Who will win Super 5 Player of the Year?
Throughout the regular season, many Oklahoma high school girls basketball stars made their cases for consideration of The Oklahoman's Super 5 Player of the Year.
With the playoffs underway, it's time to see who stands out as the best of the best so far. In alphabetical order, here are 10 Super 5 candidates to watch.
Landry Allen, Sr., Tuttle
Allen has been dominant throughout her career at Tuttle, helping lead the Tigers to their first Class 4A girls basketball state title in 2021 and a state final appearance in 2022. This season has been no different. The 6-foot-3 OU signee averages 16.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.6 steals a game. She's shooting 56.1% from the field, 40% from behind the arc and 56.8% from the free throw line. Tuttle is 24-2 this season.
Mary Carden, Jr., Idabel
Carden, a towering 6-foot-6 center in the painted area, has helped lead Idabel to a 24-1 record this season. Carden is averaging 15.8 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game. With her in the middle, Class 3A Idabel is holding its opponents to 33.1 points per game.
Tiani Ellison, Sr., Silo
Ellison has helped lead Silo to a dominant season once again. The senior has scored 1,914 points and grabbed 866 rebounds in her career. This season, she's averaging 21.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. Silo is 20-7 in its first season in Class 3A with Ellison.
Stailee Heard, Sr., Sapulpa
Heard is no stranger to the postseason, and her skillset is a big reason why.
Heard helped Sapulpa to a 2021 Class 5A state title and has similar goals this season. Heard is averaging 20.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game this season. Sapulpa is 21-2.
Elise Hill, Sr., Tulsa Holland Hall
Holland Hall moved up to Class 5A this season and the Dutch have not slowed down, earning a 21-3 record. Hill, a Tulsa signee, has played a big role. She's averaging 18.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season. She's shooting 35% from behind the 3-point line and 46.5% from the field.
Marcayla Johnson, So., Tulsa Booker T. Washington
Johnson has been the driving force for the Hornets this year, leading them to a 19-5 record and the top rank on the east side of Class 6A. Johnson is averaging 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season. She's shooting 47.4% from the field.
Keziah Lofton, So., Bethany
It's early in her career, but Lofton has already made a big impact for the Class 4A Bronchos. The OU commit has helped lead Bethany to a 25-1 record. Lofton is averaging 19.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 steals and 4.3 assists per game. She's shooting 61% from the field.
Saniyah Richardson, So., Ada
Richardson is one of the best scorers in the state. The guard has led Class 4A Ada to an 18-8 record this season. She's averaging 26.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She's also shot 38% from behind the arc.
Emily Robinson, Sr., Caddo
Robinson has put together another dominant season. She ranks No. 27 alltime for most points scored in a girls basketball career. This season, she's averaging 23.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 steals per game. She's shot 62% from the field, and the Class A Bruins are 25-2.
Laci Steele, Sr., Edmond North
Steele helped lead Edmond North to its first Class 6A girls basketball state title last year, and she hasn't slowed down. Steele broke Edmond North's career points and steals record this season and has the Huskies as the No. 1 team on the west side of Class 6A with a 25-0 record. Steele is averaging 23.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. She's shooting 56.1% from the field, 39.4% from 3-point range and 81.0% from the free throw line.