Club Season Kicks Off in Texas

DFW Marchfest & She’s Ballin Extravaganza

DFW Marchfest  & She’s Ballin Extavaganza officially kicked off the AAU Spring/Summer season for most of the top girls basketball teams in the state of Texas. These two prestigious events allowed me to get an early look at the best players & teams that the state has to offer. Before we get going, I would like to THANK Corey Hegwood (Marchfest) & Koty Cowgill (She’s Ballin) for their hospitality at the respective events.

Cy Fair Nike EYBL 16U is a very complete and deep team who has beat every team they have faced so far by double digits, including a highly regarded SA Finest Cee Lou. Led by two top frontcourt prospects in 2017 Jade Willams & 2018 Charli Collier, CY Fair is tough to matchup both size and skill wise. Once you add the backcourt of 2017 Chasity Patterson & 2017 Oklahoma commit Ana Llanusa, along with 2017 Baylor commit Didi Richards on the wing, you have terrific players at all positions on both ends of the court. With rising prospect 2017 Priscilla Smeenge,  2018 Jasmine Smith, and 2019 Jaden Owens filling out the roster,  CY Fair will be a team to watch out for throughout the season and especially at Nike Nationals in July.

DFW T-JACK Elite may very well have the best set of guards in the country and, like Cy Fair, has beaten every team they have faced by double digits. Led by my #1 ranked 2017 prospect in the state, Chennedy Carter, T-Jack is an ultra quick team that is relentless in attacking on both ends of the court. Alongside Carter is 2017 Alexis Morris, 2017 Jordan Hamilton and 2018 super recruit Zarielle Green. With 2017’s Micaela Wilson, Laura Daulton, Rebecca Lescay, and Chania Wright amongst others filling out the team, DFW will be one of the best teams in the country and one of the favorites at every major tournament in which they are entered.

Texas Elite Adidas Gauntlet Prime (17U) is anchored by my #1 ranked 2018, Sedona Prince.  Playing alongside Prince in the frontcourt is the versatile 2017 Vivian Gray and the relentless effort of 2018 Catherine Reese. The frontcourt makes up what could be the best rebounding trio in the country. Add in 2017 sharp-shooting guard/forward Trinity Oliver, 2018 charismatic leader point guard Tatum Veitenheimer, 2017 combo guard Lauren Heard, and 2017 Rice commit Temi Alao, and you have one of the most complete teams in the country. Rounding out the roster is 2017 guard Ali Reese and 2017 post Ryanne Johnson. Prime’s 15 point victory over highly regarded Texas United EYBL shows just how good this team may be. This team showed true selflessness and team play. They showed a unique defensive prowess all weekend, unlike many club basketball teams. In their second game out of the gates, they held an AD Elite team full of aggressive guards to 11 points total – in the whole game. Texas Elite Prime is the early odds on favorite to win the Adidas Gauntlet National Championship in July.

SA Finest Cee Lou is led by 2018 super recruit Nalyssa Smith. Complementing Smith is 2017 Kiana Williams, 2018 Desiree Caldwell, 2017 Makayla Mabry, 2019 and highly nationally ranked Louisville commit Nyah Green. Williams’ & Caldwell’s ability to create plays without turning over the ball have made Finest a headache for opponents in the early season including a win over Texas United.

Texas United Nike EYBL has one of the most talented rosters in the state. United is led by 2017 UCONN commit Lexi Gordon, who is playing at an extremely high level. Complementing Gordon are 2017 Kayla Wells and 2018 Madison Williams. 2018 super recruit Christyn Williams is coming off an injury, but played at the SBE. Once Williams is back to full speed and gives Texas United one more weapon, they are not going to be fun to deal with.

Lady Pro Skills Elite is the new kid on the block and has quickly made an impression by playing everybody. Pro Skills is led by the early on favorite for my state and national #1, 2020 Sarah Andrews (yes, 2020). Complementing Andrews are 2018’s Lauren “Lolo” Davenport, Mallory Adams and 2020 Jordyn Merritt. Pro Skills is very young, but they are an up and coming program who is taking their lumps early on this season. As they gain seasoning, Pro Skills will be very tough to play.

AD Elite has a very good group of guards and had a very good early season win over Texas United. AD Elite’s guards include 2017’s Ariana Whitfield, Aerial Starks and 2018’s Joanne Allen- Taylor & Jasmine Smith along with 2018 forward Monet Jones. AD Elite is a gritty guard oriented team who will be a tough out as they continue to perfect their style of play.

Cy Fair Premier Blue has two elite posts in 2018 Queen Egbo and 2017 Emer Nichols. Add in sharp shooting wing  2017 Sierra Cheatham and you have a team that is very hard to match up with.

Texas Elite 17u Gauntlet GATA is led by 2018’s Jhakya & Keziah Dilworth. The Dilworth twins are complemented by 2017’s Kandyce Shepard, Ellie Rice, Taylor Green and 2018's  Diamond Atchison and Mia Hiede. 2017 positionless Brooke Bradley brings grit and energy. GATA is just starting to get used to the full court pressure they are using and will be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses. They are deep and play together. 

Texas Elite 16u Gauntlet Holcombe has a roster full of sophomores, but much like Pro Skills they are playing on the top level. TE Holcombe is led by 2018 post and ascending recruit Uchenna Nwoke. Nwoke is complemented by 2018’s Sydney Hardeman, Jada Peacock, and Amber Bacon. This team has a lot of the physical answers to match up with anybody and will improve throughout the summer as they gain experience.

Team Xpress is led by 2017 Gabby Connally and 2018 Stephanie Soares (a newcomer from Brazil). The two of them make for one of the better inside/outside duo’s in the state.
Urban Heroes Elite – Roberts is led by 2017 Barbara Benson. Complimenting Benson is 2017 Avionne Alexander. Benson and Alexander form one of the better backcourts we will see this summer.

Texas Elite 16u Gauntlet Noble is led by 2018 super recruit Quincy Noble. Complementing Noble is 2018’s Emma Halverson, Trinity Bell, and Jessie Murcer out of Oklahoma . This team is very good at the guard position and has a tough forward to match up with in Halverson.

Texas Elite 17u Gauntlet Bounce Thomas is led by 2017 Grace Daniels. Daniels is complemented by 2017’s Alexa Hoy, Tia Zeno, Gabrielle Rogers, Haleigh Hill, and 2019 Gabby Mureeba. Bounce Thomas is good at guard, on the wing and in the post with Rogers . Having a complete lineup will make Bounce Thomas tough to deal with as the season progresses.

Under The Lights Basketball Elite has 3 high level guards in 2017’s Madison Washington, Maqhi Berry, and Fresno State commit Aly Gamez. As UTLB finds their stride, they will be an improving program throughout the summer.