Can Edmond potentially be the capital city for Oklahoma high school girls basketball this season?

By Michael Kinney 

Photo of Edmond North's Laci Steele by Carlos Flores 

EDMOND - Edmond North came into last season ranked No. 1 and went wire to wire as the best team in Class 6A.

That included winning the program’s first-ever girls basketball state championship with a 28-1 record.

In the process, the Huskies outscored their opponents by 839 points and allowed only three teams to score more than 49 points against them.

After putting together that type of impressive run in 2021-22, Edmond North is back this season looking to retain its crown.

“I think we've got a good chance to go back,” Edmond North coach Pete Papahronis said. “I don't know who's favored; I see three or four teams that any one of those can actually win it.

"I think on a good day, anybody can beat anybody. So, our work's cut out for us. I don't think we're the dominant favorite like we were last year.”

Hot on the Huskies’ heels looking to dethrone them are the likes of Norman High, Putnam City West and Bixby, which lost to North by two in the 6A championship game.

However, the biggest threat to Edmond North’s reign may be crosstown rival Edmond Memorial. It is the Bulldogs who head into this season as the top team in Class 6A and they have designs to take home their first title ever.

While many coaches may shy away from those early season expectations, Memorial coach Rachel Crabaugh wants her squad to embrace it.

“Pressure is a privilege. But with that, we have told the girls they should expect to get every team’s best game and to never settle or play down to an opponent’s limits,” Crabaugh said. “My father-in-law (Denney Crabaugh) passed away this year in July. He was the baseball coach at (Oklahoma City University) for decades and the quote that is on repeat in my head this year is something he said all the time, 'Don’t tell me, show me.'

"That is what I hope to see from my team. The word 'potential' might as well be a curse word to me. You either amount to it or you don’t. So right now, I am excited to see what this team decides to prove to the state of Oklahoma and our school.”

Yet, Crabaugh, who graduated from Edmond North, also knows Memorial will have to go through the Huskies in order to reach their ultimate goal.

Because they are in the same conference, the two programs will face off at least twice before the playoffs even begin. That includes the Bulldogs' home opener, which will be this Friday.

However, Memorial hasn’t beaten North since February 2020.

“Our players have grown up together and played together or against each other regularly for their whole lives,” Crabaugh said. “One of the reasons this group of Edmondites is so strong is because they have competed against talent as kids, a.k.a. each other. That adds to the fun.

"The chant 'We are Edmond' is an Edmond Memorial rally cry. And as a North alumni, that used to drive me insane. But now it is something I take pride in.”

North is having to replace several seniors from last year’s title-winning team. However, they did not leave the Huskies' cupboard bare. Returning are seniors Elle Papahronis, who signed with the University of San Francisco, and Laci Steele, who signed with North Carolina State.

Steele was the MVP at last season’s state tourney and is considered by many to be the top player in the state.

“My goal is just proving to be a great leader for my team and being a contender for another 6A state championship,” Steele said.

Steele and Elle Papahronis were the top two scorers for North last season and two of the top rebounders as well. They will be the centerpiece of the Huskies' attack on both ends of the floor.

“I think we've got a great nucleus coming back from last year,” Pete Papahronis said. “We did lose some key players from last year, there's no question. Laci's been offensive player of the year and then last year’s MVP, whereas Elle’s been the defensive player of the year the last two years.

"But I'm blessed to have these two powerhouse players on our team and for the rest of the team just to fill in and fill those gaps that we lost. And they're doing that. All these girls are all stepping up.”

While the Bulldogs may not have the championship experience of the Huskies, they can match the talent level. Baylor Franz (Air Force Academy), Kailyn Berry (Air Force Prep), Makenna Hall (Ft. Valley State), Ella Hamlin, Lexi Hensley and the rest of the senior class are looking to improve upon their 18-9 record from last year.

But Memorial has a new face in their lineup that has put them over the top for many. Sophomore Janiyah Williams, who is one of the top players in the 2025 class, transferred from Stillwater to join the Bulldogs.

Despite her short time with Memorial, Williams already has a feel for what the rivalry with North is all about.

“That’s our first home game of the season, our second game of the season,” Williams said. “I'm excited for that. I think it will be a dog fight. I'm excited to see where we end up.”

The significance that the top two girls’ teams in the state may reside in the same zip code is not lost on Crabaugh.

“The respect I have for coach Pete is high. People can say Edmond North has a lot of talent, but Pete always has his teams playing hard and prepared and we know that,” Crabaugh said. “I think both teams are excited about the matchup.

"They have good players, but we have to focus on ourselves and what we do. We know they are one of the best and are going to bring it, so that gives us the motivation to show up and compete.”

However, Papahronis isn’t ready to hand over the crown just yet. He seems to have his squad ready to fight off all contenders who are looking to replace them.

“I’ve always said in the old game ‘King of the Mountain,' it's always easier to get on the mountain. But it's hard to stay on the mountain,” Papahronis said. “So last year we were at the mountain, and we took everybody's shot. We had the target on our back.

"I think being defending state champs, we still have that target on our back, but I truly believe there are a couple of other teams that have that target too, that people expect to be there. I've always enjoyed being the underdog, but it's also nice to be top dog whenever you're getting everybody's shot.”