Coach: Jarrod Owen

21-22 Record: 22-5

After winning the Class 5A state championship last year, the Lady Buffs are ready for an encore performance featuring the return of two starters plus a bench full of proven performers in the clutch. “This team is as focused and hungry to win as I’ve had since coming to McAlester,” said head coach Jarrod Owen. “This year’s team has adopted the theme UNCOMMON and they are doing whatever it takes to prove that they are worthy of that statement.”

Last year’s MVP of the state championship game, Jayda Holliman (5-5, G, Sr.) who averaged 12.6 points per game and Jada Ponce (5-7, G, Jr.) who totaled 5.0 points give Owen experience in the starting lineup. Jalen Spears (5-8, G, Sr.), Madigan Griffith (5-9, F, Sr.) and Kynli Jones (5-5, G, Sr.) along with Lilly Autrey (5-10, F, Sr.) and Katelynn Knight (5-0, G, Sr.) all played valuable minutes in McAlester’s journey to winning the big gold ball last year. “This year’s seniors have been instrumental in our program’s success,” said Owen. “Jayda is one of the best guards in Oklahoma not just as a scorer but also because of her rebounding and shot blocking abilities while Jada brings two years experience as a starter and will play a big role this year as well.”

The total package of talent is a real plus for the Lady Buffs including Katie Allen (5-6, G, So.) that Owen describes as a big time shooter along with the contribution of teammates Amery Perron (5-0, G, Jr.), Raelynn Othole (5-8, F, Jr.), Avrey Alberson (5-3, G, So.), Kayla Johnson (5-4, G, So.) BeauDee Nystrom (5-10, Fr, So.), Bailey Marshall (5-10, F, So.), Tori Kliburn (5-10, G, So.), Kaylee Knight (5-4, G, So.), Claire Milligan (5-10, F, So.) and Ti’ Heiress (5-9, G, Fr.).