Judging by the young talent on display at this year's county tournament, local basketball fans can get used to seeing some quality girls players over the next several seasons.
Never in the seven-year history of the tournament have so many freshmen players made such an impact. Just about every girls team had at least one ninth-grader in the starting line-up or playing a key role.
Roland's Bobby Walters was one of the coaches who benefited from the influx of young talent as he gave a pair of freshmen extensive playing time.
Ericka Edwards started at post for the Lady Rangers and scored in double figures every night while averaging a team-high 14.3 points per game at the tournament. Another freshman, Jasmine Kirkwood, came off the bench and gave the champions quality minutes at guard.
Walters noted that Roland isn't the only team relying on freshmen this season.
"Everybody's real young right now. You say we're young and we have a good bunch coming up, then you look around and everybody else does too. It runs in cycles like that," said Walters.
Two more freshmen were starters for Muldrow's team that placed second to Roland at the county tourney. Post player Sarah Martin was the second-leading scorer for the Lady Bulldogs while point guard Taylor Cawhorn drew rave reviews from several opposing coaches.
Gore, which came in third, inserted a freshman into its starting line-up at the tournament and Kera Smith responded by scoring 10 points in a close semifinal loss to Roland.
Caitlyn Hall started all three tournament games for Sallisaw and fellow freshmen Sarah Snider and Candace McNamee also saw action for the Lady Diamonds.
Vian had a whole crew of ninth-graders that received playing time at the tournament. Ashley Hooper started at guard for the Lady Wolverines, who also got minutes from Jessica Brunson, Meghan Wells, Sydney Sloan and Alyx Sovo.
Gans and Webbers Falls got contributions from their ninth-grade players as well, and only one team-Central-did not have a freshman score a point in the tournament.
"Really, there may be more young kids this year than ever. It's just that way," said Walters. "There's going to be some good basketball for a while."
All-Time Winners
The Roland boys became the first team to ever capture four county championships in a row by topping Muldrow in Saturday's final.
The Rangers and Muldrow have the all-time best records in the boys' division with marks of 17-4.
The Muldrow girls, who also own four titles, suffered a rare county tourney loss this year but still have the best all-time record at the event at 18-3.
COUNTY TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE Girls All-Tournament Team
Jenny Beshoner, Roland
Katie Beshoner, Roland
Christy Neu, Muldrow
Fallen Tate, Muldrow
Heather Andrews, Gore
Ashley Covington, Sallisaw
Kayla Lattimore, Central
Leigha Girty, Vian
Randi Childers, Gans
Sarah Humphrey, Webbers Falls
Leading Scorers - Girls
Kayla Lattimore, Central: 55
Heather Andrews, Gore: 46
Ericka Edwards, Roland: 43
Jenny Beshoner, Roland: 40
Bunny Postoak, Central: 35
Christy Neu, Muldrow: 34
Tournament Champions - Girls
Roland Lady Rangers, 2006
Muldrow Lady Bulldogs, 2005
Roland Lady Rangers, 2004
Muldrow Lady Bulldogs, 2003
Muldrow Lady Bulldogs, 2002
Muldrow Lady Bulldogs, 2001
Vian Lady Wolverines, 2000
Boys All-Tournament Team
Nick Mooney, Roland
Robert Thompson, Roland
Caleb Cawhorn, Muldrow
Trevor Earls, Muldrow
Seth Sloan, Vian
Jose Tarin, Central
Trevor Teel, Sallisaw
John Brooks, Gore
Cody Carter, Webbers Falls
Nick Woodruff, Gans
Leading Scorers - Boys
Caleb Cawhorn, Muldrow: 57
John Brooks, Gore: 53
Nick Mooney, Roland : 49
Seth Sloan, Vian: 45
Londell Taylor, Vian: 45
Robert Thompson, Roland: 42
Tournament Champions - Boys
Roland Rangers, 2006
Roland Rangers, 2005
Roland Rangers, 2004
Roland Rangers, 2003
Muldrow Bulldogs, 2002
Muldrow Bulldogs, 2001
Muldrow Bulldogs, 2000
