Game Report: Sapulpa vs. Union
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In a match-up of two of the best teams in Oklahoma, it was defense and experience that eventually sealed the deal for the Union Redhawks in a hard-fought 40-36 victory. The 5A State Champions came out hot as Sapulpa took…
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Continue ReadingIn a match-up of two of the best teams in Oklahoma, it was defense and experience that eventually sealed the deal for the Union Redhawks in a hard-fought 40-36 victory. The 5A State Champions came out hot as Sapulpa took a 17-16 lead into the locker room at the half with a pretty good defensive performance of their own. They held Union to just 17% shooting from the field in the first half and allowed only single digits in points in both the first and second quarters. In fact, they held the No. 5-ranked 6A squad to eight points in the fourth, as well and apart from a 16 point third-quarter outburst, probably would have walked away victors. In the end, Union began their quest for a fourth straight tourney appearance – the fourth consecutive for all five senior starters – with a win and Sapulpa began their title defense with a disappointing defeat; albeit one from just above their weight class.
Player of the Game
Aubrey Hishaw Aubrey Hishaw 5'9" | SF Tulsa Union | 2023 State OK | 5-11 F | Union | 2022 | @aubreyhishaw
After receiving her first offer back on October 1 from Rogers State (and with the entire Rogers State staff in the building to witness it), Aubrey had herself an absolutely amazing game in every aspect. She is very long, which enables her to play the four. She can run the floor and shoot like a three. Last night, she was everywhere on the court, both offensively and defensively. She racked up several steals on some very good players in the post by using her speed to swing around them as the pass entered the lane and snagging the ball. Unlike a lot of post players, there is no need to panic once she has the ball in her hands down low. She calmly dribbles out of the traffic and finds someone to pass to or barring that, simply brings it up the court. Her versatility is incredible. She is shooting more from long range this year and has clearly been working on her stroke which is nice and fluid. She had one three last night as part of her 13 points which tied her for the lead among all scorers. Hishaw is a great all-around player and though she would be a great fit with Kyle Bent and his staff, I would not be at all surprised to see more offers coming in this season.
Other Standouts
Stailee Heard Stailee Heard 6'0" | CG Sapulpa | 2023 State OK | 5-10 G | Sapulpa | 2023 | @StaileeH
Junior guard Stailee Heard Stailee Heard 6'0" | CG Sapulpa | 2023 State OK is the No. 2-ranked player in the class of 2023 and quite possibly the bounciest player in the entire state. If there is anybody close to her in terms of sheer athleticism, it would have to be T.K. Pitts (2022, committed to SMU), who matched up with her most of the night. Heard is a joy to watch get up and down the court as it seemingly takes her four steps to move from one hoop to the other. She glides with a grace and ease that you just don’t see in the girls game too often. Union tried everything they could to lock her down all night, but there is no way to shut out one of the best players in the state of Oklahoma and in the end, Heard finished with 11 points to lead her team. She scored from every level and made it look too easy at times. On the defensive end, she flashed from out of nowhere to send shots into the first row of seats. She played great man-to-man defense and was able to disrupt the flow of Union’s offense to the point of causing the Redhawks to call timeout several times. She is a tremendous all-around player, a D-I talent, and very, very fun to watch. It’s no wonder that she holds a double-digit amount of top-level Division-I offers. There are some very good coaches out there waiting with bated breath to find out if Stailee is going to be playing for them come 2024!
Sydni Smith Sydni Smith 6'2" | C Union | 2022 State OK | 6-2 F/C | Union | 2022 | @sydnismith2022
Yet another senior starter for Union who is very good and deserves a lot more interest, Sydni Smith Sydni Smith 6'2" | C Union | 2022 State OK is an outstanding post player. On a night where she only scored four points, she still managed to stand out in myriad ways. She had several huge – and very timely – blocks that most likely saved the game for her team. She came down with big-time rebounds and though Sapulpa did not have the size to compete with Union inside, she understood that they were going to come crashing in whenever she secured the ball. She used every opportunity to get the ball back out to her shooters and this enabled the Redhawks to hit five three-pointers; all of them very timely in their own way. Smith gets up and down the floor as fast as almost anyone which is clearly very important for a 6’2″ post player. She gets a lot of opportunities for easy transition buckets by beating her slower opponents down the court and finishing inside. Sydni does things the right way and looks to be a lot more vocal and more of a leader this season. Everything that I saw from her in game action on Tuesday makes me think that Lamar University should not be her only Division-I offer.
