BARTLESVILLE LADY BRUINS OPEN SEASON AT HOME THURSDAY; BOYS GAME FOLLOWS
Bartlesville High School’s Sami Sheaffer (15) goes to the basket during a game last season.. The Lady Bruins and Bruins open their season Thursday night at home.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Nov. 19, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Coming off a winning record from last season, the Bartlesville High School girls basketball team will look to build on that momentum in 2025-26.
Bartlesville’s quest for another double-digit victory season begins Thursday at home against Rejoice Christian.
This should be a solid test and a telling season threshold for the remodeled Lady Bruin basketball team.
Returning starters including 6-foot guard/forward Sami Sheaffer — who has signed a letter of intent with the University of Central Arkansas — and fellow seniors Emma Zimmerman and Kenzie Denny, both multiple-season starters.
Other familiar faces from last season that could play key roles this year include sophomore Addison Jones and senior Cadence Gray.
Dewey sophomore transfer Shaylyn Ishem is tabbed for the main rotation. Jaylin Manley also will probably be in the rotation, veteran coach Justyn Shaw said.
Shaw graduated two starters off last year’s 13-12 team that re-energized the excitement in the Lady Bruin program.
A potential key factor for this year’s team to feed off the positive momentum is for veterans Zimmerman and Denny to each increase their scoring output per game, Shaw said.
“I’m really looking for them to step it up in the scoring column,” he said. “This is their big opportunity to take that next step.”
Sheaffer is back as the leading scorer but her role could expand to provide more inside play, Shaw said.
The incoming Dewey transfer Ishem could provide strong play in the paint.
“She has a lot of length,” Shaw said about the six-footer. “She’s really long. I look for her to really help us. … She’s still growing physically and mentally and growing within the game.”
Jones is another new main rotation player. She played a few varsity spot minutes last season.
“Addison has done really well in scrimmages,” Shaw said.
Gray is the next-most experienced player following Sheaffer, Denny and Zimmerman.
“She (Gray) was in our main rotation last year,” Shaw said. “She is aggressive on rebounds and an aggressive defender. … I think she had our highest rebounding rate based on the minutes she played. … She’s very, very efficient. She’s stepped up in her playmaking.”
In fact, Shaw plans to have five playmakers on the court.
“The unique thing about us this year as opposed to last year is that I have five girls who can dribble, pass and shoot,” Shaw explained. “We can spread the floor … There will be a lot more cutting and screening. I think we can play fast like we did last year.”
He expects his players to be mentally and emotionally focused going into the opener.
Among the main areas of focus are staying healthy and avoiding foul trouble, he added.
It all begins Thursday evening at the Bruin Fieldhouse.