life difficult for any team. While they have upperclassmen experience, a key to Millwood elevating their ceiling will come via talented underclassmen. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1233970' first='Lauryn' last='Carey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1233644' first='Madison' last='Pressley'] already logged valuable varsity minutes last year. And in six months they very well could be two of the better guards in the OKC metro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='897126' first='Reighan' last='Carey'], Senior Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more complete guards in Oklahoma's senior class. Carey will lock up on the ball. Carve up the defense off the bounce. And make defenders pay when left open from three. Expect her to the be focal point for any deep playoff run the Falcons make. T</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A new boarding Party </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The race in 3A is even tougher this year and a further example of that comes with Dale moving up from 2A. The Lady Pirates have an active 8 year streak of Class 2A State Tournament appearances. In the past years they regularly beat bigger programs, including winning last year's prestigious Tournament of Champions. So there is little reason to expect the streak to end. They graduated quite a bit of production, but the talent is never empty at Dale. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1097683' first='Peyton' last='Bays'], Junior, Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dale will light up the scoreboard all winter long with some of the best three point shooters in 3A. Which includes Bays. This summer she proved she's more than just a long range bomber. With improved scoring off the bounce via handles and more confidence. Bays really could take a leap as a creator as well because she has a strong feel for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Commandos on a Mission</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascia Hall was rolling to start last year, winning 13 straight games and climbing the 3A rankings. Despite the strong start, they missed the State Tournament when they lost in Area to rivals Metro Christian. A team they had defeated twice in the regular season. Often defeat is the best motivation, which should see a Commando team attack this season with vigor. It's been since 2000 that Cascia reached state. That was back when Oklahoma legend Iciss Tillis played for Cascia. This Cascia team has the returning talent to break the streak and reach state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='918257' first='Scout' last='Glisson'], Senior Guard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascia is a balanced team with good size in the front court and Glisson as the leader in the backcourt. She plays stronger than her height on drives to the rim. And has a burner from deep. One of the more underrated scorers in the state and surely will have more 30+ point games this upcoming winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->