Oklahoma

Vote: Who is the best high school girls’ basketball player in the state of Oklahoma?

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Vote: Who is the best high school girls’ basketball player in the state of Oklahoma?

As we approach the halfway point in the girls’ high school basketball season, we’ve decided to post 20 of the top high school girls basketball players in the state of Oklahoma and let the fans decide who their top player is.

The Sooner State is loaded up with some of the top talent in the country. This list is packed with Division I talent, four- and five-star recruits, and others having fantastic seasons for their respective programs. Many fantastic players didn’t make the list. See if your favorite player did, read about each one and cast your vote.

You may vote as many times as you’d like between now and when the poll closes on Jan. 31, at 11:59:59 p.m. E.T.

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The standout junior scored 15 points in an 81-48 victory over Meade County (KY) on Dec. 20 and has helped the Trojans to a 7-1 start in 2024. As a sophomore, she played a key role in helping Douglass reach its first state tournament since 1992. She is currently weighing offers from Oklahoma State and Nebraska-Omaha, respectively.

The sophomore guard averaged 18 points per game as a freshman at Idabel – leading the Warriors to the Class 3A championship – before transferring to Broken Bow. So far, the Lady Savages are 1-1 so far in 2024, coming off a 70-37 win at Heavener on Dec. 19. She has an offer from Abilene Christian.

Donley scored a game-high 24 points and added 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks in a 52-33 win over Harding Charter Prep on Dec. 20. The reigning Class 4A state finals MVP, Donley helped lead Bethany to back-to-back state titles and a 4-2 mark in 2024.

A 5-foot-9 guard who averaged 19 points per game last season at Classen SAS, Durley moved to Edmond North where she has helped the Huskies to a 4-4 mark so far. Durley holds offers from Marquette, Oral Roberts, Nevada and others.

Scored 28 points to surpass 1,000 career points during a loss to Norman on Dec. 20. As a junior she averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two points per game.

A 6-foot wing, Herrod is a 4-star recruit by ESPN. She’s ranked No. 59 overall in the nation on the ESPN Hoopgurlz 100 and ranked No. 42 overall in the nation by 247 Sports. She averaged 13 points, five rebounds and two steals per game at Millwood last season before transferring to Putnam North.

The 6-1 all-state guard and 4-star recruit entered this season ranked No. 49 on the ESPNw Top 100. She surpassed 1,000 career points last season while averaging 16 points, five rebounds and two steals. The Huskies are 4-4 this seasons.

After averaging 20 points per game in 2023-24, Johnson entered the 2024-25 season rated the sixth-best recruit in Oklahoma and 41st overall in the nation on the ESPNW HoopGurlz 100. She earned the 38th overall ranking in the nation by 247Sports and earned a 4-star rating by ESPN.

Originally committed to Nebraska before reopening her recruitment and committing to Michigan, in six games this season, Mathurin – 5-10 shooting guard – is averaging 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks. She is an ESPN 4-star recruit.

One of the most talented underclassmen in the state, Minor is rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN. The 6-foot guard averaged 14 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals as a freshman. She is reportedly receiving interest from many Division I programs.

The 5-11 forward won a Class 2A state championship in softball at Dale and added back-to-back trips to the Class 2A finals in basketball. She helped the Pirates go 30-2 last season on the court. They are currently ranked No. 1 in Oklahoma Class 2A and are currently 11-1 this season.

A multi-sport athlete, Parker – the 2023-24 Gatorade National High School Softball Player of the Year – averaged 29.3 points per game on the court while leading Pocola to the 2A state tournament last season. She’s helped her team to a 4-0 start so far.

An ESPN 5-star recruit and one of the tops in the country, Parks committed with the Jayhawks after scoring 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.6 steals and 2.9 assists as a junior – helping lead Norman to the Class 6A championship along the way.

An ESPN 4-star recruit, Richardson garnered a lot of college buzz before committing to SMU. She averaged 24 points as a freshman.

One of the top uncommitted underclassmen in the state, Stewart is believed to be holding offers from Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas A&M, Wake Forest and Nebraska after helping lead Lincoln Christian to back-to-back Class 4A state championships.

A Bethel transfer, Megehee averaged 24.9 points per game last season.

One of the top 2025 recruits in the state, Williams averaged 16.2 points last year for the state power. She is an ESPN 4-star recruit.

