Most Valuable Player

[SoonerNorm]

Which Sooner would you pick this year as the Most Valuable Player?

 

[22dupree]

Tough choice ... JMac really picked it up once we lost Whitney. Vegas continued to provide her signature scoring punch, and Morgan played well at the point for the balance of the year.
Though not a player, Coach Coale's ability to not allow this team to hang it's heads after the injuries was huge. Keeping this team focused, striving and believing might at least make her honorable mention.
It's been an emotional year ... glad we made it back to OKC and excited to see what lies ahead for this group.

 

[sybarite]

Is it necessary that we define an MVP? I can't think of any one player, including Kornet, that wasn't essential to the advancement of this team to the Sweet Sixteen. If I had to choose, I would make Aaryn and Joanna co-MVPs for morer than one reason. I don't think Nicole would have done as well had not Joanna been inside helping on the boards. I think Jo was the steadier player. But, I don't know how this team scores consistently without the natural ability if Aaryn. We struggled when she shot poorly. Besides, I would like a co-MVP to give Aaryn some leadership attitude for next year.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

They talked a little about this on the telecast last night. They talked about how no one person stepped up to fill WH role but it was different people at different times. Maybe the MVP could be more of a blanket award for the entire squad.

If it had to be individual then probably ..

Vegas
Jo
Nicole

 

[j2d2]

Vegas/Jo
Morgan

 

[Oliver Hardy]

It sure is a difficult choice.

I think I would give a slight edge to Jo because she does a lot of things that are critically important. She scores inside and out routinely. She rebounds. She plays tough defense. She blocks shots. She boxes out. She is the spark and the attitude that make this team go.

AE is a tremendous scorer and she's gotten better at playing defense, but if I had to choose one (and I think they are both worthy of MVP) I would go with McFarland.

It's going to be hard -- and not as much fun -- without her next year.

 

[OKUman]

It sure is a difficult choice.

I think I would give a slight edge to Jo because she does a lot of things that are critically important. She scores inside and out routinely. She rebounds. She plays tough defense. She blocks shots. She boxes out. She is the spark and the attitude that make this team go.

AE is a tremendous scorer and she's gotten better at playing defense, but if I had to choose one (and I think they are both worthy of MVP) I would go with McFarland.

It's going to be hard -- and not as much fun -- without her next year.

You said it all.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I give the edge to Aaryn. I love how Jo has stepped up and became a force at PF. But, Aaryn has been there all year contributing major scoring. Plus, her defense has improved significantly. We would definitely be in trouble without either one but Aaryn gets the nod from me.

 

[SoonerShamrock]

They talked a little about this on the telecast last night. They talked about how no one person stepped up to fill WH role but it was different people at different times. Maybe the MVP could be more of a blanket award for the entire squad.

This was exactly what Coach Coale said she told them when Whit went down: that no one had to REPLACE Whitney 100%; they just each needed to play 10% better.

I certainly think that was achieved!

 

[SoonerNorm]

This was exactly what Coach Coale said she told them when Whit went down: that no one had to REPLACE Whitney 100%; they just each needed to play 10% better.

I certainly think that was achieved!

I would say that Jo, Sharane, and Griffin have really improved over the season, more than 10% for sure.

 

[tinysooner]

I think it is jo hands down, we all wanted this team to get tougher show some grit & she brings it every game.I think this team rely's on vegas to get us started with the scoring then we take off, but all around it has to be jo.

 

[Sooner Suzie]

I can't choose between Jo and Vegas. Vegas was OU's only source for firepower. Jo was their only real rebounder. The season would have really been in dire straits without either. Because neither were replacable, they both were most "valuable".

Fellow posters have made good points for both players. All are well deserved.

 

[rocjunkie]

The obvious choice would be Aaryn and Jo. However, I can't think how valuable Whitney, Kaylon, Lyndsey, and Maddie have been on the bench and on the practice floor. Helping teach, and giving love and encouragement to their team mates while they battle their own re-hab or deal with career ending injuries. A big shout out to them :clap

Of the players that got to perform I split my vote for Jo and Aaryn. Outstanding seasons from both gals.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I would give an honorable mention to Sharane. She is the one who has come on to really make up for the scoring loss suffered when Whitney got injured. She hasn't perhaps been as consistent as Whitney would have been but, she is doing a good job from where she was at the beginning of the year.

 

[35TangoTango]

Whitney Hand

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I would give an honorable mention to Sharane. She is the one who has come on to really make up for the scoring loss suffered when Whitney got injured. She hasn't perhaps been as consistent as Whitney would have been but, she is doing a good job from where she was at the beginning of the year.

I've said that if only she was 6'3" the damage she could do. I may be the only one but her style of play and even her build reminds me a little of the sisters from Stanford. I'm not saying she's that good but I see some of their game in her. What I like about her is how tough she is. She gets in there and bangs and fights and gets balls and points that taller players don't even think about.

Hard to compare anyone to what WH did. She is basically our best girl in about any category you want to choose.

 

[SoonerNorm]

I've said that if only she was 6'3" the damage she could do. I may be the only one but her style of play and even her build reminds me a little of the sisters from Stanford. I'm not saying she's that good but I see some of their game in her. What I like about her is how tough she is. She gets in there and bangs and fights and gets balls and points that taller players don't even think about.

Hard to compare anyone to what WH did. She is basically our best girl in about any category you want to choose.

:clap I like the comparison to the Ogwumike sisters. Not as good obviously but there is enough there to see the resemblance.

 

[35TangoTango]

Thought I'd bring this back to the top.

At the Awards Banquet, Aaryn was named the MVP, as well as the best offensive player, and the Mojo award (the momentum changer)here's the complete list:

Defensive Player of the Year Sharane Campbell
Offensive Player of the Year Aaryn Ellenberg
Most Improved Player Nicole Griffin
Most Valuable Player Aaryn Ellenberg
Nail (exhibits extreme mental and physical toughness) Jasmine Hartman
Glue (epitomizes what holds team together) Whitney Hand
Monster Board (top rebounder) Joanna McFarland
Shoush Award (selfless play) Morgan Hook
'Charge' Award (most charges taken) Sharane Campbell
Foxhole Award (best teammate) Nicole Griffin
Mojo Award (momentum changer) Aaryn Ellenberg

 

[SoonerNorm]

Thought I'd bring this back to the top.

At the Awards Banquet, Aaryn was named the MVP, as well as the best offensive player, and the Mojo award (the momentum changer)here's the complete list:

Defensive Player of the Year Sharane Campbell
Offensive Player of the Year Aaryn Ellenberg
Most Improved Player Nicole Griffin
Most Valuable Player Aaryn Ellenberg
Nail (exhibits extreme mental and physical toughness) Jasmine Hartman
Glue (epitomizes what holds team together) Whitney Hand
Monster Board (top rebounder) Joanna McFarland
Shoush Award (selfless play) Morgan Hook
'Charge' Award (most charges taken) Sharane Campbell
Foxhole Award (best teammate) Nicole Griffin
Mojo Award (momentum changer) Aaryn Ellenberg

I probably would have picked Jo for the Charge Award but Sharane was right there as well.

 

[35TangoTango]

I probably would have picked Jo for the Charge Award but Sharane was right there as well.

I think that award was picked by mathematics.