Kingwood Hoops #SimmieColsonClassic 6th Grade Division

 

I had a chance to catch Gracie Gille who plays on the 8th grade team a few months ago at an individual showcase and was so impressed that I saw her speaking with her mom and introduced myself. When the mom told me she used to play for Kingwood High School and told me her maiden name, Hollie Beamon, I went back to another era. Mom graduated in 2005, the deepest class ever from the Houston area where over 100 players wound up playing at the next level, over 40 D1, so that's a fun fact for the novices

More on the older group later as the 6th grade team is filled with some talented players and Emma Lucas, Haven Garland, and Heidi Gille all made my 2031 Super Watch on Prep Girls Hoops see evaluations here

Tenley Barker falls into that #sizedontmatter group that I love to hashtag when they can play and she can. She is a fierce competitor who applies heat on defense but also sees the floor and handles the ball under pressure

Bridget Johnson also falls into that #sizedontmatter group and seeing her dive on the floor for loose balls gets her another hashtag #THROWBACK Her "on the ball" defense was tough, she made good decisions, her court vision was solid and she scored off the dribble

Chloe Martinez was yet another, you guessed it, #sizedontmatter guard who gave me a lot. Yes, she plays tough defense and handled the ball under pressure but her attacking the basket to score using nice body control was nice, and so was her crossover

2019 R-3 6A Sweet 16

I love this picture for a variety of reasons and one of the main ones is that Taylor Thomas (Ridgepoint) sandwiched between the Truong twins (Jersey Village) have been at this for quite some time and showed they were definitely next level players. The twins have already signed with Gonzaga while Thomas is one of the top remaining UNSIGNED players in Texas and both, well all, have helped lead their squads to the Sweet 16 and hopefully beyond

Ridgepoint vs Cypress Creek- should be a definite guard battle as Thomas and super soph more Raven Adams are fired up and ready against Cy Creek's sophomore back-court of Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter. This could be interesting

Katy vs Heights-Katy and their big three of UNSIGNED combo Cassidy Howard, Savannah May and Allana Thompson go against Heights featuring scoring machine Gracelyn Alvarez, the sophomore opened up her HS career dropping 40 as a freshman and if she's on, this could go either way WHOA Katy won a nail-biter 48-47, what did I just say

Clear Springs vs Dobie- I'm going with Clear Springs because of the heat they always bring on defense but Jasmine Hartman (Bellaire) (Oklahoma) is one of the top point guards to come of the area and she has Dobie going back to yesteryear

Alief Elsik vs Summer Creek- I', not just going with Summer Creek because we have the same initials, well actually I am but UNSIGNED 6'2 post Erinescia Ford has been on a double doubling tear for the Rams so who knows

Jersey Village vs Westside- this is next weeks game, JV has already moved on and I just don't see Westside not being there, but I called this one last week

Atascocita vs Clear Falls-if Dede Davis is healthy, the Taz could actually win the region, not sure if she is but the winner goes against Pearland who knocked off unbeaten Beaumont United last night

BRACKETS

SCHEDULE

All BCS Final set for Aggieland Invitational #AI18

I didn't know which Aggieland Invitational semifinal game I wanted to catch but I hadn't seen Rudder, I knew several players on the squad and they were facing the  TABC #1 ranked squad, Pflugerville Hendrickson but the main reason was it was cold and I didn't feel like driving 10 minutes away and Rudder had already lost to the same squad by almost 40 to Hendrickson earlier this season but always remember the game is played on the court

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In the other semifinal, how about about College Station, down 42-18 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter against Rockwall, close out the game with a 40-8 run for the victory and am I surprised, absolutely not because after seeing this squad earlier this season, I stated that when you have multiple long ball shooters like they have as well as a team that can apply heat they are capable of, you never say never and when I say something, it's not just to fill up space

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Since it is an all BCS final, I'm hanging around for the championship which should be interesting to say the least

MVP Joyce Kennerson heads to NCAA Tournament proving #sizedoesntmatter

I lost a friend of over 40 years and was somewhat out of the loop last weekend however I knew TSU had won the SWAC Tournament but I didn't realize the specifics until speaking with Lady Houston Phenoms head coach and director Derrick Johnson on the performance of former of one of his former players,  GPR Under The Radar Joyce Kennerson. Kennerson was simply amazing when I first saw her, I guess going into her sophomore season at Port Arthur Memorial, and this young lady showed me even then that she had the heart, desire and talent to not only play at the next level but play D1 basketball at the next level and play a major role on her team at that level, because when you have the attributes she possessed at an early age, it all ties in with "the game starts at the one"

