The 48th annual Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic is just 24 hours away.
Eight teams from across the state will descend on East Central University’s Kerr Activities Center Monday through Wednesday for the annual holiday girls basketball tournament, sponsored by Vision Bank.
Monday’s first-round schedule includes: Howe vs. Kingfisher, 3 p.m.; Keys (Park Hill) vs. Merritt, 4:30 p.m.; Washington vs. Kiowa, 6:30 p.m.; and Latta vs. Lomega, 8 p.m.
Here’s a closer look at the eight teams in the field:
LATTA LADY PANTHERS
• Under the direction of head coach Clay Plunk, the Lady Panthers enter the tournament at 9-2 and ranked No. 7 in Class 3A.
• Last three games: defeated Kiowa 46-41; defeated Varnum 80-36; defeated Atoka 43-36.
• Mid-America Appearances: 16
• Latta population: 1,413
LOMEGA LADY RAIDERS
• Under the direction of head coach Kevin Lewallen, the Lady Raiders enter the tournament at 11-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class B-II.
• Last three games: defeated Fairview 48-37; defeated Kemlin-Hillsdale 62-38; defeated Cherokee 97-31.
• Mid-America Appearances: 5
• Lomega population: 744
KINGFISHER LADY JACKETS
• Under the direction of head coach Taylor Young, the Lady Yellowjackets enter the tournament at 5-2 and ranked No. 5 in Class 4A.
• Last three games: lost to Washington 46-37; defeated Alva 59-38; defeated Tuttle 45-34.
• Mid-America Appearances: 3
• Kingfisher population: 5,192
HOWE LADY LIONS
• Under the direction of head coach Chris Brown, the Lady Lions enter the tournament at 8-2 and ranked No. 2 in Class 2A.
• Last three games: defeated Pocola 71-24; defeated Wilburton 71-33; defeated Panama 58-50.
• Mid-America Appearances: 3
• Howe population: 639
MERRITT OILERETTES
• Under the direction of head coach Jeff Daugherty, the Oilerettes enter the tournament at 4-0 and ranked No. 3 in Class 2A.
• Last three games: defeated Canute 51-49; defeated Cheyenne/Reydon 59-46; defeated Apache 78-32.
• Mid-America Appearances: 2
• Merritt population: 3,149
KEYS LADY COUGARS
• Under the direction of head coach Kruz Lynch, the Lady Cougars enter the tournament at 5-3 and ranked No. 8 in Class 3A.
• Last three games: lost to Berryhill 56-54; lost to Sequoyah-Tahlequah 46-36; defeated Kingston 42-35.
• Mid-America Appearances: 1
• Park Hill population: 4,060
WASHINGTON LADY WARRIORS
• Under the direction of head coach Kale Simon, the Lady Warriors enter the tournament at 6-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.
• Last three games: lost to Dale 75-69; defeated Chickasha 81-38; defeated Cashion 61-37.
• Mid-America Appearances: 8
• Washington population: 4,576
KIOWA COWGIRLS
• Under the direction of head coach Keith Quaid, the Cowgirls enter the tournament at 8-2 and ranked No. 2 in Class B-I.
• Last three games: defeated Lone Grove 51-34; lost to Latta 46-41; defeated Quinton 55-48.
• Mid-America Appearances: 3
• Kiowa population: 607.
The tournament continues Tuesday with games at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Due to the New Year’s Eve holiday, Wednesday’s games will begin at noon, followed by contests at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Note: Mid-America board member Jordyn Romine contributed to this report.
The 48th annual Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic is set to tip-off. The holiday high school girls basketball tournament is Dec. 29-31.
One of the most storied girls basketball tournaments in Oklahoma tips off Monday at the Kerr Center on the Campus of East Central University. The Classic, sponsored by Vision Bank, tips off Monday with play beginning at 3 p.m. for the first of four games.
