By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Class 6A
The Contenders
Jenks: After a loss to Sapulpa to open the season, Jenks has been on cruise control. A tournament victory in the Jenks Invitational Tournament was impressive in itself. Jenks is led by 6-3 junior Tia McGee and senior Angie Criner. Last season, Jenks went 25-0 before a shocking defeat to Mustang in the state quarterfinals. In a contest that could be a preview to the state tournament at the Jenks Invitational, Jenks downed Mustang 54-52 behind 23 from Criner.
Mustang: The Lady Broncos are the defending champions in the state's large-school class. 6-foot junior Lucy Ramon, who scored 21 points in the state final victory over Edmond Santa Fe, and 6-1 junior Jordan Pyle are the leaders for Mustang.
Sapulpa: 6-3 junior Alyssia Brewer is receiving plenty of recruiting attention already by the likes of Baylor, Duke, Oklahoma, and Texas - all formidable women's Division I programs. In a benchmark victory over Tulsa Union, Brewer scored 11 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked five shots despite sitting the entire second quarter in a 49-41 victory. Tatum Beer is another viable option for Sapulpa.
Tulsa Union: Back-to-back losses at the turn of the New Year to Owasso and Sapulpa shouldn't be cause for alarm. The Lady Redskins have Jessica Roberts and junior Lindsay Palmer to rely on down the stretch. With Owasso, Bishop McGuinness (OKC), and Jenks still on the schedule, Union can make a big statement heading into March.
On the Doorstep
Tulsa Washington: The verdict may still be out on the Lady Hornets. Two games with Jenks have been postponed due to weather. Haleigh Lankster and sophomore Christina Shorter lead Washington, both hovering around 12 points per contest.
Midwest City: Freshman Richa Jackson leads the way for Midwest City, averaging over 14 points and six rebounds per game. Edmond Memorial appears to be the Achilles heel for the Lady Bombers, defeating them twice.
Verdict Still Out
Del City: Two losses to bitter rival Midwest City are the only blemishes on the season thus far for the Lady Eagles. Junior Tiffany Goldwire leads the way for Del City.
Owasso: Only blemish on the campaign was a loss to Union. The Lady Rams are led by Jasmine Webb.
Edmond Santa Fe: Still unbeaten and battle tested. The Lady Wolves have 6-3 senior Alex Richardson to carry the load. Richardson averaged 16.6 points and 13.8 rebounds after eight games this season.
Class 5A
The Contenders
Claremore: Hayley Knife Chief and Audra Skimbo lead the way for the Lady Zebras. Losses to Victory Christian, Coweta, and a one-point loss to Tulsa Union were all before Christmas. Claremore have a championship-winning history, claiming three-straight titles from 2003-2005.
Bixby: 6-2 junior Virginia DeWare averages near 20 points per game. Losses to Jenks and Fort Smith (Ark.) Southside are an example of the caliber of schedule the Lady Spartans play. Wins over Coweta, Catoosa, and Bishop Kelley further illustrate that fact.
Bishop Kelley (Tulsa): In a victory over rival Bishop McGuinness, 6-2 senior Nicollette Smith scored 29 points. Key wins over McGuinness and Catoosa boost the resume'. Emily Ortiz is a key role player for Kelley.
On the Doorstep
Harrah: On Jan. 6, the turning point of the season for Harrah was when they defeated Carl Albert, 56-52. Courtney Allen (13 ppg) and Anna Brzozowski (11 ppg) lead the way for the Lady Panthers.
McAlester: Sophomore Jaci Bingham is one of the top players in Class 5A, averaging over 20 points and nearly five assists per contest. A tough schedule including Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside and Harrah should make the Lady Buffaloes battle tested.
Tulsa Edison: The defending Class 5A runners-up have a victim of another tough schedule. With Nicole Walton, Brittany Johnson, and Jasmine Manuel looming, Edison are a dangerous team.
Verdict Still Out
Coweta: Another battle tested team (schedule included Del City, Bixby, and Sequoyah-Tahlequah). Sophomore Ashley Sommer hovers around 15 points per game.
Carl Albert (Midwest City): Sophmore Jourdan Clark scores nearly 14 a game for the Lady Titans. Returning state qualifier.
John Marshall (OKC): Despite hovering around the .500 mark, the Lady Bears are part of the vastly underrated All-City Conference. Amanda Dewberry leads the way for John Marshall.
Class 4A
The Contenders
Weatherford: The Lady Eagles have been on cruise control since the word go with key victories over Altus and Elk City. To further illustrate Weatherford's stranglehold on Class 4A, Weatherford won the Little Axe Invitational with an 80-35 victory over Wewoka.
Cache: Sophomore Taylor Thompson is one of the leading scorers in the state, averaging near 25 per contest. Only loss of the season was to Class 6A defending champion, Mustang.
Fort Gibson: Defending Class 4A runners-up have Kendra Dean and Brannon Miller back from last season. Dean is averaging around 17 points a game.
On the Doorstep
Elgin: Casi Rawls leads the way for Elgin, who are 12-3 after a loss in the Comanche County Tournament to Cache. Maggie Oliver and Abbey Basler are other key players for Elgin.
Metro Christian: 6-1 senior Lauren Kollmorgen and Suzanne Hannay lead the way for Metro Christian, who are 12-5 this season. A killer schedule that includes two games against Class 6A Sapulpa, Sequoyah-Tahlequah, Elgin, and Elk City should prep the Lady Patriots for the stretch run.
Roland: A pair of twin sisters, Katie and Jennie Beshoner both a threat to score in double figures every night, the Lady Rangers have only lost one game this season. A 65-50 loss to defending Class 5A runners-up Tulsa Edison should not punish Roland, who are 15-1 this season.
Tecumseh: With freshman Mandy Makeever averaging 15 points and eight rebounds per game, Tecumseh have a formidable go-to player to make a serious run in March.
Verdict Still Out
Bishop McGuinness (OKC): With the likes of sharp-shooting junior Mary Beth Renz lurking, McGuinness are a team nobody wants to face in March. Losses to Edmond Santa Fe, Tulsa Union (6A), Bishop Kelley (5A), and Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside (ranked seventh in Arkansas), are excusable.
Purcell: Jennifer Jackson and Bianca Cooks lead the way for Purcell, who have a 12-1 record this season.
Elk City: Jennifer DeGarmo averaged a double-double as a junior and appears to be ready to lead Elk City deeper into the playoffs this time around.
Next week: Class 3A, 2A, A, and B girls midseason report