Tyla Heard Tyla Heard 5'10" | SF Sapulpa | 2024 State OK | 5-10 F | Sapulpa | 2024 | @HeardTyla
Every time I see Heard play, I have to make a reminder in my notebook to move her up in the rankings yet again. She has moved up several times since she made her debut in the initial rankings. She just keeps getting better and better and better and better. At No. 8 in the rankings currently, I would not be at all surprised to see her in the top-5 by the end of the season. She has the ability to take over a game, though, with her sister on the team, she hasn’t had to do it just yet. Considering that she already has a D-I offer, as well, I’d say I’m not the only one taking notice, though. She opened up with a big-time three-pointer in the first quarter and though she didn’t score again until the fourth, it was clear to see that when it came to crunchtime, she was not going to be denied. It’s like she almost has a clutch gene. Of her nine points, six were in the final stanza. She can hit from all levels and has a gorgeous jump shot. Tyla goes hard all game long and is capable of playing some very good defense. She is incredibly athletic. As a three-sport star, she never tires and is a well-rounded player who really can play anywhere on the court. She guarded the post and perimeter at various times in the game and did a great job of both. As her role expands on this very good team, I look forward to seeing the offers coming rolling in for this very deserving player.
Quick Hits
Sapulpa –
Brooklyn Berry (5-5, G, 2022) – Berry provides a key ingredient for Head Coach Darlean Calip’s squad which is senior leadership. She is a calming influence and a steady ball-handler.
Mataya Hall Mataya Hall 5'9" | CG Tulsa Memorial | 2025 State OK (5-8, CG, 2025) – Mataya put up points in droves on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit and I look forward to seeing her do that with her high school team. Starting with the State Champions as a freshman is a big deal and she looked very confident and comfortable out there.
Jaselyn Rossman (5-8, G, 2022) – Another senior who provides steady leadership – to go along with great defense and good size – is Rossman. Though she didn’t score, her defense was key in holding a very good Union team to 40 points.
Shay Koch (5-7, F, 2024) – The “6th Man” for this very good team scored a big bucket in the first quarter and got some big minutes. She is a very good player and I expect to see her role expand further this season.
Taylor Bilby (5-5, G, 2024) – Bilby was clutch in the fourth quarter and along with the Heard sisters almost brought Sapulpa all the way back for the win. She is a great defender and had all five of her points in the fourth – as I said, she is clutch.
Wrigley Adkisson Wrigley Adkisson 6'2" | PF Sapulpa | 2025 State OK (6-1, F, 2025) – Wrigley can guard all five positions and was called upon to guard one of the best PG’s in the state in Makenzie Malham and she did an outstanding job. Oh, by the way, she also had five points including a three-pointer!
Union –
Desiree Marshall-Penny (5-5, G, 2022) – DMP is a lockdown defender. Period. She is quiet and intense and when she is on you, you might as well pack a lunch because it’s gonna be a long day at work.
Makenzie Malham (5-10, PG, 2022) – You may be wondering why she isn’t listed up above and that is because since I have been covering Oklahoma girls basketball, Malham has been committed to Arkansas to play soccer (therefore, I’d rather help other players get discovered). You see, she is the best soccer player in the state of Oklahoma. She could very easily be a Division-I point guard, so if things ever go awry for Mike Neighbors up the road from the soccer complex there in Fayetteville, he knows where to turn. Malham had 13 points on Tuesday night.
Jamiya Woodard Jamiya Woodard 5'9" | CG Tulsa Union | 2025 State OK (5-10, G, 2025) – Woodard is one of the top-25 freshmen in the state in a loaded class. She was the “6th man” off the bench for the Redhawks, which is saying a lot. She played some outstanding defense. She has great length and quickness and in very few minutes on the court had several blocks and several steals.