Teams this year Latta, Washington, Kiowa, Keys, Kingfisher, Merritt, Lomega, and Howe.
Mrs. Bertha Frank Teague is one of the most highly regarded coaches in the history of women’s basketball. The late Teague is the winningest-ever girls basketball coach in the nation.
The June 1999 opening of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame cemented Teague’s place in the history of women’s basketball, as she was a part of the prestigious inaugural induction class to the Hall of Fame.
Known as “Mrs. Basketball of Oklahoma,” Teague coached for one year in Cairo, Oklahoma, before coming to Byng, where she stayed for the remainder of her career. The Byng High School coach amassed an incredible 1,157-115 record in a glorious span from 1926-1969. This record gave Teague a winning percentage of .910. She posted five undefeated seasons, including a three-year stretch in which her teams won 98 straight victories.
Teague’s dedication to the sport of women’s basketball influenced the sport beyond Oklahoma, influencing the growth and change of the game nationally. Teague championed increased movement in girls basketball and led Oklahoma and other states to allow unlimited dribbling and repeal a rule that forbade shot-blocking.
In a time when there were few opportunities for girls to learn the game, Teague wrote a book, “Basketball for Girls,” which had three reprintings.
In 1976, Teague along with one of her former standout players, Omega Johnson, were among the original incorporators of our annual holiday tournament, the Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic. The event has grown into one of the most prestigious regular-season tournaments of its kind, drawing the top girls basketball programs in Oklahoma as well as surrounding states.
Teague was certainly no stranger to championships. She coached the Byng Lady Pirates to 38 conference titles, 27 district championships and 22 state tournament berths. She won eight state titles at Byng and finished as runner-up seven times. Her teams went through a 27-year unbeaten streak in conference action.
In 1989, Teague was honored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in Knoxville, Tennessee, during the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. She received the first-ever WBCA Service Award as part of the tournament’s festivities. After returning from Tennessee, Teague said that the WBCA Service Award was one of the most gratifying experiences in her life. She helped organize the Oklahoma High School Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association in 1962 and was named the organization’s first president.
Teague served on the National Rules Committee of the Division of girls and Women’s Sports from 1949-1960 and has been credited with being an innovator in the area of basketball apparel. She is in the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame, the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Girls High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She was the first woman inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
A tremendous driving force for girls basketball for nearly three-quarters of a century, Teague passed away in 1991 at 92 years old.
The three-day event opens Monday with No. 5 Anadarko (5-2) out of Class 4A facing No. 2 Howe (8-2) out of Class 2A in the tournament opener at 3 p.m.
No. 3 Merritt (4-0) in Class 2A plays No. 8 Keys (5-3) out of Class 3A at 4:30 p.m.
Top ranked Washington (6-1) in Class 3A will face Class B1’s No. 2 Kiowa (8-2) at 6:30 p.m.
The late game features No. 7 Latta (9-1) in Class 2A playing top ranked Lomega (11-0) out of Class B2 at 8 p.m.
Four games will be played Tuesday beginning at 3 p.m., starting with the consolation semifinals. Wednesday’s schedule will also feature four games starting with the seventh-place game at noon due to the New Year’s Eve holiday.
LATTA — The Latta Lady Panthers are back in the field at next week’s 48th Annual Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic after a third-place finish in 2024.
Latta will enter the Mid-America tournament, sponsored by Vision Bank, at 9-2 and ranked No. 7 in Class 2A. The holiday girls basketball extravaganza tips off Monday and runs through Wednesday inside East Central University’s Kerr Activities Center.
The Lady Panthers’ only losses this season have come against elite competition — Class 2A No. 1 Dale (62-48) and Class 2A No. 5 Vanoss (39-30). Latta heads into next week’s action riding a seven-game winning streak.
“I like what we’ve done through 11 games this season. I think just about every coach would take 9-2 at the break with our schedule,” Latta girls Clay Plunk told The Ada News. “We’ve got a lot of room to continue to improve.”
