2018 I-10 Basketball Showcase recap

As July heats up, I've had a chance to watch multiple Texas Lady Phenoms squads this season and talented players are spread out all over the place but what I really love are some of the first looks like the ones I got from Amanda Onuarah and the progression I constantly see in several of their players including Ta'Nya Gibson, Mikayla Malik  and Haley Wesley to name a few, all from the Texas Lady Phenoms organization. Phoenix Revolution rolled with 5 all weekend , Emma Moore was pretty consistent as I caught a little of their squad early Saturday and on Sunday but they truly fought shorthanded over the weekend. A couple of AD Elite younger teams were there, I didn't see any evaluators that last name rhymed with mine but no matter how LUDICROUS some of the things I'm told are, that means STUPID, not to be confused with Ludacris the rapper whom I totally enjoy, I took a look at the squad anyway and they have some players coming up, Aaron Thomas and Danielle King on the Yellow squad were among those players that will make some noise in HS

On AD Elite Blue, guards galore that keep coming at you on both ends plus power inside but Peyton Overton simply has taken her game to yet another level and speaking of guards and another level, Raven Adams is starting to pick up offers with Texas Elite Burroughs but this is a team filled with players that will play at the next level. Adams, Marchelle Willis and Aleighyah Fontenot have been dropping the long ball with ease since my hair was completely black, they keep adding even more to their games and speaking of long ball, Makayla Green was on fire while Cierra Gilbert and Dala Allen were forces on the inside. Dynasty squad was scrappy and under control, had some players that made plays as well as shots but the shots from various Lady Dominators players like Kayla Cobbs and JaNyla Kennedy kept them in the mix

2018 April events have #GPRUnderTheRadar stars shining all over

TATLOR THOMAS

Years ago before TEXAS and the surrounding states were getting the abundance of recognition that it is now, I was at EXPOSURE events looking at who was being promoted and I'm thinking, hmmmm, players are just as good in these parts and that all that happened next is another wild story but the main thing is that as usual, I was right and let me reiterate something else I'm right about. talented players are everywhere so don't get caught up in this or that, just know that odds are not on the majority f players side, you have to keep working and improve on your weaknesses so you can impress college coaches in order to play at the next level  so several GPR Under The radar players were on the road doing just that, impressing college coaches and here's a rundown 

GRACE SMITH 

The Classic In  Louisville

2019
Taylor Thomas-guard ( Texas Phenoms) created plenty of buzz with her explosiveness and ability to score multiple ways including the long ball. Virtually unknown, the beast has been unleashed as Thomas has always been able to put the ball in the basket but her ability to run the one was shown along with taking over a game when needed

Ta'Nya Gibson-guard (Texas Phenoms) speed is good and speed with the ball is better and when you have that as well as being under control, good things will happen. First step sets the stage to get by defenders for baskets or to pull-up for the midrange but she also has range and create her own shot under pressure

2021

Grace Smith-guard (Southeast Dynasty) reviewing everything, I was always impressed with her ability to score multiple and that's not going anywhere but defense was definitely on point as well as seeing the floor and getting teammates involved. If that wasn't enough, she did this playing up two years so the progression is showing and the future is bright

AIKEN SEMONES 

DEEP SOUTH

2021
Aiken Semones -guard (Cy Fair Premier) when you're in the 3rd grade and shoot the long ball the way she did, trust me that was something to see but she keeps putting in work and is doing well as a combo guard. Ball-handling under pressure and taking defenders off the dribble keep getting better as well as defense but long and midrange still clicking


HEART OF TEXAS UNDER THE RADAR PLAYERS

2021 Gracee Smith sends a message as she closes freshman season on fire

I've watched this young lady for almost two seasons and if you don't know me and what I do, you need to utilize the archives and search bar on here and my website and observe all of the talented young players over the years that I've said would be playing at the next level as well as beyond and after seeing Gracee Smith shoot that ball in the 7th grade, I knew she was on the right track

