Frisco ISD Tip-Off Classic and Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest

Frisco ISD Tip-Off Classic & Allen Hoopfest Team Recaps
Over the last two weekends, I have been able to watch many of the top teams from the metroplex. As many teams “ begin the journey” towards district play and the state playoffs, here is an early read on what I’ve seen on a few of them.
 
Mansfield Timberview – Let me be the first to say, I was expecting Timberview to take a step back with the graduation of the uber-talented Chennedy Carter, who is currently starring at Texas A&M. Thus far, I have been proven WRONG!! This year’s Timberview team is much different the last year’s in the way they play -  using ball and player movement versus the pick and rolls/isolation system of last year. Led by vastly underrated 2018 Virginia Commonwealth signee Lauryn Thompson at the forward position and complemented by 2018 London Scott along with 2019 guards Destiny Jackson, N’Densija Collins, Mikayla Hutchison and Kennedy Wilson, Timberview has the depth and chemistry to take the final step and win the 5A state championship this year.

• X-FACTOR: Belief. Timberview is going to be very good all year and make a playoff run, the true test will be if they find Canyon in San Antonio. Timberview has had some close calls with Canyon over the years and will very likely need to overcome the major obstacle that is Canyon to achieve their ultimate goal.

 

Duncanville – The defending 2-time 6A state champs are the heavy favorite to three-peat. With six seniors on the roster, Duncanville has experience and a winning pedigree. Led by 2018’s Zarielle Green (Tennessee), Aniya Thomas (Kansas), Starr Jacobs (Houston), Krislyn Marsh (Howard) and 2020 super recruit Hannah Gusters – Duncanville is going to be a tough out in February/March.

• X-FACTOR: Starr Jacobs’ playing time will be managed throughout the season, so filling her void when she is not on the floor will be key. This could pay huge dividends in the state tournament by allowing coach Cathy Self-Morgan to find much needed depth during critical game minutes throughout the season.

Plano – Senior laden, talented with good size and skill – I expect Plano to make a deep run this year. 2018 Delaware signee Lolo Davenport, 2018 UT-Arlington signee Emma Halverson, 2018 uber-talented Katie Ferrell, 2020 highly recruited Jordyn Merritt and 2020 Maggie Robbins lead the way. Plano can really shoot with size and cause massive matchup problems for opponents.

• X-FACTOR: Katie Ferrell. Ferrell is supremely talented and one of the top playmakers in the area. When Ferrell plays well, Plano is extremely tough to beat.

 
Plano West – 2019 point guard Jaden Owens is a must watch player who is as complete as any point guard in the country, regardless of graduating class. Plano West does an excellent job of complementing Owens with 2018 athletic guard Maniya Powell and 2019 sharp-shooter Morgan Smith amongst others.

• X-FACTOR: 2021 Amaya Brannon. Brannon is a tough cover with good size and athleticism with the ability to face up and attack the basket off the dribble. Brannon is getting meaningful minutes that could pay huge dividends in the spring.

Mesquite Horn – Horn is one of the better and more complete teams in the metroplex. 2019 point guard N’yah Boyd is the most underrated player in the area in my opinion. With 2018 Lamar commit Umaja Collins, 2020 super scorer and rising prospect Tra’Liyah Washington, and 2021 Jasmine Shavers highlighting a very talented and deep roster, Horn has all the makings of a team ready to make a deep spring run.

• X-FACTOR: Pace. Horn is terrific in a fast-paced style, but must show it can play in a half-court/slow-it-down type game or make sure they control the pace and keep all games up-tempo.

 
Frisco Lone Star – It all starts and ends with 2018 San Diego State signee Mallory Adams. Adams is a consistent 20+ pts/10+ reb per game performer. Complimenting Adams are 2019’s Adryana Quezada, Mia Deck, and Leah Harris. Quezada brings double-double potential each game, Deck scores 10+ points per game while running the show, and Harris gives Lone Star an athletic pressure defender/ball-handler who can hit 3’s and pushes the ball in transition.

• X-FACTOR: Finding depth. This goes for most high school teams and Lone Star is no different. Keeping healthy and finding consistent production off the bench are keys as the season progresses.

 
South Grand Prairie – With 2018’s SMU signee Amber Bacon, Duke signee Uchenna Nwoke, and Abilene Christian signee Diamond Willcot complemented by 2018’s Jessica Ray, Drew Myers, 2020’s Kamryn Arrington and Camryn Hill – SGP has a lot of complementary talent and could be very dangerous in the spring.

• X-FACTOR: Uchenna Nwoke. When Uchenna is at top form, SGP is very tough to beat.

 

Irving MacArthur – Led by 2020 mega-recruit Sarah Andrews, MacArthur has a chance to be very good by the time the season ends. Andrews is complemented by major athleticism on the wing in 2019 forward Tailor Broussard, 2019 McKenzie Piper, and 2019 Angelique Francis.
X-FACTOR(S): 2018 Talya Cooper and 2021  Jordyn Newsome. MacArthur needs Cooper and Newsome to make enough perimeter shots to keep defenses honest. Newsome is getting a lot of meaningful playing time and that could pay huge dividends as the season progresses.
 
