There were some big time guards covered last weekend and the El Reno floor general deserved to be mentioned among them.  Sleeper gives life with how she plays basketball with her brilliant floor vision and the way she helped orchestrated the Lady Indians attack. On Thursday and Friday, she was a catalyst with her elite passing abilities leading to game changing runs.

She’s not too shabby on the defensive end either, with quick hands and great anticipation skills.  Then on Saturday to complete the mission for El Reno, she stepped up from long distance with a 3-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc. It was a complete team performance to secure the perfect season and Gold Ball and Sleeper left her fingerprints all over the Lady Indians’ success.

After a slow first half, El Reno ran away in the second half. It was Sleeper at the core of it. Based on the last two days, the senior has to be the best passer in 5A. Amazing vision, actual no look passing.  The stats provided at the games have been questionable all week, but the senior only being credited with 2 assists by the box score is the biggest head scratcher.  She often delivered on the money passes and her impact was much bigger than her stat line of 6 points, 4 steals and 2 assists.

One of the best examples of her high basketball IQ came in the fourth. She drove from the wing, delivered a no look pass out, then redirected to the other corner. Got the ball back and drilled a corner three to cap El Reno’s amazing second half.  Last year El Reno saw their season end in the semifinals to Sapulpa. The senior has her team undefeated, in the title game with a chance to get revenge and the Gold Ball.

As covered above, one of the aspects that makes El Reno so good is their unselfish play.  The senior lead guard appears to be the creative heart of that aspect.  She has outstanding floor vision, making honest to god “no look” passes and reads.  Most kids tend to look away after the pass is made, trying to look cool for cameras. But Sleeper is the genuine article when it comes misdirecting the defense. She finished with 5 assists but her impact was much louder.

The vocal lead guard helped Thomas set the table on offense, while also orchestrating El Reno’s smothering defense.  From getting her hands in passing lanes or scooping up loose balls to race off for transition points, Sleeper was very impactful on the defensive end.  Often good with playing the role of creator, she did hit a nice off the glass floater in the second half.

The fact that Nazhoni is one of the unsigned from this 17U team is an absolute shame. She is an incredible Point Guard who sees the floor better than a lot of college athletes do… and I don’t just mean on offense. She plays the passing lanes and comes up with a plethora of turnovers for her team. She can shoot it and showed the ability to drive to the basket occasionally, but her real value is from the pure Point Guard area. She is smart, makes good decisions, and takes care of the ball.

Nazhoni Sleeper Nazhoni Sleeper 5'6" | CG El Reno | 2024 State OK , a class of 2024 guard, is a quick and agile player who uses her change of speed effectively to get to the rim. She also demonstrated excellent court vision and decision-making skills, reading the defense well and making smart passes. Sleeper is a strong rebounder at her position and has a solid understanding of both on and off-ball defense. She has strong defense instincts and displays her competitiveness and presence on the court.