Oklahoma's top high school girls basketball players: Meet the state's best small forwards

By Buck Ringgold

Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oklahoma high school girls basketball.

This list focuses on the best small forwards. Earlier, we focused on point guards and shooting guards, and eventually, we will also focus on posts.

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Oklahoma, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Use the comments section to discuss the other small forwards worthy of fans' attention in 2021-22.

In no particular order:

Kalayia Johnson, 5-9, Jr., Holland Hall

Johnson is averaging 8.2 points, along with 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and even 3.1 steals for the Dutch, one of the top teams in Class 4A. "She has a high basketball IQ and is a powerful player that leads the team in rebounding and can play any position on the court," Holland Hall coach Crystal Lawson said.

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, 6-2, Sr., Classen SAS

One of the state's premier players, Buggs has committed to play at Baylor University next season. She also became the seventh girls player in Oklahoma to be named a McDonald's All-American. Her play has helped fuel the Lady Comets to Class 4A title contention. Littlepage-Buggs is averaging 15.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, along with 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks. In an epic 58-56 win at previously undefeated Edmond North on Feb. 17, she scored all 21 of her points in the second half along with grabbing 16 rebounds.

Kennedi Wight, 5-10, So., Muldrow

Wight has helped the Lady Bulldogs ascend in the Class 4A rankings and making them a dangerous team in the postseason. She is averaging 15.4 points along with 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Wight has also accumulated 55 steals. "Kennedi is a well-rounded player that can play all positions, one through five," Muldrow coach Jana Armer said. "She shoots the 3 well and knows how to get to the goal. The best thing is that she is only a sophomore that just keeps getting better and better."

Kayten Donley, 6-1, Fr., Bethany

Donley has made an instant impact with the Lady Bronchos, as she is averaging double figures in both scoring and rebounds. She has averaged 15 points and 11 boards per game, along with three steals. "One of the best competitors around," Bethany coach Eric Sailer said. "She will be getting looks from colleges soon."

Makenna Yokley, 6-1, So., Owasso

Yokley has the ability to play on the wing or at power forward, and has already received attention from various colleges. She is averaging 7.5 points and 5.9 rebounds while making 46 percent of her 2-point field goal attempts and is also 70 percent from the foul line. Against Putnam City North in December, Yokley had 17 points in a Lady Rams win; then in a win against Bartlesville on Feb. 15, she scored 13 points.

Elle Papahronis, 5-11, Jr., Edmond North

Papahronis is one of the go-to players for an Edmond North team which won its first 21 games and is ranked No. 1 in 6A entering the postseason. She has averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. "A great all-around player," said Edmond North coach Pete Papahronis, also Elle's father. "She is great at all aspects of the game. She has no weaknesses and is our best defender that can guard a 1 through 5."

Laci Steele, 5-10, Jr., Edmond North

One of the top college prospects in the state, Steele has received attention from some of the top Division I schools in the country. She is averaging 22.7 points, along with 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.1 steals and 1.4 blocks. "She's one of the best scorers and players in the state," Edmond North coach Pete Papahronis said. "A very efficient three-level scorer, as she finishes at the rim, makes mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers."

Alyssa Nielsen, 6-0, Jr., Bixby

Nielsen has come into her own for a Lady Spartan team that is determined to win it all in Class 6A after finishing as runner-up a season ago. She is averaging 10.1 points along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Nielsen has also converted 52 percent of her 2-point baskets and is even 50 percent from 3-point range. "She is dedicated to her craft with the ability to play in the paint or on the wing, and she can finish at all three levels in the paint, mid and behind the arc," Bixby coach Tina Thomas said. "She is a mismatch due to this ability. She has the court sense and passing ability of a guard, as seen by her high low feeds and no-look passes."

Abby Harelson, 5-10, Sr., Okemah

Harelson is one of the more unsung senior players in the state. She has helped Okemah to a 19-3 season after the Lady Panthers edged Wewoka, 45-42, in the 2A district playoffs on Feb. 18. Harelson scored her 1,000th career point the week before in a win against Chandler. She also had 25 points in a Feb. 8 win at Stroud.