Cedar Hill – 2019 lead guard Dajinae McCarty is the lynch pin of this team. McCarty is a terrific two-way prospect and one of the better rebounding guards in the metroplex. Cedar Hill is small this year but have quality depth on the perimeter with 2018 sharp-shooter Raija Todd, 2019 Kayla Harris-Williams, and 2020 Makalah Robinson. While shorter than many counterparts, 2019 Taylor Hutchins is a nightmare matchup and absolute beast on the boards.

• X-FACTOR: Pace. Cedar Hill must use its depth and quickness to their advantage and would prefer for their games to be in the 60’s.

Prosper – 2019 Baylor commit Jordyn Oliver is playing as well as I’ve ever seen her. Oliver’s confidence seems to be at an all-time high after making the FIBA Americas gold medal winning USA U-16 National team this summer. Complimenting the do-it-all Oliver is vastly underrated 2018 point guard Mackenzie Hewitt and 2018 guard Lexi Lightfoot.

• X-FACTOR – Defense, rebounding, enough scoring from others. Prosper can score and if they prove they can guard and hit enough perimeter shots to give Oliver room to attack they will be a tough out in the spring.

 
McKinney – McKinney has a ton of senior laden talent. Led by 2018’s in New Mexico signee Quincy Noble, Tulsa signee Kayla Moutry, and Cleveland State signee JaMiya Braxton and complimented by 2020 Erin Frye – McKinney is perimeter oriented and will overwhelm most teams with their talent and ability to shoot the 3.

• X-FACTOR: Defense and rebounding. McKinney is potent offensively, but it’s the other end of the floor that will determine their success in district and beyond.

 
Allen – Allen has a good blend of experienced seniors and talented underclassman. 2018 Wichita State Jada Peacock and 2018 knockdown shooter Sydney Hardeman lead the way and are complimented by 2018 Klaire Bentley, 2019 Anointing Olufemi, 2020’s Tyler Jackson and Zoe McCrary.

• X-FACTOR: Finishing games. Allen is off to a very good start this year and has a pretty complete team. Allen must show this is the year they are ready to take the next step and put opponents away. 

 
Sachse – Sachse is a young balanced team that is continuing to emerge on the metroplex scene. One big advantage for Sachse is many of their players play in the summer together as well with North Texas Lights Out. The chemistry created from the players competing together year-round is evident. As most college coaches know, I really like 2020 forward Adhel Tac. While just scratching the surface offensively, Tac is an impact player both defensively and on the boards. With two older sisters who both either played or are playing college basketball, look for Tac to continue to ascend. Complementing Tac are 2019 guards Avery Crouse and Kayla Demus along with 2020 guards Tia Harvey and Jayla Brooks.

• X-FACTOR: Overcoming youth. With only two seniors on the roster, Sachse must defeat older and often more desperate seniors making their last high school runs with opposing teams to survive and advance come February and March.

 
Dallas Skyline – The three-headed attack of 2018 uncommitted  Jade Bradley, 2019 ascending recruit Jazion Jackson and 2019 Kyjai Miles – Dallas Skyline has another strong team this year.

• X-FACTOR: Finding consistency from the rest. The key to Skyline will be finding enough scoring/rebounding from the complementary players on the roster.

 
Garland Lakeview Centennial – Led by 2018 New Mexico commit Bre’Asiajah Mathews, 2018 Grambling State commit Candice Parramore, 2018 Porsha Matthews, and 2018 Stephanie Villareal – Garland Lakeview has a very good senior laden lineup.

• X-FACTOR: Development of youth. Lakeview has 1 junior, 1 sophomore and 5 freshmen on the bench. The seasoning of the bench to compliment the seniors will be vital to success in the spring.

 
Wylie – Led by 2018 Abilene Christian signee and supreme scorer Madi Miller and complimented by 2019 forward Dawn Enoma-Ewansiha and 2020 guard Peyton Rush – Wylie uses ball movement and the scoring of Miller to outlast opponents.

• X-FACTOR: Consistent scoring to compliment Miller. As teams continue to emphasize defending Miller, others must step up to make them pay.

 
Plano East – Led by 2019 super recruit Tavvy Diggs and complemented by 2018 Emilie Austin, Plano East has size and depth all along the roster.

• X-FACTOR: Perimeter shooting. Consistent shooting will give Diggs space to work from the mid-post, which will be key in Plano East’s success.

 
Richardson – 2019 Noelle Yancy leads the way and is complimented by 2019’s Skye Dugan and Nikyla Green.

• X-FACTOR: Paint play on both ends. Richardson has a very good set of guards, if they can get consistent play from the post on both ends of the floor they become dangerous.