Edmond has definitely had its share of talent on the hardwood over the years.
Blake Griffin is widely considered the top pick in next years NBA Draft.
But once Obi Mounello signed with Oklahoma State, and Griffin left for Oklahoma, it was believed that Edmond would experience a drought.
Hardly. One year maybe, but what was missing has now turned up on the girls side.
It’s not often that you see sophomores, or freshmen for that matter, get playing time, especially here. But the times have changed a bit. Not because of necessity, there are talented upperclassman. But how do you keep young superstars on the bench. You can’t, not with this group.
“The Edlam battles are certainly going to be fun to watch for years to come,” Central Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Guy Hardaker said. Hardaker gets to see all of the local talent with his daughter Tate playing at Santa Fe.
The next generation of players has arrived, led by North sophomore Elizabeth Donohoe, who has verbally committed to Oklahoma State. Santa Fe freshman Courtney Walker has D-I prospect written all over her, while Memorial freshman Alie Decker has a lot of potential, with her size and shooting ability.
"Liz is a tremendous talent, and Memorial has a freshman that starts some for them also. I get to watch Courtney every time she plays. Basketball goes in cycles, it seems to be strong at times, then drop off, but this is definitely one of those times where its strong here in Edmond,” Hardaker said. “Even the senior class is good, I think it’s a great senior class, there were several early signings.”
Memorial coach Shane Coffey believes Donohoe could be one of the best players Edmond has ever seen.
“Liz is the best player I’ve seen in the nine years I’ve been here,” Memorial head coach Shane Coffey said. “She’s a special player. When things aren’t going well, she takes it upon herself, puts the team on her back and just carries them. She’s fun to watch, she’s going to have a major impact on the game of high school basketball in Edmond that will be felt for years to come.”
Donohoe has the intensity and the size to be a force at the next level. You want players that hate to lose, and you can see the fire in her eyes each and every time she steps out on the court.
Losing is something North shouldn’t experience much over the next two years.
Walker may not be one of the biggest guards, but isn’t lacking in talent. She’s tenacious on the defensive end and has the length to finish on the fast break or close to the basket. Walker is good from the outside as well.
“She’s got instincts. She’s got instincts, it just comes natural for her,” Hardaker said.
“You know, it usually comes in cycles, one of the three school’s will have a good player. But now all of us do. I was talking to one of my assistants the other day about how good Edmond would be if we just had one or two schools. Can you imagine what we would have combined. We’re able to get by now, one of the schools is good every year, but with all of them combined, we’d be the favorite. That would be fun for the community,” Coffey said.
Coffey credits the rise in popularity of women’s basketball at the collegiate level to today’s talent.
“What Sherri Coale has done at Oklahoma, and recently what Kurt Budke has done at Oklahoma State has been incredible. What’s happened is the game has turned into more of what the mens game has to offer. It’s fast paced, more defense, it’s just more exciting to watch,” Coffey said. “What has happened over the last 10 years has been tremendous. Girls have the opportunity to take it to the next level, and even the level after that. They have that opportunity now, if they want to do that.”
Coffey doesn't anticipate the current rise in talent to be a fluke. From the sounds of things, this is only the beginning of great things come.
Sports Opinion
Related Photos
-
Edmond North forward Elizabeth Donohoe shoots in the second half of the Lady Huskies' 54-29 win over Yukon earlier this season. Brett Deering
Discussion
January 27, 2009
SPRUILL: Girls hoops on the rise in Edmond
- Sports Opinion
-
-
My 2010 moment
First off, I’d like to thank the Edmond sporting community for accepting me into their fold, or at least accepting me as much as possible for a journalist. It has been a great five-and a half months and I’ve had the opportunity to witness some prime time moments while at The Sun.
- SPRUIL: Woods scandal not that shocking Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
-
SPRUILL: Woods scandal not so shocking
Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
Sir Charles gave us this gem back then stating, “A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?”
Just can’t do it. I remember vividly the day I learned this valuable lesson, it was when I got my copy of Sports Illustrated with Sooner quarterback Charles Thompson being ushered to jail in his infamous orange jumpsuit. - HARRISON : It’s time for some hoops With Bedlam in the rearview mirror and talk of freezing temperatures and possible snow this week it can only mean one thing. The winter sports season is upon us.
- SPRUIL: 'Dogs have nothing to lose Bulldogs have a chance to break another streak, which is to attempt to end the east sides dominance — Jenks and Union have combined to win 13 straight Class 6A state titles.
-
SPRUILL: UCO loaded for another run
No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma appears to be loaded for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
It’s only November and the Bronchos have only played one game, but what they showed against Emporia State in a 116-114 double-overtime win was incredible. -
SPRUIL: Playoff picture still cloudy
With most of the district’s already decided — a few key matchups still remain — it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture.
We know Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian are in the playoffs. Deer Creek is on life support, while Oklahoma Christian Academy and Edmond Santa Fe are done for the year following Friday night. -
SPRUILL: OU's Bradford still livin' the dream
There’s still no guarantee that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will play this season. But Sooner fan or not, you have to love the Heisman Trophy winner’s attitude.
His first start could come this week against Baylor, or it could be against Texas. You will not hear any crying from Bradford, though, that is for certain.
The media has questioned his decision about coming back. He could have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, instead he gets injured in the opener and now his future is in question.
But what seems so shocking to some across the country, really isn’t that shocking at all. Bradford is living his dream. The dream of any former high school star in the state of Oklahoma that wants to play in either Stillwater or Norman. - HARRISON: Local teams draw favorable regional assignments With the end of the regular season fast approaching, local softball teams are turning their attention towards next week’s regional tournaments. While Edmond Santa Fe is the only squad that will be at home next week, all four teams have a legitimate shot at state.
-
SPRUILL: Edmond recovering from split
Things are shaping up for another great football season for local teams.
As it stands, Edmond still has two undefeated teams in Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian School. And there are signs the big three have reached a near full recovery from the spit. - More Sports Opinion Headlines
-
My 2010 moment
