It seems like a fair comparison given the Choctaw girls boast an impressive 20-2 record, are ranked second in the state and have crushed LHS (6-12) in both head-to-head meetings, 68-31 and 71-34, respectively.
The Yellowjackets are shooting for a season sweep of the Wolverines in the first round of regional playoffs tips off Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Choctaw, but don't take the underdog for granted.
Thanks to a fierce team comradery, the Wolverines are a far more dangerous beast than their record indicates and the last time Choctaw saw them in action.
It's been a culture change, in a sense. Between last year's first round playoff exit and the newcomers playing pivotal roles on the team, the sense of family has grown. The girls have embraced it and LHS coach Otis Gentry has noticed it in how the team approaches daily activities -- whether it's practice or a game.
"The most impressive thing has been this team's love and unity," Gentry said. "Last year, it was more individual. This year, it's more like a family and they enjoy each other. I really think it's a big improvement from last year -- just their attitudes alone."
Positive attitude and unity cannot alone win the game for LHS, but keeping their chin up and relying on one another sure can help in the playoffs.
The other key to victory will be game plan execution. While the Wolverines are much improved since the two schools last met back in January, LHS will need to play nearly flawless basketball to pull off the upset.
The only two losses the Yellowjackets have suffered were to fifth-ranked Putnam City West in the regular season finale and an early-season loss Ft. Gibson who is undefeated at 24-0 and ranked first in 4A.
There is a recipe for knocking off an elite Choctaw squad, and it starts with adjustments. Perhaps the first and most important adjustment LHS will need to make will be shutting down Choctaw's star point guard, Ana Llanusa. Llanusa -- who is a five-star recruit ranked 32nd nationally in the 2017 class and committed to play for Oklahoma next year -- torched LHS in the first two meetings.
"Llanusa is a teriffic ball player," Gentry said. "You're not going to really stop her, but you can take away some of her looks and shut everyone else down. Then you have a shot."
That starts with putting some pressure on the wings and taking away flashing cutters, Gentry said. If the Wolverines start with those defensive tactics and add some ball pressure, they can move to phase two which is relatively simple. Close out on Llanusa and frustrate her shots.
"A lot of shots she had the first two games were open and uncontested jump shots," Gentry said. "So hopefully if we do the little things defensively, we can trim her down a little bit."
Stopping Llanusa is easier said than done, but if LHS can limit her looks, the Wolverines have a shot. And if they play fundamentally sound basketball, the Wolverines may be able to pull off the upset.
"We need to box out and prevent second chance points and also eliminate turnovers," Gentry said. "But more than anything we need to play smart basketball. That's the key."
Smart basketball starts for LHS with who you would least expect -- a pair of freshmen.
Tyiesha Anderson and Sharonica Hartsfield may be freshmen, but they play like seniors. While it may shock opponents that two first-year players at the varsity level can lead a team and even take over the game, it's not a surprise for the two freshmen themselves.
Referred to as gym rats by their coach for their relentless dedication spent perfecting their games in the offseason, people should come to expect that, together, Anderson and Hartsfield can will LHS to victory.
They may be freshmen, but they play like seniors. It's not an easy feat, but they have grown immeasurably this season thanks to their demeanor.
"It's just about having confidence and being brave," Hartsfield said. "We just keep believing in ourselves because we're playing the game that we love."
"What has helped us is knowing you can depend on your teammates to help you out," Anderson chimed in.
Neither said they feel pressure heading into the playoffs. Instead, they both admitted they are excited. It shows in their game.
The duo loves to play in the open court and push the ball in transition. It all comes natural to them, which is exactly why the playoffs will too.
"I've been coaching these girls since the third grade," Gentry said. "I can't say enough about their maturation, their positive attitude and how well they get along."