This week, all three Lincoln Christian girls basketball seniors officially solidified their futures, as each signed a letter of intent to play at the next level.

Maddi Stewart, Alexis Leyva and Kayli Atkinson will all continue their careers in college, after they try to go back-to-back and repeat as Class 4A state champions.

Stewart, last year's Class 4A state tournament MVP, signed with Nebraska, while Leyva signed with Wichita State and Atkinson made it official and is heading to Missouri Southern beginning next year.

Head coach Melody Stewart spoke about the significance of having all three seniors going to play at the next level.

"Having all three players from this senior class continue their careers at the next level is a tremendous reflection of the culture that has been built in our program," Stewart said. "It shows that our kids work extremely hard, buy into development, and hold themselves to a high standard both on and off the court."

The standard that has been set at Lincoln over the last decade will continue even after these seniors leave, especially as the younger players watch Stewart, Leyva and Atkinson take this next step.

"It also inspires the younger players in our program by showing them what's possible when you commit to the process," Stewart said. "This senior class has set the bar very high, and seeing three of them earn opportunities beyond high school is something our entire school and community is proud of."

All three players have made huge contributions to the program throughout their careers, each in their own individual way.

But the common characteristic of each player is simple — hard work.

"Each of these players has a different strength, but they all share a relentless work ethic," Stewart said.

For Stewart, she will almost certainly go down as the best player in school history, as her list of accomplishments continues to grow.

And while her talent is evident and easy to see, it's something else that makes her one of the top players in the state and nation.

"She's been the ultimate competitor—driven, disciplined, and willing to do the little things that don't always show up on the stat sheet," Stewart said of her daughter. "Her basketball IQ and leadership make everyone around her better. At the next level, her ability to be coachable and have a high motor will allow her to step in and contribute right away."

Stewart averaged a team-high 14.7 points, team-high 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists, along with a team-high 2.5 steals per game.

She shot 46% from the field and a team-high 82% from the line, while garnering MVP honors from several news outlets and at the team banquet.

Leyva grew up at Lincoln and then came back prior to her junior year, where she made an immediate impact with her leadership skills and ability to make everyone better at point guard.

"She's a physical, high-energy presence who embraces her role and plays with toughness," Stewart said. "She's improved every year because she never shies away from the grind. That mindset, combined with her ability to impact the game on both ends, translates very well to college basketball."

Leyva averaged 6.3 points, four rebounds and a team high five assists last year. She also averaged 1.8 steals per game and shot 42% from the field.

She had 154 assists last season, good for 2nd in the state in assists in all classes, while also leading Class 4A and set the school record during her junior year.

Atkinson played a huge role in last season's state title run, as the senior makes her presence felt with her athleticism and tenacity on defense.

"She's a skilled, versatile player who understands the game at a deep level," said Stewart. "She brings consistency and maturity, and she's always prepared. Her adaptability and steady approach will help her thrive as the speed and physicality of the game increase at the next level."

Atkinson averaged 7.5 points and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 33% from three to help the Bulldogs to a title last spring.

Ultimately, it was a banner day for one of the top program's in Oklahoma, as Stewart, her coaching staff and her players continue to reach new heights, thanks in large part to the three seniors.

"These three have shaped our program in ways that go far beyond win," said Stewart. "They're the group that showed up early, stayed late, and held the locker room to a championship standard. They led by example every day and pushed our team forward with their competitiveness, character, and commitment."

And while they have just a year left to hopefully hang another banner and lift another gold ball, the legacy the trio will have won't soon be gone when they trade in the crimson and gold for new team colors.

"They've helped redefine expectations—what effort looks like, what leadership sounds like, and what team-first basketball should be," Stewart said. "Their legacy will be felt for years, not only because of what they accomplished on the court, but because of the culture they helped cement."