REGION 3- 4A
Yates is still undefeated after two rounds and appears to be headed to the Final Four in Region 3-4A. To get there, they have to beat sister HISD school Booker T Washington. Washington is led by Lereahn Washington, one of the leading scorers in the city.
Mariah Lee has been the catalyst for this super athletic team and they will go as far as she can take them.
Barbers Hill lost PG Shannon Evans to a knee injury late in the season, however the Carter cousins, Paris and Jasmine, along with one of the top posts in the state, Kendall Shaw, have them still climbing the HILL.
Worthing, the third HISD team still in the hunt, is led by another one of the top scorers in the city, Jenzel Nash, who along with Shirley McGowen form an impressive dynamic duo on offense. Their team defense is second to none, they come at you in droves the whole game.
REGION 3-5A
Northshore vs Hightower
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the season. I know Hightower has beat North Shore both times they played this season. I also know Hightower has beat every team they played this season that made the playoffs, with the exception of Cy Fair and Dulles, those btw are their only losses. I also know they won the toughest district in the area, R-3 that is. With all that being said, I'm sticking with North Shore and that's because of Courtney Williams, who could wind up being the best to play in the area. Hightower has lost two starters this year to knee injuries, however they have depth and are still rolling, winning by an average of over 28 ppg over the last 8 games. This has happened since losing to Dulles and also includes a 6 point victory against Marshall. Taylor and Tyler Gilbert have done a great job on the inside, Jasmine Brewer, Brittany Matthews and Azaela Hall have kept the team together, in spite of the injuries. For North Shore to win, Williams has got to score, Ashley Benjamin must neutralize the twins and Ariel Preston has to open up the inside with her long range missiles and mid range jumpers. Truly, this game is a toss up and the winner will more than likely be the R3 represenative in Austin.
Atascocita vs Westside
I liked Elsik when they beat Hightower in a fall league game and even though it was only a preseason practice game, Hightower won the real one by double digits in the Fort Bend Tourney, certain things stood out. First, they did it without the Olonu sister's, Akunna and Adaeze. Second, Jasmine Oconas scored on a variety of shots, so in order for Bellaire to win, three things have to happen.
1. AJ Alix has to handle the pressure and create
2. Raven Burns has to be on and by on, I mean 20 or more
3. Bianca Winslow has to score in double figures
Back to the Olonu's,their older sister, former Elsik all everything Adoara, plays for Texas A&M and their brother, Chinemelu, also played in Aggieland(GIG EM), had to get my plug in!
Clear Lake vs Elkins
I've always rooted for the underdog and this is a win-win, at least for me. Aron Garcia (TCU) has given Lake a tremendous boost this season teaming with Ashley Westby (Tulane) as they give the 2010 version of the R3 Twin Towers. Donielle Breaux has truly impressed me and she has to be regarded as one of the top players in the 2011 class, NATIONWIDE! I thought Elkins was done after Rhea Nelson (Tulane) tore her ACL, however what impressed me more with Elkins was their speed in the backcourt. If Lake's guards handle the pressure, they win, if not, watch out BREAUX!
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the season. I know Hightower has beat North Shore both times they played this season. I also know Hightower has beat every team they played this season that made the playoffs, with the exception of Cy Fair and Dulles, those btw are their only losses. I also know they won the toughest district in the area, R-3 that is. With all that being said, I'm sticking with North Shore and that's because of Courtney Williams, who could wind up being the best to play in the area. Hightower has lost two starters this year to knee injuries, however they have depth and are still rolling, winning by an average of over 28 ppg over the last 8 games. This has happened since losing to Dulles and also includes a 6 point victory against Marshall. Taylor and Tyler Gilbert have done a great job on the inside, Jasmine Brewer, Brittany Matthews and Azaela Hall have kept the team together, in spite of the injuries. For North Shore to win, Williams has got to score, Ashley Benjamin must neutralize the twins and Ariel Preston has to open up the inside with her long range missiles and mid range jumpers. Truly, this game is a toss up and the winner will more than likely be the R3 represenative in Austin.
Atascocita vs Westside
Curtyce Knox is one of the top guards in the country and for Atascocia to win, she will have to be on and by on, I am not talking about only scoring points. Westside is going to pressure them baseline to baseline, they have enough athletes to do that. Westside's Tiffany Davis is another one of those next level guards in Houston's 2012 class and if she and Knox neutralize each other offensively, Westside has a legitimate shot at making the Final 4 in post SC & COMPANY days.
BELLAIRE VS ELSIK
I liked Elsik when they beat Hightower in a fall league game and even though it was only a preseason practice game, Hightower won the real one by double digits in the Fort Bend Tourney, certain things stood out. First, they did it without the Olonu sister's, Akunna and Adaeze. Second, Jasmine Oconas scored on a variety of shots, so in order for Bellaire to win, three things have to happen.
1. AJ Alix has to handle the pressure and create
2. Raven Burns has to be on and by on, I mean 20 or more
3. Bianca Winslow has to score in double figures
Back to the Olonu's,their older sister, former Elsik all everything Adoara, plays for Texas A&M and their brother, Chinemelu, also played in Aggieland(GIG EM), had to get my plug in!
Clear Lake vs Elkins
I've always rooted for the underdog and this is a win-win, at least for me. Aron Garcia (TCU) has given Lake a tremendous boost this season teaming with Ashley Westby (Tulane) as they give the 2010 version of the R3 Twin Towers. Donielle Breaux has truly impressed me and she has to be regarded as one of the top players in the 2011 class, NATIONWIDE! I thought Elkins was done after Rhea Nelson (Tulane) tore her ACL, however what impressed me more with Elkins was their speed in the backcourt. If Lake's guards handle the pressure, they win, if not, watch out BREAUX!
REGION 2
Maybe I should say Region 2, 15-5A as Cy Fair, Cy Falls and Cy Creek all have advanced to the Elite 8. Only Bryan stands in the way of a 15-5A final, but however it plays out, I truly think Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford) won't be denied her fourth trip to Austin. Chiney, Cassie Peoples and Aarika Reyna form a triple scoring threat that most teams can't handle. Chiney is the most complete player to come out of Houston, consensus #1 player in the country and will probably not only win a NC in college with her sister, Nneka, but a gold medal in the Olympics as well.
