Players to Watch
Softball
Brooklyn Duff – Bethel
Brooklyn hits in the leadoff spot and is capable of getting on base in a variety of ways. She is a very disciplined player that sees the ball well. She can slap, bunt, or hit in the gaps. She has a very high softball IQ and runs the bases well.
Belle McFarland – Holdenville
She is an all-around team player that can play any position on the field. She has a strong arm and will be playing at shortstop this season.
Serenity Jacoway – Tecumseh
Serenity pitched the Lady Savages to the state championship game last season. She was also a spark plug offensively with a .463 batting average. She throws the ball 62 MPH with extreme movement. She finished the season with 207 innings pitched, a 32-5 record, and a 1.15 ERA
Underclassmen to Watch
Football
Bryce Tapley – Bethel
Bryce started all eleven games as a freshman last season. He brings a lot of speed and toughness to the team. He is an outstanding athlete who also excels on the baseball field.
Malachi Henderson – Holdenville
Malachi has fluid hips and is able to stay over the top of routes. He is the change of pace running back on offense. He can be a home run threat any time he touches the ball with his speed.
Zaylun Matlock – McLoud
Matlock has a solid offseason. He is fast with great hands and has great instincts for the ball.
Manny Saavedra – Meeker
Manny started every game last year as a freshman and made huge improvements through the season. Now that he has a full varsity season under his belt, the coaches are expecting him to have a breakout season.
Ronan Martin – Prague
Ronan will be a sophomore linebacker and tailback this season. He was a state champion powerlifter last year as a freshman and has shown great promise this summer.
Dontre Garfield – Seminole
Garfield is an outstanding athlete and a solid football player. He will play a big role in the team’s success this season.
Shaun Hill and Braxton Meier – Tecumseh
Shaun is a special athlete who made a lot of plays on both sides of the ball as a freshman last season. He is skilled and a playmaker. Braxton is tough, hard-nosed, and one of the faster guys on the team. He is an extremely hard worker on and off the field.
Lane Allen – Wewoka
Lane is joining the Wewoka varsity team after an exceptional season in middle school last year. He is a tough-nosed runner that is willing to fight for every extra yard.
Softball
Layla Menhusen – Bethel
Layla will start behind the plate as a freshman. She has a strong arm and a high softball IQ and she swings the bat well. Does a great job finding gaps and is speedy on the bases.
Kinsley Hill – Dale
Hill pitched her team to the state tournament as a freshman last season. She looks to have another outstanding season this year.
Tresley Denny – Holdenville
She is a solid athlete that has the potential to be a dominant pitcher if she can keep her mind focused.
Jesse Hull – Tecumseh
As a freshman, Hull started every game for the Savages behind the plate last season. She finished the season with a .422 batting average, twelve doubles, three triples, and two home runs.
Unsung Heroes
Softball
Melissa Merriam – Holdenville
Merriam is an all-around great kid that steps up and is always willing to support the coaches and help motivate the players.
