BasketBlog: Shooting the J (JK)

Welcome 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.

Jan 19, 2022
Let me start off by apologizing to Classic In The Country for mother-nature interrupting my intended time there on Monday. Once I slid out of the parking garage I was parked in to head that way, I knew the 2-hour drive wasn’t in the cards.

Classic In The City
With quite a few very good in-state teams playing throughout the tournament, the two teams from Florida came to Ohio and stole the show.

Montverde (FL)
Montverde, who is currently ranked #13 in the SCNext National High School Rankings, cruised to two victories under the leadership of head coach Special Jennings. This was a homecoming for Jennings, an Ohio native and standout player at Xavier. Featuring 4 D1 commits, Montverde pounds opponents with their size and athleticism. Georgia commit Janiah Barker leads the way. Possibly the most physically gifted player in the class, Barker is an outstanding athlete with elite size who opens up opportunities for her teammates because she is such a focus for opposing defenses. 6’5 UCF commit Fatima Diakhate and 6’7 2023 Letycia Vasconcelos give Montverde a 1-2 punch in the paint. Vasconcelos recently debuted for Montverde after transferring. “Lety” looked good in her return to the court in limited minutes, moving and finishing well along with rebounding and space eating in the paint defensively. 6’3 2024 Vivian Iwuchukwu continued her strong play as a younger player on a veteran team. Iwuchukwu’s energy and effort is infectious. On the perimeter, Montverde has 2022 Texas commit Jordana Codio, 2022 Xavier commit Fernande Ovalle, 2023 Cori Allen, 2023 Mjracle Sheppard, and 2023 Rusne Augustinaite. I was particularly impressed with Augustinaite – her ability to hit shots and be decisive decision maker while playing off the ball is a key to Montverde’s offensive efficiency.

IMG (FL)
IMG took some early lumps as the team jelled under the guidance of head coach Shell Dailey, but looked to have found its groove this weekend. Led by outstanding performances from 2022(s) Arizona commit Kailyn Gilbert and Oregon commit Grace VanSlooten. This was also a homecoming for VanSlooten who transferred to IMG for her final high school season. 2022(s) Harvard commit Gabrielle Anderson, unsigned T’Yana Todd and unsigned Catalina Ion make for a complete five when on the floor together. Todd is one of the better national unsigned seniors. I was really impressed with Gilbert this weekend, when she plays that aggressively IMG is very hard to beat. VanSlooten has had a terrific career and is one of my favorites in the class – a double-double MACHINE!!!

A FEW of the individual standouts…
2022 Chance Gray (Winton Woods/Oregon commit) – We all know who Chance is, but if I didn’t mention her 39-point performance I would be missing a major storyline of the tournament. Show-stopping talent who is going to be TERRIFIC at Oregon.
2025 Darriana Alexander (Purcell Marion) – ATHLETE!!!...one of the national elite…all facets are elite with the exception of perimeter shot (very early on in her career)…competitive, older teammates allow her to lead on the floor…projection-wise as good as any in the class
2022 Nayo Lear (Example Academy (IL)) – athletic with good size on perimeter…plays downhill…heady…good late get
2022 Blessing King (Worthington Christian) – athletic and decently skilled..showed a spot up 3-ball
2022 Kristin Chmielewski (Stow) – good length…mid-range killer, but can hit the 3-ball as well…high IQ and feel…moderate athlete
2023 Sole Williams (Princeton) – steady and productive pg type…skilled lefty…can handle it, pass it, shoot it…
2023 Madison Greene (Pickerington Central) – WHEEW!!! small but SKILLED…easy 3-ball range…ultimate offensive confidence
2023 Jasmine Brown (Example Academy (IL)) – smooth and natural offensive player…mid range killer
2023 Tessa Grady (Dublin Coffman) – supremely productive throughout the season…good combination of size and skill…really competitive…ascending prospect
2023 Lexi Howe (Tri-Valley) - ++ upside as an athletic spot-up shooter…smooth release on the jumper…needs to add to handle to be to create her own in 1v1 situations
2023 Tamara Ortiz (Westerville South) – small but dynamic ball-handler and creator…excellent vision…crafty feel for the game
2023 Clarke Jackson (Gahanna Lincoln) – good frame…plays downhill to rim finish…good vision off the bounce
2023 Amaya Asher (Louisville Central (KY)) – handles and vision…plays low, hard to rip
2023 Jenna Shackleford (Newark) – good frame…forward type, showed ability to hit the 3-ball
2023 Ella Wigal (Granville) – good length on the wing…solid skill, no huge weaknesses
2023 Addison Marston (Oletangy Liberty) – Good length, needs strength…fluid, active on the floor...showed a 3-ball
2024 Kamryn Grant (Africentric)  - Athletic with good size on the wing..active on the boards…decent handle to create to the rim…has to add a consistent perimeter shot…one of the top prospects in the state in the ’24 class
2024 Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central) – long build…face-up finesse forward…matchup issue with ability to create off the bounce against bigs…needs to add a consistent perimeter shot
2024 Kennedy Younkin (Teays-Valley) – Solid athlete with good fundamentals… forward type who runs the floor…good footwork to create space offensively…competitive..as she adds to her perimeter game, has a chance to be a super solid recruit
2024 Ni’Rah Clark (Toledo Rogers) – really good size…decent motor and runs the floor…needs to add to skill as time progresses
2024 Natiah Nelson (Toledo Rogers) – strong and crafty ball-handler and finisher…plays downhill…has to add a consistent perimeter shot
2024 Riley Smith (Alter) – Good length…finesse face-up forward with a nice touch