Fast forward to end of freshman season at Arcadia High in Missouri where the talented PG averaged 13 ppg and helped lead her team to the playoffs where she upped that to 15 ppg and was one game away from heading to the state tournament. She'll be doing her thing with Southeast Dynasty over the club season but here's a treat as seeing is believing

GRACEE SMITH VIDEO

2021 Gracee Smith opens up HS career with a bang #GPRUnderTheRadar

First look at Gracee Smith was was short one however when you're as good as I am, i guess the phrase "It doesn't take me long" certainly would apply to this because when you comprehend the game and have skills at a young age, things just fall into place. Over this past club season, Smith moved to a team a little close to her home in Arcadia Missouri, the SE Dynasty and although I didn't catch up with her personally, the video on the 2021 Under The Radar player spoke volumes as I could definitely see the improvement

Last night the Arcadia High freshman opened up her varsity career, flirting with a triple double as she dropped 23 points, pulled down seven rebounds and passed out eight assists but trust me, this young lady is nowhere near the finished product and that falls right back to the comprehension and skills statement I mad to open this up. I'll be keeping a close on eye on this young lady over her career as she has all the tools to do some pretty big things 

Dynasty's progression definitely shows @ 2017 Prime Time Nationals #8thGrade

One of the must see squads from my Houston area has always been Dynasty who supported me from the beginning when I started my scouting and recruiting service way way back and although I didn't receive that from everyone, almost 10 years later I'm still standing and so are they. It's always important to players in the right situation and this 8th grade squad has definitely made some strides. I butcher Kaidance Glenn name all over the place but watching her slice through defenders is always a treat and her upside remains untapped.

Mykah Mustfal and Savanna Pigman have definitely elevated their games inside, rebounding on both ends as well as defending so that's definitely a plus. Daphne Olivares and Haley Brown also have elevated their games showing breakout potential throughout the season but the main thing is from the first time I saw this squad and the numerous times in between, they've all gotten better, no lateral or stagnant movement, it's all about growth and the whole squad has done just that

Kayla Ngo definitely received a yes after her performance throughout the season. The game starts where folks, at the one, always remember that and everything, like Ngo's game, will fall into place. Trinity Satasiero, Skylar Murray and Breelyn Sanborn round out the squad but the thing about is that all have shown they can create and put the ball in  the basket so as many are about to enter HS, the main thing is that they "get it" and will continue to "bring it"

Team Texas Dynasty 2023 @ 2017 Prime Time Nationals #6thGrade

Sometimes you're fortunate enough to catch diamonds in the rough early and when I first saw Team Texas Dynasty 2023 a few weeks ago, I knew I was watching a special group of players with bright futures, many destined for big things down the road but I'm always getting lucky in that sense. Aniya Thompson simply has added to what I already thought about her, she hurt a shoulder during that initial sighting however wanted to make the trip because "her team needed her" and playing through pain at this age is definitely an eye opener. Her ability to control the paint at this age is definitely a plus and if she grows, who knows how high she'll land. Jalaylah Ingram also opened my eyes to other things she brings to the table, she's explosive on both ends, plays the passing lane and can score and with her athleticism, watch out

RyLee Grays is around 6'2, well she definitely is with her wingspan and trust me, she's already coordinated, she's athletic, rebounds on both ends, runs the floor, blocks and (or) alters shots and the biggest thing is that she will only get better because I see the passion every time he steps on the court. The J & J back-court of  Jaceii Denley and Janae Tucker definitely spell #GoodTimes when I see them on the court because like that old saying I love to drop from the 70's comedy, they are DYNOMITE and I ain't laughing. These young ladies possess the "it" factor, both can score and defend and more importantly handle the ball under pressure but their upside is what has me excited, they're legit now but they're also too legit to quit as they will only elevate their games

