Here Come Bixby’s Fab Freshmen
At halftime of Tuesday’s game between Broken Arrow and Bixby, the Bixby players stood at the corner of the court near the bench waiting to head back out. Their coach may have been giving out some last-minute direction to the…
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Continue ReadingAt halftime of Tuesday’s game between Broken Arrow and Bixby, the Bixby players stood at the corner of the court near the bench waiting to head back out. Their coach may have been giving out some last-minute direction to the huddled players, but a few of them could not take their eyes off the court.
Two teams of third-grade girls from Bixby were facing off on the court and the young Bixby High team was transfixed.
“They were those little kids behind the bench,” said Head Coach Tina Thomas after her team’s 72-35 victory. “They were really pumped about their first home game in this gym.”
Photo Credit: Jason Green (Prep Girls Hoops)Bixby’s varsity roster features six freshmen, four of whom have played with each other since they were in third grade. They went undefeated for two full seasons while playing eighth-grade basketball. The transition to High School has not necessarily been the most smooth – the team is 7-6 on the season – but, it appeared as if Tuesday night may have been a turning point.
Perhaps watching the youngsters play and remembering where they had come from together helped.
Gentry Baldwin is the vocal leader of the group. Despite being the smallest of Bixby’s “Fab Four,” Baldwin is in charge on the court. Baldwin deftly maneuvers the ball up the court and is constantly looking for the open player. Her court vision is impressive; and not just for a ninth-grader. Baldwin, like most of the freshman stars of Bixby, has a sweet stroke from behind the arc and was draining three-pointers at a high clip along with the rest of her team.
Meredith Mayes is a 6-2 post player who is improving rapidly since joining the Spartans varsity squad. Learning to use her height to her advantage on both ends, Mayes fights hard for rebounding position under the opposing basket. She runs the floor well and provides a powerful inside option for Bixby on the offensive side. Mayes scored half of her points from the free-throw line on a night when Broken Arrow had no answer inside and fouled her while shooting, more often than not. As the “Fab Four” grow into a power in Oklahoma 6A hoops, it could very well be Mayes who sees the most growth.
Gracy Wernli is a high-IQ player and uses it to get the most out of her 5-8 frame on the defensive end. Seemingly the best defender on a very talented Bixby squad, Wernli found herself in the passing lane numerous times against Broken Arrow by reading the opposing passer very well. When the inevitable steal came, Wernli immediately found open teammates with her eyes up the floor and her attention to how the visiting Tigers were set up defensively. Wernli also scored nine of her 11 points from distance by working herself open and then using her very fluid and natural shot to drill it home.
Alyssa Nielsen was the star of the night for the Spartans against Broken Arrow. Although she may not have led her team in points, it was her abilities inside that allowed the Spartans to hit 11 three-pointers on Tuesday night. Nielsen has a high-motor and does not quit on any play. She fights hard for rebounds and has good post moves for such a young athlete. When the defense doubles her – either due to her inside shot-making or combination of size and strength – Nielsen can find the open man and make the opposing team pay for it.
These four freshmen with their varying skill sets look to pose problems for any Oklahoma 6A team visiting Bixby. In three more years – or likely sooner – do not be surprised to see the road to the state championship run through the Spartans’ gym.
Who knows? With the talented leadership of junior Kate Bradley and senior Deonna Owens, the “Fab Four” could be making a run this season. As Baldwin said following her team’s first home win of the season, Bixby’s freshmen are “something to talk about.” Something tells me that the talk is only just beginning.