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October 2, 2016Over 1,500 players and 162 teams from 8 states played in front of over 100 college coaches at Future Stars and Shining Stars events held September 24 th & 25 th in Frisco and Duncanville, Texas. As every year at these events, I like to use the games as a gauge to see where teams are heading into the high school season. Here are a few teams and players that caught my eye.
Mansfield Timberview
Timberview has taken Duncanville’s spot as my top team in the state regardless of class. Timberview is deep and athletic at every position. Hotly sought-after 2017 recruit, Chennedy Carter, is a must watch player that is worth the price of admission. Carter is joined by athletic sharpshooter 2017 Trelynn Tyler in the backcourt. Add in 2017 Tayah Thomas and 2018 Lauryn Thompson at the forward spots and Timberview’s starters match up with anybody in the country talent wise. The depth of this team including rising prospect, 2019 Maikayla Hutchison, 2017 Hailee Walls, 2017 Jaryanna Ward and 2019 Destiny Jackson make Timberview amongst the very elite in both the state and the country going into the season.
South Grand Prairie
SGP is my #1 team in the state in class 6A heading into the high school season. Admittedly, this is a bit of a leap of faith on my part, but I believe SGP has been building for this season for two years and is poised to take the reins from their vaunted rival Duncanville. 2018 Amber Bacon’s health (who was out with a foot injury) will be a big key in SGP pulling off a state title victory. Uncommitted 2017 Kayla Wells is a huge reason I am picking SGP as #1. Kayla’s continued improvement over the last two years has been fun to watch. Wells can do it all: from her handle, to shooting, to defending. Even as highly regarded as Wells is, I consider her to be one of the most underrated talents in the country. 2018 Uchenna Nwoke gives SGP a dominating force in the interior, especially defensively. If Nwoke can give SGP enough in the post offensively, they are going to be very tough to beat. 2018’s Diamond Willcot and Drew Myers play on the wing are going to be vital in SGP retaining the top spot throughout the season.
Duncanville
Taking the title from Duncanville will be no easy task. Duncanville expects to win every time they hit the court and because of their success over the years, they often have an advantage before the ball is even tipped. 2018 super recruit Zarielle Green continues to improve in all facets of her game. A super athletic wing who can score on anybody, Green has improved her handle, passing, and most importantly, defending on the wing. Green is going to have a lot of pressure, especially to score, and lead this team as a whole. I am interested to watch her take on that role. 2017 Jayla Johnson steps into the post and appears ready to make some noise in the paint. Johnson’s athleticism will give the bigger posts (i.e. Uchenna Nwoke) matchup problems. 2017 sharpshooter Aakilah Caldwell will space defenses with her shot-ready mentality. 2017 Nina Alvarez and 2018 Aniya Thomas will provide constant ball pressure and ball handling on the offensive end. The ability of these two guards to hit open shots created by Green will be a huge key in Duncanville’s success. Two big keys in Duncanville’s depth will be dynamic wing 2018 Starr Jacobs and the development of 2020 post Hannah Gusters.
Plano
Plano is ultra-talented and fun to watch. 2018 Lolo Davenport is one of the best pure shooters in the country from the forward spot. 2018 Katie Ferrell is a long point guard who rarely turns over the ball against pressure and has elite vision off the bounce. 2018 Emma Halverson is a long forward/wing that can really shoot from 3. The key to Plano taking the next step will be the emergence of 2020 super prospect Jordyn Merritt. As Merritt gets comfortable, watch out for Plano.
Frisco Liberty
Liberty was without its leader for the weekend in 2017 Jordan Hamilton, but make no mistake about it they will be on a collision course with Mansfield Timberview in what could be a rematch of last year’s regional semifinals. 2017 Rebecca Lescay, 2019 ascending recruit Randi Thompson and 2018 Katelyn Burtch will be key in supporting Hamilton. Liberty is very well coached, usually dictates tempo to their opponents, and will be a very tough out after losing in the state championship game last year.
Bishop Lynch
My TAPPS top team going into the season regardless of class. One of the top 2019 recruits in the country Nyah Green is complemented by 2019 Endyia Rogers, 2017 Brooke Bradley, and 2017 Gabrielle Rogers. This team is deep and very good in the backcourt, on the wing, and down low. I was impressed with Green’s ability to blend into Lynch’s system while still showing her talents. The Lady Friars are going to be a very tough out in March.
Dallas Christian
In sticking with the TAPPS theme, Dallas Christian will be a lot to handle for many private school teams. Anchored down low by the Jones sisters, 2017 Carlie and 2019 big time recruit Taylor, they should own the paint. Both of the 6’3”+ players are complemented by sister Tori (2019 and twin of Taylor) who is starting to play with more confidence on the perimeter.
Pflugerville
Pflugerville plays fast and comes at opponents with waves of athletes. Led by super athletic 2018 Britney Onyeje and 2019 London Clarkson, I expect Pflugerville to make a run in March.
Cedar Hill
2019 Dajinae McCarty is one of the best guards in the state, regardless of class. McCarty seems to get better every time I see her. 2018 Raija Todd and 2019 Taylor Hutchins are both receiving major college interest and will help Cedar Hill have a totally different look than they had in the Joyner Holmes era.
Cibolo Steele
Led by 2017 Antonia Anderson and complemented by 2020 national prospect Aja Holmes, Steele is very talented. Steele is deep with athletes and I expect them to make a run at state in March. In an anticipated Central Texas preseason matchup, Steele dropped their game to Austin Bowie in what ended up a tight finish. Look for this to be a highly contested affair if these two can meet up in the regular season.