Coach DJ and SWAC Tourney MVP Joyce Kennerson 

Several college coaches  mentioned size as a factor on why they weren't recruiting her along the way or what someone else said she couldn't do however my response has and always will be is that  I don't really care what others say or think regarding an evaluation of a player I'm telling you about simply because most of these kids, especially in the Houston area, have been seen by me countless times and I look for two things, progression over the years as well as upside and Kennerson kept working on whatever she needed to add to her game and her desire to be the best she could be and prove naysayers wrong told me that she wasn't done and helping lead her team to the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore is huge no matter how you wanna spin it.

She averaged 18 ppg during the season and over 25 ppg in the SWAC Tournament on her way to winning the tourney MVP and as I look back at some of the articles I wrote on her along the way, I truly get misty eyed at her just simply always getting the job done no matter what and on top of that, she still has a couple of more seasons left, so one more time, a special S/O to this outstanding young lady who happens to be a very talented basketball player and congratulations Joyce, I'm certainly proud of you, not only for what you've done on the court but for also making me look like a genius

ARCHIVED ARTICLES

Tigers are losing Rowe but others ready to go

I said this when she dropped 40 plus in the 9th grade, no I didn't, I said she was one of the top players in Texas when  caught her playing in a Prime Time Tournament with Katy Rebels Poth read more  I don't fabricate stories about talent, I said she was a name you would want to remember and also one I wouldn't forget and she is definitely one of the states top prospects and she'll do very well at Abilene Christian

This a team you want to keep an eye next season, Cassidy Howard and Savannah May caught my eye a few seasons ago as well as Cait Calland, all are from the 2019 class and they'll be ready to step up and replace the huge losses from Rowe and Kelley Skinner graduating. Keep an eye on Amari Layeni as well, her improvement and desire on tthe inside should help make it interesting next season

UNSIGNED Che Bria Porter makes #I10StateLineBattle Tip Sheet

Okay she dropped over 40 in a game for Spring Woods right but remember my saying, "it's not what you do, it's who you do it against" so after seeing her perform in a couple of separate events, rest assured she has next level ability. Porter joins on other on the Tip Sheet


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Round 2 has possible upsets

Let's see, D-17 swept their first round games and with the exception of Bellaire, all HISD teams in 6A lost in the first round which sort of makes for some interesting basketball especially since the Cardinals are going against Cy Fair, one of the areas hottest teams.

North Shore tangles with a dangerous Clear Falls squad, the Knights have a little bit of everything and exciting Dekaney puts their 30 plus win streak on the line against Austin Westlake

Brazosport's Jas Harris has been flirting with 50 points for a few games so it should be interesting how far they can go as well as Wheatley led by Eryka Sidney who has numerous 40 plus point games herself

ROUND 2 SCHEDULE

HISD history of talent is mind boggling

Watching UTEP against Rice to start the year off was great, it was an exciting game that down to the wire and it also brought back memories I have of observing the talent that has passed through HISD. Jenzel Nash in the auto awesome photo put up numbers galore at Worthing while her Miners teammate LuLu McKinney was key to Bellaire's dominance in district joining AJ Alix (TCU), Jas Hartman (Oklahoma) went to multiple Final Fours, Bianca Smith (Colorado) now assistant coach at Pitt, Carla Cortigo (Texas), Nakazi Glover (Houston) as a few Cardinals I'm throwing at you off the top of my head

Let me dig a little deeper, Alaina Lee (Murray State)  and Patrice Rideaux( Texas A&M) helped Madison go through a stretch of over 10 years without losing a district game and also have two memories embedded in my mind forever. Lee, now DOB with Houston is one of the greatest PGs to come out of here but wait #sizedontmatter fans, when I saw the 5'3 guard DROP STEP for two against a 6'2 D1 post, I will never forget that nor will I forget Rideaux blocking a shot on one end to midcourt, outrunning everyone and dunking the ball on the ends

