Middle school basketball is a hit or miss, well so is high
school in this era and one thing I will always do is keep it real. Lack of
comprehension and twisting my words have some equating my saying the talent is
not what it was 5, 10 let alone 15 years ago into my saying there isn’t any
talent so I don’t have time go back and forth with people like I used to but
rest assured there are still talented players in our area and across the state
including players that will play ball in college and that includes the highest
level. I had planned on doing a recap of 2024 players but Gwendlyn McGrew
received an offer from the University of Houston made me say “why not” “just do
it”
The first 5 are from the SEC event I caught in July and the
rest are from various events including PassThaBall’s The South
Kendall Robinson-5’7 PG (Texas Savage 14U) I called her a
#BCSLock a couple of years ago for a number of reasons and although she wasn’t
100% at the event, you’d never know. Good size and body, she plays bigger than
listed height, she creates several problems offensively because of her arsenal,
in other words, she finds ways to put the ball in the basket. Good defender and
rebounds on both ends which also enables her to start and finish the break
Kemah Shaw-5’5 PG (AD Elite Future) don’t know what’s more
intriguing, her upside, her progression or her desire but it doesn’t matter
because she is showing me a whole lot in a short span. Plays the passing lane,
handles the ball under pressure, finishes with contact and creates, not only
her shot, but problems for defenders
Leaire Nicks-5’11 PF (Lady Drive Nation Duncan 2023) long
and ultra-athletic, her upside is unlimited on high she’ll land because not
only does she play the passing lane and has excellent timing to deflect, alter
or just block shots galore, she elevates over defenders with ease for a nice
pull-up. Her length also enables her to blow by defenders, I foresee her first
step becoming devastating
Kiah Goynes-5’7 PG (Texas Savage 14U) very athletic and
understands the simple things but the hard things, well she gets them too and
her ability to create, not only for herself but her teammates, at this stage of
her career is big but doing it against older and sometimes stronger players is
huge. She attacks from everywhere, speed galore, and finishes with contact
Chloe Mann-5’3 PG (Texas Savage 14U) nothing like speed but
speed with the ball while being under control is always great and when you “get
it” early, they’ll get it now and later. Her athleticism enables her to do a
variety of things, like bring heat on defense or make acrobatic shots but I
still remember the first time I wrote about her a few years ago and I said “she
made a save I haven’t seen many on their way to D1 make”
Gwendlyn McGrew-5’9 PG- the more I see her the more she
continues to show me that the sky is the limit and when you look at her size,
athletic ability and skill set, that in itself is intriguing but her BB-IQ is
ahead of the game, she understands she can take over offensively at will. I
first noticed her dropping the long ball a few months ago but she attacks
ferociously and with power and now her ability to see the floor and make
pinpoint passes add fuel to the fire
Nicolette Polochek-5’11 F- saw her a few months ago, was
given wrong name so here we are and there she goes because she is going to
create issues down the road. Well, she’s creating them now, size, physical,
desire, and a nice skill set. Finishes strong runs the floor and rebounds on
both ends but her upside will have numerous colleges on her
Jade Williams-5’8 G- one of those young ladies I’ve been
watching for a very long time, 5th grade she showed me something and just
watching her, I knew what was coming. Scores off the dribble with either hand
but that first step includes a turbo that enables her to keep going or take
that pull up. Long and athletic, defends and plays the passing lane
Maddison Bob-5’8- if you look at my notes, it’s coded so I
have UPS for her not only because she delivers but can flat out explode off the
ground. She’s athletic, handles the ball and sees the floor well but her
acceleration coupled with her change of pace are great tools to have
offensively and when you add she understands how to create her shot….
Torran Deterville-5’5 PG- not the prototype point guard but
she can run a team and speaking of run, it’s hard to stay with her as she
blazes by defenders. She’s made multiple Tip Sheets already, I saw something
special years ago and its crystal clear because she is showing she can take
over a game offensively whenever she wants, btw, I didn’t have to take any
notes