GIRLS

Coach: Randi Pawpa

22-23 Record: 21-6

BETTER…it’s the one word that describes the approach of the Lady Bulldogs inspired to surpass the achievements of last year that ended one win short of a berth in the Class 4A state tournament. With the return of five starters from their 21-win campaign, Wagoner has earned the respect of their opponents as one of the best teams in Class 4A that will once be super competitive. The talent level of the Bulldogs roster includes four Top 100 candidates led by Gracy Shieldnight (6-0, Sr.) who totaled 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds, Cambri Pawpa (5-7, Sr.) who created multiple assist per game in addition to her 8.4 points per outing, Elle Bryant (5-7, Sr.) who added 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds each night and Gracie Burkhartzmeyer (5-9, Sr.) who averaged 11 points and 3.5 boards per contest. Head coach Randi Pawpa likes what each player adds to the success of team. 

“Gracy is a very unselfish player who not only can score from the perimeter and at the rim but also create chances for teammates with her vision and passing skills. Cambri is our floor general who defends just as well as she scores. Elle is a knockdown 3-point shooter who defends the post well and Gracie B can finish at the rim as well as score from beyond the 3-point line.” Wagoner’s fifth starter, Brooklyn Austin (5-6, Sr.), who added 3.8 rebounds and 6.2 points per game is equally as important to the fluid style of play along with a trio of “first off the bench” competitors including Hannah Gilstrap (5-7, Jr.), Maniyah Harris (5-7, Jr.) and Jada Riggs (5-7, Sr.) who Pawpa describes as the vocal leader of the team. Adding to the bench strength will be Jalyn Fourkiller (5-7, Jr.) Bra’nya Coulter (5-5, So.), Keilauna Birdtail (5-7, So.), Zoie Griffin (5-7, Fr.) and Kenzie Fourkiller (5-8, Fr.) The “injury bug” continues to wreck the total readiness of the Lady Bulldogs to begin the season as Shieldnight and Burkhartzmeyer are recovering from knee injuries but are expected to be 100-percent in time for the season opener. “We’ll be a senior led team that will be fun to watch play,” Pawpa said. “We’re going to get after it even more on defense in order to be all we can be and have even more success than we enjoyed last year.”