Tournament of Champions: Games Three & Four
In this article:
Game 3 – Booker T. Washington (3-3) vs. Lincoln Christian (7-0) Classen SAS being unable to make it to the Tournament of Champions led to a bit of mild awkwardness as two teams coached by very good friends ended up…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingGame 3 – Booker T. Washington (3-3) vs. Lincoln Christian (7-0)
Classen SAS being unable to make it to the Tournament of Champions led to a bit of mild awkwardness as two teams coached by very good friends ended up facing one another. In fact, the two teams had faced off just about a week ago in a scrimmage to help prepare Lincoln for their match-up against one of the best teams in the state in Classen. Word is that the scrimmage seemed to be pretty evenly matched, but maybe some adjustments were made or maybe Lincoln just rose to the occasion on the big stage. In the end, the Bulldogs remained undefeated with an impressive 59-35 victory. They move on to the semi-finals to face the defending 6A champion Norman Tigers.
Game 3 – Player of the Game
Ellie Brueggemann Ellie Brueggemann 5'11" | SG Lincoln Christian | 2023 State OK | 5-11 G | Lincoln Christian | 2023 | @ecbruegge2023
In the ultimate ironic twist from the schedule shuffle to Lincoln facing off with Booker T. Washington, Hornets Head Coach Rabu Leyva gave a pep talk to LCS after their scrimmage in anticipation of their match-up with Classen SAS. During his talk, Coach Leyva singled out Ellie and said “if you guys are gonna win in this tournament, you’re gonna have to be more aggressive.” Unfortunately for Coach Leyva and the Hornets, she was very aggressive, pulling down 10 boards and scoring 19 points while going 5-5 from long range. Brueggemann is one of the top 2023 prospects and holds several big offers including Drury, UMKC, and more. She is long and tall and has silky smooth handles for a lengthy guard. She defends well and can finish in a variety of ways. Ellie is a Division-I player in my book and most definitely played like one tonight.
Other Standouts
Marcayla Johnson Marcayla Johnson 6'0" | CG Booker T. Washington | 2025 State OK | 6-0 G | Booker T. Washington | 2025 | @MarcaylaJohnso1
Johnson is our No. 4-ranked freshman in the state and there is a reason that the likes of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have already offered the young guard. She is a great all-around player who really can do everything asked of a player – AS A FRESHMAN! She had 12 points in the game and scored from inside and midrange. Though she didn’t score from outside, I have seen it before and the fact that she was 6-6 from the line is a clear indicator that Marcayla can shoot it. Her size and length are outstanding for a guard and her heart and hustle are beyond measure. She played every minute of the game and never let up in the least despite her team trailing all game long. She rebounds well, not only due to her height and length, but also because she is incredibly bouncy. Johnson ranks as a top-level Division-I prospect and schools are going to have four whole years to get a look at her and keep their fingers crossed that she picks them!
Lexi Murphy | 5-4 G | Lincoln Christian | 2022 | Hudl
Murphy was the difference-maker in the first half for the Bulldogs as she hit four of seven three-pointers. She was on fire from long range and caused BTW to have to shift a lot of things defensively to account for her in the second half. Though she wouldn’t score any more in the game, her defense never let up and the constant threat of her shooting was a major disruptor. Lexi is a hustler who worked hard all game long, only coming out for two minutes of rest. She is a confident ball handler who doesn’t panic in double teams and is a definite team leader. She is uncommitted, though she may be on the way to walking on to a very good basketball program in the near future. I’m honestly not sure whether that means she should be reached out to or not. But, she is a great shooter, teammate, and leader and it would be a mistake not to at least try if you are a coach in need of a 2022 guard.
Game 4 – Tahlequah (7-1) vs. Holland Hall (7-0)
Holland Hall never trailed in their match-up with No. 7-ranked Tahlequah, though they did have to withstand a mighty comeback attempt from the Tigers which would eventually come up just short. The Dutch saw four players score in double-digits as their well-rounded squad shot 44.4% from the field for the game. With two teams ranked above them each having one loss, it would stand to reason that should the Dutch knock off Tahlequah, their next opponent Bixby and either Norman or Lincoln Christian in the championship, Holland Hall could be No. 1 by this time next week. Getting past the No. 7 team in 6A means the No. 3 (4A) Dutch get to face the No. 6 (6A) squad in the Bixby Spartans. Tomorrow is going to be a lot of fun to watch!
Game 4 – Player of the Game
Kalayia Johnson Kalayia Johnson 5'9" | PG Holland Hall | 2023 State OK | 5-9 G | Holland Hall | 2023 | @KalayiaJohnson
When you watch Holland Hall play, you will notice Kalayia right off the bat because of her size and strength. She is a powerful guard who is completely unafraid to mix it up and go hard to the rim. She can run the point or play the two – and any other position on the floor for that matter. When running the point, she gets down the court with her eyes up and makes good, crisp passes. Forget trying to double team her, Johnson will step through it every time and just keep on trucking. You will barely slow her down. She finishes strong inside and contact is perfectly fine with her. She makes her free throws. She makes most everything really. Against Tahlequah, Kalayia had 15 points which tied her for the team lead. She also pulled down seven boards, five of which were on the offensive end – an absolute gamechanger. “She got some key rebounds,” said Holland Hall Head Coach Crystal Lawson. “I thought overall she just played really well.”
Other Standouts
Smalls Goudeau Smalls Goudeau 5'9" | CG Tahlequah Sequoyah | 2022 State OK | 5-9 G | Tahlequah | 2022 | @AlexsyahGoudeau
Smalls was all over the court on Monday night and did absolutely everything she could to get her team back in it. In the end, the future UT-Arlington Mav and her Tahlequah squad came up short. Goudeau is a great defender and with her speed and length is a total disruptor on the defensive end. She is a handful when out guarding the point. It can be near impossible to run the offense properly when she is matched up on you and you can see opposing guards becoming visibly frustrated. She is definitely not just a defender, though. Smalls shot 50% from the field and scored 14 points while pulling down 12 boards. Goudeau is a very intelligent passer who sees the floor well and makes great basketball decisions. She finished the night with four assists to lead her squad. Smalls is an outstanding all-around player and UTA is very lucky to have her.
Sophia Regalado | 5-9 G | Holland Hall | 2023 | Hudl
Sophia opened the game with a three-pointer which got her Dutch squad fired up and they really never looked back; neither did she. Regalado scored 10 points in the game and pulled down seven defensive boards, as well. She is a strong guard who goes hard and is involved in everything her team does on both ends of the floor. There are truly not many plays where the ball doesn’t touch her hands at some point. When passing, she makes very good decisions. When handling the ball, she does it safely and securely. Regalado is a very good all-around player. Sophia is currently unranked, but that won’t be the case for long… I promise.