Dec 22, 2021

Tournament of Champions – Phoenix, AZ
Interesting to have an all public school final in the top bracket (Joe Smith) in Classen SAS (OK) and Etiwanda (CA). Not having the championship game(s) matchups immediately at my disposal, I can’t imagine there have been very many times when two public schools have faced off in the final. There are many similarities between the two squads, chief amongst them being how they compete and how complete they are on both ends of the floor.
Classen SAS
Classen features 3 seniors in Baylor commit Darianna Littlepage-Buggs SFA commit Jordan Harrison, and unsigned Micah Grey.  Stock-rising junior Jada O’Connor and freshman Skylar Durley help complete a lineup that defends, rebounds, takes care of the ball and makes timely shots and baskets for head coach Jim Perinovic. Classen has shown their stripes regionally for a couple of years having beat DeSoto last year and Duncanville this year beyond their in-state schedule.
Etiwanda
This is my first time seeing head coach Stan Delus Etiwanda team up close and in person. To say I’m impressed would be an understatement. In a region that is known more for its finesse offensive play, Etiwanda is a ruggedly tough team with no real weaknesses. Etiwanda plays like a veteran ball club, despite the fact there are only two seniors. St. Mary’s commit Daisia Mitchell leads the way and is joined by junior Sa’lah Hemingway, sophomores Kennedy Smith and Destiny Agubata along with supremely poised freshman point guard Aliyahna Morris. Beyond Morris, Etiwanda’s size allows them to be extremely versatile defensively while playing a multitude of concepts. Offensively, Etiwanda hits shots and limits turnovers keeping opponents out of transition. I was particularly impressed with Aliyahna Morris’s ability to run the show for this young and very well connected team.

