Flash Back to the Past (Norman v Norman North 6A State Finals Game)
The irony of the history of the state games in this match up! Years ago, State games would switch off every year between being played in the Oklahoma City Metro area and Tulsa at Oral Roberts University. Matches had been…
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Continue ReadingThe irony of the history of the state games in this match up! Years ago, State games would switch off every year between being played in the Oklahoma City Metro area and Tulsa at Oral Roberts University. Matches had been played in Norman at the Lloyd Noble Center, and now two Norman teams to compete in Tulsa in the 6A state championship
In the 2000’s, the city of Norman was a powerhouse in girls basketball. Norman North Lady Timberwolves were one of the toughest teams in 6A with talent that went to various division 1 schools while Norman High Lady Tigers was always expected to make the state finals with a history of state championship rings in the early 2000s. Since the 2010s, there has not been a Norman team in the finals but now Coach Mike Neal and Coach Jeff Blough made the change as their teams, Norman High and Norman North, respectively, are in the 2019 State Final Championship Game.
In the same conference during regular season, this will be the second match up of the 2018-2019 season. The first match up between the two teams came in the beginning of the season with Norman North coming out victorious with a one point win over the Lady Tigers. Team dynamic, efficiency, and roles usually changes for teams throughout regular season until the team finds their identity, which both teams have found.
The Lady Timberwolves features players that can play inside and out, against a man or even a zone, and a nice transition game due to the versatility of their players. On the other hand, Norman High has a team full of true roles by position in which all 5 players on the floor are able to contribute to the game with true shooters, true point guard, and true combo guards, and true forwards.
This will be on of the best match ups of the state games, not only the fact of a same town rivalary, continuing the tradition of Norman Girls basketball but mainly because the level of talent and true hoopers on each team that will compete until the final buzzer.
Norman Players to Watch
#1 Myka Perry, Freshman, 6’0, Guard.
(Handles the ball very well, can play multiple positions on the court, great ball-handler, makes very few turnovers, can score in multiple ways)
#3 Turner Mattingly, Senior, 5’10, Guard/Forward
(Makes the right decision, always in the correct spot, high IQ to the game)
#5 Kamiyah Lyons, Senior, 5’7, Shooting Guard
(Shooter that’s always ready, allows defense to have to guard the perimeter, plays well in high tempo)
#10 Kelbie Washington, Sophomore, 5’7, Point Guard
(High tempo point guard, quickness on both ends, aggressive with drives to basket, defensive master)
#12 Mikayla Parks, Freshman, 5’8, Shooting Guard
(Great shooter, consistent with shot, ability to play point guard, good ball-handler)
#23 Kendra Gillispie, Sophomore, 6’1, Forward/Guard
(Has guard like skills, ability to create from all levels on the floor on the offensive end, moves well in transition)
Norman North Players to Watch
#1 Kennedy Cummins, Sophomore, 5’8, Guard
(Outside shooter, drives quick and aggresively on direct drives, countermoves in her pocket, good ball-handling skills)
#3 Kayton Kite, Junior, 5’6, Guard
(Ready shooter, set shoot and off of screens, can’t leave her wide open)
#21 Jacie Evans, Senior, 5’9, Guard
(Great transition game, solid defender, crafty player with finishes and moves, canny ability to shoot the outside shot, finishes well)
#25 Jessika Evans, Junior, 6’1, Forward
(Great ball handler, shoots the 3 well, great from high post, ability for combo moves in low post, can guard forwards and big guards)