Austin Bowie
A nice 3-0 weekend should give this Bowie squad a nice springboard into the season. Led by seniors Savannah Ralph and Elise Faradory and newcomer Deziray Turner and complemented by the emerging 2019 Hailey Atwood, this team came out fast and furious in all three games building leads of 15+ in each game right out of the gates.
San Antonio Johnson
Led by 2017 Alyssa Adams and notable youngster and Texas commit 2020 Deja Kelly, Johnson has a real shot to make a run with continued improvement. A big key will be 2017 Megan Valdez and finding one more consistent option to supplement.
Desoto
Led by the highly skilled 2017 Chania Wright and super athletic 2019 Bria Patterson, Desoto needs to have 1 or 2 more options step up to complement.
Hurst L.D. Bell
It was a rough beginning for the Gordon sisters – 2017 Lexi Gordon and 2020 Myra Gordon. They have too much talent to continue to struggle and will improve as the season moves on. Finding a true 3 rd and 4 th option offensively will be key.
Frisco Lone Star
This team is young and talented. I expect them to make some real noise as they gain experience throughout the season. Key players include highly recruited 2018 Mallory Adams, 2019 Mia Deck, and 2019 Adryana Quezada.
Irving MacArthur
2020 Sarah Andrews is widely regarded as the best guard in the class nationally. She did nothing to change that during the tournament. Andrews is a special athlete and tremendous passer off the bounce. 2017 Alyson Gamez hit a lot of shots and will be counted on to score this season. MacArthur has a lot of young athletes that will need to step up and create depth.
Plano West
Super recruit 2019 Jaden Owens plays like a seasoned veteran at the point guard position. Owens is flanked by 2017 sharpshooter Daria Cosgrove and ascending 2017 prospect Lyric Robins. Robins’ athleticism in the open court jumped out at me throughout the tournament. West doesn’t have much height, so they are going to have to play small and make shots.
McKinney
Mckinney has 3 very talented 2018’s in Quincy Noble, JaMiya Braxton, and Kayla Moutry. If it all comes together and they find some needed depth – McKinney could make some real noise come playoff time.
Prosper
Led by the ultra-talented 2019 Jordyn Oliver and complemented by the underrated 2018 MacKenzie Hewitt, Prosper is a team that will be very good come march. 2017 Hannah Reynolds was outstanding in the two games I watched Prosper during the tournament. If Reynolds plays to that level throughout the season – watch out.
Carrollton Ranchview
Led by the inside-outside duo of 2017 MaQhi Berry and the much improved 2017 Bryanna Washington, Ranchview played well. The key will be the play of 2017’s Jada Freeman and Jada Garrett to complement Berry and Washington.
Mansfield Summit
Led by 2017 Amber Dixon, a big key will be the play of 2020 forward Tommisha Lampkin. Summit has a ton of guards, so I would expect them to run and gun.
Plano Prestonwood
Led by highly touted 2019 Camryn Brown, who is one of the better athletes you will see, and complemented by 2019 Payton Hicks and 2020 sharpshooter Jordan Webster – I expect Prestonwood to make some noise as they gain experience.
Arlington Bowie
Very young, but talented… Led by 2019’s Jasmyne Robinson and Malay McQueen, Bowie doesn’t have a lot of size but they do have a lot of guards and skill. I expect Bowie to play very fast and try to beat opponents in an uptempo style.
Mesquite Horn
Led by improving 2018 post Umaja Collins, 2019 guard Nyah Boyd, and 2020 Traliyah Washington – Horn will be young, but I expect major improvement as they gain experience throughout the year.
Friday Night Exposure Plus Showcase Notables:
2017
Robyn Brooks
Cara Liggins
2018
Kamirah Decker
Anna Jackson
Christina Mason
2019
Sanne Cates
Mia Deck
Tavy Diggs
Nikyla Green
Madison Griffon
Gabby McBride
Paige Pendley
Taylor Salazar
Reigan Weaver
2020
Nicole Leff
Hannah Wheeler
Isabel Montoya
Fernanda Perez
Mariah Smith
2021
Cailee Crawford
Viane Cumber
Azia Himeur
Bria McClure
Aaliyahna Derrell
2022
Journey Armstead
Aunisty Smith
Notable Uncommited 2017s:
Ellie Rice – Regents School of Austin -- 3*+
Hailee Walls - Timberview -- 3*+
Jacie Higgins - Ark Wings, Guard - 3*
Elise Faradory - Austin Bowie PG
Deziray Turner - Austin Bowie G/F
Alexa Hoy - Rockwall Heath Guard
Jaylan Gulley – Skyline Guard 3*
Carlie Jones - Dallas Christian 6'3 post, 3*+
Rebecca Lescay -- Frisco Liberty G/Fwd 3*
Ali Reese – Cy Woods Guard
Tiara Malone -- Martin HS, Guard, 3*
Chania Wright -- DeSoto, PG, 3*+
Aakilah Caldwell -- G, Duncanville, 3*
Amber Dixon -- PG, Mansfield Summit, 3*
Cierra Morris -- PG, Arlington Bowie
Kenyah Hawkins -- G/F, Dunbar
Lauryn Bowie -- Fwd, Duncanville
Alina Falcon -- G, SA Johnson
Chelsea Harris -- G, Waco Midway
Jurnee President -- Fwd, North Crowley
