Allen Lady Eagles Hoopfest

The 2015-2016 girls high school basketball season is now in full swing as the second weekend of tournaments were played. The Allen Lady Eagles Hoopfest on November 19-21, 2015 hosted many of the best teams and players from the state.

Plano West won the championship by a score of 65-54 over a very talented Argyle Liberty Christian team. Plano West was led by 2016 Baylor commit Natalie Chou. Chou is a tactician on the floor; she can do it all from shooting the three, to handling the ball, to the elbow for the pull up jumper or pass off the dribble with elite vision, to finishing over and through contact. Playing alongside Chou is 2016 Pacific commit Callie Owens. Owens improved offensive game and confidence has made a big difference for Plano West. Owens is an all out energy player who plays both ends of the floor and is having an excellent start to her senior season. Army signee Morgann Yancey and unsigned Jalyn Hodge give the Lady Wolves two more seniors that are heavy contributors. Yancey’s ability to hit timely threes and Hodge’s attacking style offensively and defensively were vital to the Lady Wolves’ success. Jaden Owens—the younger sister of Callie—is one of the top 2019 prospects in the country. Owens’ energy and ability off the bench give Plano West a huge boost. Owens’ ability to handle pressure will be vital for Plano West as the season progresses.

2016 Texas commit Joyner Holmes has become a nearly unstoppable force for Cedar Hill. Holmes outstanding athleticism shows in every aspect of her game. She finishes at the rim above and through contact. Holmes has really developed her jumper from both the three and mid range making her a nightmare to defend. Holmes’ best attributes may be her vision and passing ability along with her rebounding prowess. Holmes is a once in a generation type talent that will make an immediate impact at Texas. Other 2016s that played well at the Hoopfest were Utah State signee De’Anira Moore (Allen), Florida International signee Jamesia Amand (Dallas Skyline), Xavier (LA) signee Essence Wells (Irving MacArthur), Wisconsin signee Gabby Gregory (Irving MacArthur), Arizona State signee Sydney Goodson (Argyle Liberty Christian), Marist signees Hannah and Rebekah Hand (Argyle Liberty Christian), Northwestern State signee Jocelyn Scott (McKinney North), Texas signee Jada Underwood (Mesquite Horn), Louisiana-Monroe signee Carissa Moody (Plano), Alicia Blackwell (Prestonwood Christian), Houston signee Dorian Branch (Richardson), Brianna Lester (Richardson), Texas A&M signee Arleighshya McElroy (Richardson), TCU signee Amber Ramirez (San Antonio Wagner), Jade Green (South Grand Prairie), Arkansas Little Rock signee Anna Hurlburt (Southlake Carroll), and Kansas State signee Mercedes Brooks (Wichita Falls Rider).

2017 Kiana Williams of San Antonio Wagner is one of the most highly recruited guards in the country. Williams’ skills to handle and pass the ball have always been a mainstay in her game. Williams’ ability to score and shoot the ball out to the three-point line have taken her game to the next level. She is also a top-notch on ball defender and will step in and contribute immediately at the college level. Other 2017s that caught my eye were Rice commit Temi Alao (Allen), Haleigh Hill (Allen), Gabby Rogers (Bishop Lynch), McKale Grant (Celina), Jaylan Gulley (Dallas Skyline), Chania Wright (Desoto), Rebecca Lescay (Frisco Liberty), Jordan Hamilton (Frisco Liberty), Alyson Gamez (Irving MacArthur), Breah Powell (McKinney North), Tia Wright (McKinney North), Jade Williams (Prestonwood Christian), Kayla Wells (South Grand Prairie), Priscilla Smeenge (Southlake Carroll), and Alexus Seaton (Fort Worth Arlington Heights).

2018 Quincy Noble of McKinney High School is a fast rising national prospect. Noble is a scoring machine who is able to slash to the basket and finish over and through contact. She supplements her slashing style with a smooth stroke from the three. She is also a very capable ball handler and passer, as well as projecting as a shut down type defender at the college level. Other 2018s at the Hoopfest to watch in the future are Jada Peacock (Allen), Sydney Hardeman (Allen), Mallory Adams (Frisco Centennial), Bre’Asiajah Mathews (Garland Lakeview), Jamiya Braxton (McKinney), Lauren “Lolo” Davenport (Plano), Katie Ferrell (Plano), Emma Halverson (Plano), Da’Nasia Hood (San Antonio Wagner), Amber Bacon (South Grand Prairie), Uchenna Nwoke (South Grand Prairie), Diamond Willcot (South Grand Prairie), Brooke Lay (Southlake Carroll), and Madi Miller (Wylie).

Nyah Green is widely considered the top 2019 prospect in the country. Green has a very advanced game for such a young prospect. She is a top-notch ball handler who can knock down the three-pointer. Green has a nice mid range pull up and array of floaters at her disposal when attacking the rim. Green is a young, developing defender who has all the tools to become a top-notch defender with time and experience. Other 2019s of note at the Hoopfest were Endyia Rogers (Bishop Lynch), Dajinae McCarty (Cedar Hill), Kyjai Miles (Dallas Skyline), Bria Patterson (Desoto), Randi Thompson (Frisco Liberty), Payton Hicks (Prestonwood Christian), Camryn Brown (Prestonwood Christian), Irie Razor (Richardson), Noelle Yancy (Richardson), Avery Crouse (Sachse), Corina Carter (San Antonio Wagner), and Gabby McBride (Southlake Carroll).