2017 Heart of Texas Showcase

With 350 teams, 180 colleges represented, and 300+ college coaches, the 2017 Heart of Texas Showcase was the biggest and best yet. Our twitter account ( @pbrhoops) has been flooded with positive feedback including everything from the exposure gained for the young hoopers, to the organization of the event, to the rarely heard praising of officials.  On behalf of the entire Premier Basketball staff – We would like to THANK all the participants, parents, and college coaches for making this such a successful event. There were a few thousand players in Frisco this weekend representing 13 states.

The Premier Basketball Staff was meticulous in creating competitive pools and the results for the most part were that this was a success. This is attributed to the evaluations up to this point of numerous teams as well as the relationships built over several years of running high quality showcases and tournaments. Players were given a platform to not only showcase their skills and development, but to show who truly competes and wants to win – things that translate to collegiate basketball and beyond.

As we watch players over time, there are many that get identified young as having the potential to be next level players. Over time in that evaluation, the expectation for skill and basketball acumen (decision making and TEAM play) development as well as appropriate strength and conditioning advances will determine the continued level of evaluation of that player. This tournament saw both players that have continued to grow and mature their game as well as those that have plateaued and also a few that have even declined. PLAYERS: be honest with yourself in this regard and overcome the temptation to make excuses or blame others. As you climb the ladder of competition and success, this process gets harder.

Now, time to get to business with a FEW shout-outs and random thoughts from the tournament. With so many quality players, it is impossible to mention all the standouts. Premier Basketball Report Subscribers will be receiving our spring evaluations from multiple events including the HoT in the coming weeks. Our phones have already been buzzing…
 
2018 Point Guards
The big three of Oklahoma commit Tatum Veintenheimer, Desiree Caldwell, and Brooklyn Mitchell put on a show all weekend long. While individually different, each have the ability to become program-changing talents that give their chosen school the ability to make deep March runs in the coming years.

Mentionable: Joanne Allen-Taylor, Alex Crain, Andrea Cournoyer, Oklahoma State commit JaMee Asberry, Roshala Scott, and Destiny Thurman.
 
2018 2-Guards/Small Forwards
The 2018 wings proved to be one of the deepest positions at the HoT. Look for the players below to become impact players on the next level.

Mentionable: Laura Macke, Raelene Eddens, Kansas State commit Myriah Noodel-Haywood, Jala Buster, Charlene Shephard, Bre’Asiajah Mathews, Jasmine Carson, Jade Bradley, and Taylor Robertson (shooter!).
 
2018 Bigs/Power Forwards
Cate Reese’s energy and production were ridiculous all tournament. In what turned out to be a head to head matchup Sunday with SA Finest and Nalyssa Smith – MUST SEE!! This is an extremely talented group…

Mentionable: Cate Reese, Queen Egbo, Nalyssa Smith, Raelene Eddens, Paige Bradford, Misty Dossey, and Georgia Tech commit Liz Dixon.
 
2019 Guards
Tiara Young was a standout of this talented group. Everyone on this list will be highly recruited and make an impact at the next level. Rokia Doumba can GO – remember this name.

Mentionable: Corina Carter, Kayleigh & Kaylynne Troung, DaJinae McCarty, and Lauren Fields.
 
2019 Wings/Small Forwards
Tavy Diggs improves every time I see her – constantly adding to her game. Major college-level impact players listed below.

Mentionable: Aijha Blackwell, Louisville commit Nyah Green, Gabby Gregory
 
2019 Bigs/Power Forwards
The great debate of Kennedy Brown vs Taylor Jones continues on the sidelines, baselines, and in the proverbial coffee shops -- two terrifically talented posts. They are different in how they operate and both bring a unique impact to the game. They are both being recruited by several of the same schools – good luck to a team in and around the paint and on the glass if these two ever end up on the same team. Gabby McBride is an ascending talent who has shown major progress. She is a powerful rebounder and her maturity and focus separate her from many of her peers.

Mentionable: London Clarkson, Casey Monk, Taylor Broussard, and Autumn Watts
 
2020’s
The 2020 class is beginning to take shape and fresh off a U16 US National Team invite, Katelyn Levings did not disappoint.   Sasha Goforth is LEGIT.

Mentionable: Priscilla Williams, Fatou Samb, McKenzi Carter, and Tra’Liyah Washington made waves and are sure to catch the eye of many college coaches across the country throughout the summer. Don’t miss post Anne Awour of Lady Pure Prep as she continues to develop.

More Mentionable: Jessica Evans, Alani Fluker, Kamaria Gipson, Khoni Banks, Kairlyn Fleming, Scout Huffman, and Kaia Herrera
 
2021’s
A couple of youngsters jumped on the radar of college coaches. While still very young the arrow for these three is pointing in the right direction for Amani Bartlett, Rori Harmon, and Oklahoma State commit Chantae Embry.

Mentionable: Alyssa Parmer, Kelbie Washington, Kaley Perkins, and AJ Marotte.
 
TEAMS and a Few of the Standout Games
AAO Banshees Premier Morgan
My favorite team to watch throughout the tournament was this young 2020 team. Sasha Goforth has transcendent qualities and looks to be amongst the very top of the national class. Coriah Beck, Wyvette Mayberry, and Destiny Salary are all extremely talented young prospects.

