And Ashley Paris can play a little. And the best raw talent of the bunch may still be Amanda Thompson, who’s supposed to be playing pain-free for the first time in years. And it was the state’s new athletic darling, Jenna Plumley, who stepped in a year ago and saved the season. And I’m pretty sure that’s four returning starters. Even if Plumley tried to keep things bland.

“We’re not really focused on the end,” she said. “I know we’ve sat in this room the last two years and said, ‘We want to do this and we want to do this.’ Now, I want to go to practice tomorrow and be the best team we can be in practice tomorrow.”

That’s admirable. With Maryland and Tennessee on the way, it may be necessary.

But the end should still be out there for this team.

National title or bust?

No.

But a Final Four?

Yeah.

In Year 3 of the Paris twins’ era and with a third-straight fantastic class arriving on the Sooner doorstep, it’s not a case of daring to dream so much as a very real expectation.

Still.

It’s funny. A year ago, the Sooner women were judged in January and February against where everybody figured they’d be in March. This time around, they may lose two out of the gate. With Arizona State waiting in Cancun, maybe three.

But it’s just those kinds of tests, failed or passed, and all that talent, from the best player in the game to freshman Carlee Roethlisberger, sister of Ben, that leaves no room for a satisfying season should it all end in yet another regional semifinal.

Clay Horning

366-3526

cfhorning@normantranscript.com