2018 Battle at the Hive

The 2018 Battle At The Hive was the official start of the club team season for many of the top teams in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Texas. After two weeks of loaded individual showcases hosted by Chris Johnson (Houston) and Ray Caldwell (San Antonio), it was time to tip the ball. The Battle At The Hive was spread over 2 days and 3 sites, making it impossible for me to catch everybody. Here are a few of the standouts from over the weekend.

While most of my time was spent watching 2022’s & 2023’s, I was able to catch a few high school games. Memphis Lady War Eagles walked away with the 17u Championship after a hard earned 39-38 victory over Lady Heat Elite. The War Eagles are led by 2021 PG Se’Quoia Allmond, 2021 post Diona Reed and 2019 post Alyiah Lee. Allmond is a lightning quick and crafty PG who really sees the floor. Allmond is one of the better decision makers off the bounce in the class and did a terrific job of making plays for others while limiting turnovers throughout the weekend. At 6’4” with a sturdy body, soft hands, and fluid feet - Diona Reed is sure to have college coaches from across the country finding their way to Memphis. I was impressed with 6’0” lefty forward Alyiah Lee’s face up game from the mid post, complemented with her ability to rebound and play physically on the defensive end.
 
Other High Schoolers that stood out included:
2019 Tayjannah McGhee (Lady Heat Elite)
2020 Molly Kaiser (Nike Texas Select Orange)
2019 Eternity Jackson (Nike Texas Select Orange)
2020 Jade Miller (Lady Heat Elite)
2020 Olivia Clayton (OK Swarm Bluestar-Musselman)
2019 Delaney Ingram (DFW Hawks 2019)
2019 Peyton Willey (DFW Hawks 2019)

 
The 2022 Gold Bracket was loaded with future stars at the HS level and beyond. I am including NTX Elite in this bunch even though they played up and won the 15u Gold division handily. OK Swish 2022 Blue walked away with the championship in a LOADED 2022 Gold bracket with a 47-46 victory over THSS Elite 2022.
My favorite game of the tournament was the Saturday evening clash between GBD1 and Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022. Packed gym, tight game, both teams full of quality talent. GBD1 eventually pulled out the back and forth tilt 49-46 led by 5’7” PG Channie “Cammie” McKinney. McKinney has been on my radar for a while as one of the top 2022 prospects in the state. The crafty lefty has terrific vision off the bounce and does an especially good job of not overdribbling in transition. McKinney seems to love the big shots and has an answer for all the defensive looks given to her thus far. Watch for Mckinney’s recruitment to soar this summer.


The 2023 Gold Bracket showed a glimpse into the next wave of stars stepping into the spotlight of the club ball stage.   Maddie Cox (Cy-Fair 2023 Evans), the younger sister of Baylor star Lauren Cox, has been on my radar for a while. One aspect of Cox’s game that stands out is how hard she plays. I’ve seen Cox play in camps, open runs, and many games over the years. She is always amongst the hardest working players on the floor. Maddie’s game is much different than her sister’s early on as she is a lead guard with elite size who can do it all from handling the ball, to finding open teammates off the bounce, to knocking down the open perimeter shot off the bounce or the catch. Look for Cox to be in the discussion amongst the very best in the 2023 national class as it develops.

NTX Elite will be a MUST WATCH group for any college coach looking for the next wave of young recruits in the 2022 class. NTX is loaded with future high school and college level stars. Loaded with size in Amina Muhammad, Sa’Myah Smith, and Tionna Herron all at 6’2” or above. Complementing the dominant size are skilled guards and wings in Jiya Perry, Hadley Periman, Michayla Gatewood, Myka Perry, JaMia Harris, and Madison Crandall. NTX has the size, skill, and depth to be considered amongst the very best teams in the country.
 
Other standouts in the loaded field included:
Chloe Clardy – Arkansas Dazzlers 2022/2023 (played on both teams)
Serena Lee – Memphis Lady War Eagles
Jazzy Owens – Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022
Kailee Deffebaugh – GBD1
Jasmine Lott – Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022
Amauri Williams – Arkansas Dazzlers
Laila McLeod – Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022
Arianna Thompson – Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022
Kiersten Johnson – Nike Lady Pro Skills 2022
Jaki Rollins – OK Swish 2022 Blue
Jordyn Rollins – OK Swish 2022 Blue
Talia Pogi – OK Swish 2022 Blue
Donavia Hall – GBD1
Ereauna Hardaway – JB Lady Ballers
Sjerelesea Terrell – JB Lady Ballers
Elizabeth Roach – Lady Drive Nation Nike 14u Topping
Kauauna King – Arkansas Dazzlers
Lexi Goudeau - Oklahoma Shock 2022 – Diaz
Tia Johnson – Lubbock Lights Out 2022
Deja Johnson – Lubbock Lights Out 2022
Ellet Papahronis – Hoopsters 2023
Pace Rickard – Texas Elite Destiny Maroon
Kylie Marshall – Texas Elite Destiny Maroon
Jenna Kendall -  Texas Elite Destiny Maroon
Darianna Buggs (THSS Elite) *I did not see THSS in this tourney, but I have seen Buggs multiple times before – KNOW THIS NAME!!