O'Connor WBB 2026 Commit

[Bobcat4Ever]

If O’Connor is like Chirrick, I’m already a fan.

I’ll take two. I’m already intrigued by the fact that Dylan has a sister and Addison has a sister — how many little Madisons are there?

[TheBigCat]

If O’Connor is like Chirrick, I’m already a fan.

She is much better than Chirrick fundamentally and with better ball handling, shooting and passing etc but not as fast or athletic as far as jumping etc. (I didn’t say not as quick) Madison is quick! not as strong or heavy but more coordinated. Madison’s sister Avery is quite a bit behind her in everything. But has been coming on strong as of late. They both have grown quite a bit in the last two years. They are both tough as nails like Chirrick. Great pick up for us.

[arvcat2]

Seen her play twice against my Columbus Cougars. We beat Baker when she was a freshman, but as a sophomore they destroyed us at divisionals. We open the season against them this Friday in Lewistown. Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

O’Connor just had an “undisciplined” 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, & 5 blocks effort in the Southern B Divisional semifinal last night. Her team takes on Paige Lofing’s (Gonzaga commit) Huntley Project tonight in the divisional championship. Baker is 2 – 1 against HP so far this season.

[lutecat]

It's not unheard of for someone in high school to have tons of raw talent and take advantage of great coaching from Bin at the next level to refine her talents. She's a junior fellas. He said it's a great get. I would just let it go and celebrate her and what's she's doing.

[CatBlitz]

Going to be a banger of a game tonight between Baker and HP. If you're in Billings, head up to the Metra at 6!

[rfischer94]

Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

What does that mean..."Doesn't play with much discipline.."? Does that mean she gets out of control at times, or forces a few shots? If so, I'll take that player every day. I would want someone who pushes the ball up the court. If they commit one turnover, but cause 3....sign 'em up. (That might be my Rez ball background showing through....score more points than the other team and you win every time)

If it means that she's a hot-head and gets a technical foul every game, or lets opponents get under her skin.....that's something else, entirely.

Assuming she’s like her mom (who did play for Potera) she’s all gas, no brakes. Sheila created a buzz every time she entered a game. Stuff was going to start happening. Very athletic and quick. I remember her well.

Sounds like the reigning DPOY.

[TheJoeGoldstone]

If O’Connor is like Chirrick, I’m already a fan.

This!!

[84CatGrad]

Seen her play twice against my Columbus Cougars. We beat Baker when she was a freshman, but as a sophomore they destroyed us at divisionals. We open the season against them this Friday in Lewistown. Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

O’Connor just had an “undisciplined” 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, & 5 blocks effort in the Southern B Divisional semifinal last night. Her team takes on Paige Lofing’s (Gonzaga commit) Huntley Project tonight in the divisional championship. Baker is 2 – 1 against HP so far this season.

I didn't say she couldn't fill a stat sheet, and I think she'll be a very good Bobcat. But she plays undisciplined IMO. However, she is so darn athletic that she still gets plenty done. But I think she takes too many bad shots and she and her sister rack up silly fouls. I also don't think they get the ball into their big, strong post player Hope Gonsiroski enough. They open at state against Malta (who beat them early in the year) and Loyola is also on their side of the bracket. Both those teams are very disciplined and will be tough to beat.

[TomCat88]

47 or 49 points in B state semifinals

[tetoncat]

Seen her play twice against my Columbus Cougars. We beat Baker when she was a freshman, but as a sophomore they destroyed us at divisionals. We open the season against them this Friday in Lewistown. Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

O’Connor just had an “undisciplined” 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, & 5 blocks effort in the Southern B Divisional semifinal last night. Her team takes on Paige Lofing’s (Gonzaga commit) Huntley Project tonight in the divisional championship. Baker is 2 – 1 against HP so far this season.