Rayland Garner, 5-10, Sr., Kingfisher

Garner is averaging 17.3 points per game, along with 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals for a Lady Yellowjacket squad primed to make some serious noise in Class 4A. "Rayland Garner is a strong, physical player who can finish at the rim and run the floor in transition," Kingfisher coach Taylor Cooper said.

Reagan Fox, 5-10, Sr., Blanchard

Fox, who can also play guard, has signed to play at Abilene Christian University next season. "Reagan is a very talented basketball player," Blanchard coach Jennifer Schneeberger said. "She has a high basketball IQ, and can play multiple positions."

Rees Berkey, 5-10, Sr., Hydro-Eakly

Berkey was a key performer in the Lady Bobcats' run to the Class A state championship last season, using her shooting prowess and her defensive skills. She averaged 13.2 points a game as a junior, and had 18 points in the Lady Bobcats' title game win. They're counting on her again to help deliver a repeat title for Hydro-Eakly, which finished the regular season 23-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class A. Berkey has signed with Oklahoma Christian along with her twin sister Kira, a senior guard.

Taniya Looney, 5-9, Sr., Midwest City

Looney has signed to run track and field at Pittsburg (Kan.) State, but she's not ready for her basketball career to come to an end. She was one of two returning starters from a team that reached the 6A state tournament for the first time since 2016, and was named her conference's top offensive player of the year. Looney had 15 points in an early December win against Putnam City, 12 points in a mid-December win against Stillwater and 11 points as the Lady Bombers beat Putnam City North in early January.

Karley Johnson, 5-9, Sr., Mustang

Johnson can play small forward, but she can also play as both a point guard and a shooting guard. She is averaging 12.5 points along with 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals. Johnson has committed to play at Arkansas next season.

Hadley Periman, 6-2, Sr., Tuttle

Periman already has a 4A state title to her credit and wants to have a repeat championship for the Lady Tigers, who are ranked No. 1 in 4A entering the playoffs. Periman, who has signed with Tulsa, is averaging 11 points and 6.7 rebounds, along with 3.5 assists and nearly two steals. She is also shooting 81.2 percent from the foul line. "Her numbers would be even better, but due to our team dominance she is only playing about 22 minutes a game," Tuttle coach Brian Lester said. "Hadley makes winning plays and does what it takes to win. She is a great one-on-one defender who can guard all five spots. We rely on her to do so much for us as seen in her stats. Truly a selfless player."

Raelyn Delt, 5-10, Sr., Howe

Delt was part of the Lady Lions' 2019 Class 2A championship team as a freshman and added another state title ring to her resume her junior season, scoring 10 points in Howe's 2A title game win against Silo last March. Delt had 12 points in the Lady Lions' win against Booker T. Washington in the Tournament of Champions in December, and though Howe lost to Pocola in a dramatic LeFlore County Tournament title game in January, Delt hit a buzzer-beating 3 to send the game into overtime.

Mika Scott, 5-9, Sr., Pocola

Scott, a multi-year starter for the Lady Indians, has given them consistent play this season as Pocola lost just once in the regular season and climbed to No. 2 in the final regular-season 2A rankings. She is averaging 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and two assists a game. Scott, who has signed with Northeastern State University, has also converted 32 percent of her 3-point attempts and 79 percent of her free throws. "Mika has stepped up tremendously," Pocola coach Mark McKenzie said. "And every night, she's consistent and she's going to bring us 15 points every night just about."

Camille Pritchard, 5-10, Sr., Bristow

Pritchard has been a main reason why the Lady Pirates have had a drastic turnaround, going from seven wins a season ago to a team that finished this regular season 20-1, including winning their last 18 games. She is averaging 20.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, along with two steals. Pritchard has scored in double figures in all of her team's games, with a high of 29 in a Jan. 22 win against Kiefer.