Talk about poise the first time I saw her, Keely Cummings left me speechless as 2nd grader when I asked could she play and she said come see. I'm still looking and although I can talk  now, I see her improvement but that BB-IQ at this stage will help her throughout her career, she knows how to control the temp, play within herself and just make things happen, good things. Olivia Shaw keeps showing me one thing I love to see, she knows how to create her own shot under pressure and when you have that this early, that's a definite plus. That midrange game looks good and it will keep getting better and speaking of keep getting better, the more I watch Dakota Watson the more she shows me. She can play both the 1 and the 2 and I've seen her drop the 3 get fouled on it and make it a 4 point play so while we're dancing to the beat keep in mind that this is a talented squad that I will certainly be keeping an eye on

Texas Dynasty 2023 has a lil something brewing #I10TuneUpShowcase

Over the past five years, theirs been a decline as far talent in the area and I get all kinds of responses however the only opinion I'm usually interested in is mine because I've been watching elite players since the turn of the century and I know, not only what I'm ;looking at but what this has become, it is what is, agree, disagree I could care less so when I see players barely in middle school ahead of the game, it's refreshing to say the least  and this Texas Dynasty group heading to the 7th grade definitely left a lasting impression


Keely Cumming just blew my mind in the FOURTH grade when I asked her if she could play before a game and she come and watch. First three plays of the game, she makes a long bucket, crosses a player for a lay-up and throws a no look for an assist and looks at me smiling, so that's what I like, show me on the floor and her wisdom continues to do just that coupled with her talent

Jacei Denley and Janae Tucker left me with some OMG moments, both are doing some things right now HS ;players on their way to the next level can't do and that goes back to the opening paragraph. Denley has unlimited range, handles the ball under pressure, sees the floor well and just makes things happen while Tucker has already mastered the floater and when you combine that with her ability to create off the dribble, take the lick and make the basket......

Aniya Thompson loves to punish and can take punishment, physical on both ends, rebounds and can finish and finish is what Olivia Shaw did on the finish of the day. She's strong and gets to the basket well but she plays within herself and gets the job done. Jalayah Ingram was also a definite bright spot, long and athletic guard that not only plays the passing lane, she defends baseline to baseline and has a good amount of upside which can be said for them all since the finished product is nowhere in sight. Okay 6'2 RyLee Grays, hmmm, long athletic and going to the 7th grade, check her out later on the Tip Sheet which will be on, drum-roll please, girlzprepreport.com

Dynasty squad continues to impress @PrimeTimeSportz

Kaidance Glenn made the Tip Sheet from Prime Time this time however several other players stood out on the talented not in high school yet squad. Tykara Robinson is oh so athletic and she just elevates over players for rebounds and she has several tools that make her very exciting to watch, especially in the open court. Then there's Katelyn Alatin who also does a good job n the paint however she's knocking that midrange jumper down consistently every time I see her, well so is Sydney Lamberth and I love seeing players do that but more importantly so do college coaches

Madison Pigman's defense definitely was a good sign as well as Riley Woods and the intensity that Paige Ivanosky Anaya Johnson and Alyssa Henton are a couple of players I've watched multiple times and I love their progression, well that can be said for the whole team and while Skyla Murray and Riley Woods have shown me they can knock down shots, these are players that I just love watching get after it especially Breelyn Sanborn who is only a 2022

Dynasty's DYNASTY rolling on #CCClassic

JASMINE ATOBAJEUN

I've been friends with Coach Johnson and Coach Moore since my hair was completely black and when Dynasty first started, I always got a chance to catch their players from not just the Greater Houston area but the surrounding areas as well and they've consistently put players in position to go on to the next level which is what this is really supposed to be about. This year's HS group put on a show in the Clutch City Classic and I had front  seat tickets and a backstage pass

ALEXUS MURPHY

The explosive Alexis Murphy is always a treat to watch, the back-court always get's after it no matter what combinations are used among Alyssa Preus, Laura Castleman or Raelynn Byrd. I love the energy these squads always bring to the table, Joanna Gabriel and Arin Brown get after it on both ends while Hannah Grimmett definitely can open things open with her outside shooting

