2017 Sandra Meadows Classic

Sandra Meadows Classic

The 67 ^th Annual Sandra Meadows Classic brought together 32 teams from 6 states in what has traditionally been one of the top holiday tournaments in the country.

Duncanville – Duncanville seems to have found their stride and were dominant throughout the tournament concluding with a 45-30 win over Harvard-Westlake (CA) in the final. Overcoming the loss of 2018 Houston signee Starr Jacobs to injury for the season will be interesting to watch, but 2018 Tennessee signee Zarielle Green proved more than up to the task. Green is one of my favorite players in the class and when engaged defensively, Green is in the conversation as the best two-way player nationally. Add in the playmaking and toughness of 2018 Kansas signee Aniya Thomas, the rebounding and high/mid-post playmaking of 2018 Howard signee Krislyn Marsh and the elite post play of 2020 super recruit Hannah Gusters, and you have one of the most complete teams in the country. The key to Duncanville’s run will be the contributions of 2018 Eastern New Mexico signee Asha Ross, 2019 ascending prospect Angel Kelly and 2021 Nyah Wilson. Keep an eye on Wilson as her game is quickly improving.

Harvard-Westlake (CA) – One of the most fun teams to watch throughout the tournament, Harvard-Westlake is led by 2018 Pepperdine commits Jayda & Jayla Ruffus-Milner. 2021 super recruit Kiki Iriafen really impressed with her athleticism on the inside. The shooting of Ashlee Wong and Melanie Hirsch spread the floor for this outstanding team from California.

Sierra Canyon (CA) – 2018 TCU signee Ryann Payne put on a show at times with her combination of athletic ability and perimeter skills.  Supplemented by versatile 2019 forward Amanda Olinger, 2020 do-it-all lefty guard Ashley Chevalier and 2021 rugged forward Teresa Berry – Sierra Canyon showed a versatile and deep lineup throughout.

Frisco Lone Star – Frisco Lone Star is a legitimate threat in the loaded 5A - Region 2 come playoff time. 2018 San Diego State commit Mallory Adams versatility and scoring ability have lead the way throughout the season. Adams has been extremely consistent all year. 2019 Adryana Quezada continues to improve and her stock is soaring. 2019’s Mia Deck and stock-riser Leah Harris give Lone Star consistent production on the perimeter.

Conway (AR) – Conway is led by the 2019 perimeter trio of Reagan Roetzel, Myia Yelder, and Asiyha Smith. Conway is a heady team who plays well as a unit defensively and spreads the floor with their perimeter shooting. Very good team who is hard to guard because of their spacing.

Plano – Plano won a highly competitive game with Desoto and is proving they will be a force to reckoned with in the loaded 6A - Region 1. 2018 Katie Ferrell is the most talented unsigned player left in the state. 2018 Delaware signee Lolo Davenport had an excellent tournament showing her inside/outside versatility offensively. 2018 UT-Arlington signee Emma Halverson and 2020 super recruit Jordyn Merritt give Plano elite length and versatility all over the floor.

Jersey Village – 2019’s KaLynne & KaLeigh Troung put on an unbelievable show in their “upset” of Desoto in the second round. The Troung twins have jaw-dropping skill and are a must watch for every college coach in the country.

Plano West – Everybody knows how I feel about 2019 super recruit Jaden Owens, she is simply as polished and complete a point guard as there is in the national class. Ascending 2018 prospect Maniya Powell is one of the better unsigned seniors left in the state. 2021 Amaya Brannon continues to catch my eye.

Desoto – While Desoto lost for the first time during the tournament, they are a legitimate threat in 6A - Region 1. 2018 SMU signees Kayla White and JaQuia White along with UT-Permian Basin signee Brielle Woods give Desoto skill and experience on the perimeter. 2019 sky-rocketing prospect Bria Patterson is the most underrated prospect in the state in my opinion and gives Desoto a chance to beat anybody in the state when she is on.  2020 A’sha Thompson is athletic and versatile, while 2021 Ariyanna Hines continues to improve and gives Desoto quality minutes off the bench.

McEachern (GA) – One of the most fun teams to watch throughout the tournament, Desoto/McEachern was a classic Friday night. Led by 2018 Georgia Tech signee Jasmine Carson, 2018 Jewel Smalls, 2018 Victoria Agyin, 2020 Daelyn Craig, 2021 Denim Deshields on the perimeter along with 2019 physical and active forward Kemia Ward in the post – McEachern plays fast and furious. McEachern is going to be very good as the season progresses.

Mesquite Horn – 2019 N’yah Boyd is one of my favorite guards in the class with her ability to score while also getting others involved. Add in 2020 skyrocketing prospect/scoring wing Tra’Liyah Washington and 2021 Jasmine Shavers on the perimeter along with 2018 Lamar signee Umaja Collins in the post and Horn is another threat in 6A - Region 2 come playoff time.

Fayetteville (AR) – 2020 super recruits Sasha Goforth and Coriah Beck on the perimeter along with 2018 physical post and Missouri State signee Jazmine Franklin give Fayetteville a ton of firepower.