A FEW of my individual standouts in an absolutely LOADED field….
2024 Madison McDaniel (Bishop McNamara)
This was McDaniel’s first game(s) back from injury and boy did she impress!!! Skilled shooter who plays downhill with the ball in her hands. Excellent change of direction. Tremendous defensive instincts. Bishop McNamara is a different team with McDaniel on the floor than they were earlier in the year.
2023 Breya Cunningham (La Jolla Country Day)
The most consistent of the bigs throughout this weekend. Does her job. Finishes in the paint, soft touch from everywhere, physical rebounder and defender. Love the consistency in her game. Matches up with Del Rosario today in a must see game!!!
2023 Aalyah Del Rosario (The Webb School)
We all want bigs to be more consistent/dominant in HS. There are a lot of factors that lead to the development of bigs usually coming at the college level that I will leave for another blog. Del Rosario did not play well early on in the tournament, but put on a show for a stretch against McDonogh that is a glimpse of what she can be. Del Rosario’s passing ability as a big is going to be a major factor in her game at the next level and beyond. I can hear Shane in my ear saying “if you can pass, you can play” and I’m telling you this kid can PASS. Do I want her to be more physical (a common theme amongst the bigs this weekend) and aggressive in the paint offensively – of course… Am I intrigued by her IQ and feel – you better BELIEVE IT!!!
2024 Toby Fournier (Crestwood College Prep)
Freak athlete with a real motor. Pounds the glass on both ends and finishes through contact for a ton of and-1 opportunities. Needs to cash in more at the ft line as she will always be living at the stripe by the nature of how she plays.
2022 Daisia Mitchell (Etiwanda/St. Mary’s commit)
I would usually reserve this for uncommitted seniors and underclassmen but I have to mention Mitchell. Tough, skilled, and most of all a WINNER. Does whatever needs to be done to find a way for her team to win. Love the fearlessness and desire to win.
2023 Sayvia Sellers (Anchorage Christian)
Wheew!!! Sellers got cooking from 3. Dynamic playmaker and scorer. Unselfish passer who continually made the right play/read.
2024 Jordan Lee (St. Mary’s)
Complete package. Leadership and intangibles are off the charts. Only going to get better. Shot is a little flat, got to get a little air under it long term.
2025 Addison Deal (Pacifica Christian)
One of my favorites. Has a smoothness to her that I really like. Can shoot it and has really good size/physically developed body for such a young player.
2023 Jada O’Connor (Classen SAS)
On a team lead by Baylor commit Darianna LittlePage-Buggs and SFA commit Jordan Harrison, O’Connor is the secret sauce. Good length, makes shots, skilled ball-handler who helps break pressure. Definite stock-riser.
2023 Makaela Quimby (McDonogh)
Smooth operator who got cookin’ from 3. Comfortable off the dribble or catch and shoot. Efficiency is the name of her game!! Another definite stock-riser.
2023 Laila Reyonlds (New Hope)
Terrific length as a glue kid who makes stat-stuffing plays all over the floor. Really good feel for the game. Competes. If she develops a consistent 3-ball, watch out!!
2025 Sienna Betts (Grandview)
Continues to find her way as a young player. Has eye-popping moments. Can be a little turnover prone as young player with a ton of responsibility which will pay real dividends moving forward.
2024 Kaniya Boyd (Centennial (NV))
On a team with veteran leader 2022 Northern Arizona signee Mary McMorris and 2023 super recruit Montaya Dew, Boyd continues to improve. Super athletic and active, Boyd’s skill level improves incrementally each time I see her. Long time favorite of mine did nothing to change my mind this weekend.
2024 Athena Tomlinson (Clovis West)
Don’t let the size full you, this kid can PLAY!!! Skilled as it gets, great teammate and leader. Complete package.
2024 Allison Clarke (Rosary Academy)
Im known to LOVE shooters and Im telling you, this is a knockdown shooter!!! Multiple 3’s from different spots, showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to a pull-up.
2023 Jasmine Brown (Example Academy)
Smooth stroke. Gets to her spots. Natural feel as a scorer.


Dec 13, 2021

DC Trip
As She Got Game - DC continues its growth as a national event, it is my hope that those schools that travel from around the country take time to explore all that DC has to offer during their downtime while in the DMV. Shane and I walked approx. 10 miles on Thursday, touring all of the monuments and the White House. While we have both taken this trip multiple times previously, we both had profound experiences throughout the day. The history involved in DC has a magical appeal to it. Tying in historical, political, and cultural education to basketball trips such as these can have lifelong effects on our young people.

She Got Game – DC
What a great early season event this is for the teams involved.  She Got Game – DC provided the stage for teams to find early season matchups against elite competition and in front of dozens of college coaches. Afiba Fairnot has done a tremendous job of expanding SGG’s reach throughout the country.

DFW vs DMV
The rivalry between the two areas has been brewing for a few years now on the club level. Once Bishop McNamara and Bishop Ireton made the trip to Mansfield, TX for the inaugural SGG – Dallas in 2019, the rivalry bled into the High School season. The trip by Desoto & Duncanville to the DMV for this year’s SGG – DC only intensified the competition between the two basketball hotbeds. Both regions believe they have the most depth of talent in the country and both have their argument with multiple top 25 nationally ranked teams and multiple highly publicized individual talents. Playing for #1 in the country, as Sidwell Friends and Desoto did on Saturday, only intensifies the burgeoning regional rivalry.

Shot Clock
As we get to see more and more use of the shot clock across the country, I can’t say enough how much in favor I am of this trend. The extra level of thinking and execution involved due to the usage of the shot clock makes for better basketball. Here’s to hoping we will some day see the use of the shot clock by all events across the country. Up next – the time out advance!!!

SGG - DC Teams
An abundance of both elite national and regional level HS teams took part in SGG – DC. Here are a few quick notes on a few teams that caught my eye.

