Oklahoma high school girls basketball: Here are the top shooting guards for the 2023-24 season
The shooting guard position encompasses not just shooting and scoring, but often a challenging defensive assignment and a ton of responsibility.
It's a critical role to fill for any basketball team.
Oklahoma girls high school basketball has produced many great guards over the years at the position, and the 2023-24 campaign is certainly no exception.
In no particular order, here are some of SBLive Oklahoma's players to watch at the position this season.
Oklahoma's Top Girls Basketball Players
2023-24 Season
There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Oklahoma, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. If you know of any other shooting guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2023-24, let us know.
In no particular order:
Keziah Lofton, 6-0, Jr., Bethany
Lofton has helped lead her school to new heights, including navigating the tough waters of Class 4A for the school's first girls basketball state championship last year. She's already a 1,000-point scorer in high school, already committed to the University of Oklahoma, and has a list of superlatives that could go all day. She's the real deal.
McKenzie Mathurin, 5-10, Jr., Broken Arrow
One of the Tulsa area's top playmaking guards, Mathurin was a major part of the Lady Tigers' run to the Class 6A state tournament a year ago and in turn, their hopes for a similar run this March, having recently already cracked 1,000 career high school points. She is committed to the Division I level after high school to compete for the Big Red of Nebraska.
Allison Heathcock, 6-0, Sr., Edmond North
The 6-foot senior is headed to Creighton for her collegiate career but has hopes of adding another state title after the Lady Huskies' run in 6A last year. She was MVP of the recent Mustang Holiday Classic title run by the Lady Huskies against a field loaded with top teams.
Janiyah Williams, 5-10, Jr., Edmond Memorial
After a season plagued by injury, Williams is back and taking on an increased role for the Bulldogs after several key graduations. Her squad won the prestigious Tournament of Champions in December and has its sights on another run to the Class 6A state tournament. Williams has plenty left to do before a collegiate career, where she's gotten heavy attention from the Lady Vols of Tennessee, among others.
Avery Hjelmstad, 6-1, Jr., Edmond Memorial
Williams' teammate is having to play a little more down near the basket this season for the Lady Bulldogs. But the target of multiple Division I schools still is one of the most dangerous 3-point shooters on any roster in Oklahoma. And at her height, she's awfully difficult to guard away from the basket.
Alexis Fowler, 5-7, Sr., Warner
Fowler helped orchestrate one of the biggest playoff wins in Class 2A last year when her Lady Eagles' squad knocked off top-ranked Dale in an area finals game to earn Warner its first state tournament trip in two decades. Now she has Warner on track for another big postseason run from her leadership in the backcourt.
Jill Twiehaus, 5-10, Sr., Jenks
Perhaps no player on this list better fits the position title "shooting guard." Twiehaus is a bucket-making machine, reaching the 1,000-point plateau in December for the Lady Trojans and constantly a threat to score from almost anywhere. She's committed to play collegiately at the Division I level for Rice, but her Jenks squad is still making noise in the tough Class 6A race.
Taylor Bilby, 5-7, Sr., Sapulpa
Bilby started in the backcourt and was in the middle of it all when the Chieftains captured last year's Class 5A state championship. Now with star Stailee Heard at Oklahoma State, Bilby's role has increased as Sapulpa looks to climb the 5A mountain once again.
Macee Matthews, 6-0, Jr., Coweta
A versatile talent who makes a lot happen for the Lady Tigers, Mathews has helped Coweta to a strong start in District 4 in the new format in Class 5A. The left-hander is establishing her team as a power and herself as one of the better juniors at her position in the state of Oklahoma.
Kate Wernli, 5-9, So., Bixby
After a stellar group of seniors graduated, the look is different at Bixby. That's put a lot on the shoulders of Wernli, who will be the player the Lady Spartans look to lead in all facets of the game. She'll look to build on a season where she was one of the elite freshmen in Class 6A, if not the whole state.
Marissa Sandlin, 5-9, So., Tuttle
Injury hampered one of Tuttle's next up-and-coming stars a year ago, but Sandlin's is a name to remember for several years down the road. Playing for a team that is a historic powerhouse in Class 4A, she figures to do many big things as a factor both offensively and defensively for the Lady Tigers.