HANNAH GRIMMETT

And speaking of outsid, 5'10 guard Savannah Wendt, no relation to George, went completely off last season and when I walked into gym, I started to yell like did on Cheers when everyone would scream Norm however since Savannah is three syllables, it just wouldn't have the same effect or is that affect, nevertheless she's a big guard with a stroke, long and midrange. The inside presence is also solid with Janice Gabriel doing well in the paint on both ends while Jasmine Atoibajeun is ultra athletic and a nightmare around the basket, oh yeah, she's 6'1

KANDACE GLENN

The talent down the pipeline assures me that this club will continue to be relevant, I really enjoyed 2021 Kaidance Glenn, she's got a lot of tools running through her bloodline but she definitely stood out playing up on 8th . Another young player, Katelyn Alatin showed a lot of promise but it's several more players throughout the organization I'll catch down the road that are going to be really good

KATELYN ATALIN

Day 2 talent continues to shine at #PrimeTimeNationals

UGONMA OBANNYA

Prime Time Nationals, TX-Day two observations from Prime Time Nationals had Girlz Prep Report correspondent Jim Johnson pretty excited as the talent kept coming which falls in line with what I always say, “talent is everywhere” and as he touches on several players who have the ability to play at the next level, I’m also seeing names of players that I already know are going to blow up. Remember there is no magic pill; the main thing is to put in the work because no one can make you a basketball player

2016

Ugonma Obannya (Elevation Skills Houston)At 6'2 and a wing span that makes her even longer, all I can say is you’re going to like!!!!  Has soft hands and natural athletic ability.  As she learns the game and improves her skill she will become a go to player in the post. Already good footwork and squares up to the basket the shots will soon start to fall. I look for big things her senior year 

KELLIE OEHMLER

2017

Kellie Oehmler (Lady Ice) don’t turn your back on this young lady, she’s a solid player that can operate from both the 3 and 4. She can defend, good rebounder at both ends and can create her own opportunities to score and I’m talking about a can catch and shoot scorer

Jasmine Atobajeun (Dynasty Johnson) 6'2 and long, she has good moves and a feel for the game. The product isn’t finished and would be considered raw in many areas, but to be tall and athletic is a good head start and she continues to make jumps

McKale Grant (Truth Black Celina) was one of the best 2017's of the tournament. Outside, inside, post-up; a true scorer that doesn't force it, but takes what she's given.  Smart and looks for the open teammate. Runs the break or fills the lane. Smart defender and excellent help defender. Good ball handler to boot.  Line up now coaches

DeANDREA ALEXANDER

2018

DeAndrea Alexander (Lady KOE Arcadia, La) 6'2 and raw in some areas, she has plenty of upside, but the desire and ability is there now.  Still learning the skills of being a post, this young lady will catch a lot of attention as she grows and develops. Good instincts are always a plus simply because that’s something you can’t teach 

TAYLOR JONES 

2019

Taylor Jones (DNice Basketball) Listed at 6'1 but I think she’s 6'3 and when you keep in mind that she just finished the 8th grade her upside is through the roof. Needs to work on footwork and keeping the ball high after rebounding and playing up will only help. Added strength and weight will make her a force to be reckoned with. I think she will reach 6'5

#IBC NCAA wrap

Houston Lady Phenoms, Waco Lady Panthers and Blue Star Skyrise were the top teams in the NCAA division however one thing I know for certain is that the other teams had several talented players as well and here's a quick rundown on the other four teams other than their players that made the Tip Sheet

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Houston Premier Blue
Bryce Wilbanks, Reagan Reeves and  Skylar Crawford continue to show they can be a long ball threats while Kenzie Peterson is turning into an offensive machine

Dynasty Stroman
Alexus Murphy and Lauryn Cannady bring heat in the back-court while Carlee Neel's length and upside has me watching her closely. Leigh Freeman also showed she was offensive threat

Zero Gravity
Athletic team filled with players that could attack and play passing lanes, guards Jill Morris and Keyria Nails create issues with press

Northside Ballers

Sierra Brash and Empress Pryor continue to show they can shoot the long ball while Kyar Wilson, Tara Eubanks and Yazmine Kellough bring so much energy on both ends that this team continues to grow

