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

By Buck Ringgold I Photo by Josh Cleary 

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

This list focuses on posts. Earlier, we focused on point guards and shooting guards, along with wings.

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 posts worthy of fans' attention in 2021-22.

In no particular order:

Sofi Woodson, 6-2, So., Jones

Woodson provides an inside presence for the defending 3A champion Lady Longhorns. She is averaging 8 points along with 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest while also converting 50.7 percent of her field goals. "Sofi is getting better every time she steps on the floor," Jones coach Jenni Holbrook said. "She is figuring out how to use her body and to be more aggressive inside. She had a big game against Bethel with 22 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks. We need her to play well during playoffs and to continue to gain confidence."

Addie McLemore, 6-0, Jr., Durant

McLemore averages 10 points, five rebounds and two steals a game for the Lady Lions. "She's an athletic post that has a great touch and great instincts defensively," Durant coach Will Robinson said. 

Ellie Morrill, 6-1, Sr., Owasso

Morrill is averaging 7.3 points and 3.0 rebounds for the Lady Rams entering the 6A playoffs. She had a team-high 12 points in a win against Bishop Kelley in January and hit a game-winning free throw to beat Muskogee, 31-30, on Feb 11. Morrill has signed to play next season at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Ia.

Kori Rainwater, 6-0, So., Tahlequah

Rainwater is averaging 9.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Lady Tigers, who are making noise in 6A after having went to the 5A title game a season ago. She's also shooting 47 percent from the field with 24 blocks on the season, and also has recorded three double-doubles. "Kori is coming into her own this year, gaining confidence in her moves and touch around the basket," Tahlequah coach David Qualls said. "She plays extremely hard and is getting better and better."

Emma Stover, 6-0, Jr., Okarche

A post player, Stover is averaging 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Lady Warriors, who entered the postseason ranked No. 2 in Class A. She had a team-high 22 points in Okarche's win against Stuart in late February to win the regional championship.

Meredith Mayes, 6-3, Jr., Bixby

Mayes complements the Lady Spartans' outside shooting ability with her presence down low. She is averaging double figures in both points and rebounds, 11.8 and 11, respectively, and is also averaging 1.2 blocks. "Meredith takes ownership of the low block," Bixby coach Tina Thomas said. "She is constantly working for position and has averaged a double-double for the last two seasons. She plays excellent defense and with her athletic ability, she can guard any position on the court."

Abbie Barton, 6-0, Sr., Cheyenne

Barton averages 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for Cheyenne. She also averages 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals. She's had two 20-point games, one coming in a 53-32 win against Burns Flat-Dill City on Feb. 8 in which she went 10-of-20 from the field. Barton also had 10 points and 11 boards in a 46-33 win against Fargo-Gage-Fort Supply on Jan. 25.

Briley Walker, 5-10, Jr., Wright City

Walker averages 9.8 points and 6.1 rebounds a game for her squad. She had 22 points and went 9-of-11 from the field in a 70-46 win against Haworth on Jan. 24 and also had a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds in a 56-33 win against Valliant on Jan. 20.

Mary Carden, 6-6, So., Idabel

Carden is one of the top center prospects in the state with her height and her ability to dominate the glass. She is averaging 14.2 points and 12 rebounds per game for the Lady Warriors, who are making a serious run at the Class 3A title. In a win against 2A No. 1 Howe, Carden had 27 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks while going 13-of-14 from the field. "She will make you pay on the inside, clean up everything off the glass and protect the rim," Idabel coach Kayla Denton said. "She's had five-plus block games this year. She has an array of post moves, she's a good free-throw shooter and she can also distribute to shooters."

Landry Allen, 6-3, Jr., Tuttle

Allen is determined to help the Lady Tigers repeat as Class 4A state champions. This season, the center is averaging 12.3 points and eight rebounds per game along with 4.2 blocks. Allen, who has already committed to Oklahoma, is also shooting more than 63 percent from the field and 74 percent from the foul line. "A dominant defensive presence in the paint," Tuttle coach Brian Lester said. "She's a reason our team is giving up 27 points a game. Her numbers would be even better, but due to our team dominance she is only playing about 22 minutes a game."