Jadyn Buttery, 5-11, Sr., Tahlequah
The Tigers have been staking their claim as a serious contender in Class 5A, and the smooth-shooting Buttery is a big reason. She'll stay home next year for college basketball as a signee with Northeastern State University, but she and her teammates first have big goals to finish this high school season at the top.
Katelyn Davis, 5-8, Sr., Choctaw
One of many solid guards and wing players on the Yellowjackets' roster, Davis has been valuable on both ends of the floor for this tradition-rich program that's pushing for another run into the Class 6A postseason, as the team stayed undefeated after winning the recent John Nobles Invitational title in Moore. After her senior season ends, she'll continue her playing career at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Kate Melton, 5-7, Sr., Edmond North
Another piece in the dynasty that Edmond North is putting together in central Oklahoma, Melton makes plays all over the floor at both guard spots for the two-time defending 6A champion Lady Huskies. She'll stay in state after her high school career, signing this December to play collegiately at Rogers State University.
Destinee McGee, 5-8, Jr., Ardmore
McGee has been the top scoring option the last couple of seasons for a young Lady Tiger squad trying to return to its traditional prominence in south central Oklahoma. Now part of the tough Class 4A race, that won't be easy, but McGee and her teammates have their sights set on big things.
Brie Smith, 5-11, Sr., Collinsville
The Cardinals have a versatile star in Smith, not only as a multi-sport athlete competing well on the softball diamond, but as a basketball player that can do many things. Smith and the Cardinals have been building in the right direction in recent seasons, and look to take another positive step this year.
Kenly Gore, 5-7, Sr., Seiling
The Class A powerhouse in northwest Oklahoma has one of the best backcourts in any class, with Braci Nyberg joining Gore in a combination that will give all opponents fits. The Gore family has been synonymous with state championship runs, and Gore is now cementing her own legacy as one of the top guards in the state.
Tori Kilburn, 5-8, Jr., McAlester
Kilburn has had a big impact as an offensive threat early in her junior year for the Buffaloes, who have turned out a number of good guards in recent years. That's a list Kilburn, who played at small-school Pittsburg to begin her career, has now joined for her final two years of high school.
Hope Bump, 5-9, Jr., Sand Springs
Bump was a strong scoring threat as a sophomore at Claremore but now has made the move to Sand Springs, where transfer issues have kept her on the sidelines. If she can get on the floor, she adds another strong piece for a Lady Sandite squad looking to join the party in the 6A playoff race.
Emerie Adams, 5-10, Jr., Lone Grove
Adams brings many factors, including height, scoring ability, defensive presence and leadership to a Lady Longhorns' squad that is one of the top teams in south-central Oklahoma. They'll look to make a run this year in Class 3A.
Bella Pehrson, 6-0, Sr., Mannford
Don't miss out on the talents of yet another strong player in the Class 4A division. The future Northwestern Oklahoma State player has already been named Most Valuable Player of the early-season Northeast Valley Conference Tournament, which Mannford won, and has her team pointed toward a big run in the 4A postseason.
Karsyn Nye, 5-9, Sr., Howe
Anyone who knows small-school high school girls basketball knows about this eastern Oklahoma power, and Nye is one of several talents leading the way for the Lady Lions. She's headed to Murray State next year to play softball, but has unfinished business on the basketball court this winter.
Anna Crisp, 5-7, Sr., Pryor
The Tigers have made many strong postseason runs over the years, and Crisp is a big part of their hopes to do so this season in Class 5A. The senior is a scoring threat and will need to play big minutes for her squad, which has drawn a tough group in Oklahoma's new district format for Classes 5A and 6A.
Teague Muncy, 5-8, Jr., Dale
The two-sport star had a big season and state tournament run a year ago playing for Amber-Pocasset before her squad was knocked out in the Class 2A semifinals by Dale. Now she's moved to Dale, shining on the softball diamond in the fall and now a big factor on the basketball court for one of the top contenders in the 2A championship chase.
Ava Casper, 5-7, Jr., Holland Hall
Casper was an integral part of the Class 5A state runner-up team last season for the Dutch, and she is back to help lead them on possibly another lengthy postseason run this season. Currently, she is averaging 15 points a game in leading Holland Hall to a 6-3 record in district play. She also holds an offer to play Division II ball at Emporia State in Kansas.
Photo of Broken Arrow's McKenzie Mathurin (with ball)
-- Christian Potts | @SBLiveOK
