Houston Bayou Classic

The 2016 Houston Bayou Classic featured the U17 Chinese National team taking on four top flight clubs. The Chinese team went 3-1 for the weekend and is a much improved team from last year. Here are a few of the standout club teams that caught my eye during the tournament.

Texas Elite 17u Adidas Prime
Prime was the only team to defeat the Chinese National Team. Playing without 2017 Vivan Gray, Prime showed its depth and wore down China as the game progressed. 2018 pg Tatum Veitenheimer went toe to toe with a world class point guard in Wang Jiaqi. Veitenheimer’s ability to push the ball and find teammates is uncanny. Veitenheimer is a terrific floor leader whose teammates love playing alongside. 2018 post Sedona Prince had to look up at tip-off for one of the very few times in her life in playing against 6’9” Chinese post Li Yueru. Prince came out on fire against the very skilled Li. Prince controlled the paint and the boards throughout which proved instrumental in the win. 2018 Catherine Reese is rounding into form. Reese is one of the best floor running forwards in the country, and her all-out style of rebounding and ability to finish paid huge dividends.  A big addition to the Prime roster is 2018 Bryn Gerlich. Gerlich’s shot making and high IQ level of basketball off the bench were huge. 2017 Trinity Oliver struggled to shoot, but made major contributions by gathering rebounds and steals. Oliver is one of the better shooters in the 2017 class, so it is just a matter of time before she goes off. 2017 Lauren Heard caused China nightmares with her ball pressure defensively and ability to push the ball offensively. Heard’s athletic ability is obvious and as she continues to refine her game, she will be a rising prospect in the class. 2017 Ryanne Johnson mauled China down low. The powerful post became a major issue as she finished multiple contested shots around the rim and showed very good hands with multiple traffic catches. Johnson’s physical style of play seemed to be something in which China was not accustomed. 2017 Rice commit Temitope “Temi” Alao is an athletic, physical specimen whose gifts are undeniable. Alao is the type of athlete that China has rarely seen. If/when Alao’s skill catches up to her athleticism, she will be a major contributor at Rice. 2017 Alisson Reese (older sister of Catherine) made timely 3’s securing the lead during a vital stretch of the game. The lefty’s ability to hit open shots gave the posts more room to work down low as China has to stay attached to her.

AD Elite – Team Peterson
2018 Monet Jones continued her ascension up the class rankings with another good showing. Jones’s length and athletic ability are obvious. Jones’s improving skill is what is allowing her to make the next step as a player. Jones finished multiple traffic finishes and was a monster on the boards. Jones seems to like the big games, which will serve her well at the next level. 2017 Ariana Whitfield played very well against Wang. Whitfield is a gritty gamer who competes relentlessly. Whitfield is one of the most underrated players in the class whose game translates well to the next level. 2018 Joanne Allen-Taylor hit some vital shots in a closely contested game. Allen-Taylor’s ability to shoot the ball and finish in transition have made her a must watch for college coaches. 2017 Jasmine Smith is a shot maker who competes on both ends of the floor. Smith did a good job of answering runs from China by making plays on both ends of the floor.

Louisiana Lady Select
2018 Megan Abrams continued her hot start to the club season. The smooth lefty did a great job of setting the table for teammates as well as hitting the open three. Abrams is a smart, underappreciated defender who understands angles, help, and opponent weaknesses. 2018 Bryana Langford is an ascending prospect with a nice mid range pull up. Langford complements her mid range game with the ability to finish in the open court. Langford stays in aggressive mode at all times and takes that aggressiveness to the defensive side. 2017 Krystal Freeman is a very athletic forward who plays both ends of the floor with all-out energy. As Freeman improves her outside shot, she will be a tough cover at the next level.

Texas Elite Adidas 17u GATA
Every time I see 2017 Taylor Green, she is a little better at some aspect of her game. Green was the leader against China on both ends of the floor, keeping GATA in the game with timely shot making and defensive plays. 2018 Mia Heide continues to improve in the post. The hard working, blue collar player is starting to add skill. At her size, Heide is an ascending player in the ’18 class. 2018 twins Jhakya & Keziah Dilworth struggled in the China game to make shots, but their improvement is evident. The Dilworth’s combination of skill and size combined with their versatility as 2-way players that defend will garner the interest of many college coaches.

Texas Elite 17u Adidas Phenoms
In a hotly contested Gold Division championship, the Phenoms outlasted Texas Elite Adidas 17u Adidas 832. 2017 Brianna & Kianna Suber continued their strong early club season by showing outstanding athleticism and finishing ability. The Subers are underrated defensively with their athleticism, extremely quick hands and basketball IQ. 2017 Mya Hollingshed is a very long post with good hands and the ability to run the floor. Hollingshed does a great job of finishing in traffic and contesting everything that comes into the paint on the defensive end.

Texas Elite 17u Adidas 832
2017 Natalya Chatham is a very skilled forward down low who finds a way to score over traffic and get to the free throw line. Chatham is a terrific position rebounder and has a game that translates well to the next level. 2018 Jala Buster is an impressive looking athlete with developing skill. Buster played well in transition and showed glimpses of an improving jumper. Buster is an ascending player in the ’18 class. 2018 Dymond Gladney is a gritty, playmaking guard who understands how to run a team. Gladney does a good job of making plays while limiting turnovers and was very good pressuring the ball on the defensive end.