Jessa Gilyard, 5-9, Sr., Victory Christian

Gilyard brings offensive and defensive intensity to the Conquerors. She is averaging 16.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Her season-high in points was 31 against 3A No. 1 Lincoln Christian, and Gilyard also made key plays to help Victory win its Class 4A district playoff in late February.

Hailey Jackson, 5-11, Jr., Sand Springs

Jackson is a combo player who can do a little bit of everything for the 6A contending Lady Sandites. She is averaging 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, along with 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals. Jackson has made 55 percent of her field goals and 70 percent of her free throws. "She is a versatile player that has found her way late in the season, and is having big double-double games," Sand Springs coach Joshua Berry said.

Jaylnn McCalister, 5-9, Sr., Del City

McCalister is a versatile player for the Lady Eagles, and can play small forward along with point guard and shooting guard. She recently committed to play at Crowder College in Missouri. In January, she scored 10 in the Lady Eagles' 42-33 road upset win at El Reno and also led all scorers with 31 points in a win against Northwest Classen. The month before, she had a game-high 20 points in a win against Shawnee.

Savannah Nunley, 5-11, Sr., Luther

Nunley is a key contributor on both ends of the court for the Lady Lions, who are contending for a 3A crown. She has averaged 10.5 points and 7.7 rebounds, as well as 1.3 steals a contest. Nunley scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds when Luther beat Class B top-ranked Lomega, 67-47, on Jan. 29. She also had 21 points and 14 boards when Luther defeated Watonga on Dec. 11.

Tyla Heard, 5-11, So., Sapulpa

Heard started as a freshman for a Lady Chieftain squad that won the 5A state title. She's doing more big things as Sapulpa eyes a repeat. Heard is averaging 11.7 points per game, as well as 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.2 assists. "Tyla is a two-year starter for our program," Sapulpa coach Darlean Calip said. "This young lady continues to grow and develop into a phenomenal player. She is our second-leading scorer and rebounder this season. She brings athleticism and physicality on both ends of the court, and I'm super excited to see her continued growth."

Ashlyn Evans-Thompson, 5-9, Sr., El Reno

Evans-Thompson has helped El Reno become a legitimate title contender in Class 5A this season, with the Lady Indians surging to a No. 2 ranking on the West side. An East Central University commit, Evans-Thompson has averaged 15.1 points as well as 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists a game. In January, she became the Lady Indians' all-time leading scorer when she scored her 1,286th career point.

Nakya Blakley, 5-9, Jr., Tulsa Memorial

Blakley is the Lady Chargers' top scorer as she averages 17.3 points a game. She's also their leading rebounder, averaging seven boards. Blakley has also improved this season on her ability to shoot from the outside, and can now make 3-pointers on a consistent basis.

Hannah Smith, 6-0, Sr., Choctaw

Smith, who can play both forward and center, signed to play at Oklahoma Baptist University. She was an All-Tournament selection when the Lady Yellowjackets won their inaugural Choctaw Invitational in December, beating Moore in the title game. Smith has also helped Choctaw turn in a strong season, finishing the regular season 19-1 and ranked No. 2 on the West side in 6A. 

Kalan Nye, 5-8, Sr., Howe

Nye is part of a talented senior class for the Lady Lions, who have won 2A state titles in both 2019 and again in 2021. Nye led Howe in its 2021 2A title game win against Silo with 15 points while grabbing seven rebounds. This season, she scored 19 points in the Lady Lions' win against Seiling in the Tournament of Champions in Tulsa in December.

Annaston Brown, 5-9, So., Sequoyah-Tahlequah

Brown is an emerging talent for a Lady Indian team that has posted some big upsets down the stretch this season. She had 24 points when Sequoyah defeated 4A Top 10 ranked Ada, 51-49, on Feb. 8 and was instrumental in the Lady Indians' 38-32 win in their regular-season finale on Feb. 14 against 4A No. 3 Holland Hall. Brown also had 23 points in a December win against Sequoyah-Claremore.