Sidwell Friends (DC)
Sidwell Friends played their way to being ranked #1 in the country in the upcoming ESPN SCNext Top 25 power rankings. Outstanding point guard play from UCLA commit Kiki Rice along with one of the best athletes in the country in 2023 Jadyn Donovan and the continued growth of 2024 super recruit Kendall Dudley give Sidwell a big three that is very hard to matchup with. Add in timely shot-making from 2023 Khia Miller and 2024 Leah Harmon and you have one of the most complete starting 5’s in the country. Sidwell Friends ability to team rebound with Desoto proved to be the key in their outstanding showing.

Desoto (TX)
Featuring the biggest front line in the country, Desoto overwhelmed Bishop McNamara on Thursday night with their size and athleticism. On Saturday, they struggled with turnovers and perimeter shot-making against an extremely aggressive Sidwell Friends defense. Not very many teams nationally will be able to matchup with Desoto’s size and athleticism.

Dunmore (PA)
Featuring 2023 super recruit Ciera Toomey, who put on an absolute offensive exhibition on Friday night along with Drexel commit Moriah Murray, Dunmore is an offensive juggernaut that was my favorite team to watch over the weekend. The ball movement and execution on the offensive end at a very fast pace is going to be hard to match for opponents as the season moves on.

Duncanville (TX)
2 tough wins over the weekend against IMG and Bishop McNamara. Duncanville – BMac was the game of the weekend as Duncanville pulled out a 76-71 nail biter in overtime. Toughness is what defines this team led by the 2023 backcourt of Victoria Flores and Tristen Taylor.





February 14, 2021: UIL 5A Playoff Preview

Its Valentine’s Day, which means we have begun the UIL girls basketball playoffs in Texas. 5A seems to be wide open this year with no clear-cut favorite, truly feeling like a number of teams could win the state championship in San Antonio in March.

5A (all team rankings listed are TABC on 2/8)

Region 1 predicted winner – #10 Amarillo

Others ranked in region 1 - #3 Wichita Falls Rider, #7 Mansfield Legacy, #8 Lubbock Cooper, #14 Lake Dallas, #23 El Paso Chapin

Dark Horse – Grapevine

Region Analysis – Region 1 will be extremely competitive. I could see this region going in a variety of directions, but will take the tradition of Amarillo along with the talent of 2022 Briley Barnes and 2023 Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso.

Players to know

2021’s
Madison Ott - Frisco Centennial/Clemson
Stephanie Mosley – Mansfield Timberview/UTA
Jill Leslie - Wichita Fall Rider
Avrie Douglas – Lubbock Cooper
Trystan Clark – Burleson Centennial


2022’s
Briley Barnes – Amarillo
Jorja Elliott – Lake Dallas
Mackenzie Buss – Lake Dallas
Amyria Walker – Burleson Centennial

2023’s
Jalyn Bristow – Wichita Falls Rider
Savannah Catalon – Mansfield Legacy
Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso - Amarillo

Region 2 predicted winner - #19 Red Oak

Others ranked in region 2 - #12 Wylie East, #17 Frisco Lone Star, #18 Midlothian (Lost to Royse City in the 1^stround), #21 Frisco Memorial, #24 McKinney North (Lost to Frisco Liberty in the 1^st round), #25 Highland Park

Dark Horse – Frisco Liberty

Region Analysis – I have gone back and forth between Red Oak and Wylie East as my region pick. The guard play of Red Oak leans me in that direction. With 7 teams (and 5 left) in the TABC rankings, this is the deepest region by the numbers.

Players to know

2021’s
Akasha Davis - Wylie East/Lamar
Aniyah Johnson - Red Oak/UNT
Kierra Middleton - Midlothian/Tulane
Laila Patel - Frisco Centennial/George Washington
Kate Valle - Frisco Lone Star

2022’s
Jazzy Owens-Barnett - Frisco Liberty
Bre Davis - Red Oak
Jasmyn Lott - Frisco Memorial
Kyla Deck - Frisco Lone Star
Channie McKinney - Frisco Memorial
Maggie Hutka - Royse City
Amyia Bowie - Red Oak
Raven Busby - North Forney

2023’s
Tatum West - Crandall
Kadia Ward - Midlothian
Journee Chambers - Frisco Liberty

Region 3 predicted winner – #11 Richmond Foster

Others ranked in region 3 - #2 Kingwood Park, #4 College Station, #9 Pflugerville Hendrickson, #15 Beaumont United, #22 Rudder

Dark Horse - Manvel

Region Analysis – Tightly packed region with 4 teams in the top 11. I’m going with the leadership of Tennessee commit Kaiya Wynn to push Richmond Foster thru the region.