Bishop Lynch – Ultra talented team getting ready for a run in TAPPS 6A. 2019 Louisville commit Nyah Green has jaw-dropping individual talent. 2019 highly skilled point guard Endyia Rogers has moments of brilliance. Keep an eye on 2021 Paige Bradley who continues to improve each time I see her.

Frisco Liberty -  Keep an eye on the return of 2019 Randi Thompson. Thompson has fought injuries for the better part of two years and looks to get back to the form that made her an elite prospect. Thompson looked very good throughout the tournament. 2018 Harding signee Katelyn Burtch has long been a favorite of mine. Coach Ross Reedy is one of my favorite coaches to watch and with the return of Thompson, Liberty will be very dangerous come playoff time.

Plano East – Highly recruited 2019 Tavy Diggs leads the way and is complemented by 2018 Emilie Austin on the perimeter. Keep an eye on 2021 Kendall Parker as she caught my eye multiple times during the tournament.

Marion (AR) – 2020 Joi Montgomery is athletic and skilled on the perimeter, and complemented by 2019 sharpshooter Tashlee Milow and 2019 physical forward Mikiya McAdory.

Barbe (LA) – With Louisiana-Lafayette signee Brandi Williams and East Texas Baptist signee Ashlyn Poole on the perimeter and McNeese State signee Divine Tanks in the post, Barbe showed to be a complete team.

Briarcrest Christian (TN) – 2018 two-sport star (track) and Memphis signee Savanna Owens is athletic, skilled, and heady on the perimeter. 2021 Diona Reed has elite size and fluid feet in the post.

Incarnate Word – 2018 sharp-shooting San Diego State signee Sophia Ramos and 2019 post Emily Peebles lead the way for a team ready to make in deep run in TAPPS 6A.

Cypress Falls – 2018 Texas signee Joanne Allen-Taylor is one of the top scorers in the state. Must watch player for any fan.

Vista Ridge – 2021 AJ Marotte is a name to know, intriguing talent who continues to improve. 2020 Victoria Baker caught my eye on the perimeter as well. Very young team with only two seniors.

Temple – 2018 Florida A&M signees Jhakya & Keziah Dilworth lead the way for a Temple team who have a chance to make some real noise in 5A - Region 3.

Arlington Seguin – Led by 2019 lead guard Timia Jefferson who is complemented by 2018 Trinitee Cannon in the backcourt.

Saginaw – I have long been a fan of 2020 M’kayla Malone and 2020 Molly Kaiser caught my eye as well.
Waxahachie – The Indians are led by 2018 Diamond Atchison and 2020 athlete Rayna Ross in the backcourt.

Westside – 2020 Fatou Samb is an intriguing prospect in the post. Raw, but has the size and athleticism coveted at the next level.
    As I talk to college coaches on the recruiting trail, a hot topic has become the habits of prospects when playing high school basketball. When you break it down, a player spends approximately 9-10 months in school with 4-5 of those months in basketball season during each school year. It is during these times that a player forms work habits and determines their ability to get along with teammates both on and off the court through a long and rigorous season.  It is in high school that a player practices 4-5 times per week at minimum (versus 1-2 times per week on the vast majority of the club teams) and develops winning or sometimes losing habits.

I understand that not all high schools are made equal from a talent perspective, but I also know that a player’s ability to lead a team through tough times, a player’s coachability, a player’s competitiveness and a player’s ability to figure out the “puzzle” when facing long odds in a game can be measured much easier in the context of a high school season than in select ball.
Select ball often shows me how physically talented a player is when playing on the floor with multiple next level talents, but high school ball shows me what a player is made of and if they have the intangibles to succeed at the next level.

When I see a player who is playing at half speed at the high school level, it is a “red alert” as to how much that player truly wants to succeed at this game. I hope that “elite” prospects who read this understand that ALL games matter whether in the summer in front of hundreds of college coaches or in a lightly filled high school gym because it speaks to your competitive “DNA” as a player.
  All players have strengths and weaknesses. Those that work on their weaknesses are the ones that succeed at the next level and beyond.

SHOOTING is at an all-time premium and that is NOT going to change. Spot up shooting from 3, to the 1 and 2 dribble pull-up off the bounce to the balanced floater are all MUST haves in your arsenal if you are a perimeter player.


Ball-handling is at a premium as well. Understand, you will be on film at the next level and if you can’t accelerate with your off hand – EVERYBODY knows.

Work on finishing with your weak hand and especially being able to extend the finish with both hands. The traditional “dip” or “scoop” finish with the off hand does NOT translate unless you want to get your shot blocked on a consistent basis.

Post players who can actually post up, seal with the hip(s), and finish over each shoulder in the block is also at a premium. If you are a big and can finish with both hands over each shoulder, you will get a scholarship.

Simply working on what you are already good at is NOT enough – improve your game to make yourself as complete as possible. One thing I am seeing more and more of is player’s having someone film them. This is HUGE. Many players are shocked at how they look on film as they often feel much more athletic and smooth than they actually are. I love this growing trend and encourage as many players to use this tool as possible as film will become a daily portion of your routine on the next level.