5A State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These teams have officially punched their ticket to the 5A state tournament and are looking for 3 more wins to finish the season. They have poured a ton of heart, effort and dedication into getting where they are now. Let's take a look at each of the 8 teams and some of the top players for each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop McGuinness-</strong> By a single vote, BM holds on to the top seed going into state. They have a 28-4 record and only have a single loss to a 5A opponent. This coming from the two seed MSM just 2 weeks ago at home. This proves that multiple teams could have a real chance at the title this year. [player_tooltip player_id='748672' first='Arielle' last='Yapi'], [player_tooltip player_id='828398' first='Elise' last='Grim'], [player_tooltip player_id='284929' first='Charlotte' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='760406' first='Maggie' last='LoPorto'], and [player_tooltip player_id='210539' first='Emma' last='Gardner'] (LBSU Commit) make for a lot of hitters to try and slow down. Add [player_tooltip player_id='754412' first='Kenzie' last='Smith'] and Madison Miskovsky in the back row to the mix and the Irish have eyes on the prize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount St. Mary-</strong> MSM has a ton of momentum coming into the playoffs. The outsides for the Rockets are a real problem for teams. [player_tooltip player_id='697434' first='Isabella' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='839839' first='Ella' last='Hale'] (Queens Commit) are big time players who take big time swings. [player_tooltip player_id='741327' first='Kenleigh' last='Booth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='752538' first='Cheyenne' last='Denwalt'] have a great job defensively in the back row. Freshman sensation, [player_tooltip player_id='554318' first='Jentri' last='Denwalt'], has confirmed all the hype by hitting 1,000 assists already. They have three of the last four 5A titles for a reason. Can they make it 4 for 5?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OCS-</strong> After graduating only 1 starter from last year's crew, OCS has been eyeing this season as it could be very special. They enter with a 27-9 record with only two losses to 5A schools. Both of which came at the hands of the #1 team Bishop McGuinness. They would love to make it to the championship and avenge those losses by winning the title. Behind a loaded senior class that has a ton of high level experience, they could do just that. This includes players like [player_tooltip player_id='301381' first='Rachel' last='Megna'] (TU Commit), [player_tooltip player_id='505685' first='Miley' last='Myers'] (UT Tyler Commit), and [player_tooltip player_id='837537' first='Rylee' last='Roof']. Mix in a very promising group of sophomore studs like MB/RH Reece Harjo, MB [player_tooltip player_id='739808' first='Marley' last='Robbins'], and setter [player_tooltip player_id='739951' first='Kaylin' last='Cook']. They have the talent and the drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Altus-</strong> A Cinderella story and program if we have ever seen one. The town in the corner of southwest Oklahoma has shocked the state with their success this season. Coach Garrison deserves a raise no matter what he is currently getting paid. They come in with an outstanding 34-2 record. Their lone two losses came week 1 to 5A Wichita Falls Memorial out of Texas who currently sit at 26-6 on the season. Hayden Castillo, Evyn Bull, [player_tooltip player_id='757040' first='Kaprie' last='Craddock'], and Jaylee Carmen have all had their moments of brilliance. They are a really good defensive team that frustrate opposing hitters. They will have to slow down a couple really good hitters from BTW in round 1 though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Booker T. Washington-</strong> BTW is back and still has a ton of talent on the roster. They are back to back state runner ups and this senior class is looking to go out on top this time. If [player_tooltip player_id='808159' first='Arriana' last='Brown'] (UNLV Commit) is on the court, BTW always has a chance to win. [player_tooltip player_id='740637' first='Lauren' last='Pero'], [player_tooltip player_id='752820' first='Autumn' last='Brennan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='740833' first='Brooklyn' last='Dalgarn'] are hard to stop in their own right when things are clicking. [player_tooltip player_id='573387' first='Kaidyn' last='Johnson'] has done a GREAT job of shouldering the large burden of running a 5-1 offense and replacing Brenna Weaver. Dont sleep on BTW since they are a 4 seed, they have the talent and the experience to get it done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Claremore-</strong> Claremore comes in as the 6th seed and owns a 30-7 record. This is the first 30 win season in school history for the Zebras. They have a very talented junior class that includes S/RH [player_tooltip player_id='285769' first='Grace' last='Baughman'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='666302' first='Addison' last='Doyle'], RH [player_tooltip player_id='734803' first='Bella' last='Hoisington'] and DS [player_tooltip player_id='736675' first='Madison' last='Godding']. They also only have two losses to class 5A teams, in BTW and Altus. [player_tooltip player_id='828228' first='Faith' last='Caffey'] and Asia Ianes have been great additions to the roster and have provided a ton of production. This is their 3rd straight trip to the state tournament and they are wanting more this go around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carl Albert-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='778122' first='Chandler' last='Cordray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='750953' first='Caitlyn' last='Mabie'] have been cornerstones for the Titan program this year. Their hard work and determination are apparent when they play. They are sporting a 22-11 record and were able to get a sweep of a solid Shawnee team at regionals. They also swept ranked Mac and El Reno teams down the stretch. This crew is also no stranger to the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lawton Mac-</strong> One of only two teams in the state to get the upset on the road for regionals. Mac might just be peaking at the right time to try and cause a stir. They have a tough stretch of games doing the homestretch but maybe that has prepared them for this very moment. [player_tooltip player_id='737518' first='Brianni' last='Kimbro'] is a weapon and will only get better again next year! [player_tooltip player_id='740047' first='Bethany' last='WhiteEagle'], [player_tooltip player_id='757039' first='Kyanah' last='Taylor'], and [player_tooltip player_id='746899' first='Danika' last='Bridges'] have stepped up and provided more value as the season has progressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good luck to all the teams and players who will be competing at state this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->