Oklahoma high school girls basketball: 2023-24 storylines, players & teams to watch

The spotlight on Oklahoma high school girls basketball has spread from local gyms to a much larger stage.

With powerhouse teams and standout individuals gaining attention from ESPN, the state is making a splash in the national hoops scene.

ESPN’s 2025 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings feature five athletes in the Oklahoma City metro area: No. 17 Keziah Lofton of Bethany, No. 19 Keeley Parks of Norman, No. 21 Janiyah Williams of Edmond Memorial, No. 38 Avery Hjelmstad of Edmond Memorial and No. 50 Sania Richardson of Grind Prep, a new academy. The list also includes No. 35 Marcayla Johnson of Tulsa Booker T. Washington and No. 58 McKenzie Mathurin of Broken Arrow.

In the 2024 rankings, Zya Vann of Bethany checks in at No. 46, while fellow OU signee Caya Smith of Putnam West is No. 70. Additionally, Putnam West appears in the latest edition of the SCNext Top 25 national girls basketball team rankings. The Patriots are No. 21, and Bethany is listed as a team also considered.

These nationally hyped programs represent only a fraction of Oklahoma’s high school girls basketball talent. It’s an exciting time to follow along. Here’s a look at the top storylines and players to watch in the OKC area this season:

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Classes 6A-5A introduce district play

Coaches’ rankings no longer exist in Classes 6A-5A.

The teams are competing in districts with final standings determining their playoff seeds, eliminating the potential for human bias.

Norman coach Frankie Parks said the district format hasn’t created a major scheduling change for his team this year. The Tigers are facing some new opponents, but others are familiar from when they competed in the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference.

Instead, the biggest adjustment for Norman (4-3) involves the lineup. Junior guard Keeley Parks is the sole returning starter on a team that reached last season’s state finals, so the Tigers are learning to gel with new faces.

“We are pretty good defensively at this stage, as it applies to that group,” said Frankie Parks, Keeley’s father. “But on the offensive side, we’re still learning positional stuff and just being consistent as it relates to making shots.”

The roster has also changed for reigning 6A champion Edmond North, but that hasn’t stopped the Huskies from starting 4-0. Although the dynamic duo of Elle Papahronis and Laci Steele graduated, the Huskies have veteran presence from Allison Heathcock, Kate Melton and KK Peeler. Johari Hall, a move-in from Harding Charter Prep, has also bolstered Edmond North.

While last year’s state finalists are shuffling their lineups, one of the most promising 6A contenders has a group full of returners. Putnam West retained most of last season’s roster, including OU signee Caya Smith. The nationally ranked Patriots are 5-0, including a win over Norman.

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How is Bethany following a historic season?

Only one season after defeating Tulsa Lincoln Christian for its first state title in program history, Class 4A Bethany is elevating its competition level with prestigious out-of-state events.

The Bronchos were invited to the Tournament of Champions in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they finished as runners-up in overtime to a talented Northside Fort Smith squad during the past weekend. Then in January, Bethany is taking a trip to Washington, D.C., to play in the St. James MLK Classic.

“That’s super-exciting for us as a coaching staff to realize that our little ol’ team from Bethany, Oklahoma, is worthy of invitations to some of the biggest tournaments, biggest events in the nation,” said head coach Eric Sailer. “Definitely super-excited about all the publicity that we’re receiving. Now, it’s just our turn to try to show that we’re worthy of those things.”

As the Bronchos (4-1) strive to back up the hype, they lean on a starting lineup full of returners, including Keziah Lofton and Zya Vann. They’re the top-ranked team in Class 4A, but Lincoln Christian, Anadarko, Stilwell and Tuttle are also among the squads making early statements.

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Will Jones four-peat with a young team?

For Jones, last season’s milestone led to this season’s challenge.

The Class 3A Longhorns distinguished themselves as the ninth program in Oklahoma high school girls basketball to three-peat as state champions. They’re in elite company, but that means their foes have a common goal.

“They’re not only watching us,” said head coach Jenni Holbrook. “They want to see Jones lose. We’re gonna get everybody’s best.”