I didn't say she couldn't fill a stat sheet, and I think she'll be a very good Bobcat. But she plays undisciplined IMO. However, she is so darn athletic that she still gets plenty done. But I think she takes too many bad shots and she and her sister rack up silly fouls. I also don't think they get the ball into their big, strong post player Hope Gonsiroski enough. They open at state against Malta (who beat them early in the year) and Loyola is also on their side of the bracket. Both those teams are very disciplined and will be tough to beat.

Fouls almost did them in Thursday. She found out with 4 1/2 to go and sister with 2. Went from 15 pt lead to holding on until others finally stepped up and hit some free throws. If you ate that large a piece of offense can't take those fouls. Rematch with HP and Lofing. Lofing more polished right now and great ball skills but is a year older.

[BLACKnBLUEnGOLD]

I don't second guess Binford on recruits. They're usually good players, always good students, and never in trouble.

[arvcat2]

47 or 49 points in B state semifinals

It was 47. She must be on the cusp of surpassing 2,000 career points as a junior which is amazing. Baker & Huntley Project match-up for their 5th meeting this year for the Class B state championship tonight at grista grispath arena. They split in regular season, Baker won the district championship and HP won the divisional championship. Sure wish I could watch it live somehow…should be a great ballgame!

[Mtcatfan]

47 or 49 points in B state semifinals

It was 47. She must be on the cusp of surpassing 2,000 career points as a junior which is amazing. Baker & Huntley Project match-up for their 5th meeting this year for the Class B state championship tonight at grista grispath arena. They split in regular season, Baker won the district championship and HP won the divisional championship. Sure wish I could watch it live somehow…should be a great ballgame!

You can watch it on NFHS Network. Get a monthly subscription for $11.95 and cancel it at the end of the month.

[84CatGrad]

Baker struggled big time in the 'ship last night and Project won 65-50. Very happy for Paige Lofing as it was her first championship in her last year of high school ball. At one point late in the game Baker was 2-21 from three. Bad shooting nights happen. Madison and Baker will be very strong again next year in her senior year although they lose a very good post player in Hope Gonsoroski.

[84CatGrad]

47 or 49 points in B state semifinals

It was 47. She must be on the cusp of surpassing 2,000 career points as a junior which is amazing. Baker & Huntley Project match-up for their 5th meeting this year for the Class B state championship tonight at grista grispath arena. They split in regular season, Baker won the district championship and HP won the divisional championship. Sure wish I could watch it live somehow…should be a great ballgame!

I hope its not the last time she scores 47 on that floor.

[arvcat2]

47 or 49 points in B state semifinals

It was 47. She must be on the cusp of surpassing 2,000 career points as a junior which is amazing. Baker & Huntley Project match-up for their 5th meeting this year for the Class B state championship tonight at grista grispath arena. They split in regular season, Baker won the district championship and HP won the divisional championship. Sure wish I could watch it live somehow…should be a great ballgame!

I hope its not the last time she scores 47 on that floor.

Agreed! I saw something to the effect on social media (unconfirmed) that it was the most points ever scored on that floor in a single game, male or female, high school or college.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Seen her play twice against my Columbus Cougars. We beat Baker when she was a freshman, but as a sophomore they destroyed us at divisionals. We open the season against them this Friday in Lewistown. Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

O’Connor just had an “undisciplined” 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, & 5 blocks effort in the Southern B Divisional semifinal last night. Her team takes on Paige Lofing’s (Gonzaga commit) Huntley Project tonight in the divisional championship. Baker is 2 – 1 against HP so far this season.

I didn't say she couldn't fill a stat sheet, and I think she'll be a very good Bobcat. But she plays undisciplined IMO. However, she is so darn athletic that she still gets plenty done. But I think she takes too many bad shots and she and her sister rack up silly fouls. I also don't think they get the ball into their big, strong post player Hope Gonsiroski enough. They open at state against Malta (who beat them early in the year) and Loyola is also on their side of the bracket. Both those teams are very disciplined and will be tough to beat.