If you don't know who Sharetta Hawkins (Jones) Ashley Curry (Washington) or Jamie Simmons (Austin) well I don't know what to tell you, well actually I do. Hawkins at 6'0 range started one foot half court, she opened her HS career dropping 40. Curry was virtually unstoppable, inside outside and with flair, she could score almost at will and Jamie Simmons who SHOULD have the district record with 61 points had size to go along with being smooth as silk scoring from everywhere. My daughter, Sydney Colson  (Westside) made it to the Elite 8 as a freshan with Rideaux at Texas A&M and won a National Championship as a senior plays in the WNBA and is assistant coach at Rice where I'm headed this afternoon and I'll drop more from the district when I have a chance

Patterson on fire in Mustangs win

This is one of my favorite pictures of Chastity Patterson as it's almost saying "take it from me" and although earlier in her career many tried to do just that however in three days, it will be five years since I first saw the young lady with a ball in the gym, keep in mind she was in her school uniform, 6th grade, however watching her mannerisms, ball handling and of course, her stroke, I simply NEW she would be one of the top players in her class

Patterson dropped 40 last night in the Mustangs win over Cy Fair, no surprise as she and Deauzya Richards, another middle school talent I knew would become a big time player, have both eclipsed that number and I wouldn't be surprised if both drop 50 before their high school career ends. North Shore is one of the favorites in the Peggy Whitley Classic, they've already defeated Cy Woods, Hightower and Clear Springs, all among the top teams in the area

PEGGY WHITLEY CLASSIC

One more time, every player that I have said would be among the TOP players in the country since my own daughter was in middle school almost 15 years ago, have done exactly as I said and again, the future is NOW

Duncanville in "Driver's Seat" #TXInvitational

Duncanville has and always will be one of those teams that simply find ways to get it done and when you have a group of players that "understand the game" and "know their roles" you have some of the main ingredients for success. It also helps when you have players that simply get after it baseline to baseline for 40, well 32 minutes and it doesn't hurt when you have a couple BCS kids on the squad

I've been a Zay Green fan since she was wondering why I was taking her picture when she was I guess in the 6th grade yet I knew she would be among the top 2018 players in the country, she definitely is. I also knew Cierra Johnson (Louisville) would be a BCS player, simply because of her height and physique back when she was in the 9th and usually when I know something it happens.

Johnson has exceeded what I thought she would do, much of that has to do with her leadership qualities displayed last season as she took charge and was vocal on the court however what I saw in her yesterday assures me of what she'll be able to do at the next level as her game has definitely gone to another level

With easy wins under their belt on yesterday, the Pantherettes face a talented Cy Fair team today however they will be one of the teams in the GOLD division. Cy Ranch has Brennan, they too appear headed to the GOLD. North Shore faces Clear Springs who were upset by a much improved from a week ago Cy Falls squad. Falls actually gave the Mustangs all they could handle for most of the opening game on yesterday so this could be interesting if it comes down to a tie breaker and the other showdown has Seven Lakes vs Cy Woods, winner advancing to GOLD

THURSDAY RESULTS

FRIDAY'S GAMES

New addition may have Mustangs on top

I've had a few calls from parents, writers and reporters asking about who the top teams were for the upcoming season, what better person to ask than one who actually watches the players right, and let me add that also has a pretty good insight on what they're looking at. To be honest, I really don't know, due to transfers I've heard that may or may not have happened, so after the dust has settled, I should have a pretty good idea on the major players and sleepers. One transfer that actually did happen was Victoria Blankenship moving from Corpus Christi West Oso to Galena Park North Shore and if you don't know anything about the senior, then you probably don't pay attention to everything I write and a couple of seasons ago, this young lady simply blew me away

It's easy for someone to just start watching and be impressed with some of the things they see on the court however I've been watching a very long time and this young lady is a throwback player that simply won't let you outwork her. I spoke with a parent a few days ago about Blankenship and he compared her to a female Barkley type player, well that's a very good comparison because like the name on her jersey, she can create HAVOC on both ends. Pound for pound and inch for inch, she is definitely the most underrated player in the state and is a "legitimate" D1 prospect and when you add her to what the Mustangs have returning, this team could conceivably be heading to San Antonio to represent R3 in 6A

