Sapulpa

Sapulpa Chieftains Girls Basketball Preview – Presented by Wendy Vanarsdel – Shelter Insurance

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Published

November 19, 2023

GIRLS

Coach: Darlean Calip

22-23 Record: 25-2

The more things change, the more they stay the same for head coach Darlean Calip. Coach Calip continues to field competitive teams that win titles, and this season will be no different. Coming off the success of a 25-win season and a state championship in Class 5A, Calip’s approach is business as usual. “Expectations and standards are still the same. We believe we have a team that will compete for another state championship. We have two returning starter who have won state championships two out of the last three years surrounded by a talent pool of young, experienced, and athletic teammates. With two missing pieces returning from the last season, we have the potential to be better than we were a season ago,” said Calip. Tyla Heard (6-0, Sr.) is a three-year starter who averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds a game last season. Heard can play center or guard and is a matchup nightmare. Heard has help from shooting guard Taylor Bilby (5-6, Sr.) who averaged 8.1 points, and 2.4 rebounds a game. Bilby brings a high IQ and physicality to the court. Riki McQuarters (5-8, So.) was an outstanding freshman last season

averaging 7.6 points with 4.7 rebounds and plays the game the way coach Calip loves. According to Calip, McQuarters has impeccable timing as a rebounder and was instrumental in helping this team win last season. Wrigley Adkison (6-1, Jr.) will play forward bringing her 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds to the lineup. Adkison and Kayilynne Parker (5-7, So.) who averaged 3.4 points with 2.3 rebounds are players with important roles on the team. Their production can be the difference in close games. Other players to watch include Shay Koch (5-8, Sr.), Nylia Reed (5-9, So.), Kionna Littlebear (5-5, Fr.), Lucchese Chaney (5-6. Fr.), Jayla Moton (5-4, Jr.), Makyia Lee (5-7, So.), Jadyn Smith (5-7, Jr.), and Adyson Marlin (5-10, So.). Chaney is an exciting young player with a tremendous work ethic and is likely the future of the program. Assisting coach Calip are coaches Nicky Cooper and Josh Littlebear.