A Class 3A all-state selection, Gaddy averaged 20.9 points as a junior for Alva – where she also excels in cross country and track and field. Gaddy scored 25 points in a 45-39 victory over Owasso at the Mustang Holiday Classic on Dec. 27.

Committed to Oklahoma at the start of her sophomore season on Sept. 4, 2022, after considering offers from Kentucky, Ohio State, Florida State and Michigan. Holds a 5-star composite rating by 247Sports. She averaged 18 points as a sophomore and led Bethany to the Class 4A state championship. The 6-1 guard has the Bronchos off to a 4-2 start in 2024-25.

Alston reportedly has six Division I offers. A guard/forward combo, Alston averaged 12.4 points as a sophomore and has helped lead Mustang to a 7-3 mark to open this season.

Also considered: Mercades Lopez, sr., Idabel; Shelby Thornton, sr., Del City; Talia Vann, sr., Grind Prep; Skylar Anderson, jr., Dale; Saniyah Morrison, sr., Tulsa Rogers.

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Oklahoma

10 highest-graded Oklahoma Sooners from the 2024 season per PFF

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

10 highest-graded Oklahoma Sooners from the 2024 season per PFF

The Oklahoma Sooners defense was the real bright spot from an otherwise dismal 2024 season for OU. The defense was one of the best in the SEC in 2024 and kept them in games when the Sooners offense struggled to get anything going.

So it’s not surprising that when you look at Pro Football Focus’ grades for the Oklahoma Sooners, it’s dominated at the top by the defensive side of the ball.

If looking at players who played at least 186 snaps this season, each of the top 10 highest-graded players came from the defensive side of the ball. The only players close were Xavier Robinson and Michael Tarquin. Robinson only played 134 snaps but was still one of the more dynamic players on the roster in the second half of the season.

Here’s a look at the top 10 players from the 2024 season according to Pro Football Focus player grades.

Eli Bowen, CB

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 80.3

Snaps: 510

Despite how the LSU game turned out, Eli Bowen was a revelation at cornerback in 2024. He was Oklahoma’s highest-graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus, and is one of the bright spots from this season.

Gracen Halton, DT

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 79.1

Snaps: 403

Gracen Halton also experienced a breakout season this year, leading the Sooners defensive tackle group in total pressures with 29 and just six behind R Mason Thomas for the team lead. He also had five sacks, which were second on the team.

Robert Spears-Jennings, S

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 78.7

Snaps: 599

Robert Spears-Jennings experienced a breakout season for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024. He was third on the team in snaps and second in total tackles. Spears-Jennings led the team in forced fumbles and had 2.5 sacks this season.

Danny Stutsman, LB

William Purnell-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 77.1

Snaps: 709

There hasn’t been a more important player to the Oklahoma Sooners than Danny Stutsman during the Brent Venables era. He just completed his third season with more than 100 tackles and was a consensus first-team All-American. He’ll be missed for his tenacity on the field and his leadership off of it.

Samuel Omosigho, LB

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 76.9

Snaps: 301

Samuel Omosigho began to see more action at Cheetah after the loss of Kendel Dolby and played well. Omosigho showed off his speed and athleticism throughout the season. He finished fifth in total tackles and sixth in tackles for loss in 2024 and looks primed for a breakout season in 2025.

Ethan Downs, DE

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PFF Grade: 76.1

Snaps: 496

Ethan Downs finished second on the team in tackles for loss and had three sacks. He was one of the most consistent players on the edge for the Sooners over the last three years. His leadership and production will be hard to replace.

Damonic Williams, DT

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 74.3

Snaps: 416

Damonic Williams had another strong season for the Oklahoma Sooners, finishing with five tackles for loss and a sack. He had the second-lowest missed tackle rate among players, with more than 186 snaps during the season, according to PFF.

Trace Ford, DE

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 74.1

Snaps: 321

After transferring from Oklahoma State, Trace Ford played two impactful years for the Oklahoma Sooners. His versatility stood out as a standup edge rusher. He was fourth on the team in total pressures according to PFF.

Dez Malone, CB

William Purnell-Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.7

Snaps: 371

Dez Malone was a solid transfer portal addition last offseason and played a key role in coverage for the Sooners. He had the third-highest coverage grade for the Sooners in 2024.