North Shore has a couple of "I told you so" players in Chastity Patterson, a highly nationally ranked guard from the 2017 class that I nicknamed "The Future" when she was in the sixth grade, well the future is now and this could be their year especially with a player that SHOULD be nationally ranked, North Carolina commit Alyssa Okoenne. This is a pretty impressive trio that could average 40 to 50 points between them so we'll just have to see how everything plays out with chemistry, depth and everything else that goes into the magical world of girl's basketball

GPR correspondent Jim Johnson closes out tip sheets #PrimeTimeNationals

KRISTIN DAVIS

Prime Time, TX- Again I want to thank Jim Johnson for his excellent coverage  at Prime Time Nationals and when you’re trying to cover a lot of teams and players, it can be a challenge however he stepped up to the plate and shot me info on close to 100 players that caught his eye. Fittingly I’ll close this segment with the Final 4 and one of those four, I already know and that would be Laura Rowe. Rowe simply blew me away a couple of seasons ago and I’ve heard numerous stories about her exploits on the court which included a 40 point plus game but nothing this young lady does surprises me

Kristin Davis (Truth) This soon to be senior is dangerous anywhere on the floor.  At 5'10 she has excellent length and runs like a greyhound.  Excels on the press or half court trap whether on ball or off.  She’s very unselfish, has good range but and goes strong to the basket.  Good rebounder both ends.

WHITNEY OUTON

Whitney Outon (Oklahoma Lady Jazz 2018) 5'10 hard worker who keeps her team in every contest. She has a nice jumper; she’s strong around the basket and rebounds aggressively at both ends.

Laura Rowe (Katy Rebels 2018) True scorer and that's what she's looking to do when she gets the ball. Likes to work the free throw line down and can shoot long ball.  Go to move is a spin while driving to the basket which enables her to get to the foul line often. Good defensive rebounder.

Andy Mize (TX Diamonds HS) she’s their leader and does it all from the baseline whether knocking down a short jumper or taking it to the basket, plus she was impressive on the offensive boards.  

Texas 2016 standout Faith Cook commits

When I use the search bar and play back what I've written about many of these talented players I sometimes get misty eyed because another chapter is about to close on a talented group of players I've been watching a long time. I saw Faith Cook first play when she was in the 6th grade and knew she had special gifts you can't teach and I  actually caught her dropping 40 in a middle school game the following year, she's one of a few I've had a chance to see duplicating that feat in high school but her being a D1 player was set in stone that initial sighting simply because of her basketball IQ, defense, work ethic and I guess NBA range even back ten didn't hurt but reminisce about the talented young lady who has committed to UTEP read more 


I asked Faith a few questions and she's as articulate off the court as she is on it

Why did you choose UTEP? "I think the school fits me and the style of game I play" said Cook

What do you actually like about the school? Cook replied " coaching staff and their academics along with the El Paso environment. They have great support and love from their city"

I then asked Faith what her goals were at UTEP and without even hesitating she gave me the answer I expected "to win CHAMPIONSHIPS"

I've tweeted and did stories numerous time on " you gotta have Faith" well the Miners certainly do and I do too because with her mindset along with the talented group they've signed, it's going to be some exciting ball in El Paso

Region 4 semis set for 6A

To be honest, with the exception of San Antonio Wagner, I haven't seen the other three teams play at all however Amber Ramirez and Kiana Williams, aka the BCS backcourt, are averaging 40 ppg between them, Ramirez torching the nets with 27. They battle Alexander featuring GPR Under The Radar Dania Gonzalez read more

I know absolutely nothing about United South but I do know O'Connor's Amber Vidal is a very talented player averaging close to 20 ppg

SCHEDULE


I can't take full credit for my Amber Ramirez middle school sighting, Ray Caldwell told me he had a kid in middle school I had to see, so he get's the assist and after seeing her,  I knew, I just knew, well you tell me  and wouldn't be ironic if these two teams meet for the state championship

Guards galore were in the store #TXEEVAL

It's always good to have one of the top guards in the country on hand and Alexis Morris is another young lady I told you would be a MDAA candidate when she was in middle school, simply because I know where the bar has been set. it's a science but not rocket science. Morris can play the two and go off for 40 or be a legitimate one and by that, make her teammates better something that has become somewhat of a lost art. The Cy Fair backcourt of Angela Harris and Kyler Wyatt had just come off a grueling game against Westside in the playoffs yet their energy level was still high, nothing like being young I guess.