AAO Banshees Gauntlet
This team has a nice mix of ingredients to have a great club season. Liz Dixon patrols the paint and Rokia Doumba and Jasmine Carson are two weapons on the perimeter that opponents have to deal with. They can force teams to try to play with them at their tempo and it proves problematic. Doumba has the true competitive streak in her that translates to any and all levels of basketball. 2019 Marquesha Davis is a lengthy athlete who shows signs of being a consistent contributor.

AD Elite
This group is undeniably talented. They have two emerging guards in Joanne Allen-Taylor and Britney Onyeje that continue to get better. Allen-Taylor is really creating a buzz. Corina Carter pushes tempo and always wants to make a play. Starr Omozee is a good athlete, and sort of a “tweener” but finds ways to impact the game with her intensity. Monet Jones has size and skill, but tends to float on the perimeter a bit. London Clarkson plays hard in and around the paint and shows a knack for scoring the ball in a variety of ways. They are a team to see throughout the summer. They had some exciting matchups including games vs Lady Jets Platinum Elite and OK PWP.

DFW Hawks
This club lacks what many would call “star power” but they play hard and together. Coach Derelle King has the whole club playing a good brand of TEAM basketball and it is fun and refreshing to watch. Look for this club to continue to grow as he trains them as individuals and coaches them as a group.

Texas Nation SAHE
This is a young team that plays with a maturity and quality that makes coaches notice. They have a nice blend of skills, size, and athleticism. Try to get eyes on this group before the summer is over – they will play good basketball and are a solid 2020 group.

OK PWP Elite
This is a very balanced roster. They can shoot it, the ball moves, and they have the toughness to defend and rebound. Gabby Gregory is a COMPETITOR – bottom line. She rebounds, defends anyone on the floor, and can shoot the 3 and the mid-range shot. Misty Dossey is a center that has a nice bounce to her step – there is room for continued development there, but she isn’t afraid to mix it up and she gets up and down the floor very well. Oklahoma commit Jessi Mercer is gritty and tough and can shoot the ball. They have athletic G/Wings in Terryn Milton, Mya Bhinar, and Claire Chastain. This group is focused and mature and ready for any matchup. Their game vs AD Elite was fun to watch.

Urban Heroes Marcus
It is enjoyable to watch the process of teams from the first weekend through the summer. This team is playing well and has certainly improved from the first weekend out in March. Coach Marcus Alexander does a very good job with his teams and this year is no different. Taylor Jones anchors them inside with a ferocious competitiveness. They have length and athleticism in Tavy Diggs, Bre’Asiajah Mathews, and Porsha Matthews and a matchup issue with Taylor Hutchins.   Alex Crain is a nice glue player for them that is poised at the guard spot. This team knows how to play hard and win a close game.

They played a fun one Sunday vs Texas Elite adidas Premier. It came down to the wire and Taylor Jones delivered a clutch bucket off of a sideline out of bounds possession with under six seconds to go in the game. It was a game of small runs, but never a big lead (I believe Urban was up eight at halftime). Jada Perez of Texas Elite and Gabby McBride and Lauren Fields team up well to hold their own. Zya Nugent is a matchup issue for some as she sneaks in to get boards, hits threes, and fearlessly attacks the rim. Adryana Quezada is a skilled forward that may be a little undersized, but she competes through it very well. The Texas Elite adidas Premier group has shown a lot of growth as well since things kicked off in March.

Texas Elite adidas Prime vs SA Finest Cee Lou
There was a buzz waiting for this Sunday contest all weekend. The stands were packed, observers filled the standing room only areas, the countless college coaches were locked in, and the players and coaches were intense. Both rosters are unquestionably top to bottom Division 1 players. The pace, physicality, aggressiveness, and intensity were palpable. Both teams were well prepped in their pool play, which included Mavs Joe Johnson Elite and Oklahoma Swarm, but this was the finale for both teams for the weekend. Intriguing also outside of the teams matching up were the individual battles that went on from time to time in the game as well. Tatum Veitenheimer and Desi Caldwell matched up, Cate Reese and Nalyssa Smith went head to head, Nyah Green and Amaya Brown intensely battled at both ends… This one was worth the price of admission.

Amaya Brown is showing more and more glimpses of her old self after battling through a knee injury from last July. There were flashes of real scoring brilliance this weekend, and her defensive mindset shows great maturity. Her conditioning has been impressive considering this is the last step in her rehab/return to the court full time.

Rebounding and toughness in the paint in this game were paramount, but interestingly enough, the way the game played out saw four guards and one P/Fwd on the floor for most of the game for both teams. Jasmine Smith shot the ball well for Prime and Kyra White countered for Finest. Megan Abrams attacked the paint for Prime and McKinzie Green did the same for Finest. Bryn Gerlich spaced the floor for Prime (and really worked to rebound) and Sophia Ramos brought all around game for Finest. Liz Scott brought physicality and aggressiveness for Finest and Mia Heide countered with more size and good pin-point passing for Prime. Quincy Noble sparked Prime with timely jumpers and speed as Aja Holmes added a shooter on the floor for Finest.

Texas Elite adidas Prime won this one by 10, but don’t be shocked to see these two teams match up again at some point this summer. As there was in this game, there will be multiple All-American candidates battling and competing and the game plans will be well anticipated!
 
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