Jada Malone (Houston Skyrise Edmond) |
The Woodlands, TEXAS-The
best thing about watching these kids over and over is that I get a sense on
many of the can’t misses work ethic and that, at least to me shows in not only
how hard they’re playing on the floor as well as how hard they’ve been working on their games off
the court. Skyrise Edmond’s Alexis Babineuax has star written all over her, I
saw that last season at Prime Time Nationals on Fieldhouse Friday and she
continues to add to her repertoire so I’m going to go ahead a lock her in as
not just a next level player right now. Also special kudos to Kiersten Rich (Houston
Premier) who continues to blow me away and since these two have made multiple
Tip Sheets, I’m dropping some more from their teams in fact several players caught my eye by
doing a number of things in this age group and here are a few
Jada Malone ( Skyrise Edmond) she’s already over the magic
number of six feet, her speed and
athleticism have improved as well as her ability to finish. She’s still
learning and big things are ahead for this talented young lady who is also
controlling the paint on both ends
R’Mani Taylor (Skyrise Edmond) she blew me away the first
time I saw her, keep in mind that was shooting around in street clothes during
halftime so what does that say. She’s
learning how to take over as well as getting players involved and what she will
become is a terror in this town
Lane Rice (Houston Premier) |
Lane Rice (Houston Premier) Rice continues to come into her
own but what I enjoy seeing more than anything is her ability to make big plays
and change the momentum. You don’t have to score to do that, she can but she’s
learning other ways to do just that
Emma Slaughter (Houston Premier) from the start of the
season, loved the way Slaughter made the
right play time after time but she’s added more offense from various angles and
ways on the floor which will be huge for her down the road
Diane Hernandez (Franchize) she puts up numbers quickly and
from various spots on the court, she also does a good job handling the ball
under pressure. On top of all that, she defends as well as makes attempts to
get teammates involved
Addison & Ashton Poth (Katy Rebels Poth) like another
set of twins, Goss, from the Katy Rebel pipeline, these two caught my eye at a
young age. I loved their game a year ago but now they’re stronger and showing
they cannot only finish with contact but handle the ball under pressure and
score outside
Rachel Maciejeski (Tomball Tigers) showed signs of becoming
an instant offense player down the road because it seems like every time I
looked up she was attacking from the wing for baskets or just poppin the short
jumper. Throw in the fact that she can shoot the long ball and voila