Oakdale Girls Basketball: A Historic Season and a Bright Future Ahead
The 2024–25 season will go down as one of the most memorable in Oakdale High School’s girls' varsity basketball history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Rob Healy, the team continued its run of excellence, claiming its third consecutive 3A West Region championship and finishing with a 20–2 regular season record. Though the season ended in a heartbreaking 46–43 loss in the state semifinals to eventual champion South River, the journey was filled with grit, growth, and greatness from a talented and resilient squad.
A Legacy of Success
The 2025 campaign was the culmination of three years of dominant regional play. In 2023, the team captured a regional title with a young core but fell in the state quarterfinals. In 2024, they overcame injuries and battled their way to the state final. This year, they opened strong, lost only two games by narrow margins, and returned to the Final Four, falling just short of a second straight championship appearance.
What makes this recent run even more impressive is the consistency and chemistry of the program, led by a class of seniors whose impact extended well beyond the scoreboard.
Senior Leadership that Shaped the Program
The 2025 senior class brought a unique blend of talent, toughness, and teamwork. Among them was Jane Rape, Oakdale’s first-ever Division I commit, headed to Army West Point. A 6'2" wing and four-year varsity player, Jane contributed across the board, averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds per game while leading the team with 34 blocks. Her presence was a symbol of the growth and potential of the Oakdale program.
Running the point was Emma Carey, a defensive standout who shifted from shooting guard to floor general. Emma regularly shut down high-powered scorers—holding five 1,000-point career players to single digits—and finished as the program's all-time leader in steals with 279. She also became the only player in Oakdale history to compile over 599 points, 400 rebounds, and 300 assists.
Mia Sims dominated the paint, leading the entire county with 247 rebounds despite missing games for a family trip. Over just two years, she pulled down 456 boards, showing both consistency and hustle. Meanwhile, Megan Baker and Addie Macera were invaluable off the bench, bringing energy, leadership, and a strong work ethic to practices and games alike. And Ava Tran, nicknamed “The Microwave,” delivered instant offense in several games, providing much-needed sparks at key moments.
Junior Standouts Take the Lead
While the seniors laid the foundation, Oakdale’s junior class powered much of the on-court success. Kenzie Walker was named Frederick County Player of the Year—the first in school history—after setting a program record with 124 steals and leading the team in total points. She also averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, and showed unwavering poise in pressure situations.
Another offensive force, Layla McFarland, led the team in scoring average with 13 points per game and nearly 9 rebounds. She tied the school single-game scoring record with 30 points against Linganore and was named First Team All-County alongside Kenzie.
Shay Raiford, in her first year on varsity, made an immediate impact as a sharpshooter and versatile sixth player. Her clutch threes and adaptability gave the team an edge in numerous close contests. Supporting them were Shaylee McGlinchey, who stepped up as a backup point guard, averaging nearly 3 assists per game, and Ashlyn Porter, a dependable teammate who filled multiple roles as needed.
Sophomore Jasmin Jones, though limited in minutes due to the team’s depth, showed flashes of brilliance on both ends of the floor and is expected to be a breakout player in the coming seasons.
Pivotal Moments and Defining Games
Oakdale’s season was shaped by a number of dramatic games that tested the team’s resilience and defined its character.
One of the earliest was a narrow 55–53 road victory against Linganore. In that game, Layla scored 24 points, including a go-ahead bucket in the final seconds after Kenzie Walker made a steal and missed a shot that Layla converted on the offensive rebound. The win pushed Oakdale to 4–0 and set the tone for the rest of the year.
Later in the season, the Bears avenged an earlier loss to Linganore with a dominant 47–33 home victory, showcasing their defensive prowess by holding a high-scoring opponent to just 33 points. Layla exploded for 30 in that game, further establishing herself as a force inside.
Perhaps the most dramatic moment came in the regional final at Westminster. Down 31–23 with six minutes left, Oakdale rallied to win 40–35, showing grit, composure, and a refusal to quit.
Handling Adversity and Staying the Course
Injuries, particularly to Layla early in the season, tested the team's depth. Despite missing games and never being fully healthy, she worked her way back to full strength by February. The team also faced tough regular-season losses to Frederick, both of which were tightly contested and decided in the final moments.
Coach Healy praised his players for how they responded: “We never backed down. After each loss, the girls adjusted, refocused, and came out stronger in the next game. That’s a sign of a mature, coachable, and determined group.”
Looking Forward with Optimism
With key returners like Kenzie, Layla, Shaylee, Shay, Ashlyn, and Jasmin—and a promising group of JV call-ups and rising 8th graders—the future of Oakdale basketball is incredibly bright.
“Our expectations remain high,” said Coach Healy. “We’re returning a Player of the Year, another First Team selection, and a deep, hungry group that’s eager to go even further. With the stability of our coaching staff and a culture of excellence already in place, we’re excited for what’s next.”
In the offseason, the focus will shift to individual skill development and staying healthy. The coaching staff also continues to emphasize foundational skills—shooting, defense, and basketball IQ—while welcoming new ideas and approaches to refine their strategy.
A Community United by Hoops
Perhaps most importantly, Oakdale’s success has galvanized the school and community. From middle schoolers looking up to the varsity team to the varsity players returning the favor by supporting younger athletes, the culture Coach Healy and his staff have built extends beyond wins and losses.
“Our players get good grades, support each other, and represent the school with pride,” he said. “It’s more than just basketball here. It’s about character, growth, and being part of something bigger.”
As the sun sets on another remarkable season, one thing is clear: Oakdale girls basketball isn’t just a team—it’s a tradition in the making. And the next chapter is just getting started.
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