HOMETOWN PRODUCT JASON FLICK TAKES REINS OF LADY BRUINS BASKETBALL PROGRAM

Jason Flick, left, poses with the 2025-2026 Lady Bruins basketball team following their Class 6A area consolation championship. Flick was named head coach after Justyn Shaw, right, stepped down in April. Also pictured from left are Shaylyn Ishem, Addison Jones, Sami Sheaffer, Kenzie Denny, Emma Zimmerman and Cadence Gray.

Courtesy photo

Jason Flick, right, speaks with former Lady Bruins head coach Justyn Shaw. Flick was named head coach after Shaw stepped down in April.

Courtesy photo


By Becky Burch

May 28, 2026

BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT

Bartlesville Public Schools did not have to look far to find its next girls basketball leader, officially naming longtime assistant and hometown product Jason Flick as the new head coach of the Lady Bruins. 

Flick, a Bartlesville native who has spent more than two decades coaching within the school district, elevates to the head coaching role following the resignation of Justyn Shaw. Shaw stepped down after a five-year tenure that culminated in the Lady Bruins snapping an eight-year drought to reach the Class 6A state tournament in March. 

"My family has a long history of connection with Bartlesville and Bartlesville Athletics," Flick said. "It’s exciting to be able to continue to be able to coach a sport I love in the town that I grew up in. Multiple Bartlesville alum have reached out to me saying how excited they are to have a hometown guy take over the program." 

Flick’s deep roots in the local community span across his entire athletic and professional career. He played high school basketball for the Bruins from 1996 to 2000, under the guidance of coaches Wes Brown and Rick Johnson, before transitioning to the local collegiate ranks. He played four seasons at Oklahoma Wesleyan University from 2000 to 2004 under legendary coach Rocky Kent. 

In the fall of 2005, Flick returned to Bartlesville Public Schools to begin teaching and coaching at Madison Middle School. Over the next nine years, he coached junior high basketball and golf before joining Clent Stewart’s varsity boys basketball staff as an assistant from 2014 to 2021. He transitioned to the girls program in 2021, spending the last five seasons as the top assistant under Shaw. 

Flick credits both of his varsity predecessors for shaping his coaching philosophy. 

"Clent was one of the best scouters of opposing teams that I’ve seen," Flick noted. "His ability to analyze player tendencies and team offensive and defensive sets was excellent. This is something that I was able to take over to the Lady Bruins and is part of what has contributed to our success over the last five years. As for Justyn, he always had a player-first mindset. He communicated that often to the girls and is definitely a reason why we were such a tight-knit group." 

That chemistry was the primary catalyst for the Lady Bruins' historic 2025–2026 season. Entering the postseason as a No. 6 seed, Bartlesville caught fire late, upsetting regional rivals Jenks, Owasso, and Broken Arrow to capture the area consolation title. The team finished the year 17-11 after an overtime heartbreak against Mustang in the Class 6A state quarterfinals. 

"One thing that jumps out is how well they all played together," Flick said of the state tournament team. "There were many times where we didn’t have to call any offensive or defensive sets because they were so in tune with each other." 

Maintaining that momentum will require navigating a significant roster overhaul. The Lady Bruins graduate four of their six primary rotation players from last year's squad, including standout senior leader Sami Sheaffer, who is headed for the University of Central Arkansas in the fall.

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Jason Flick poses with his family. Flick was recently named head coach of the Bartlesville Lady Bruins basketball team after Justyn Shaw stepped down.

Courtesy photo

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Flick will look to returning core pieces Addison Jones and Shaylyn Ishem—the latter of whom was named the district’s Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore—to anchor the transition. Flick also emphasized a unique personal advantage in connecting with his high school players: the experience of coaching his own daughter, Addrianne, during his tenure as an assistant. 

"I loved coaching my daughter. It has been one of the highlights of my coaching career," Flick said. "It absolutely gave me an inside glimpse into how players perceive what the coach is saying, and it was able to guide how I coached and interacted with the Lady Bruins." 

As the program transitions into the summer layout, Flick noted that his long-term familiarity with the system ensures structural continuity. Team camps take place in June, along with strength conditioning and skill development. 

"One of the good things about my being an assistant over the last several years is that there shouldn’t be any drop-off from what the program has done during the offseason," Flick said. "I am absolutely excited to continue to be involved with Lady Bruin basketball, and I can’t wait to see what happens next."

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END OF AN ERA: SHAW STEPS DOWN AFTER HISTORIC SEASON; LADY BRUINS RECEIVE POSTSEASON HONORS