Lady Jackets’ expectations high in Young’s 3rd season
KHS GUARD Peyton Walker pushes the ball up the floor during the Lady Jackets’ state quarterfinal game against Bethany last season. Walker returns for her senior season and hopes to guide her team to a third consecutive state tournament appearance. [Phot
ADDY MATTHEWS led KHS in scoring and was second in rebounding during her junior season last year. She’s one of three returning starters for KHS in 2023-24. [Photo by Russell Stitt/www.stitt.smugmug.com]
Kingfisher High School officially transitions into winter sports this Friday night.
The KHS basketball teams tip off their 202324 seasons with a trip to Chisholm.
This marks the third season for girls head coach Taylor Young, who in her first two years has guided the Lady Jackets to Class 4A state tournament appearances.
Expectations entering this season are no less.
“I really like the makeup of this team,” Young said.
The Lady Jackets return their three leading scorers and top two rebounders from last year’s squad that went 23-6 before falling against eventual state champ Bethany in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.
That includes seniors Addy Matthews and Peyton Walker.
Matthews led the team with 13.6 points a game last season, which included shooting 44.6 percent from 3- point range. She was also second on the team with 3.3 rebounds per contest.
Walker was second with 8.8 points a game and led the team in assists (3.2) and steals (2.0) a night.
The point guard has signed to play at the University of Central Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Matthews recently received an offer from NOC-Enid.
“Those two will look to continue to lead our team,” said Young.
Junior post player Raegan Snider is also back.
As a sophomore, she was third on the team with 7.6 points a night and led the Lady Jackets with 4.6 rebounds.
Abbie Myers made big strides as a freshman and will be counted on even more heavily as a sophomore.
She scored 3.0 points and had 2.0 rebounds a game last year.
“Raegan and Abbie have taken big jumps this year on both ends of the floor,” Young said. “Their development in the post has been huge for us.”
Junior Talor Mecklenburg and freshmen Mattie Slezickey and Adlee Friesen will also be called upon to make their respective marks.
“They’ll make vital contributions and will be expected to take on bigger roles throughout the season,” Young said.
“We will also look for important contributions from some more of our young, talented players as they continue to develop as the season goes on.”
Young said she can envision five different players with the ability to score in double digits on any given night.
The team averaged 48.3 points a game in 2022-23 while giving up 35.5.
Bethany - which KHS hosts next Tuesday - returns nearly its entire roster, including one senior (Zya Vann) who has signed to play at the University of Oklahoma and a junior (Keziah Lofton) who is committed to the Sooners.
While 4A annually has no shortage of quality contenders, it’s safe to say Kingfisher is now among that group.
“With the combination of experience, talent and leadership, I think we have an opportunity to do something special,” Young said. “The team chemistry is the best it has ever been in my time here.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow and progress throughout the season.”