Tournament Of Champions – Sapulpa Lady Chieftains

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched all 8 teams plays in the Tournament of Champions and there isn't a more complete and structured team than the Sapulpa Lady Chieftains. Sapulpa encompasses every piece that a winning program needs - shooters, finishers, play makers, runners, rebounders, defenders and teamwork! Although the team as a whole is incredible, here are four players that truly shined throughout the competition:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='197942' first='Stailee' last='Heard'] 2023: Stailee plays basketball on a completely different level than her competition and it is evident why she is committed to play Division 1 basketball next year at Oklahoma State University. &nbsp;She dropped 26 points from various spots on the floor and steam rolled through the defense for easy lay ups - but, more impressive than her scoring ability was the way she rebounded the ball. &nbsp;Heard, hands down, had the best rebounds of the day - jumping over her opponents and (on multiple occasions) snagging the ball, one handed, at its peak! &nbsp;She plays the game at a pace that not many, at the high school level, can keep up with - when she runs the floor on a 2 on 1 situation, it is almost guaranteed that once she gets the ball from the kick ahead, she will masterfully finish at the rim. Stailee is elite &amp; she is a player that you can watch over and over - and, be "wowed" each time!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='249260' first='Tyla' last='Heard'] 2024: Tyla is an all-around ball player that does a little bit of everything. She can't be categorized into any one position as she is capable of playing all 5 spots, comfortably. &nbsp;Tyla earns many of her points in the paint as she rebounds well and times her put backs, perfectly. &nbsp;She is a force on defense as she isn't overly eager to jump or reach when the ball handler attempts misdirection or pump fakes and she has the feet work to keep her opponent in front of her. Tyla is only half way through her junior season so it'll be interesting to watch how her game develops and expands through the remainder of this season, summer ball and her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261722' first='Raegan' last='McQuarters'] 2023: Raegan is the definition of "defense into offense". She locked down EVERY player that she was guarding and it was nearly impossible to even get a decent pass off when she was guarding you. Raegan had 5+ steals in addition to her multiple deflections in the opening game against Pocola. McQuarters doesn't just get in the passing lane and deflect the ball, she seems to deliberately deflect the ball right where it needs to be for her teammates to gain possession. The most impressive aspect of Reagan's defense is how disciplined she is - a combined 5 to 10 steals/deflections with minimal fouls &amp; at least, a handful of 5 second calls - she is different!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='574232' first='Riki' last='Mcquarters'] 2026: Riki is easily in the top 5 - for best defenders at the Tournament of Champions. She does not shy away from the fastest or best ball handler but rather, seems to welcome the challenge. She has some of the quickest hands and forces the ball handlers to go where she wants them to go - and, much like her sister, she is very disciplined. Riki is a defensive threat but she can shoot and attack the basket with the best of them! &nbsp;McQuarters has a smooth demeanor on the court and plays like she has "been here before". She is a player that should be on everyone's radar --- Oh, and she is ONLY A FRESHMAN!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->