Jaiana Wiggins, 6-0, Sr., Crooked Oak

Wiggins is averaging a double-double in her senior season at Crooked Oak. She averages 20 points and 11 rebounds, as well as five blocks and three steals. Wiggins has helped Crooked Oak enjoy a solid season, going 16-6 and ranked in the top 20 in 3A after winning its district playoff against Star-Spencer. Crooked Oak is now 8-0 against 3A foes this season after the district title win.

Braylee Dale, 5-11, Sr., Perry

Dale is averaging 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Lady Maroons, who have surged to the No. 2 ranking in Class 3A before postseason play. She has also converted 70 percent of her free throws. "Braylee is a tough matchup for most teams," Perry coach Paul Duncan said. "She has been playing really well."

Jacey Crawford, 6-2, Jr., Stillwater

Though Crawford is averaging 3.2 points, she has averaged six rebounds and two blocks a game for the Lady Pioneers. "Jacey has developed tremendously throughout the season," Stillwater coach Kendra Kilpatrick said. "She has learned how to use her length to block and alter shots. Over the last five games, she is averaging four blocks a game."

Hannah Coons, 6-1, So., Kiefer

Coons has done her part in elevating the Lady Trojans this season. Kiefer finished the regular season 20-2 and a top 10 ranking in Class 3A. The Lady Trojans defeated Salina in the 3A districts, as Coons finished with 10 points and four steals. On the season, Coons is averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Layne Kirkendoll, 6-2, Sr., Sand Springs

Kirkendoll averages 6.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks for the Lady Sandites, who are in the mix to make a deep run in Class 6A. She has also converted 52.9 percent of her field goal attempts. "She might be the best big defender and shot blocker in the state," Sand Springs coach Joshua Berry said. "She has started finishing on the offensive side as well as being a great rebounder."

Amaya Martinez, 6-1, Jr., Shawnee

A power forward, Martinez nearly willed her team into the 5A state tournament. In her last three regular season games, she had three double-doubles. Then in a 5A area round game, she had another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Lady Wolves rallied in the fourth quarter for a 36-30 win against Claremore. She also had 13 points in a state qualifier, though Shawnee lost by one point to Grove.

Tiani Ellison, 6-1, Jr., Silo

Ellison is averaging 20.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.8 assists and 2.9 steals a game for the Lady Rebels, who are determined to go back to Oklahoma City and finish the job after falling in the 2A title game last season. She has scored at least 30 points four times this season, and has a high of 40 points against Valliant. Ellison has 11 double-doubles as well. "Tiani is an excellent player that brings it every night," Silo coach Jake Jobe said. "Vocal leader on the team, but leads by example with hustle in practice and games. She is so strong physically and mentally. Opponents know she is our best option every night, and she is able to score and get every rebound just about whenever she wants to."

Laynee Stanley, 6-0, Fr., Kansas

Stanley will be one of the emerging top players to watch in the state in the coming years. A power forward and center, Stanley has already committed to Oklahoma State. In her team's district title win against Rejoice Christian, Stanley scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Against Inola in January, she had 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks.

Maddie Ramsey, 5-10, Sr., Howe

Another of an impressive group of Lady Lion seniors who were part of 2A state championship teams as freshmen and then as juniors, Ramsey has put together some strong numbers of late in helping Howe return to the 2A state tourney. Against 4A Muldrow in the regular-season finale, Ramsey had 11 points, 14 deflections and four steals in a 65-55 win against the Lady Bulldogs. In a regional championship game, she had 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals in the Lady Lions' win against Oktaha. Then in the area title game against Silo, Ramsey had 10 points, including the eventual game-winning basket in the closing seconds.

Faith O'Handley, 6-1, Sr., Woodward

A center for the Lady Boomers, O'Handley was a key contributor for a team that nearly qualified for the 4A state tournament. She had 13 points in a 37-25 win against Alva in a January game, and also scored 14 in another win against Alva, this time 57-34 in the Wheat Capital tournament in Enid. O'Handley also had all 12 of her points in the second half in a February win against Altus.