Latta — making its 16th Mid-America Classic appearance — entered the season with three returning starters from a team that reached the Class 2A State Tournament a year ago. The Lady Panthers are hoping that experience translates into another postseason run despite another loaded 2A field.
“Growth never comes without growing pains, so we know there are tough lessons to learn ahead, but that’s what will make the difference and prepare this team for playoffs,” he said.
Latta is led by cousins Kelbey Parnacher and Jayse Smith — one of the best guard combinations in Class 2A.
Plunk said the 2025 Mid-America bracket is once again loaded with talent from top to bottom.
“I feel like we say this every year, but this is one of the deepest groups we’ve had at the Mid-America. There are multiple No. 1s, tons of state tournament and championship experience and fantastic coaching. It’s going to make for a great week,” he said.
Monday’s first-round matchups include Howe (8-2, No. 2 in Class 2A) vs. Kingfisher (5-2, No. 5 in Class 4A) at 3 p.m.; Merritt (4-0, No. 3 in Class 2A) vs. Keys-Parkhill (5-3, No. 8 in Class 3A) at 4:30 p.m.; Kiowa (8-2, No. 2 in Class B-I) vs. Washington (6-1, No. 1 in Class 3A) at 6:30 p.m.; and Latta vs. Lomega (11-0, No. 1 in Class B-II) at 8 p.m.
The Lady Panthers are facing a Lomega squad, led by longtime coach Kevin Lewallen, who is in his 21st season at the helm. Lewallen has guided the Lady Raiders to eight state championships during his career and shares the state record with the tournament’s namesake — former Byng coach Bertha Frank Teague.
The undefeated Lady Raiders — the defending Class B State champions — will arrive in Ada on a roll.
“Coach Lewallen does a great job and has developed a modern-day dynasty at Lomega. They are going to do what they always do, and do it extremely well,” Plunk said. “They keep the pressure on you all game long and shoot the ball extremely well. It will be an exciting challenge for our girls.”
Plunk said he and the Latta basketball community don’t take playing in the Mid-America Classic for granted.
“Just having the opportunity to coach in such a prestigious tournament is an honor, especially with the history that my family has at the tournament. I feel very blessed to get to be a part,” he said.
“Our girls love the tournament and the chance to play in it,” Plunk added. “So many of their parents, siblings and other family members have played in the tournament in years past. Getting to be the next group at Latta to be a part of it is exciting. They proved themselves in last year’s tournament, and this version of the Lady Panthers looks to do the same.”
Richard R. Barron | The Ada News — Latta junior Preshaya Oliphant (14) gets tangled up with a Kiowa player during the finals of the 2025 Latta Panther Classic. Both Latta and Kiowa will also be a part of the field at the 48th Annual Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic, sponsored by Vision Bank.
Washington senior Kelby Beller knows her way around the Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Tournament. This fall, she added something new to her rich résumé — varsity football kicker.
Next week, Beller will make her third consecutive appearance in the Mid-America Classic with the Lady Warriors. However, she’ll likely be the first-ever football player to compete in the annual holiday girls basketball extravaganza.
You see, Beller was the kicker for the 2024 Washington Warrior football team, coached by her father, Brad Beller. Washington finished 11-2 and claimed the Class 3A runner-up trophy after dropping a thrilling 20-14 decision to Jones in the state championship game.
Often, kickers come from a soccer background. That wasn’t the case for Beller, the multi-sport star for Washington.
“I have no background or experience in kicking at all,” Beller told The Ada News. “My dad was just kinda talking about how we may need one this year, and I’ve always wanted to play football and so I told him I’d kick for him. I think he thought I was joking at first, but I was serious.”
Brad Beller wasn’t about to hand his daughter a token role. If she was going to kick for the Warriors, she had to earn her spot.
“I showed up to a practice after my softball practice and started kicking,” she said.
To make a long story short, Beller made five kicks during Washington’s successful season.
