Girls Basketball Preview: Players to Watch
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 6:02 AM
Jessica Washington, Jenks
Last year's All-Metro player of the year, the 5-foot-8 senior went to a new level last Friday, scoring a career-best 51 points in an 83-68 win at Muskogee. The North Carolina signee scored from all ranges, hitting 3-pointers, jumpers and layups, along with 19-of-26 foul shots. She averages 23.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, seemingly capable of similar offensive explosions at any time. "What makes her so good is that you have to defend her from everywhere on the floor," coach Mandy Nightingale said. She is rated as a five-star prospect and No. 14 nationally in the 2013 senior class by the HoopGurlz recruiting rankings.
Christina Devers, Bixby
The 5-foot-9 senior has speed few athletes can match. "We get a lot in transition because of how quick she is," coach Melody Stewart said. The Central Arkansas signee leads the Spartans in points (16.4), assists (3.4) and steals (2.4). She has raised her game from last season, and her team's record (9-1) shows it. "She's realized that if she wants her team to win, she has to get her teammates shots, and right now she's doing a phenomenal job of it," Stewart said.
Hailey Tucker, Bartlesville
The 6-foot-2 sophomore has a well-rounded game and basketball in her genes. The daughter of former Glenpool, Berryhill and Dewey girls coach Dee Dee Ward, she leads the Bruins in rebounds (6.4), assists (2.7) and 3-point shooting (41 percent) and is second in scoring (16.4). "Just a kid who's been in the gym all her life," coach Terry Rogers said. "She can penetrate or beat you off the dribble. Offensively, she's the total package."
I'mani Davis, Union
The 5-foot-11 senior averages a double-double (14.2 points, 10.3 rebounds) and is the defending 6A state champ in the high jump. "Just a tremendous athlete," coach Jim Stacy said. She can play all five positions and scores in a variety of ways. "She's not the purest shooter, but she cleans up her misses," Stacy said. She has signed with Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley Conference and is a four-star prospect in the HoopGurlz recruiting rankings.
Liesl Spoerl, Cascia Hall
The 6-foot senior averages 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and two blocked shots per game, one reason the Commandos are 10-2 and ranked seventh in Class 4A. She has signed with the University of Tulsa. A terror on defense, she's also a standout middle blocker in volleyball. She was an all-tournament selection at Vinita and totaled 60 points and 25 rebounds in three games at the Heritage Hall tournament.
Associated Images:
Jenks' Jessica Washington looks for a way around Broken Arrow's Alexis Gaulden during their 6A basketball game at Jenks last month. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World
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