Oklahoma high school girls basketball: Here are the top point guards for the 2023-24 season
Basketball coaches know a good point guard can make all the difference.
It's a player that can handle defensive pressure, get the ball to the right places and make all of their teammates look better.
Oklahoma high school girls basketball is loaded with point guard talent every season, and the 2023-24 campaign is no exception, with top talent from the largest schools to the smallest towns in the state. Many already have signed or committed to take their next step in the future playing in college, but for now, all have their eyes set on the prize of bringing a gold ball back to their high school's trophy case.
We'll be looking at shooting guards, wings and post players of note around the state in future articles. But now, here are some of SBLive Oklahoma's point guards to watch for this 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 point guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2023-24, let us know.
In no particular order:
Braci Nyberg, 5-7, Sr., Seiling
Nyberg is the latest in a line of superstars at one of Oklahoma's top small-school girls basketball programs. She's expected to pass 2,000 career points in her senior season before continuing her career collegiately next year at Southern Nazarene University. But before she does that, she wants to help lead the Lady Wildcats to another Class A state title.
Zya Vann, 5-9, Sr., Bethany
Vann gets so much going from the point guard position for the Lady Bronchos, looking for a repeat gold ball before taking her talents to the University of Oklahoma, following her sister Skylar, currently an OU senior. Zya Vann is a top 50 player in the nation in the Class of 2024, according to ESPN.
Saniyah Morrison, 5-5, Jr., Tulsa Rogers
The speedster leads one of Class 5A's top eastern squads. The reigning player of the year in the Green Country Conference plays taller than her 5-foot-5 height and always is a big part of the Lady Ropers' game plan as they look to improve on last year's quarterfinal exit at the 5A state tournament.
Caya Smith, 5-9, Sr., Putnam City West
Another of the multiple University of Oklahoma signees headed to the Sooners after their senior year, Smith makes the engine go for the nationally ranked Lady Patriots squad. After a close call in last year's Class 6A semifinals to Edmond North, Smith and PC West have their sights squarely on a gold ball this spring.
Macy Marraccini, 5-5, Jr., Broken Arrow
Marraccini is a true floor general for the Lady Tigers, either getting the ball to multiple talented teammates or showing no fear to take the big shot herself. Marraccini and B.A. reached the Class 6A state tournament a year ago, and this year have their sights set on hanging around for a deep run.
Aiyanna "Yaya" Gibson, 5-3, Fr., Glenpool
Not many freshmen are having the impact on higher-level teams that Gibson is, as the Warriors look to be part of the chase in the jam-packed Class 4A title pursuit after moving down this year from Class 5A. Her nickname will be one to know for years to come on the Tulsa-area hardwood.
Mataya Hall, 5-8, Jr., Tulsa Memorial
Hall was an important part in Sapulpa's run to last year's Class 5A title and now takes her talents across town to an expanded role in leading the way for the Lady Chargers, who are looking to make their own splash in the 5A postseason.
Peyton Walker, 5-4, Sr., Kingfisher
The Yellowjackets have a ranked squad eyeing a state tournament berth in the busy Class 4A chase, and Walker, a leader in the program for years, has been the spark. Basketball will continue after this year for Walker, as she's signed with the University of Central Oklahoma.
Raegan Bugaj, 5-6, Jr., El Reno
The Lady Indians have a fierce competitor in Bugaj, whose motor runs nonstop on both offense and defense. She's a big reason they're one of the top squads of the last few years in Class 5A, including a run to last year's semifinal round at the state tournament.
Jenna Avery, 5-4, Sr., Purcell
Purcell is pushing for the top 10 within the deep and talented race in Class 4A, and Avery, though small in stature, is big in productivity in leading the way for the Lady Dragons on both ends of the floor. They figure to make a long run in the postseason in February and March.
Kelby Beller, 5-6, So., Washington
The sophomore has bounced back from a knee injury during last year's Class 3A state championship game and has the Lady Warriors again looking like one of the best teams in 3A, recently claiming MVP honors as Washington won the Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic. Her career numbers could be off the charts before she's done in high school.
Addy Whiteley, 5-4, Jr., Fort Gibson
Few schools have the recent tradition of Fort Gibson, with seven Class 4A state title game appearances and four championships since 2011. Whiteley is the floor leader for this year's version, making big plays on both ends of the court for another FG squad that has the look of a title challenger.
Allie Rehl, 5-10, Sr., Tuttle
The Oklahoma Baptist University signee is continuing the tradition of top talent and strong teams for the Lady Tigers, who are almost a sure thing year-in, year-out, to challenge for a Class 4A state tournament run. They last won the title in 2021, Rehl's freshman season, and she's been a major contributor all of her years.
Seleh Harmon, 5-10, Jr., Norman North
Harmon is tall and athletic and causes problems for backcourts that oppose the Timberwolves, a Class 6A state tournament qualifier last year. She had a breakout performance in this year's Putnam City Invitational, being named Outstanding Player of the tournament after averaging nearly 20 points a game in the three-day event.
Maddi Stewart, 5-8, So., Tulsa Lincoln Christian
Stewart is one of the biggest reasons the Lady Bulldogs are another big player in the Class 4A race, already making huge waves by finishing second in the Tournament of Champions before beating a strong field a week later in their own tournament. One of the state's best freshmen a year ago, she's picking up where she left off in 2023-24.
Katelyn Harviston, 5-9, Sr., Dover
The senior and twin sister Karlee are making the Lady Longhorns one of the state's top small-school squads. Both achieved their 1,000th career point on the same night in a December game for Dover, which has been ranked at No. 1 in the Class B rankings throughout the 2023-24 season.
Parker Simonsen, 5-7, Sr., Mustang
Mustang has turned heads with its play in the first half of 2023-24, and their senior point guard has a lot to do with it. Like Peyton Walker from Kingfisher, Simonsen also has signed in UCO's class to begin play with the Bronchos in the fall. But she and the Broncos of Mustang have their sights on a Class 6A run before that.
Keeley Parks, 5-11, Jr., Norman
Parks can play either guard spot and is one of the most valuable players for any team in Class 6A, leading the Tigers to the state title game as a sophomore last season. She's had many memorable moments already in her Tiger career, including a 51-point explosion in a 63-61 victory early in the season against Midwest City.
Dadreanna Frost, 5-7, Jr., Westmoore
The rising star is the floor general and leader on both ends of the court for the Lady Jaguars as they look to climb the ladder and make a playoff run against a tough group of schools in Class 6A in the Oklahoma City area.
Josie Megehee, 5-10, Jr., Bethel
Used at both guard spots, Megehee - who has committed to play at the University of Tulsa - really does it all for the Lady Wildcats, who are coming off a deep playoff run last season that ended in the 3A semifinals. Don't let a few losses this year deceive about their chances of another big run, as Bethel has played a brutal schedule in the early part of the season.
Snowda Watie, 5-3, Sr., Stilwell
The Northeastern State University commit isn't the tallest player on the floor, but she plays a big role in everything for Stilwell, which is making waves beyond just far eastern Oklahoma, including a win against 4A powerhouse Tulsa Lincoln Christian already.
Montay Davis, 5-8. Sr., Tulsa Central
The Lady Braves have a true leader on both ends of the floor in the talented senior, a double digit scorer and also a force on the defensive side averaging about three steals a game. While Central has its hands full in the ever-tough Class 4A race, Davis is a shining star.
Photo of Seiling's Braci Nyberg by Michael Kinney
-- Christian Potts | @SBLiveOK