Despite their trio of gold trophies, the fourth-ranked Longhorns are somewhat underdogs this year because they lost significant experience. Jones had six seniors during the past season. This year, Sofi Woodson and Kasia Hansen add seasoned leadership to an otherwise young group.

If the Longhorns (2-2) take state, then they will accomplish a four-peat, something only Seiling has done in Oklahoma high school girls basketball. But Holbrook said she sees Idabel and undefeated Washington as the teams to beat, so it’s no easy path for Jones.

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20 OKC-area players to watch

Kelby Beller, So., Washington: Beller was sidelined with an injury during last season’s state finals matchup, but she has returned to help the top-ranked Warriors open the season 6-0. She leads Washington with 13.8 points per game.

Alaysia Burrough, Sr., Putnam North: Burrough bolstered the Panthers as they won the Joe Lawson Memorial Invitational. She was named to the All-Tournament team.

Kate Davis, Sr., Choctaw: Choctaw has started the season 5-0 with Davis’ leadership. She is averaging 20 points, six rebounds, 1.5 assists and two steals per game.

Skylar Durley, Jr., Classen SAS: Durley is averaging 24.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. She stockpiled 28 points against Midwest City.

De’Yanna Douglas, Sr., Midwest City: Douglas is averaging 21.8 points per game with a field-goal percentage of 51.1 through six games. She also has seven total steals and five blocks.

Seleh Harmon, Jr., Norman North: With averages of 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, Harmon is an all-around contributor for the Timberwolves.

Brandie Harrod, Jr., Millwood: Harrod’s recruitment skyrocketed over the summer. Her offers include Tulsa, Kansas State, Wichita State, North Carolina, Florida State and Harvard.

Preslee Hartsock, Jr., Community Christian: Hartsock is a standout on a Royals squad that has opened the season 5-1.

Allison Heathcock, Sr., Edmond North: Heathcock recently set Edmond North’s all-time single-game scoring record with 34 points, surpassing former teammate Laci Steele. Creighton signee Heathcock is averaging 23.8 points per game.

Avery Hjelmstad, Jr., Edmond Memorial: Hjelmstad is shooting 56.7% from 3-point range. With offers from schools across the country, she has narrowed her top eight to Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa State, Duke, Arkansas and Utah.

Keziah Lofton, Jr., Bethany: An OU commit, Lofton made The Oklahoman’s Super 5 first team as a sophomore. This season, she has recorded 19.4 points per game with 39 total rebounds and 16 steals through five matchups.

Josie Megehee, Jr., Bethel: Megehee is fueling Bethel in multiple categories with averages of 22.5 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 steals and 1.5 assists per game.

Keeley Parks, Jr., Norman: Parks set Norman’s single-game scoring record, pouring in 51 of her team’s 63 points against Midwest City to advance to the Joe Lawson Memorial Invitational finals. Her many offers include OU, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Tennessee and Kansas State.

Sania Richardson, Jr., Grind Prep: Formerly a star at Ada, Richardson is spending this season with Grind Prep, a newly opened academy in Oklahoma City.

Caya Smith, Sr., Putnam West: Smith made The Oklahoman’s Big All-City first team and Super 5 third team after averaging 13.2 points per game as a junior. She signed with OU on Nov. 17.

Gabby Tilley, Sr., Yukon: Tilley surpassed 1,000 career points during Tuesday’s win at Westmoore. She is averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and two steals per game.

Zya Vann, Sr., Bethany: An OU signee, Vann made The Oklahoman’s Class 4A All-State team last season with 19 points per game.

Gracee Waller, Sr., Dale: The Class 2A reigning state champions have rolled into the season with a 9-0 record, and Waller is one of the key leaders.

Janiyah Williams, Jr., Edmond Memorial: Williams opened this season with three consecutive double-doubles. Her array of college offers includes Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa and Tennessee, where she is taking an official visit in early January.

Sofi Woodson, Sr., Jones: A 6-foot-3 senior, Woodson brings valuable experience to Jones’ young team. She holds an offer from Southern Nazarene.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS girls basketball: 2023-24 storylines, players to watch