Passing of the Guard

What are the intangibles that make a great point guard? Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale would know all about them.

During her time at the helm of the Sooners' program, Coale has put a variety of players with many different skills at the controls of her offense.

In 20 years, the Sooners have seen the poise of Stacey Dales, the leadership of Dionnah Jackson and the athleticism of Danielle Robinson dominate opponents and take over games. But there's also been the energy of Britney Brown and the toughness of Morgan Hook that have inspired and willed teams to victories.

OU Point Guards

Stacey Dales, Dionnah Jackson and Danielle Robinson set the standard for points guards at Oklahoma.

“Point guard play is the key to a successful team whether you're taking about junior high or the NBA,” Coale explained. “They are crucial on defense because they are the first to pick up the ball and they set the tone on offense because they have the ball more than anyone else.”

“There's pride in that position. I think a lot of that stems from Stacey Dales being such a good basketball player but specifically a good point guard and leader. Good point guards want to come here and be a part of that.”
Sherri Coale

For now, the reigns to the prestigious position are in the hands of Gabbi Ortiz and T'ona Edwards, two players that took two completely different paths to land in Norman. Both have continued to push the right buttons for the Sooners so far this season in a position they've known all their life.

Ortiz, one of the most highly-recruited point guards in the country out of the class of 2014, became just the second true freshman ever to start at point guard under Coale, an honor that she shares with Dales.

“Ever since my dad put a ball in my hand at the young age of two and I started play at four (years old) so I've always had the ball in my hand,” Ortiz said. “I've always been a point guard. I like being able to lead others, facilitate things and be in control.”

She immediately made an impact, helping the Sooners to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year after starting all 33 games at point guard while averaging 8.2 points per contest. A rare feat for any freshman.

Ortiz rode the momentum of her freshman campaign and earned a roster spot on USA Basketball's U19 FIBA World Championships Team that claimed a gold medal this past summer. The sophomore has now started 51 games in a row heading into Wednesday's game with West Virginia, scoring in double figures nine times this year.

Gabbi Ortiz has started every game during her career for the Sooners.

For Edwards, it took time for the local product to make an impact. Now she relishes it.

“There's a legacy here. To play for Coach Coale has been special,” Edwards said. “Being from Oklahoma, that's all you hear about growing up and it's been an honor to play for her. She is always going to tell you what you need to hear and I trust her insight because she was a point guard. Being a point guard is hard, but it's special to be a point guard at the University of Oklahoma.”

The Spencer, Okla., native, grew up less than hour away from Norman and jumped on the Sooners' radar late in her senior year. A gutsy performance in a high school tournament game caught the eye of OU's head coach. After observing Edwards, who stands at 5-5, claw and fight her Northeast Academy squad to a playoff victory as a senior, Coale knew she had to have Edwards on her roster.

As a junior, Edwards has shined off the bench. She averages close to 20 minutes per contest and leads the team with 3.4 assists per game. But it's been the ability to give the Sooners a much-needed spark at times where she has made the biggest impact.

Her go-ahead bucket with 12 seconds left at Washington on Dec. 6 lifted Oklahoma to a 71-68 road win in Seattle in non-conference play. At TCU, Edwards chased around the Horned Frogs' leading scorer Zahna Medley for nearly 30 minutes, shutting down the sharpshooter in the second half with a relentless defensive effort.

With 2:37 remaining, Edwards was in the right spot at the right time – intercepting a TCU inbounds pass for an easy lay-in to give the Sooners their first lead of the night against the Horned Frogs. She came up with key steals, set a career-high with nine assists and added in 10 points at TCU as OU rallied to win 78-65 on the road.

T'ona Edwards

T'ona Edwards leads the Sooners in assists per game and has been crucial in sparking two comeback wins on the road for OU this season.

Whether it's looking back at previous games or watching film from practice, Coale is always there for her point guards. She meets almost daily with Edwards and Ortiz, offering suggestions of how to get a pass over a taller defender or explaining the pressure that comes with being a point guard.

“It's easy for me at the point guard position because I feel like I've been in their shoes before,” Coale said. “It's different to feel responsible for getting the ball from this end of the floor to other and enter it successfully. I have great familiarity with the duress that they are under and the challenges that they face at this level.”

"To be Sherri Coale's point guard is obviously a special thing."
— Gabbi Ortiz

For both Edwards and Ortiz, playing for a head coach who was also a point guard herself bears special meaning.

“Point guard is absolutely crucial,” Ortiz said of the position. “I think it's the hardest position on the floor, but I take pride in it. Coach (Coale) always tells us to take pride in it because we have to know our position, but everything else that is happening on the floor. To be Sherri Coale's point guard is obviously a special thing. There's been a lot of special players that have played this position here.”

With a keen eye on the past, Edwards and Ortiz now look to write another chapter in a long line of successful point guards that have played at Lloyd Noble Center. Something that their head coach is proud to see.

“There's pride in that position,” Coale says. “I think a lot of that stems from Stacey Dales being such a good basketball player but specifically a good point guard and leader. Good point guards want to come here and be a part of that.”

Players Mentioned

T'ona Edwards

Gabbi Ortiz

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University of Oklahoma Athletics