2021 Houston Summer Slam 8th Grade Division (2025)

 

I didn't get a chance to catch SA Finest Dungee, the oldest team at the event however I caught a little bit of Jordan Peete's so squad and a glimpse of Delaney Arrendondo's Lyssa however the first time I saw DA, I knew she would be prosecuting  defenders on the court and if you didn't get that smooth "play on words" well her name, let me break it down for you

Delaney Arrendondo (SA Finest Lyssa) poise at a young age gave it away, well that and her BB-IQ because when you can think the game and not become rattled early, that's huge but so is her court vision and ability to make those around her better. Yeah, she creates her shot to attack or drop the jumper but she still has untapped potential, meaning plenty of upside 

Shaila Foreman (Louisiana United 2025) the mindset off the top "you can't stop me" was sending telepathic messages I truly intercepted because she can overpower guards with her strength, her acceleration and her body control but she also can see the floor so attacking and finishing plus the pull-up has her in the mix for her class nationally 

Arriona Patterson (Louisiana United 2025) just got after it defensively off the top and her energy didn't let up because she attacked and finishes as well as dropped the pull-up jumper and the icing on the cake was her rebounding on both ends

Imani Daniels (Louisiana United 2025) showed a nice mix of skills on both ends of the court, first of all, it was the power that grabbed me, she rebounds fiercely on both ends, even scored off putbacks, after contact yet on the flip, she attacks strongly and under control and that too got her in some "and one" opportunities but she also finished after lick as well

UGOCHINY ACHO battling for positioning

Ugochiny Acho (Houston United 2025 Madison) she already has the frame and the picture is just waiting to dry, yes I'm smooth but I'm digging what she will become and her "work ethic" coupled with"mindset" to go with her strength could make her a force. She finishes after contact and knocks the midrange down

Laneya Chatman (Houston United 2025 Madison) long and athletic is what I call "the base" and she rounded a couple at the Summer Slam by attacking the rim and finishing, under control and by playing the passing lane, desire is something you can't teach, neither being long and athletic

Anaiah White (Houston United 2025 Madison) plenty of upside to go with her energy and athleticism yet she attacks the rim from various angles and her "on ball" defense was pretty good yet her energy stays the same from start to finish 

TRINITY HENDERSON

Trinity Henderson (UHE-MS) 45N has an abundance of talent around the Metroplex and Henderson has my eyes wide open. She creates her shot and attacks the rim, I say that a lot but it's how I say things that fall into how she does things, She's on the verge of taking her game through the roof, that first step, the body control, the finishes, and jumper, I'll be checking

Nilaya Gordon (UHE-MS) did a very good job of seeing the floor, not only in the halfcourt but in transition and having court vision, handling the ball under pressure, and making pinpoint passes, are all pluses that help sum things up down the road

Kristyn Galloway (UHE-MS) it's always good to see players that concentrate on the mid-range which has become somewhat of a lost art and here's why, well nm, but she gets IT and her ability to create her shot, get it off, and knock it down were good

Iyana Axson (UHE-MS) she was a rebounding machine the first game however I'm glad I caught another because not only did she rebound, she handled the ball coast to coast under pressure yet under control to finish or dish and she even dropped a stop and pop just to make me write more notes, so NOTED