“The one that stood out the most to me was the one I made in the semifinals against OCS (Oklahoma Christian School),” Beller said.
Beller said she had the full support of other members of the football team.
“They treated me as if I was just another person on the team — super nice and supportive,” she said. “Getting to hang out and be with the guys was a lot of fun, but they’re definitely super stinky.”
Beller also cherished getting to spend more time with her father during the busy football campaign.
“This is the first time to be coached by my dad. He helps out with track, but this is the first time getting to play for him,” she said. “I was just happy I was able to be around my dad more often.”
Beller is also a state champion in fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball and track.
Basketball business
Beller was a salty sophomore when she was named the Mid-America Classic’s Most Valuable Player in 2023. Last year, Beller and the Lady Warriors fell to Dale in the championship game — their lone loss of the season — before Washington went on to capture the Class 3A state championship.
State title or bust remains the expectation for the Lady Warriors, who enter the 2025 Mid-America Classic at 6-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.
“My expectation for this year is for us to win state again, but I think that’s an expectation for everyone on the team,” Beller admitted.
Dale, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, handed Washington its only loss this season in the finals of its own tournament.
“That loss has helped us tremendously in seeing what we need to work on,” she said. “We have a bunch of young girls out on the court, but they all get after it.”
Beller has fond memories of attending the Mid-America Classic as a young fan alongside her parents. Her mother, Kami Beller, serves as Washington’s assistant girls coach.
“What makes the Bertha so special for me is that ever since I was little, my family would come down every year and watch. I had always wanted to be in the tournament when I got older. Now that I’ve been in it twice, I’m hoping we’ll finally pull out the win.”
She’s already seen the bracket and knows winning the 2025 Mid-America Classic will be tough as always.
“We know it won’t be easy because there are really good teams in it again this year, but we’re super excited and blessed to be back,” she said.
The Lady Warriors are scheduled to face Kiowa at 6:30 p.m. in a first-round game Monday, Dec. 29, inside the Kerr Activities Center.
All in the family
Kelby Beller’s sophomore sister, Briley Beller, has become an integral part of the Washington lineup. Briley gained valuable Mid-America experience last year as a freshman, scoring 10 points in the championship game against Dale.
So, to say Kelby is proud of her younger sister might be an understatement.
“It almost makes me emotional talking about my little sister. She’s been a big blessing in my life, but also for the team,” Kelby said. “She’s a big vocal person for us, and she gets after it on defense.”
Kelby said Briley came up big for Washington during a tense 40-37 win over Anadarko in last year’s 3A Area Championship game.
“Without Briley last year — and also sophomore Eternity Self — we don’t win our Area Championship. Briley has had to step into bigger shoes this year as a sophomore, and she’s doing great. Our team isn’t complete without Briley.”
Richard R. Barron | The Ada News — Washington’s Kelby Beller makes a strong drive to the basket against Dale during last year’s Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic, sponsored by Vision Bank. Beller will be making her third Mid-America appearance next week.
Coach Clay Plunk is in his eighth season at Latta and his fourth year leading the Lady Panthers program. He spent his first four seasons at Latta as the assistant girls’ coach under his father, helping guide the team to four consecutive state tournament appearances. Last season, Plunk led the Lady Panthers back to the state tournament—his first as a head coach. Before joining the Latta program, Plunk served as the head girls’ coach at Meeker for three seasons. He also spent time in boys’ basketball, including one year as the head boys’ coach at Roff and six years as an assistant boys’ coach at Byng. Plunk has been happily married to his wife, JJ, for 11 years. They have three children—Jayla (7), Kelby (5), and Casen (3).
