GIRLS

Coach: Kyle Richey

22-23 Record: 22-6

A year removed from a state semifinals appearance, eighth-year head coach Kyle Richey hopes to take the Carl Albert Titans back to the big dance this winter. “While we have a young group this year,” Richey said, “these ladies have experience playing in big games.” Ausha Moore (5-9, Sr.), the team’s premier veteran and leading returning scorer, dropped 10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game last year. She’s committed to the University of North Texas to play softball.

After that, most of Carl Albert’s core consists of underclassmen who contributed in 2023 but will be asked to step up in 2024. Skylar Anderson (5-8, So.), Jakary Brown (5-5, So.), Essence Curry (5-5, So.) and Audrey Plunkett (5-11, So.) aren’t the future of Carl Albert basketball — They’re the present. “All four of these ladies have a chance to start this year as sophomores,” Richey said. Anderson is the team’s second-leading returning scorer after she put up 8.5 points per game as a freshman on top of 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Brown, Curry and Plunkett averaged 4.0, 5.5 and 7.4 points as freshman, respectively. Evi Mitchell (5-3, Jr.), who was expected to be a major contributor for the Titans before an early-season injury sidelined her all year, will return this season with high expectations. “Evi didn’t let her injury get in the way of supporting her teammates,” Richey said. “After months of rehab, she is ready to come back stronger.” Forward Lanie Moore (5-10, Sr.) moved to Oklahoma from Arkansas last year and “immediately engrained herself into [Carl Albert’s] system,” Richey said, as she scored 2.6 points a night. “She comes to practice ready to compete. As a senior, she will be one of our leaders on and off the court.” The Titans will play in the Duncan Tournament on Dec. 7-9 and the Bertha Teague Tournament in Ada on Dec. 28-30 before hosting the Titan Classic from Jan. 18-20.