adidas National Champions - Texas Elite Simmons

Texas Elite adidas 17U Simmons capped a terrific summer by winning the adidas National Championship in Atlanta, GA. The victory was a culmination of one of the best and most rewarding seasons for legendary state of Texas basketball coach Joey Simmons’ career, and also included winning the prestigious Super 64 National Championship earlier in July. Joey commented that “this is one of the best TEAMS I have ever had the privilege of coaching. We had a great lead player in Natalie Chou and all the other girls filled their roles around her to perfection.” Natalie Chou, a top 10 national player in the 2016 class, took her game to the next level by taking over the biggest games in the most critical moments. Chou is not only an elite scorer from anywhere on the floor, but also a terrific playmaker who makes tremendous decisions passing the ball when defenses focus on her.

Playing Robin to Chou’s Batman was 2016 Aaliyah Jackson. A top 50 national player in the 2016 class, Jackson is a top flight athlete and defender. Her ability to lock up the other team’s leading scorers defensively was paramount in Texas Elite’s success. Jackson is an underrated all-around offensive player who was tremendous in the open court. The combination of 2016 Hannah and Rebekah Hand (Marist commits) gave Texas Elite consistent shooting from the three-point line all summer. The Hands’ ability to beat the other team’s guards down the floor and either spot up for the three or finish the layup in transition was instrumental in giving Chou space to devour opponents. 2016 Anna Pierce was terrific playing point guard and running the show for Simmons. Pierce’s ability to beat pressure offensively put pressure on the ball defensively and hit timely shots played a huge role in Texas Elite’s accomplishments.

2016 Jessica Munoz’s (Old Dominion commit) versatile inside/out game on both ends of the floor was a matchup nightmare for opponents. At 6’1”, Munoz’s ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor offensively and play the post defensively made her a perfect match with the rest of the team. Munoz’s ability to get to loose balls was invaluable in consistently giving Texas Elite extra possessions. 2016 Brogan Jones (Tulane commit) was instrumental in Texas Elite’s success in the post. The “Brogan” tax came into effect anytime an opponent tried to enter the lane. Jones physical style of play in the post, ability to set picks and soft touch around the basket gave Texas Elite needed balance in the paint.

Simmons was blessed to have four players who are superstars on their high school teams accept their respective roles on this team and make a huge impact when they got called upon. 2016 Robin Beck hit two game changing three-pointers in the championship of the adidas Nationals that put the game away. The shots were typical of Beck’s summer season; the ultra talented forward saved her shots for the biggest of games throughout the season. Much like Munoz, Beck’s ability to shoot or play in the post at 6’1” made her a matchup nightmare. Beck’s ability to rebound the ball when giving Munoz and Jones breaks were instrumental in Texas Elite’s success. 2016 Jodi Adkins was very consistent all summer. Adkins is a high-energy player who does anything needed to help the team win. Whether it was getting loose balls, scoring in transition, defending a guard or a wing, or hitting clutch shots, Adkins showed to be an invaluable piece of Texas Elite. 2016’s Gabrielle Gregory and Sara Williams (John Brown commit) were also extremely important to the team’s success. Their ability to pressure the ball defensively, push the ball in transition and hit timely shots gave Simmons consistency no matter whom he had playing the guard position.