R Mason Thomas, DE

BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PFF Grade: 73.6

Snaps: 530

R Mason Thomas led the Oklahoma Sooners in sacks in 2024 with 9.5 on the season. It’s the first time a Sooners has had nine sacks or more in a season since Ogbonnia Okoronkwo in 2016.

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Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State

Published

13 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State

West Virginia welcomes the Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-4, 0-1) Saturday afternoon for the Mountaineers (10-2. 1-0) Big 12 Conference home opener. Tip-off is set for noon EST and the action will broadcast on CBSSN.

Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history, the Mountaineers come back home to what should be an energized crowd waiting for them. You always have to wonder about the focus of a team that is just days removed from an exhilarating win, but Darian DeVries appears to have his group locked in.

The fact that they were able to beat Kansas without Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry says a lot. Whether or not they play today is anyone’s guess, but I’m not sure it makes much of a difference. DeVries is pushing all the right buttons at the moment and knows how to play to the strengths of the guys he does have available.

Oklahoma State is built very similar to West Virginia in that they don’t overwhelm you with size in the frontcourt, but they make up for it with good overall length, specifically with bigger guards. The biggest differences between the two teams are three-point shooting and defense. The Cowboys are 190th in the country in points allowed per game, while WVU is 21st. OSU is 205th in three-point shooting, down over 100 spots from the Mountaineers, who shoot it at a 35% clip from deep.

Give me West Virginia by ten.

Prediction record: 9-3

Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz quickly turned two programs around, winning three consecutive conference tournaments before turning his attention to Stillwater.

Lutz and the Cowboys have struggled in the early portion of the season and lack a marquee win. They are 2-0 in true road games, notching wins against Tulsa and Seton Hall – two programs that are under. 500. The Pokes have played two ranked opponents this season, with losses to rival Oklahoma and in their Big 12 home opener against No. 14 Houston Monday night, trailing by double digits at halftime in both contests.

Oklahoma States sixth-man, forward Marchelus Avery, leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game.

West Virginia notched another NCAA tournament resume building win in its Big 12 opener at Kansas Tuesday afternoon and did it despite missing forwards Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry.

Head coach Darian DeVries has exceeded expectations in his first year in Morgantown, and keeping the team focused after grabbing the program’s first win at Kansas will be another BIG test for this group.

Senior guard Javon Small, who transferred from Oklahoma State in the offseason, leads the league in scoring at 19.2 ppg.

Lutz and DeVries were together as assistants as part of Doug McDermott’s staff at Creighton. DeVries mentioned Lutz’s group will look to get out in transition, something the Mountaineers have been able to keep at bay this season, including the win over Kansas on Tuesday.

West Virginia has shown they can turn the page after an upset. At the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament, the Mountaineers knocked off a third-ranked Gonzaga team in overtime, then the following day played well in an overtime loss to Louisville and bounced back the next day with an OT win against Arizona.

DeVries has kept this group steady, and I suspect the Mountaineers will remain focused. West Virginia remains ahead of the Big 12 race with another gutty 75-65 win.

Prediction record: 8-4.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma House Republicans Outline Priorities for Legislative Session

Published

21 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma House Republicans Outline Priorities for Legislative Session

Oklahoma House Republicans are laying the groundwork for their legislative agenda for the next year, focusing on key issues including education, mental health, workforce development, and economic growth.

House Republican leaders met this week to finalize their top priorities ahead of the session, emphasizing the opportunity to make significant progress with Republican majorities in both the state and U.S. Congress.

Key initiatives include making schools phone-free and establishing a Level 1 trauma facility in Tulsa. House Republicans are also introducing a new oversight process for legislation. Under the new system, bills will be reviewed by both a standard committee and an “oversight committee” before advancing to the House floor.

“We want to get more work done earlier, make sure we don’t bring any bad legislation forward,” said House Republican Caucus Chair Stan May, (R-Broken Arrow). “I mean, it should be hard to pass a bill. It shouldn’t be, you know, a one-and-done thing.”

Republican lawmakers are also aiming to pass additional tax cuts, though May noted they are still building consensus and waiting for a clearer picture of the state budget.

House leaders plan to meet with Gov. Kevin Stitt and Senate leaders to align their goals once the session begins. State lawmakers will convene for Organizational Day on Tuesday, with the full legislative session set to start on Feb. 3.

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