Kingfisher Lady Jackets
1 Ryann Farrar 9 G 5’7
2 Mattie Slezickey 11 G 5’5
3 Abbie Myers 12 G/F 5’10
4 Nina Butts 10 G 5’4
10 Reese Roof 12 G 5’8
11 Ela Hartman 10 G 5’11
12 Callie Blair 10 G 5’6
14 Taitym Walker 11 G 5’7
15 Emily Mendez 9 G 5’7
22 Ryan Scammahorn 10 G 5’7
23 Lily Voth 10 G/F 5’8
24 Kendall Farrar 10 G/F 5’8
25 Camilla Richards 9 F 5’10
Kingfisher Head Coach Taylor Young
Young is in her 5th season as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Kingfisher High School. She has an overall record of 93-25. She has taken Kingfisher to the Class 4A State Tournaments (2022 & 2023, 2025). In 2022, she was named the OGBCA Bertha Frank Teague Award Winner, this award is presented to young upcoming head coaches. In 2023, she was named the OCA Region 1 Coach of the Year. She is also currently serving on the OGBCA Board. In 2025 she was named the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. She has coached 5 OGBCA All-Staters and 3 OCA All-Staters. Young played college basketball at Texas A&M University where she was 2nd All Time in career three point percentage and single season three point percentage. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development and later on earned a Master’s Degree from Southern Nazarene University in Sport Management and Administration. Taylor Young is married to Kade Young and has a daughter Kamdyn who will turn two in January. She helps coach Junior High Girls Basketball and helps out in the spring with Track. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and watching/doing anything sports related.
Kiowa Cowgirls
# 1 JR Kacee Rose
# 2 FR Ryleigh Hutson
# 3 FR Hailee Toby
# 4 FR Macey Jenson
# 5 SR Kinley Jenson
# 10 SR Paige Igou
# 11 SO Izzy Connor
# 12 FR Alli Taylor
# 14 FR Katara Parent
# 15 FR Sara Kellogg
# 22 SO Tenley Harkey
# 23 SO Ady Bradford
# 24 JR Ella Roberts
# 34 SR Journie Spiegel
# 44 FR Kabry Farrow
# 55 SR Maccie Bain
Keith Quaid Biography Kiowa High School
Quaid is a 1991 graduate of Kiowa High School, a 1995 graduate of East Central University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education, and a 2013 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a masters degree in School Administration. From 1995-1999, he worked at Pittsburg Public Schools serving as a math teacher, girls and boys basketball coach, and softball coach. In 1999, Coach Quaid was hired at Tishomingo Public Schools. He served there the next 12 years as the fastpitch softball coach, boys basketball coach, and girls golf coach, along with a full schedule of high school level math. In 2011, Coach Quaid returned home and currently works at Kiowa Public Schools. His duties include, elementary principal, athletic director, fastpitch softball coach, girls basketball coach, and slowpitch softball coach. During Coach Quaid’s 31 year career, he has reached the state tournament in boys basketball 4 times with a runner-up finish in 2014. Two state tournament trips in girls basketball, including a state semifinalist appearance last season. Eight state tournament appearances in fastpitch softball with 2 state championships in 2018 and 2019. Seven state tournament appearances in slowpitch softball, with a championship in 2019. Coach Quaid has been happily married to his lovely wife Janet for the last 23 years. They have a daughter, Lauren, son-in-law Ray, and granddaughter Raelynn. Coach Quaid believes that he would not be where he is today without the support of his friends, assistant coaches, family members (especially his mother), and his faith in God.