This picture captures several stars I've mentioned including freshman Jala Buster who blew me away and will be a legitimate star. Worthing juniors Colandria Haynes and Andria Foreman also caught my eye, they just don't care who you are or what your rep is SUPPOSED to be, she comes at you and I love watching noting more than a throwback player

I liked Gabby Green when she was four inches shorter and wore goggles but the acronym OMG fits perfectly as her blazing speed made me remember who she was and I'm talking speed with the ball. Green is a defensive nightmare, outside shot and ball-handling were among the best at the camp. Speaking of among the best, Jasmine Smith is just that when you label 2018 Texas guards, she;s a silent assassin that just gets it done

Cy Ranch and Cy Woods complete D-17 sweep

This was going to be a tough game because physicality would be applied on both ends in the Aldine Davis vs Cy Ranch  match-up however the Mustangs had a couple of things going for them, more offensive weapons and playing in the areas toughest district in the area and when I talk about offensive weapons, Texas commit DiDi Richards simply went off in front of Texas assistant coach Travis Mays

The pull-up was clicking but Richards is a nightmare trying to defend off the dribble and she was on last night in their 62-40 victory. D'Asia Collins added 10 while Demetria Heard led Davis with 13 and when you throw in Cy Falls 37-30 victory over Memorial, all of the districts representatives move forward to the second round


97.9

D-17 vs D-18 could be sweep or ............

I wrote last week that year after year, a #4 seed has defeated a #1 since that format was adapted back in the 2006-2007 season, yep same year my daughter graduated which makes some of this stuff easier to remember. 17 is definitely the cream of the crop as far as the toughest district and several teams that didn't make the playoffs in their district would have in others, may have even won a couple so my logic works as usual

Cy Woods is a lock however the other three might become interesting even though I think it will end up all 17 but not as easily as I once thought. Aldine Davis and Memorial  gave me three looks and they looked better each time and with Pookie, Nimitz is always a threat as she has the ability to drop 40 on anyone so it's raining, temperature is dropping, gas prices rising, Campbell it is


ROUND ONE SCHEDULE

17-6A Cy Woods, message received and noted !!!!

I love this #AutoAwesome pic of the Cy Woods varsity team because, well it fits, they have simply been awesome this season. I've been a little under the weather so I'm not operating at full capacity however I doubt seriously if I recall a starting five as impressive as the one they have come through the area, I just can't remember one. The supporting cast hasn't been bad either which is why they've put on a show this season and here are the teams heading to the playoffs from the areas toughest district

Woods 12-0

Fair 11-1

Falls 9-3

Ranch 8-4

How good is this 27-1 team, well they've split with North Shore and only the Mustangs, Cedar Ridge and Barbers Hill have managed to stay within double digits in fact TABC Top 10 ranked Dekaney lost to them by 18 and district rival Cy Fair, ranked 15th in 6A lost by over 40

'18 Patin getting it done in a big way at Cabrini HS #UnderTheRadar

Sometimes I have to go tribal based on the mixture of whatever is going into my head and when you can look into a players eyes and see the heart and will to win, well that's what I saw in Rayven Patin @ra__yyy when I first caught her as a guest player in New Orleans. I've caught her at a couple of camps,, 60/60 done at Cabrini 40/40 and when you add that up along with the fact she was going against some of the top 2018 guards in the country, I'm 100/100 on the fact that she can hold her own with anyone

Fast forward to Prime Time Nationals where she did what I love seeing point guards do, made her teammates better and took over when she needed to and I mean TOOK OVER. It's no surprise that she's getting it done in high school as her team is ranked among the top in the state and a lot of that has to do with one of the most explosive freshmen in the country


PATIN

17-6A stays tight as Tolbert continues to rise

I figured the game of the night would be the Cy Falls @ Langham Creek and Falls did win the game 46-40 to remain unbeaten in district with both Cy Woods and Cy Lakes however I didn't expect Cy Springs to take it to the wire against Cy Fair. Under The Radar freshman Tia Tolbert has been making her presence felt all season as she was one of three Springs players to score in double figures in their 51-50 loss against the Bobcats who also had three in double figures

STANDINGS

I've stated over and over that this is the best district in the area and no matter how it FALLS, there could possibly be two teams from 17 at Campbell Center

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