Katy Nike Classic-Klein Collins Has Toughest Route To F-4

When you talk about a team that has improved and overcome adversity, look no further than Klein Collins as they head into a semifinal match-up against Hightower, the other semi has Cy Falls going against Elsik. Other than myself, no one had the Tigers picked in any Top 10 prior to the start of the season yet here they are in the semifinals of Houston's third major, they defeated North Shore to win the Bronze in the Texas Invitational and will probably be looking at Clear Springs in the 2nd round of the Peggy Whitley Classic next week

Today they battled two heavyweights, first a very young but exciting Mansfield Timberview team who appeared to be on the verge of putting this one away off the top. I saw JaLea Bennet play during the summer and was totally impressed with her ability to get to the basket anytime she wanted along with the poise she showed at a young age. My exact words were "she is a great athlete that can do some damage on the floor" and watching her today, I hit it completely on the head.  She is but one of a team full full of talented players who can fit that mold, in fact this is a very good young team, 5 sophomores, 3 juniors and 3 seniors. Not only was I impressed, I can't tell you how refreshing it was to see so  many players on one team that could create going to the basket.

One of those juniors is Lili Thompson, the lightning quick guard that can score from just anywhere on the court, she led Timberview with 14 points however as much as I enjoyed watching Timberview, this day belonged to Klein Collins.

I always tell people that you need at least three offensive weapons to be successful in GBB, that rule doesn't apply when you have a duo that can put up numbers like Dominique Dillingham (22) and Veja Hamilton (21) did today. Dillingham kept them in the game all the way through on both ends, she is simply one of the hardest players I have seen come through here, so whether you call her Double D or D squared, expect her to defend and fight until the end. What can I say about Hamilton and her ability to score, sometimes at will, that I haven't already said? Not much and her 5 free throws in overtime helped seal the victory. Jasmine Nash hit two back to back shots to help break this thing open, first a big three to help send it into overtime and then a drive down the lane in traffic to give Collins a 49-48 lead in overtime. In their second game of the day, Collins defeated Barbers Hill 50-43 as Hamilton (16) and Dillingham (10) continued to provide the offense while Hill was led by Kendall Shaw (12) Shannon Evans (11) and Mackenzie May (10)

Back to Tiberview, again this is one of the most explosive teams and I mean blowing up from several positions and I can't wait to get another look at them doing the Mansfield Rotary Tournament