Area teams battle early at #PrimeTimeNationals

Dynasty Moore and Katy Rebels D'Addieco are a couple of teams I've had a chance to watch multiple times over the course of the past two seasons and both teams show something I always stress that I'm looking for, progression. I had to leave at halftime in what was shaping up to be a thriller and as I review the box scores, the Rebels won by one

Both are tough and scrappy teams that simply get after it, Rebels have an abundance of three point shooters including 2016 Under The Radar Anna Miller, that can turn a game around just like that. Dynasty's Jasmine Atobejaun is realizing her potential, she's an athletic nightmare that is hard to guard or be guarded by

Dynasty Elite #TJShowcase Rosewood runner-up

I've referenced this organization to Blake Carrington and sadly so few know how this ties but the magic of Google will tell you exactly why I say what I say, well most of the time. Shae Moore and Quai Sims are more than just a next level backcourt, they get everyone else going and usually help keep the tempo up. Moore is a gifted scorer that can also rebound while Sims can both score and run the team. The progression I'm seeing from Naomi Brown is mind boggling and her upside is nowhere near where it will be yet she's turning heads already and with her size and strength, she can be a terror in the paint.

Chelsea Gray simply excites me and she can attack and anticipate as good as any other 2017 in the area but what I'm seeing more of is her ability to face the basket and score along with defend baseline to baseline. Aaliyah Wheatfall also grabs a lot of steals by reading the defense, she relishes the contact to the basket and finishes strong. Michesha Williams deflected shots, her length enabled her to make some changes and Sharde Wynne simply overpowers opponents with her strength

Dynasty Elite playing like name #PrimeTime

It always has and will be about progression and watching Dynasty place three teams in the semifinals over the weekend, two finishing as runner-ups, tells me that the players are putting in the work. Well I would have gathered that had I not seen it with my own eyes but many are making jumps, well jump shots too

Shae Moore at times can be electrifying, this weekend was one of those times as she and Quai Smith Sams feed off each other and form a very potent one/two punch. Both guards keep getting better but the jump Naomi Brown has made will be huge because with her size and frame, she could turn into a definite monster. Chelsea Gray is only a freshman but she's athletic and has tons of fight in the paint and those are definite pluses for her age. Aaliyah Weatfall played all out defense and kept the energy level high

Dynasty Moore brings just that #PrimeTime

The progression continues as this talented group of 9th and 10th graders put on a fight in the championship last weekend in the 9/10 Grade Division but came up just short. Valerie Di Gulio did some of everything, shot it mid and long range, attacked and finished, anticipated passes and scored with both hands

Kim Courett has a nice midrange game but she's simply in your face, I mean everywhere and that's baseline to baseline. Jasmine Atobejaun is long and athletic, she's finishing well as she outruns opponents after defensive rebounds and is turning out to be very good shot blocker. Brooke Pinson also handled the ball well under pressure and has added a floater to her arsenal

Jewels Campbell is yet another that can handle the rock but her highlight is still running through my head when she cut backdoor for a reverse layup in traffic, almost in one motion. Lily Burdette's length is an asset and watching her playing the pass lane was art because after she got it, she was scoring or going to the line, she's a good FT shooter.

Marci Gabrilese doesn't realize her strength but defenders did as she just wanted the ball more many times. On top of that, she has very good timing which is an added plus. Mikal Rhoden and Tyra Nugent also came up with big plays during their run to the finals and I can't wait to see this squad again

Dynasty Ellison showing progression #PrimeTime

All I can say is wow about the Dynasty organization and the jumps several players throughout the pipeline have made. I had a chance to look at five team over the weekend, four made it to semi's while the other two are on the verge of making noise. Lauryn Cannady simply jumps at you as she's long and athletic and maneuvers well across the floor. She can get to basket for easy points plus defend. Carlee Neel also was active around the paint and altered shots on one end while finishing on another

