Brzozowski lets loose
It’s safe to say Harrah’s Ali Brzozowski can use both hands to come close to counting how many 3-pointers she’s made in high school.
That made the bank shot nearly 1 minute into Wednesday night serendipitous.
Standing at the left elbow, the 6-foot-1 Brzozowski let the deep shot fly. Fittingly, looked off to her. But somehow it hit off the backboard, rolled on the rim and through the net.
“I was just really excited,” Brzozowski said. “I like to work on (3s) in practice, just in case. I’ll take it. If I’m open, I like to take chances, so why not.”
Brzozowski came out aggressive to open the annual Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State large-school basketball game, boosting West to a 59-48 victory at Oral Roberts’ Mabee Center.
She scored nine points, five of which came in the first 2 minutes. Following her 3-pointer, she came up with a steal and offensive rebound as she was fouled. She then made both free throws.
West led 7-2 and pushed the lead from there behind a balanced attack. Choctaw’s
Jordan Saxton scored a gamehigh 13 points, including three 3-pointers. In the third, she hit back-to-back 3s for a 36-25 lead. Edmond Memorial’s
Kendra Levings and Midwest City’s Reneya Hopkins also scored nine points apiece.
That aided Brzozowski, who enjoyed one last chance in a high school uniform before she plays at Benedictine College alongside her older sister Grace.
“This was just the top of the iceberg,” Brzozowski said. “I’m super excited. It’s such a wonderful school. She was a big reason why I went there.”
East was led by Shawnee’s
Kasey Rice, who scored 11 points and also made three treys.
Small East rolls to win
Kansas star Aydin Tucker was not afraid to shoot from long range. It’s an All-State game, after all. Tucker made four 3-pointers, including three in the first quarter to help East roll past West 75-65 in the small-school game. Tucker scored a team-high 14 points behind the 3-point barrage that seemed to extend further behind the line with each shot. After one quarter, East led 22-11. From there, it rolled.
West was led by Luther star Maia Wright, who scored a game-high 16 points. Cashion’s Presley Payahsape also scored 11.
For the East, Dale’s MiKayla Rutland added nine points.
Seiling’s Hamar honored
Seiling’s dominant season resulted in another award for its coach.
Brady Hamar was named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Coach of the Year between games. He was also The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Coach of the Year. Hamar led Seiling to a third straight Class A state championship following a 28-1 season.