Players to know

2021’s
Kaiya Wynn - Richmond Foster /Tennessee
Toni Garza - New Caney/Oklahoma State
Grace Abercrombie - Jacksonville/College of Charleston
Jaylin Foster - Pflugerville/Western Kentucky
Zoe Nelson - Pflugerville Hendrickson

2022’s
Princess Anderson - Beaumont United
Aaliyah Collins - College Station
Aaliyah Holmes - Pflugerville

2023’s
Dalanna Carter - Barbers Hill
Jaeden McMillian - College Station

Region 4 predicted winner – #1 Cedar Park

Others ranked in region 4 - #5 Georgetown, #6 Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, #13 Medina Valley, #16 Sharyland Pioneer, #20 Brownsville Memorial

Dark Horse – Victoria East

Region Analysis -  Led by the inside/outside duo of 2022 Shelby Hayes and 2023 Gisella Maul, Cedar Park has been consistent all year with a 20-1 record.

Players to know

2021’s
Katelyn Brooks - Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial
Giana Winbush-Gay - Victoria East
Lauren Woodard - Georgetown

2022’s
Shelby Hayes - Cedar Park
Kaylee Howell - Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial
Caitlin Esquivel - Brownsville Memorial

2023’s
Gisella Maul - Cedar Park 
Aaliyah Carter - Cedar Park


February 11, 2021: UIL 6A Playoff Preview 

The race to San Antonio begins tonight for many of Texas top HS teams. Much of the state was hit with major weather conditions, postponing many games to Friday 2/12 and Saturday 2/13 as well. Each team is looking to win one game at a time on their way to winning 7 in a row and walking away with a team trophy, an individual medal and a LIFE TIME of memories as a state champion!!

6A (all team rankings listed are TABC on 2/8

Region 1 predicted winner –  #4 South Grand Prairie
Others ranked in region 1 - #5 Arlington Martin, #9 Allen, #13 Denton Guyer

Dark Horse – Plano East

Region Analysis - Region 1 feels wide open. I’m going with the experience at SGP. With 2 wins over Arlington Martin, plus a win over both Denton Guyer & Plano East – SGP has the resume. Plano/Denton Braswell in the first round should be a doozy…a potential blockbuster matchup in the second round between Denton Guyer & Arlington Martin…keep your eye on Plano East, they are very dangerous…Allen with a tough first round draw in Lewisville.
 

Players to know

SENIORS
Evie Goetz (Denton Guyer/TCU)
Mariah Roberts (Arlington Martin/TCU)
Bella Earle (Denton Guyer/ACU)
Kiara Jackson (SGP/UNLV)
Kendall McGruder (SGP/UNT)
Autumn Smith (Arlington Martin/Louisiana Tech)
Jordyn Newsome (Irving MacArthur/Coastal Carolina)
Laila Lawrence (Lewisville/Texas A&M – Commerce)
Zoe Jackson (Allen/Butler)
Callie Cooper (Richardson/UC – Santa Barbara)
Adebukola Akomolafe (El Paso Americas/Virginia Commonwealth)
Mackenzie Wurm (Allen/Louisiana Tech)
Alaina Payne (North Crowley/Morgan State)
Zariah Tillman (Richardson)
Kayleigh Walton (El Paso Eastwood/UC – San Diego)
Jaidah Black (Saginaw Boswell/Air Force)
Maiyah Watkins (Keller Timbercreek/Midwestern St.)
Ariyanna Hines (Desoto)
Kaila Kelley (Duncanville)
Airron Gaydon (Wofforth Frenship/Texas Women’s)
Jordyn Sowell (Southlake Carroll)
Mia Topping (Keller Timber Creek/Missouri Southern State)
Kaia Ponder (Richardson/Morgan State)

2022’s
Alisa Williams (Denton Braswell/TCU)
Kayla Cooper (Plano East)
Jade Masogayo (Keller Fossil Ridge)
Jazmyne Jackson (Denton Braswell)
Jahcelyn Hartfield (SGP)
Nyanna Robertson (Saginaw Boswell)
Adabugwu Anamekwe (Plano East)
Hallie Rhodes (LD Bell)
Donavia Hall (Plano East)

2023’s
Alexis Cortez (Allen)

Region 2 predicted winner - #2 Desoto
Others ranked in region 2 - #3 Duncanville, #12 Langham Creek, #20 Tomball Memorial, #21 Spring Westfield, #22 Harker Heights, #23 Cedar Hill

