GIRLS

Coach: Kia Holmes

22-23 Record: 23-6

The Lady Tigers won nine of their last 11 games only to be one victory short of a trip to the Big House. That feeling of being so close to punching their ticket to the state tournament has coach Kia Holmes taking a high-energy effort to making their dreams come true this year. The Lady Tigers return five seniors that have played integral roles in Oktaha’s success on the basketball court. A repeat selection to the VYPE Top 100, Ava Scott (5-10, Sr.) will return to the shooting guard position where she averaged 19.7 points per game while grabbing 6-plus rebounds and dishing out multiple steals per game. “Ava is a complete player that can score from the perimeter as well as off the dribble.

Her court vision results in Ava getting the ball into her teammates hands to score, “ said Holmes, who enters her 16th year at Oktaha. Ryleigh Bacon (5-11, Sr.) will once again play a key role as a three-year starter who is a proven rebounder whose defensive presence results in forcing turnovers that will lead to scoring points in transition. “She quietly and unselfishly does the little things that help us win,” said Holmes. “Ryleigh has a knack for reading the ball off the rim to secure the rebound.” Brynna Rodden (5-4, Sr.) and Gracie Harjo (5-4, Sr.) solidify play on the court with their confidence, grit and determination. The athleticism of Mileigh Needham (5-7, So.) will once again bring a toughness factor to both ends of the court.

Holmes can barely resist the temptation to smile when she speaks of an energy-filled roster that will provide a game ready rotation of players including Faith Blackwell (5-10, Sr.), Miley Holt (5-5, Jr.), BrenLee Morgan (5-3, So.), Shianne Dill (5-5, So.) along with Kadence Strube (5-10, Fr.), Trinity Mullen (5-10, Fr.), Madi Fulton (5-6, Fr.), Hadley Branan (5-5, Fr.) Kardin Murphy (Fr.), and Tyann Stacy (5-5, Fr.). “The experience and athleticism of this group led by our seniors will be a big plus for us this year and give us a chance to be in the mix to compete for a trip to state,” Morgan said.