Maggie Page did a good job seeing the floor and showed she could handle the ball under pressure while Narrissa Collier did a good job taking defenders off the dribble and finishing, well like this floater in the above picture

Dynasty Cosby finishes 2nd in 7/8 Grade Division #PrimeTime

This organization  continues to improve so I'll drop the Blake, Krystle and Alexis Carrington references because most of yall don't know what I'm talking about but this young organization continues to move the GPR ratings as the players are developing and it's showing, three finals fours this weekend with two runner-ups ain't bad

Alexus Murphy put on a show Sunday as she attacked, defended and showed she could shoot it deep but her athleticism simply gave her a little something extra as she exploded to the basket for scores. Tanya Cruz did a good job of getting to the rim and was doing some magic handling the ball but these young ladies got it done shorthanded but Regon Heron and Ellie Wilson filled in nicely when someone needed a break

Laura Castleman and Allison Warren did a number of things but their ability to shoot the long ball helped the team get o the championship and what I'm seeing from Savannah Wendt will have her like that Wendt from Cheers, everyone will know her name. I know, you don't get it but she's long, runs the floor after igniting with a rebound to finish. Her ability to attack is ahead of where many player her age and size are plus when she switched hands for a bucket, I was scratching my head faster than you can say NORM or Norma

Dynasty Martin #PrimeTime

Always remember the Girlz Prep Report ABC's about young players that always catches my eye. Athletic, Big and Coordinated is what Sandra Cannady already brings to this team of majority 2019 players. Her athleticism and ability to run the floor and finish, in addition to rebounding will go a long way. Several players showed me they have ability and potential and as I've stated before, I see the improvement throughout the organization

Kate Frank has a scorers mentality and she pt the ball in the basket multiple ways and one play in particular out of the many times she attacked, she finished with a floater. Anjolee Lavery, Skylar Perryand Haley Zaverich-Puckett all joined in the action and showed me signs that they are working and ready for whatever challenge that's ahead

The team played shorthanded all weekend but that didn't stop them from bringing the heat and two of the youngest players, 2020 Ja Nyah Bennett and 2021 Kaidance Glenn simply blew me away. Both are athletic and will be some players to deal with before it's all said and done

Cannady sisters #PrimeTime

Sandra and Lauryn Cannady were certainly bright spots for Dynasty over the weekend and it's ironic I found an #AutoAwesome picture to make up for misspelling their last name yesterday

Prime Time New Caney ends, well #AutoAwesome

I never start a tournament wrap the same way, I just go with the flow and I'll be throwing some stuff at you over the next few days on what got me going. First of all thanks to everyone for getting me rosters, again if I don't know who the players are, as good as I am or think I am, it's simply hard to say something about them if I had a chance to catch them in action


I spoke about the pipeline of Houston Premier, Katy Rebels and Cy Fair Shock but I had a chance to watch several Dynasty teams in depth and after I tweeted Blake Carrington would be proud, few got it, but nevertheless three different teams made it to the semi-finals in the 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 grade divisions and runner-up finishes in the first two wasn't a joke

There was no joking around on Super Sunday as I was just glued to my seat, literally speaking, but there were some tense games that had me hash-tagging #downtothewire and both of those 11/12  semis were simply breathtaking

New kids on the block , Twelve, simply blew me away with the high energy level and just as high basketball IQ from a number of players including 5th grade cousins, Precious Daily and Cornecia Thompson, hey Google + did the picture like this, I guess it saw them play because it seemed like it was more than one coming at you. It get's even better, Daily has an older sister playing with her on Twelve, 2019 "Trecee" as the cousins shared the 7/8 grade title while an even older sister, 2016 Patrickia helped lead her Lady Elite team to the 11/12 grade title

Just sit back and relax, I need to recoup a tad, run some errands and give a S/O to not only the Hybrids for being on the verge of exploding but a huge one to Bay Area Blaze who has placed in every event I caught them and after the game, I told this young lady I tweeted "Who's Afraid of Ariel Wolfe ? well you should be" and asked her if she got it, she didn't but she and her teammates have it on  the court, check ya later!