Senior guard Kelsee Grovey and Shawnee look poised for a run at the Class 5A state championship. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

Here is the second edition of my large-school girls’ basketball power poll.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 22-0)
Edmond Santa Fe did nothing to deserve a drop in ranking. The defending 6A champion Wolves’ schedule hasn’t been very tough — their smallest margin of victory this season is 15 — so when they get challenged it will be interesting to see how they respond. But there is no reason to believe Santa Fe would have an off night, and it remains the odds-on favorite to bring home the gold ball again.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
Last week: No. 1
Next up: Regionals vs. U.S. Grant, Thursday, 8 p.m.

2. Shawnee (5A, 23-0)
The Wolves wrapped up a perfect regular season and are Class 5A’s clear No. 1 team. Big wins this season over Edmond Memorial, Carl Albert and Deer Creek allow Shawnee to edge Midwest City again at No. 2 in this power poll.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 2
Next up: Regionals vs. Noble, Thursday, 8 p.m.

3. Midwest City (6A, 23-0)
Midwest City got impressive back-to-back wins over Westmoore and Del City last week. The Bombers are peaking at the right time and are Edmond Santa Fe’s chief competition in Class 6A. No reason at this point to expect anything other than a Santa Fe-Midwest City rematch in the Class 6A tournament championship game.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 3
Next up: Regionals vs. Moore, Thursday, 8 p.m.

4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 22-3)
The Cardinals wrapped up their season with an impressive 14-point win at Tulsa Washington. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 4
Next up: Regionals vs. Tulsa Central, Thursday, 8 p.m.

5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 17-5)
All five of Edmond Memorial’s losses are to teams ranked higher than it in this power poll (Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City, once to Shawnee). Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
Last week: No. 5
Next up: Regionals vs. Putnam City West, Thursday, 8 p.m.

6. Deer Creek (5A, 20-3)
The Antlers bring a 10-game winning streak into the playoffs. Deer Creek seems to be peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
Last week: No. 7
Next up: Regionals vs. Ardmore, Thursday, 8 p.m.

7. Muskogee (6A, 17-6)
The Roughers’ two-spot jump is the biggest of the week. Muskogee finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, including an overtime win over Jenks last week. Muskogee also has wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 9
Next up: Regionals vs. Westmoore (at Bixby), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

8. Carl Albert (5A, 18-5)
The Titans had to rally from a halftime deficit to beat Western Heights in their regular-season finale. Carl Albert often goes through shooting dry spells, which cost it in home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. The Titans got a break in their playoff position, though, and are still expected to be a state tournament team.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 8
Next up: Regionals vs. Capitol Hill, Thursday, 8 p.m.

9. Jenks (6A, 18-5)
The Trojans finished their regular-season with a dud — a 22-point loss at Broken Arrow. Jessica Washington still isn’t 100 percent healthy, and Jenks brings a two-game skid into its playoff opener. Record vs. this poll: 2-3
Last week: No. 6
Next up: Regionals vs. Sand Springs, Thursday, 8 p.m.

10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
The Irish has lost just twice since Dec. 17 and finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. The defending 5A champs got off to a rough start this season with several new starters and a new coach, but looks like a strong contender to return to the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 10
Next up: Regionals vs. Guymon, Thursday, 8 p.m.

Caitlyn Spurgeon, left, puts up a shot over Anadarko's Lakota Beatty in the first round of last year's Class 4A state tournament. Vinita has beaten Anadarko out of the state tourney in four straight seasons. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

Yesterday, I posted my large-school girls’ basketball power poll. Today, I present my poll for Classes 4A, 3A and 2A.

This one was obviously much harder to narrow down to 10 teams because of the added class.

I try to take the coaches’ rankings, strength of schedule and my own judgment to determine my poll. Much of this poll, you’ll find, is quite different from the coaches’ rankings. I try my best to explain why I ranked the teams the way I did.

As always, please leave comments or shoot me an e-mail with your thoughts.

1. Anadarko (4A, 21-1)
The Warriors’ only loss came to 5A No. 1 Shawnee. Lakota Beatty will be one of the top recruits in the state as a senior next season, and she’s been fantastic as a junior. Anadarko has been beaten out of the state tournament in the first round by Vinita (ranked fourth in this poll) in four straight seasons.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0

2. Fort Gibson (4A, 22-1)
The defending 4A state champions will enter the playoffs as a strong contender to return to state and bring home the gold ball. The Tigers’ only loss was to 5A No. 2 Tulsa East Central.
Record vs. this poll: 1-0

3. Northeast Academy (2A, 19-2)
Northeast is ranked No. 5 in the 2A coaches’ poll, and I can’t understand that for the life of me. A seven-point loss to 6A No. 2 Midwest City and a close loss to Holland Hall in the Stroud Tournament are the team’s only two setbacks over the course of a brutal schedule. Northeast’s resume includes a win over 5A No. 4 Carl Albert.
Record vs. this poll: 1-0

