Five Stars: Classen SAS vs. Putnam City North
In the opening round of the Jenks/Union Invitational Tournament, Classen SAS (No.2 – 4A) defeated Putnam City North (No. 17 – 6A) by a final score of 59-50. Classen never trailed in a game that saw them outscored in only…
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Continue ReadingIn the opening round of the Jenks/Union Invitational Tournament, Classen SAS (No.2 – 4A) defeated Putnam City North (No. 17 – 6A) by a final score of 59-50. Classen never trailed in a game that saw them outscored in only one period. Numerous players stepped up and grabbed the attention of everyone in attendance. The consensus among press row was that we were most likely watching two or three of the all-tournament in the very first game.
1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F | |
Classen SAS | 18 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 59 |
Putnam CIty North | 13 | 8 | 10 | 19 | 50 |
Individual Scoring
Classen SAS: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs – 14, Madison Roberts – 11, Jordan Harrison – 10, Jaida O’Conner – 8, Morgan Kennedy – 7, Amyah Sutton – 5
Putnam City North: Bria Sanders-Wood – 16, Alyssa Parmer – 15, Jaida Gaines – 11, Amaya Chandler – 7, Karrigan Powell – 3
Five Stars
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Bria Sanders-Wood | 5-9 G | Putnam City North
The senior point guard made every Classen possession a battle with her tenacity on the defensive end. Putnam City North head coach Jack Hankins said after the game that it does not matter if you are playing basketball or anything else, Sanders-Wood wants to beat you. Even if it were chess or a board game, Hankins said that she “just wants to win so bad.” As if leading the game in points scored were not enough, her head coach heaped praise on her following the game, not for her basketball skills, but her as a whole. “She’s a better kid than she is a basketball player,” said Hankins. “And that’s not a knock on her as a basketball player. She’s just such a great kid.”
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Darianna Littlepage-Buggs | 6-1 F | Classen SAS
The absolute superstar on both ends of the court on this night was Littlepage-Buggs. She was creeping toward double-digit blocks until her team began to lengthen their offensive possessions to run out the clock near the end of the game. The tall, lanky forward is only a sophomore but showed amazing ability around the basket at both ends. She has amazing handles for a 6-1 forward and scored most of her points after receiving the ball near the elbow and moving inside. Classen SAS head coach James Perinovic said that she is the soul of the team thanks to her passion on the floor.
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Madison Roberts | 6-0 F | Classen SAS
Roberts may be an inch shorter than Littlepage-Buggs, but she is very well built and extremely strong on the boards. The junior forward works hard at both ends and her hustle never stopped throughout the game. Even with her size, she likes to step outside and shoot it and shows great mechanics in that respect. Head coach James Perinovic said after the game that Roberts is only beginning to look like the player that he knows she will be. “Her ability to handle the ball and run the floor and with her size around the rim, she’s really now starting to come into her own,” said Perinovic. “She’s getting a lot of confidence.” This could spell trouble for future Comets opponents based on how Roberts looked on Thursday night.
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Alyssa Parmer | 5-9 G | Putnam City North
Parmer is a pure scorer with outstanding instincts under the basket and on the perimeter. The junior guard has amazing handles, even in traffic. Classen had much more size than the Panthers did, but Parmer was not afraid to drive the hoop with authority. Parmer made two big steals in the second half which helped her team close the gap briefly. Her ability to read the game is evident from the start, especially on the defensive end. Coach Hankins said following the game that Parmer is his “highest basketball I.Q. player.” Parmer opened the game with a three-pointer and made almost all of her foul shots down the stretch to end the game with 15.
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Jordan Harrison | 5-4 G | Classen SAS
Heading into the fourth quarter, there were a few different candidates for the fifth star for this list. Harrison cemented her place with a tremendous fourth quarter. When the Comets needed a ball handler to break the double team from Putnam City North, the ball was placed in Harrison’s hands. Inevitably, Harrison would drive to the basket for the score or more often than not, a sweet dish to either Littlepage-Buggs or Roberts waiting under the basket. Head coach James Perinovic said after the game that Harrison is his floor general and the entire team relies on her in that capacity. “When she’s directing people, getting to her spots, setting people up,” said Perinovic, “we’re a really tough team.”