Washington Lady Warriors
Kelby Beller
12
23
5’7
G
Laney Gay
12
21
5’7
F
Preslee Johnson
12
24
6’1
G
Jayden Wells
12
5
5’9
G
Aubri Clary
11
14
5’6
G
Briley Beller
10
20
5’9
G
Harper Johnson
10
22
5’11
G
Eternity Self
10
12
6’0
F
Hadley Beard
9
25
5’11
F
Bentli Brantley
9
2
5’8
G
Anna Mitchell
9
11
5’10
G
Brynlee Mize
9
4
5’6
F
Kynlee Mize
9
10
5’6
F
Briley Orr
9
31
5’10
C
Jaybie Simon
9
15
5’5
G
Dorothy Shepard
12
/
/
MGR
Abigail Jackson
10
/
/
Filmer
Roxy Beller
7
/
/
Water Girl
Kelbie Simon
7
/
/
Water Girl
Tatum Bilyeu
6
/
/
Water Girl
Krozlie Simon
4
/
/
Water Girl
Jentrie Simon
3
/
/
Water Girl
Coach Kale Simon
Coach Simon was a head high school boys basketball coach for 14 years. He has three State Championships. One in 2010 with Roff, a second in 2014 with Okemah, and his third in 2025 with the Washington Lady Warriors. He was also State Runner-Up in 2013 with Okemah, as well as State Runner-Up with Washington in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, which was his first two years at Washington. He was also a State Semi-Finalist in 2019 with El Reno. Coach Simon has nine total state tournament appearances with Roff, Okemah, El Reno, and Washington. Coach Simon has averaged over 20 wins per year along with earning his 300th career victory in 2023. In 2025, Coach Simon was named the OCA Regional Coach of the Year. In 2014, Coach Simon was named Tulsa World Coach of the Year, OCA Regional Coach of the Year, and District Coach of the Year. He was also District Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2010. He has had the privilege of coaching seven OCA All-Staters, along with numerous other OBCA All Stars, Indian All-Staters, and All Conference players
Lewallen graduated from Lomega High School in 1998 and is currently in his twenty-first season a s head coach for the Lomega Lady Raiders. Coach Lewallen is tied with the one and only, legendary Bertha Frank league with the most girls state championships in Oklahoma. In his twenty-one seasons as head coach, Kevin and his teams have made seventeen state tournament appearances. His teams have brought home eight State Championships and four state runner-ups. This will be Lewallen’s and his Lady Raiders fifth time to take part in the Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic Tournament. Kevin is married to his high school sweetheart, Sara. They have two sons Laken (17) and Ledger (14).Off the court, Kevin enjoys fishing, hunting, and working on the family farm with his boys.
Merritt Oilerettes
1 ALLIE SMITH 5’6’’
2 GRACIE WINSTON 5’3”
3 MYLEIGH FLOWERS 5’9”
4 LEXA SNUGGS 5’8”
5 LEXIE GILLILAND 5’3”
11 TAYLER HUST 5’4”
12 KYNLEE CARTER 5’6”
13 PRESLIE TAYLOR 5’6”
14 JORJA BASHAW 5’6”
15 ALLIE BRITTON 5’9”
20 KIPTYN DYER 5’6”
21 ADISYN KRUEGER 5’10”
22 MARLIE MONG 5’9”
23 EMBER HOLLAND 6’1”
24 AINSLEY PARTAIN 5’10”
35 MAELEE SHINN 5’8”
Head Coach Jeff Daugherty
Daugherty is from Arapaho, Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1980. He attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated from there in 1984 with a degree in business management. He has been in education for 40 years, where he has taught, coached, been a principal, and is currently serving as the school’s superintendent. During his career in education, he has coached for 27 of those years. Jeff began his coaching career in 1986 at Central High School and coached junior high and high school girls basketball. From there, he and his family moved to Leedey, Oklahoma, where he coached girls basketball and softball from 1992 until 1996. There, he made it to four state tournaments in softball–one time state runner-up and one state champion title and made two basketball state tournament appearances. From there, he and his family moved to Elk City, where he coached softball from 1996 until 2000. While at Elk City, he coached the softball team to four state tournament appearances. In 2000, he moved to Merritt High School to be the High School Principal. Coach Daughertry started coaching girls basketball again and plans to finish his career at Merritt High School. He coached the Merritt girls basketball team from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2019 to present. He led his team to the state tournament and won the school’s first state championship in 44 years during the 2023-2024 basketball season and was selected as the OGBCA and OCA coach of the year. Coach Daugherty has made 15 state tournament appearances and has coached 20 all-staters throughout his career. Jeff has been married to his wife Caren for 38 years. They have a daughter, Taler Broadbent, and husband Jared, and one son, Branson Daugherty, and wife Taylor. They have three grandchildren, Gray and Rush Broadbent and Tate Daugherty.