4. Vinita (4A, 20-3)
Hornets have won 12 straight since losing to Tulsa Washington and Jenks in a tournament over the holiday break. Senior Caitlyn Spurgeon, an Arkansas Tech signee, is one of the state’s top scorers.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0

5. Snyder (2A, 18-2)
The defending 2A champs’ two losses are both to No. 1 teams — 4A No. 1 Anadarko and A No. 1 Chattanooga. However, Snyder has beaten Chattanooga twice this year.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1

6. Kansas (3A, 19-2)
Only losses are to Fort Gibson and Class 6A Jenks, and both came during the Tournament of Champions in late December. The Comets have played a tough schedule.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1

7. Prague (3A, 21-1)
Red Devils’ only loss came to Jenks in the Tournament of Champions. Schedule includes impressive wins over Skiatook, Chandler and Perkins-Tryon.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0

8. Sulphur (3A, 21-1)
Only loss came to Anadarko, and wins over Mount St. Mary and Caddo are impressive. The Bulldogs haven’t played too tough a schedule on the whole, though.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1

9. Millwood (3A, 17-5)
Arnelia Spears’ team has played a tough schedule that includes losses to Carl Albert, Northeast, Bishop McGuinness and Dallas Skyline. Wins over Piedmont and Mustang give the Falcons credibility, plus, Millwood suffered through injuries early in the season.
Record vs. this poll: 0-1

10. Oktaha (2A, 25-0)
Oktaha and Amber-Pocasset are both unbeaten and ranked second and third, respectively, in Class 2A by the coaches behind Snyder. I give the slight edge to Oktaha right now, but neither school has played a tough schedule.
Record vs. this poll: 0-0

Courtney Walker, left, and Edmond Santa Fe are the best girls' basketball team in the state. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Here is my first girls’ basketball power poll. This one just covers the large schools (6A and 5A). Tomorrow, I’ll have one for 2A-3A-4A.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 21-0)
No brainer at No. 1. Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and company are the clear favorites to win their second straight 6A title. The Wolves’ smallest margin of victory is 15. The biggest question mark surrounding this team is its strength of schedule. The Wolves haven’t really been tested this season.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0

2. Shawnee (5A, 21-0)
The Wolves lost Tulsa signee Caitlyn Ramirez to an ACL tear before the season, but it hasn’t seemed to affect them much at all. Move-ins Taylor and McKenzie Cooper obviously helped ease the blow, and guard Kelsee Grovey, another Tulsa signee, has shown herself to be one of the best players in the state.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0

3. Midwest City (6A, 21-0)
Two and three were tough to choose, because I think Midwest City has a terrific team and, I think, is the only team right now in 6A with a legitimate shot at beating Santa Fe. I watched the Bombers and Shawnee scrimmage in the preseason and it was a good matchup. After watching both teams play, I like the Wolves just a little better right now.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0

4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 21-3)
Shawnee’s chief competition in Class 5A. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1

5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 16-5)
The Bulldogs five losses are: Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to Shawnee. Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5

6. Jenks (6A, 18-4)
Jessica Washington has returned from an injury but isn’t 100 percent. The Trojans lost in overtime to Muskogee on Tuesday.
Record vs. this poll: 2-3

7. Deer Creek (5A, 19-3)
Since a one-point loss to 4A Piedmont on Jan. 13, the Antlers have reeled off nine straight wins, including a big win at Carl Albert. Deer Creek is peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1

8. Carl Albert (5A, 17-5)
The Titans go through rough shooting stretches, which cost them in recent home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. CA got a break in their playoff position and should be considered a lock for the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2

9. Muskogee (6A, 16-6)
Since losing to Stillwater in the finals of the John Nobles Tournament in Moore on Jan. 21, the Rougers have reeled off seven straight wins, including Tuesday’s overtime upset of Jenks. Muskogee also has impressive wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1

10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
Irish got off to a rocky start to the season after losing several starters, and adjusting to a new head coach, Shawn Clark. But the team has been on a roll, losing just twice since Dec. 17. Both of those losses — three points to Cascia Hall and in overtime to PC North — came with top scorer and rebounder Elyse Hight hurt.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2

Norman Player of the Week: Hayley Scott, Norman North

Norman North girls basketball player Hayley Scott set the tournament single-game scoring record at the Altus Lady Bulldog Classic. The senior scored 35 points in Thursday’s first-round win over Childress (Texas). She scored 12 points in a win over Wichita Falls (Texas) and added 11 in the championship game against Western Heights. Norman North won the tournament title.

Girls

West: Lauren Crenshaw, Newcastle; Alicia Crigler, Millwood; Kelsey Grellner, Okarche; Cami Loveless, Bridge Creek; Kristin Milster, Washington; Brittany Pfaff, Okarche; Lauren Pittman, Washington; Cara Pugh, McGuinness; Paige Pulliam, Newcastle; Bailey Wilkerson, Cashion.

Coaches: Rocky Clarke, Washington; Arnelia Spears, Millwood

East: Christa Beasler, Wellston; Brenna Burnett, Dale; Kaetlyn Carver, Chandler; Gillian Foster, OKC Knights; Kalie Lucas, Harrah; Heather Mullendore, Bethel; Taylor Posey, Wayne; Annie Taylor, Lexington; Kayla Thomas, Harrah; Brittany Watson, Bethel.

