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January 1, 2021Welcome to my BasketBlog, Shooting the J
My blog will include everything from my thoughts on the High School games I’m covering to College games I’m attending and/or watching at home to current trends and thoughts on the state of the game.
January 1, 2021: HOLIDAY HOOPS TOUR
Over the holiday break, I was able to get around to quite a few games within the state of Texas. Here is a quick recap of some of the teams and individuals I was able to see.
Cypress Creek
Cy Creek Head Coach Jennifer Alexander has an elite national and state contender. Led by one the top backcourts in the country in 2021 Texas commits Rori Harmon & Kyndall Hunter, Cy-Creek plays an up-tempo style that is very conducive to their roster. The inside trio of 2021’s Taylor Jackson, Ri’yah Francis, and 2022 Jasmyn Jackson give Cy-Creek a physical presence in the paint and on the boards. 2023 Krishawn Lee is a name to know and gives Cy-Creek a third guard off the bench that can both help handle pressure and score from the perimeter. Cy-Creek is the most complete team I’ve seen thus far and plays with an “unfinished business” chip on their shoulders – Cy-Creek will be an extremely tough out come playoff time.
Desoto
Showcasing one the most talented rosters in the country, DeSoto Head Coach Andrea Robinson has an elite national and state contender. Led by the frontcourt trio of 2022’s Tionna Herron (recent Kentucky commit), Sa’Myah Smith, and Amina Muhammad – Desoto has overwhelming size and athleticism. Not to be overlooked, Desoto’s backcourt features 2021’s (Houston signee) Kendall Brown, Kayla Glover, and Ari’Yanna Hines along with 2022’s Jamia Harris, Jiya Perry, Ayanna Thompson. This depth allows to Desoto to play at an almost hectic pace. The thing that stuck out to me in their win over rival Duncanville was Desoto’s willingness to take perimeter shots in secondary transition which opened up space for the front line to both rebound and score. Desoto’s frontline ability to run is the key separator in their growth over last year offensively. While Desoto will pressure, their half-court defense as is good as you will see with the combination of the guards’ ability to pressure the ball complemented by the bigs’ ability to protect the interior and rebound.
Duncanville
Not to be overlooked, tradition-rich Duncanville will be a team to watch as we progress towards the state playoffs. Head Coach LeJeanna Howard has an extremely aggressive and complete roster. The backcourt is led by 2021’s (Syracuse signee) Nyah Wilson, (Lamar signee) Hope Lemellle, Kiyara Howard-Garza, Kaila Kelley and 2023 Tristen Taylor. With a frontcourt of 2021 (SMU signee) Zaria Rufus, Anaya Bernard, 2022’s Kiersten Johnson and Laila McLeod, Duncanville is deep and athletic. Duncanville’s full court pressure defense creates both turnovers and pace, which really tests opponent’s depth throughout a game. Duncanville has all the pieces to repeat as state champs as they continue to find offensive continuity with this year’s group.
South Grand Prairie Head Coach Brion Raven leads a senior-laden team who is one of the favorites to come out of 6A Region 1. Led by 2021’s (UNLV signee) Kiara Jackson, (UNT signee) Kendall McGruder, Vasana Kearney, along with 2022’s Jahcelyn Hartfield and Victoria Dixon in the backcourt as well as 2021 Nxerro Maluw in the frontcourt – SGP is a perimeter-oriented 3-point shooting and pressing team. On the nights the 3-ball is falling, SGP is as dangerous as any team in the state. Using a mixture of presses to create both turnovers and tempo, SGP plays at a breakneck pace at times and will be an extremely tough out come state playoff time.Individual Standouts
2021 Adaora Nwokeji (Summer Creek/Princeton signee)
2021 Mariah Roberts (Arlington Martin/TCU signee)
2021 Autumn Smith (Arlington Martin/La Tech signee)
2021 Crystal Smith (Katy Tompkins/Tarleton St signee)
2021 Bre’yon White (Shadow Creek/Oklahoma St signee)
2022 Kaitlyn Duhon (Summer Creek)
2022 R’Mani Taylor (Shadow Creek)
2023 Loghan Johnson (Katy Tompkins)
2024 Justice Carlton (Katy Seven Lakes)
December 21, 2020: ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
As we enter the Holiday Season in what has been the craziest year of many of our lives, I thought it was an appropriate time to say THANK YOU to all of the players, parents, coaches, referees, support staff, medical staff, and media that have worked around an ever-changing schedule to keep the game going. Listening in conversations with coaches of all levels on a near daily basis while they are having to deal with a fluid schedule (changes while dealing with daily COVID testing / positive tests & contact tracing) while trying to maintain some type of normalcy for their teams and staff has been extremely inspiring. As we gear up for the Holidays and hopefully begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel in regards to COVID, we must THANK all of those responsible for getting the game and those involved in it through an unpredictable and challenging period. I truly look forward to future posts that focus on the game that brings us all together both physically in the gym and as a basketball commuity.