Howe Lady Lions
00 Karley Duvall 12 5’7” Guard
2 Charity Thompson 10 5’7” Forward
3 Mariah Smith 12 5’4” Guard
4 Starr Duncan 10 5’6” Guard
5 Payton Green 10 5’9’ Forward
10 Paiten Cormier 9 5’3” Guard
11 Josey Peterson 12 5 ’7” Forward
12 Lexi Scarberry 10 5’11” Forward
14 Breanna Wann 12 5’10” Forward
15 Brilee Scarberry 11 5’6” Guard
20 Lillie Branscum 11 5’6” Guard
21 Kadynce Delt 12 5’10” Forward
22 Charis Wright 11 5’5” Guard
23 Slatey Jo Free 12 5’6” Guard
24 Kobi Krebbs 10 5’6” Guard
30 Saint Davis 9 5’8” Forward
33 Grace Cockburn 10 5’7” Guard
35 Kali Patterson 9 5’6” Guard
43 Krisalyn Patterson 10 5’10” Forward
44 Preslee McBride 9 5’8” Guard
Head coach Chris Brown
Brown has served as the Head Basketball Coach at Howe High School since 1999, building one of Oklahoma’s most consistent and successful high school basketball programs. Entering his 27th season, Brown’s teams have compiled an exceptional 634–137 record. Under his leadership, Howe has appeared in the State Tournament 16 times, capturing 4 State Championships and finishing as State Runner-Up 3 times. A 1990 graduate of Howe High School, Brown served in the United States Navy before beginning his coaching journey. After completing his service, he enrolled at Carl Albert State College in Poteau in 1994, where he volunteered as an assistant coach under Ron Murphree. Brown then continued his education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, graduating in 1997. His coaching career officially began in 1997 as the junior high coach at Howe Middle School. In the fall of 1999, he took over the Howe High School girls’ basketball program, where he has remained ever since. In recognition of his impact on the sport, Brown was inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. Chris Brown resides in Howe, Oklahoma, with his wife, Rachel Brown, and their family.
Keys Lady Cougars
0 Ry’Lee Petersen 9 th
1 Hunter Shelley 10 th
3 Payton Zodrow 11 th
4 Paizlee Zodrow 10 th
5 Dixie Anderson 10 th
10 Aliviah Stricker 11 th
11 Brylee Davis 9 th
12 Kenlee Comer 12 th
15 Adali Welker 10 th
20 McKenzie Hix 9 th
22 Bentley Smith 9 th
23 Aaliyah Studie 9 th
Kallie Dougherty 11 th
Head Coach Kruz Lynch
When I am not on the basketball court, I spend the majority of my time with my wife Rylie and our two daughters, Wilow and Brycie. I am extremely fortunate to have a wife who comes from a coaching background like myself. We love this time of the year, there is nothing like basketball season for us.
This will be my fourth season leading the Girls Basketball program at Keys Park Hill. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of athletes and to be able to help them grow both on and off the court. In my first year, our team finished 7–15 as we began building a foundation together. My second year, we continued to progress, improving to 15–12 and reaching the Area Tournament. This past season, our team took another step forward, finishing 22–8 and earning a spot in the 3A State Tournament. With the majority of our team returning this season, I am excited to continue building on their progress and I look forward to the opportunity to make another playoff run.
I would like to credit the team’s growth to the players’ hard work and the support of the Keys Schools and Community. Finally, I would like to thank the Bertha Teague Mid America Classic for allowing us to be here, this is such an awesome opportunity for our program.
Bertha Frank Teague Mid-America Classic 