Sandra Meadows Classic & Mansfield Spring-Creek Invitational

The Sandra Meadows Classic and Mansfield Spring Creek Invitational tournaments have become a holiday staple for local fans of high school girls basketball and are used by many of the top teams in the state as a springboard into district play. Dozens of college coaches attended throughout the 3-day events to get a peek at the future of college basketball.
While many of the top 2017 players have signed their National Letter of Intent, there are a few left still unsigned. Here are a few of the unsigned seniors that caught my eye.

Nina Alvarez (Duncanville) – A winner first and foremost, Alvarez makes the plays that leads to wins. Terrific passer and on-ball defender.

Aakilah Caldwell (Duncanville) – Strong framed guard that can shoot it.

Chania Wright (Desoto) – Very skilled, can handle it and shoot it.

Ashley Breathitt (Fayetteville - AR) – Gritty guard who gets to the bucket. Strong on-ball defender. Instrumental in win over Duncanville in the semis of the Sandra Meadows.

Lyric Robins (Plano West) – Extremely athletic wing. Money shooter from the mid-range and in.

Haleigh Hill (Allen) - Very athletic. Excellent defender and in transition.

Tiara Malone (Arlington Martin) – Natural scorer. Good feel for the game on both ends.

Dez Turner (Austin Bowie) – Terrific athlete. Streaky shooter who can get really hot.

Ma’K’La Woods (Little Elm) – Very good athlete. Excellent wing defender and in transition.

Amber Dixon (Mansfield Summit) – Great combination of size and athleticism. Excellent on-ball defender.

Christina Baker (Mansfield Summit) – Constant activity on both ends. Rebounds and does the “dirty” work that leads to winning.

Hailee Walls (Mansfield Timberview) – 4-year starter on one of the top teams in the state. Gritty defender who likes the big shots.

Trelynn Tyler (Mansfield Timberview) – Very good combination of athleticism and skill. Streaky shooter who can really get hot.

Taylah Thomas (Mansfield Timberview) – Terrific size and rebounding. Good and versatile defender. Can shoot it from the forward position.
 
The 2017 class is loaded with players that will contribute to various schools all over the country. I have put on record that I believe Trinity Oliver of Euless Trinity High School is one of the most underrated players in the class and the Baylor commit showed why in leading her team to a 4 ^th place finish in the loaded Sandra Meadows Classic.

Despite constant defensive attention including double and triple teams, Oliver found a way to get buckets. The aspect of the game Trinity has improved is her ability to make those around her better. On multiple occasions, Oliver was able to bring the defensive attention to her and find a teammate for an open shot. Oliver is a gritty and strong perimeter defender and an excellent rebounder who will make an impact for coach Kim Mulkey and the Baylor Lady Bears.

Other signed 2017’s who stood out at the events included Lauryn Bowie (Duncanville/Nicholls State), Anaya McDavid (Bishop Alemany (CA)/Pacific), Brooke Bradley (Bishop Lynch/Incarnate Word), Gabby Rogers (Bishop Lynch/William & Mary), Tasharian Robinson (Clear Springs/UTSA), Sierra Cheatham (Clear Springs/Tulane), Jacie Higgins (Conway/Arkansas Tech), Maya Mayberry (Fayetteville/Oral Roberts), Lauren Holmes (Fayetteville/UNT), Morgan Smith (Highland Park/SMU), Makayla Mabry (Incarnate Word/New Mexico State), Rebecca Lescay (Frisco Liberty/Tulsa), Jordan Hamilton (Frisco Liberty/Northwestern), Lyndsey Whilby (McEachern (GA)/Texas Tech), Que Morrison (McEachern (GA)/Georgia), Andrea Martinez (Plano East/Cameron), Daria Cosgrove (Plano West/West Texas A&M), Marissa Banfield (Westbury Christian/Stephen F. Austin), Emer Nichols (Westbury Christian/Texas A&M), Temi Alao (Allen/Rice), DiDi Richards (Cypress Ranch/Baylor), Ariana Whitfield (Cypress Ranch/SMU), Lauren Heard (Denton Guyer/TCU), Megan Vincent (Keller/Stetson), Lexi Gordon (L.D. Bell/UCONN), Alyson Gamez (Irving Macarthur/Fresno State), Chennedy Carter (Mansfield Timberview/Texas A&M), Nikki Cardano-Hillary (Vista Ridge/George Mason), Haleigh Talbert (Euless Trinity/UC-Irvine), and Kayla Wells (South Grand Prairie/Texas A&M).

