Girls

Coach: Randi Pawpa

21-22 Record: 12-13

The expectations for a “special season” for Lady Bulldogs basketball are spreading like a wildfire. The return of all but one member of last year’s squad including four starters and the addition of another impact performer who missed last year due to a knee injury has coach Randi Pawpa’s squad ready for success in 2022-23.

Last year’s top two scorers Ellee Bryant (5-7, G, Jr.) a knock-down three-point shooter who averaged 11 points and five rebounds and Gracie Burckhartzmeyer (5-8, G, Jr.) who totaled 10 points per game will reunite with two-year starter Cambri Pawpa (5-7, G, Jr.) who averaged 9.9 points while distributing 2-plus assists per contest and Brooklyn Austin (5-7, G, Jr.) who contributed 5.0 points each game.

The added talent of Gracy Shieldnight (5-11, F, Jr.) who missed last season due to injury will be a big plus. Shieldnight, who averaged nine points and six rebounds as a starter in the Class 4A state title game as a freshman at Fort Gibson will give Pawpa and the Lady Bulldogs the ability to command play in the paint as well as score from the perimeter. The depth of this year’s squad is solid with another guard Jada Riggs (5-5, G, Jr.) and a three-sport athlete Joci Bryant (5-8, F, Sr.).

Also committed to the team concept of hard work and success are Maniyah Harris (5-10, F, So.), Jalyn Fourkiller (5-7, G, So.), Branya Coulter (5-5, G, Fr.), Ty Edwards (6-0, C/F, Fr.) and Keilauna Birdtail (5-3. “We’ve got a full year of chemistry playing together and believe we have a chance for a really good year,” said Pawpa who begins her fourth season as head coach at Wagoner. “With all the pieces we have on the roster, we can be well balanced on both ends of the floor.