Who will win Super 5 girls basketball Player of the Year? These 16 stars make their cases.
Editor’s note: The Oklahoman inadvertently omitted a player from the first publication. Allison Heathcock of Edmond North has been added to this list.
Oklahoma high school girls basketball is in the midst of a talent boom.
Nationally ranked prospects are drawing Division I coaches into local gyms, while under-the-radar stars are also building tremendous seasons.
This means there’s close competition for The Oklahoman’s 2024 Super 5 Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
With the regular season behind us, it’s time to meet 16 early candidates. This isn’t a comprehensive list and playoffs could shake it up, but the following players have made compelling cases:
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Pauline Black-Harmon, El Reno
With 14 points per game, Black-Harmon has provided senior leadership throughout El Reno’s undefeated season. A 5-foot-10 power forward, she averages eight rebounds per game and holds El Reno’s all-time rebounding record. Black-Harmon is a tenacious defender with 36 total blocks and an efficient scorer who has made 67% of her field-goal attempts.
Mary Carden, Idabel
Carden is one of the best defenders in the state, and her numbers show it. The 6-foot-6 Oral Roberts signee averages three blocks per game for a season total of more than 60. If that isn’t enough of a case, she’s averaging a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Kate Davis, Choctaw
Choctaw ended the regular season as the sole undefeated Class 6A team, and Davis’ consistent contributions were a major reason behind her program’s historic record. The Oklahoma Baptist signee has averaged 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.
More: How Choctaw girls basketball pulled off first undefeated regular season
De’Yanna Douglas, Midwest City
With 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, the senior forward nearly averaged a double-double on the way to Midwest City’s district championship. Douglas eclipsed the Bombers’ all-time career rebounding record of 597 early this season and has far surpassed it since.
Skylar Durley, Classen SAS
A standout freshman on the Comets’ 2022 state championship team, Durley is now a dynamic junior leader. Her averages include 19.5 points, six rebounds, 3.3 assists and three steals per game.
Tyla Heard, Sapulpa
After winning a 2023 state championship with older sister Stailee, Tyla is thriving as a senior. The Abilene Christian signee is consistently posting double-doubles with 17.1 points and 11 rebounds per game. She’s also a skilled facilitator with 5.2 assists per game.
Allison Heathcock, Edmond North
Heathcock is keeping the Huskies on course as they chase their third straight state championship. The Creighton signee is averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.4 steals per game.
Marcayla Johnson, Tulsa Booker T. Washington
Johnson is having a stellar junior season with averages of 19 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, leading the Hornets into the playoffs with a 15-7 record. She is shooting 53% from 2-point range and 41% from 3.
Keziah Lofton, Bethany
A reigning Super 5 first-team honoree, Lofton has made a tremendous difference in limited minutes, often heading to the bench early because of Bethany’s large leads. The junior OU commit is shooting 53% from the field with 20 points per game while adding 5.7 rebounds per game. Lofton and Zya Vann form a nearly unstoppable guard duo.
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McKenzie Mathurin, Broken Arrow
Mathurin is a prolific scorer, averaging 22.6 points per game while making 50% of her 2-point attempts. The junior Nebraska commit also has averages of 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.5 assists per game.
Keeley Parks, Norman
As the only returning starter on a young team, the junior guard has accepted a tremendous responsibility, leading Norman to a 14-8 record. Her averages include 25.2 points, eight rebounds, 5.4 steals and three assists per game. Early this season, she set Norman’s single-game scoring record with 51 points.
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Caya Smith, Putnam West
Putnam West finished the regular season 21-1 with Smith’s senior leadership. The Patriots are typically a balanced team, but the McDonald’s All American nominee stands out as an obvious star. A 6-foot-1 OU signee, Smith entered Tuesday’s win over Westmoore averaging 14 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and 3.5 steals per game.
Maddi Stewart, Tulsa Lincoln Christian
With a balanced skill set, the sophomore guard has powered the Class 4A second-ranked Bulldogs to a 19-3 record. Her averages include 16 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Jill Twiehaus, Jenks
A McDonald’s All-American nominee, Twiehaus sets the tone for Jenks as a talented scorer and rebounder. The 5-foot-10 Rice signee is averaging 19.8 points and 6.1 boards per game.
Zya Vann, Bethany
Like Lofton, Vann has made quick work of the Bronchos’ opponents. The 5-foot-9 OU signee is shooting 57% from the field with an average of 20 points per game. Vann’s stat line also features 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. She was a McDonald’s All American nominee.
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Janiyah Williams, Edmond Memorial
Williams’ automatic midrange jumper is the trademark of her game, and it’s far from her only forté. The junior guard is averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, two assists and 2.1 steals per game, bouncing back from last season’s injury woes.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS basketball candidates for 2024 Super 5 girls player of year