Would she be Luke’s sister?

[iaafan]

Seen her play twice against my Columbus Cougars. We beat Baker when she was a freshman, but as a sophomore they destroyed us at divisionals. We open the season against them this Friday in Lewistown. Very talented. Doesn't play with much discipline IMO as a high schooler but the talent is beyond doubt. Great get.

O’Connor just had an “undisciplined” 28 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, & 5 blocks effort in the Southern B Divisional semifinal last night. Her team takes on Paige Lofing’s (Gonzaga commit) Huntley Project tonight in the divisional championship. Baker is 2 – 1 against HP so far this season.

I didn't say she couldn't fill a stat sheet, and I think she'll be a very good Bobcat. But she plays undisciplined IMO. However, she is so darn athletic that she still gets plenty done. But I think she takes too many bad shots and she and her sister rack up silly fouls. I also don't think they get the ball into their big, strong post player Hope Gonsiroski enough. They open at state against Malta (who beat them early in the year) and Loyola is also on their side of the bracket. Both those teams are very disciplined and will be tough to beat.

I haven’t seen her play but this concerns me. Taking bad shots and silly fouls are pandemic in girls basketball in Montana. Lots of players fall victim to this and end up struggling once they get to college.

John wooden used to promote all players being equal as long as they play team ball. That doesn’t work in high school. Wooden had good players and it was on them to know their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these kids get it in their heads that they’re way better than they actually are. This leads to trying to score when double or triple teamed and launching shots out of their range and ability; and trying to steal the ball by reaching and getting out of position by overplaying the lanes too much. They get a bunch of steals but the fouls and easy layups usually outweigh the steals.

[MSU01]

I haven’t seen her play but this concerns me. Taking bad shots and silly fouls are pandemic in girls basketball in Montana. Lots of players fall victim to this and end up struggling once they get to college.

John wooden used to promote all players being equal as long as they play team ball. That doesn’t work in high school. Wooden had good players and it was on them to know their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these kids get it in their heads that they’re way better than they actually are. This leads to trying to score when double or triple teamed and launching shots out of their range and ability; and trying to steal the ball by reaching and getting out of position by overplaying the lanes too much. They get a bunch of steals but the fouls and easy layups usually outweigh the steals.

What you're describing here pretty much sounds like the type of mistakes most freshmen tend to make a lot at the D-1 level. Maybe once in a blue moon you'll hit the jackpot and get a player like Darian White who plays like a senior despite being a freshman. I trust Coach Binford and her staff to do their jobs well, although it won't happen immediately. If Chirrick and Harris stick it out with MSU for their whole careers the sky's the limit for how good they can be once they've had a few years of D-1 coaching and development.

[iaafan]

I haven’t seen her play but this concerns me. Taking bad shots and silly fouls are pandemic in girls basketball in Montana. Lots of players fall victim to this and end up struggling once they get to college.

John wooden used to promote all players being equal as long as they play team ball. That doesn’t work in high school. Wooden had good players and it was on them to know their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these kids get it in their heads that they’re way better than they actually are. This leads to trying to score when double or triple teamed and launching shots out of their range and ability; and trying to steal the ball by reaching and getting out of position by overplaying the lanes too much. They get a bunch of steals but the fouls and easy layups usually outweigh the steals.

What you're describing here pretty much sounds like the type of mistakes most freshmen tend to make a lot at the D-1 level. Maybe once in a blue moon you'll hit the jackpot and get a player like Darian White who plays like a senior despite being a freshman. I trust Coach Binford and her staff to do their jobs well, although it won't happen immediately. If Chirrick and Harris stick it out with MSU for their whole careers the sky's the limit for how good they can be once they've had a few years of D-1 coaching and development.

This is true but especially here in Montana. The number of girls and boys performing well in D1 has slid downward steadily the last 40 years. My observation is that out of state girls come in with better skills and basketball IQs and this is why there’s been a downward spiral.