Too Early Class 4A 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 Champions: Lincoln Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two straight titles, it's guaranteed there will be a new top dog in Class 4A. LCS has dropped down to the Class 3A and will be covered in the Too Early Class 3A Preview. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player in the Class?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='593784' first='Olivia' last='Stokes'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's quite a few big time college prospects in Class 4A. However if picking one player to go win a 4A game tomorrow, the answer might very well be new Arkansas commitment [player_tooltip player_id='593784' first='Olivia' last='Stokes']. She's led Locust Grove to the State Tournament in all three years of her career. Including back to back semifinals appearances. She's a unicorn at the Oklahoma high school level. As she stands over 6 feet tall, with an even longer wingspan. She swats shots and grab boards around the rim. While also hounding guards and forcing steals on the perimeter. Stokes can take over games on both ends of the court in ways not many in Oklahoma can. Expect her to do that in route to another trip to OKC in March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best One-Two Punches</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the expected top two programs are characterized by having dynamic duos. Here's a break down of three of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='913706' first='Justice' last='Woods'] - [player_tooltip player_id='1325502' first='Darriana' last='Gates'] - Douglass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Electric Woods has been a star since she stepped on the court as a freshman two years ago. While last season Gates was one of the biggest breakout players in Oklahoma. They headline a Douglass team with a strong case to the preseason number one. They've finished runner ups back to back years and there's good odds Gates and Woods will be capable of finishing the job this time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866548' first='Jaylen' last='Cauthron'] - [player_tooltip player_id='881182' first='Tyson' last='Woolsey'] - Broken Bow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cauthron is one of the best athletes in Oklahoma. While Woolsey is an old school post, who beats up opponents on the block. With a sneaky dash of shooting touch and passing. The Lady Savages won 26 games last year and reached the State Tournament. Expect them to be back come March. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='593245' first='Mariah' last='Conally'] and [player_tooltip player_id='917333' first='Kashlynn' last='Cooper'] - Bishop McGuinness</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two big time scorers, who last year helped the Lady Irish to a Class 5A State Tournament appearance. With McGuinness down in 4A, expect the buckets to continue to flow as they should be a top 10 team in the Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>We &gt; ME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season McLoud's team was a standard setter for the program. Not only did they reach the State Tournament for the first time in school history. They also won their opening round game to reach the semifinals. With five key returnees, can they make it one step further and play for the Gold Ball? With how basketball rewards team performance and experience, it wouldn't be wise to bet against McLoud.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only is McLoud a fun story, they're a blast of a team to watch. They play fast paced, in your face defense. It starts with the unselfish and energetic Mapira twins. They are also the offensive engine with their floor spacing shooting and smart passing. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1054461' first='Creighton' last='Conley'] brings the tough buckets and rebounding as a scrappy wing. Rounding out their top four starting seniors is [player_tooltip player_id='1266311' first='Daycie' last='Nemecek'], a 6 foot 1 forward with one of the best motors in the state. Add in sharpshooting junior [player_tooltip player_id='1204972' first='Emma' last='Eslinger'] and McLoud has one of the more balanced and experienced starting 5s in all of Oklahoma. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Can the Maidens Break the Drought?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will have been 60 years since Berryhill last made the State Tournament. They were a game away this past season and return the bulk of their production. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='910307' first='Ava' last='Slagle'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='992460' first='Leighton' last='Inhofe'] sneakily could be in the conversation for the top Class 4A one-two punches. Slagle is one of the top rebounders in Class 4A, while also capable of stepping out and stretching the floor from three. Inhofe is a dynamic wing, who really shines on the defensive end. Consistent shooting from her this winter would do well to improve her collegiate potential, and also help Berryhill make the next step in Class 4A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That duo alone would be enough to have Berryhill capable of making noise. However they have talent around them. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='918252' first='Tycee' last='Downey'] is an athletic wing, capable of catching fire from deep. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='875147' first='Kaylin' last='Lephew'] will help ratchet up their defensive pressure. Don't sleep on junior floor general [player_tooltip player_id='1281268' first='Addison' last='Belk'], who helps run the show and raises her teammate's floors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->