Coaches: Benny Burnett, Dale; Curt Knox, Harrah

Boys

West: Blaine Brooks, Blanchard; Kevin Caruthers, McGuinness; Kyle Crossley, Newcastle; Silas Day, Bethany; Tavion Fleeks, John Marshall; Denzel Goudeau, Harding Prep; Jabe Karr, Okarche; Dalton Newsome, Mt. Saint Mary; Han Thun, Oklahoma Christian Academy; Jordan Woods, Kingfisher.

Coaches: Ray West, Okarche; Lenny Hatchett, Mt. Saint Mary.

East: John Cooksey, Star Spencer; Jimmy Doolin, Dale; Cale Jackson, Bethel; Jordan Leggins, Northeast; Kyle Lewis, Bethel; Ryan Shelley, Casady; Adonis Sumlin, Coyle; Kendre Talley, Star Spencer; Detrek Wallace, Wellston; Henry Weaver, Tecumseh.

Coaches: Terry Long, Douglass; Jeff Edmondson, Dale.

With two freshman and a sophomore among the leaders in goals and assists in Class 5A and with a record of 8-2, Chickasha is making waves in the present. Hannah Elrod, just a ninth-grader, leads the team with 14 goals and has added five assists. Sophomore Kylie Williams has eight goals and five helpers, while another freshman, Kelsey Taylor, leads the team in assists with 7 and has five goals.

That trio has accounted for all but four of Chickasha’s goals and all but four of the team’s assists. The threesome accounted for all the team’s goals in a 7-1 win over Altus Friday, including a hat trick by Taylor.

Coach Steve Scott’s club faces its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday, visiting Class 5A No. 5 Carl Albert at 5:30 p.m.

In his second season, coach Jeff Blough has returned the program to prominence as senior Madison Marquardt and juniors Mariah Turner and Hayley Scott have paced the balanced T-Wolves attack. Andee Wayne, Payge Wilson, Tori Thomas and Kiana Moridi have been invaluable as well.

Saturday, No. 9 North, which is playing in the east-side 6A playoff bracket, knocked off No. 8 Owasso 47-41. It was the T-Wolves’ first back-to-back wins since a 17-day break in the season from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2. Before the layoff, North had been 11-2.

Blough said at the time he was concerned that the long break — which was caused because of missing a tournament (long story) and the snow storms that caused so many games to be postponed — could halt the momentum his club had built. Turns out he was right. Still, North broke the streak when it absolutely had to if it wanted to keep playing, which says a lot about the character of this team.

So, now it’s on to state. Edmond North awaits.

The SaberCats concluded a terrific postseason run Saturday, falling in the area tournament to No. 3 Norman. Standout sophomore Sidney Cook led the SaberCats with nine points, which is nothing new as Cook  —  a Division I prospect  —  is Southmoore’s leading scorer on the season. However, Cook is far from a one-player show. Kayla Tucker had seven points and Rosa Meadows scored six, as did Kaylan Haywood. Reagan Widener chipped in with five.

Of those five players, only one, Meadows, won’t return next season. In fact, the SaberCats will bring back 11 of its top 12 players in 2011.

And that fact gives me reason to believe Southmoore’s girls basketball team could equal Southmoore’s football team in regards to unreal turn-arounds in one season. The football squad went from a 2-9 season in 2008 to an 11-2, state semifinal showing in 2009.

This SaberCats club could likely  —  actually, I’m going to say that they will  —  be a state tournament team next season. Maybe even contend for the title if the youngsters gain big-game savvy, which only comes from experience. And that’s where this surprise postseason will help. It gives them confidence that will stay throughout the offseason. The Cats will begin next year feeling as if they are already among the elite in 6A because of what they did in the playoffs. It won’t take several weeks of the season to foster that attitude.

For those who don’t know, this team had just five regular season wins, but was one of the biggest stories of the 6A postseason. The SaberCats had the biggest first-round upset, beating No. 8 Lawton. Then they eliminated defending champion Del City in the area tournament.

It all spells out a great outlook for the future. And, as said before, generally a 19-loss season does not inspire greatness. But this particular one most certainly could.

Saturday, with a 60-35 win over a Southmoore team that had been on quite a roll, Norman advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the seventh consecutive season.

Jeannie Ramon scored 13 points, Kamra King had 10 and Jordan Franks 10 as the third-ranked Tigers steadily pulled away from the SaberCats, then blew the game open in the fourth quarter. Norman led by two after one quarter, nine at halftime and 12 after three quarters. But a 20-7 run in the final period sealed the Tigers’ third win in three tries against Southmoore.

Mossman, the winningest coach in school history in both number of wins and winning percentage, now has Norman atop Class 6A in regards to consecutive seasons in the state tournament. And with Claremore not reaching state this season, Mossman’s and Norman’s streak is now the second-longest in the state, trailing Washington’s run of 10 straight.