The 2018 class is shaping up as one of the best in the state of Texas history and Zarielle Green of Duncanville is right at the very top of the class. Green’s ability to create her own shot with her ball handling, shot making ability from all levels, and ultra-athleticism make her one of the most sought after recruits in the country. Zarielle is an ultra-competitive athlete who brings it every time I watch her play. Her improvement in passing, finishing with the left hand, and especially defensively make her one of the most complete players in the country.

Other 2018’s who caught coaches’ eyes included Aniya Thomas (Duncanville), Starr Jacobs (Duncanville), Krislyn Marsh (Duncanville), Brandi Williams (Barbe - LA), Divine Tanks (Barbe –L A), Jasmine Hardy (Bishop Alemany - CA), Jillian Archer (Bishop Alemany - CA), Dymond Gladney (Clear Springs), Kayla White (Desoto), Jasmine Franklin (Fayetteville - AR), Bryn Gerlich (Colleyville Heritage), Sophia Ramos (Incarnate Word), Porsha Matthews (Garland Lakeview Centennial), Bre’Asiajah Mathews (Garland Lakeview Centennial), Katelyn Burtch (Frisco Liberty), Chanel Wilson (McEachern - GA), Lolo Davenport (Plano), Katie Ferrell (Plano), Emma Halverson (Plano), Jhakaya Dilworth (Temple), Keziah Dilworth (Temple), Diamond Atchison (Waxahachie), Jada Peacock (Allen), Sydney Hardeman (Allen), Jasmyne Robinson (Arlington Bowie), Destiny Thurman (Arlington Lamar), Taelour Pruitt (Crowley), Jala Buster (Cypress Ranch), Anna Jackson (Flower Mound), Lauryn Thompson (Mansfield Timberview), Britney Onyeje (Pflugerville), Amber Bacon (South Grand Prairie), Uchenna Nwoke (South Grand Prairie), K’lia Smith (Amarillo Tascosa), and Diamond Willcot (South Grand Prairie).

2019 Dajinae McCarty has been on the rise for two years. I consider McCarty to be the 2 ^nd best guard in the 2019 class in the Metroplex and she is knocking on the door of #1. McCarty has improved her shooting both off the dribble and the catch. McCarty creates shots for others and is a versatile defender who competes every possession. McCarty is one the better rebounding guards in the class. The most impressive part of McCarty’s game is her competitiveness. McCarty fought thru multiple injuries and still had monster games throughout the Mansfield tournament.

Other 2019’s who put their name on the board as sophomores to watch included Endyia Rogers (Bishop Lynch), Nyah Green (Bishop Lynch), Bria Patterson (Desoto), Alyssa Nayar (Frisco Liberty), Tavy Diggs (Plano East), Jaden Owens (Plano West), Camryn Brown (Prestonwood), Noelle Yancy (Richardson), Destiny Bobb (Waxahachie), Malay McQueen (Arlington Bowie), Taylor Hutchins (Cedar Hill), Whitney Cox (Flower Mound), Destiny Jackson (Mansfield Timberview), Mikayla Hutchinson (Mansfield Timberview), and London Clarkson (Pflugerville).

2020 Sasha Goforth of Fayetteville (AR) became a true star this weekend. Goforth is already highly regarded in college recruiting circles, but her play in the semifinal win over Duncanville took her to another level. Goforth has a terrific overall game with no huge weaknesses. Goforth can create for herself and others off the handle, can shoot off the bounce or catch and has a terrific combination of size and athleticism. She plays all out and has the “it” factor that has coaches across America salivating.

The 2020’s were loaded between the two events. This is one of the more talented freshman classes I have seen including Wyvette Mayberry (Fayetteville), Hannah Gusters (Duncanville), Daelyn Craig (McEachern - GA), Maggie Robbins (Plano), Jordyn Merritt (Plano), Jordan Webster (Prestonwood), Rayna Ross (Waxahachie), Tyler Jackson (Allen), Zoe McCrary (Allen), Zayla Tinner (Amarillo), Anzhane’ Hutton (Cedar Hill), Myra Gordon (Hurst L.D. Bell), Sarah Andrews (Irving Macarthur), Harmoni Turner (Mansfield Legacy), Tommisha Lampkin (Mansfield Summit), and Kamryn Arrington (South Grand Prairie).