Dark Horse – Mesquite Horn

Region Analysis – Region 2 has #2 team in the state in Desoto…one of the toughest things to do in sports is beat a rival 3 times in a season. Can Desoto pull it off?...There is a lot of depth in the region, so we may not get the expected Desoto/Dville matchup down the road...Jasmine Shavers (Mesquite Horn) was the clear cut metroplex player of the year this year – outstanding HS career….Lakeview Centennial took Desoto to overtime early in the regular season, and they are extremely dangerous
 

Players to know

SENIORS
Jasmine Shavers (Mesquite Horn/Mississippi State)
Nyah Wilson (Duncanville/Syracuse)
Kaley Perkins (Langham Creek/Oklahoma)
Amaya Brannon (Plano/Louisiana Tech)
Portia Adams (Cedar Hill/Lamar)
Kendall Brown (Desoto/Houston)
Zaria Rufus (Duncanville/SMU)
Sierra Brooks (Harker Heights/Texas State)
Jaliya Sharp (Garland Lakeview Centennial/UNC-Wilmington)
Alexis Babineaux (Spring Westfield/ACU)
Sanaa Baker (Garland Lakeview Centennial)
Xyllize Harrison (Garland Lakeview Centennial/Southern)
Hope Lemelle (Duncanville/Lamar)
Zyniah Thomas (Skyline/Neosho)
Aja Scott (Garland Lakeview/New Mexico Highlands)
Anaya Bernard (Duncanville)
Kayla Glover (Desoto)

2022’s
Kiersten Johnson (Duncanville)
Sa’Myah Smith (Desoto)
Amina Muhammad (Desoto)
Tionna Herron (Desoto/Kentucky)
Ayanna Thompson (Desoto)
Laila McLeod (Duncanville)
Jiya Perry (Desoto)
Angelique Morgan (Harker Heights)

2023’s
Tristen Taylor (Duncanville)
Crislyn Rose (Sachse)

Region 3 predicted winner – #1 Cypress Creek
Others ranked in region 3 - #8 Jersey Village, #10 Ft. Bend Dulles, #11 Shadow Creek, #14 Houston Heights, #18 Katy Tompkins #19 Clear Springs, #24 Atascocita
Dark Horse – The Field (Anyone that upsets Cy-Creek will be a shock)
Cypress Creek is the #1 team in the state and a top 10 team in the country…in terms of TABC rankings – the deepest region in 6A with 8 teams…Cypress Creek will have its hands full dealing with pressure along with the region’s depth.
 

Players to know

SENIORS
Rori Harmon (Cypress Creek/Texas)
Kyndall Hunter (Cypress Creek/Texas)
Bre’yon White (Shadow Creek/Oklahoma)
Gia Adams (Jersey Village/Tennessee State)
Asia Broughton (Cypress Ridge/Southern Mississippi)
Niyah Johnson (Clear Springs/ACU)
Raven Adams (Ridge Point/Texas State)
Crystal Smith (Katy Tompkins/Tarleton State)
Akeighyah Fontenot (Ridge Point)

2022’s
Victoria Rivera (Dobie)
R’Mani Taylor (Shadow Creek)

2023’s
Loghan Johnson (Katy Tompkins)

Region 4 predicted winner – #7 Converse Judson
Others ranked in region 4 - #15 Harlingen, #16 SA Clark, #17 SA Reagan,
#25 Laredo United

Dark Horse – Vista Ridge

Judson and Steele split in the regular season with Judson winning by 4 and then Steele winning the rematch by 2 for Judson’s only loss. …many of the kids on each team play and train together year round, familiar as it gets with each other – a true toss-up game…. dangerous draw for Cibolo Steele with SA Raegan in the first round…
 

Players to know

SENIORS
AJ Marotte (Vista Ridge/Washington)
Kierra Sanderlin (Converse Judson/Rutgers)
Bria McClure (Cibolo Steele/College of Charleston)
Ashja Leake (Ciblolo Steele/Southern Mississippi)
Aaliyah McMillan (Cibolo Steele/UTA)
Sopia Haberer (San Antonio Brandeis)
Gwen Gilmore (Austin Westlake/Claremont Mckenna-Harvey)

2022’s
Christeen Iwuala (San Antonio Reagan)
Amira Mabry (Converse Judson)
Raeven Boswell (Austin Lake Travis)

2023’s
Mia Galbreath (Austin Lake Travis)
Aubrey Reid (Austin High)
Shanel Reid (Austin High)
Jade Clack (Austin High)
Sammie Wagner (San Antonio Reagan/Baylor)



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.