Flashback-HTX Fire 2013/2014

Dominique Dillingham, Jo Ann Lira, Paige Tippet and "The Chosen One" Brooke McCarty, formed the HTX nucleus that brought plenty of fire against older players might have been the best 7th grade team of them all since their point guard was in the 6th grade and, this never gets old, the game starts at the one. Coached by Tony Rodriguez, who has probably coached more D1 players than any one in the area before they entered high school, ran a system that fit those players to a tee. I saw McCarty for the first time when she was probably in the 5th grade and I was taken away by her poise and passion and almost named her the "Silent Assassin" because she never cracked a smile. Everything has continued to fall into place for that foursome I named along with a host of other players that kept their opponents in the hot seat.

2018 GPR Watch-Let Me Call It Now On Caldwell

Desiree Caldwell

I first met Ray Caldwell, coach of San Antonio Finest, when my daughter was a freshman or sophomore at Texas A&M. He introduced himself and told me he also had a daughter that played so that would have put Recee in the 6th grade I believe. That following year, I had a chance to see her play and after two or three minutes, I was sold and you heard it from me before anyone else figured it. His younger daughter, Desiree, was always hanging around and just observing everything. The difference between her and Recee was the maturity but of course Desiree is 4 years younger and to be honest I didn't know what to expect the first time I saw her playing up on one of his teams last year with young ladies almost 4 years older. Watching her go through the warm-ups I was thinking this should be interesting as I was thinking this might have been a bit much however once she stepped on the floor under the bright lights, I immediately saw the fire and energy as she got a couple of steals and went coast to coast and I mentioned last year she had D1 written all over her. I have watched videos and observed her progression and to say she's a next level player isn't enough because the upside on this kid might have her going over and beyond what big sister has accomplished and her big sister is a MDAA lock for 2014.

Flashback-Houston Angels

The Gilberts

 As much as I talk about comparing classes, especially 2012 and 2005, let me also give you a little more info the majority of you probably don't know. The Houston Angels had a group of middle school players that ran through their age group and I knew when they graduated in 2012, many would or should play at the next level, same as the Houston Hoops middle school stars that lit it up until they graduated in 2005. The sad part is both teams were raided, had internal issues or an abundance of other things that led to their collapse however it would be safe to assume that those players would have probably gone to the same schools had they stayed together

Blayke Hemmit and "Twin"

Nevertheless these were two of the best 7th grade teams and the majority of the kids wound up playing somewhere. Two great things happened for me, former LSU star, the late Greg Cook (Hoops) whose daughter Aubry starred at Cy Fair and later played at Texas gave me valuable information that helped me truly understand the recruiting process for my own daughter and how to put her in the best situations. The second great thing, Rodney Gilbert (Angels) tabbed me the "GURU" and for that I will forever be grateful as I continue to follow his dominant daughters, Taylor and Tyler at the University of Houston.

Deauzya Richards

Coach Chuck McCowin not only coaches his daughters team, the Cy Fair Heat, which is pretty competitive and this season will help her be ready to help the Cy Fair Bobcats get back on track. His younger 2017 team is the best 7th grade team I've seen so far this season and it too has several next level players so the future is bright. Hey, that's a good nickname, "The Future"

Original Angels

2013 Post Carol Willie Continues Where She Left Off

After helping lead Cy Falls to state in her junior year, Carol Willie is showing signs of becoming a dominant next level player. The 6'2 post has continued to improve since her freshmen season and has learned how to get the job done on both ends of the court as she is now taking things over in club ball with the Wildcats

Goliad's Jessiah Johnson Makes Decision

If I didn't count Asia Booker, I'm not going to count Jessiah Johnson even though they both played club ball for  area teams, Johnson with the Houston Insiders however if I did that would put the area at number 79. I first saw Johnson at an A&M camp after her freshman season and was impressed with the many things she could do on the offensive end of the court but the thing that stood out more than anything was how quick her release was along with her ability to get her shot off against anyone. After coming back from a knee injury, Johnson transferred to Goliad where she led them to a 21-10 record her junior year averaging almost 17 ppg

Johnson joins Bryce Owens and Camille Williams as the third of last seasons five juniors to move on to the next level after giving a verbal to Angelina College last night, Cydney Hicks will make her decision in the not to distant future while Kelechi Kalu has decided to go the academic route pushing the Insiders club to over 50 next level players since 2005 . Angelina has continued to reload with players from the area or with area ties and they are getting a scoring machine in Johnson and I know this will be another JJ that will have plenty of  "Good Times" going off at the next level

The Best Club Back-court In The State?

I haven't seen everyone however it would be hard to argue that the tandem of AJ "The Real Deal" Alix and Brooke "The Chosen One" McCarty aren't among the best or maybe even the best in Texas. As the summer season progresses, I will get a chance to see who will challenge this duo who are so different in their style of play yet similar because their knowledge of the game right now could lead many D1 programs, I think I've been saying that for a couple of seasons so that tells you what level these young stars from Bellaire and Clear Springs play at.

New Faces Have Lions Ready To Roar

Brittany Smith

The Spring Lions hope to return to the glory days of yesteryear when they represented R3 in Austin back in 2006. Ironically that is also the last year they made the playoffs however this season could be the start of something special. With the addition of some fresh faces who played JV last season due to transfer rules, 2015 players Brittany Smith and Brittany Perkins, along with incoming freshman Gabby Shoulders to go along with Newcomer of the Year Bernesha Peters, this team will be in the playoff hunt come February

Brittany Perkins

If I had to pick a most improved player team, Perkins would definitely be on it and if she continues to improve like she did over the past season, her stock will continue to rise as far as what level of next level she can play at. Smith and Peters stock was high the first time I saw them play in fact Smith reminded me of another Brittany, Toran from Humble out of that storybook 2005 class. That was the last time I saw a player that young making touch passes in traffic and Smith's basketball IQ has her high on the list for her class, well her talent might have a little something to do with it as well

 Pound for pound, inch for inch, no one in the area will give you more on every play than Peters who at a tad over 5 feet is a lightning bolt ready to strike at a moments notice. Speed, ball-handling, court vision, knowledge and the ability to take a lick and keep on ticking has her up there with Smith as well. Shoulders should fit in nicely with this group and I can't wait to see this young team bring the heat along with the excitement of the past and remember where you heard it first, never-mind I won't let you forget

Gabby Shoulders (white jersey)

2014 Exploding With Talent

Like Inman and Alix for the 2013 class, nothing has changed for 2014 either as Brianna Turner and Brooke McCarty are not only the two top area players, they both appear to be locks for MDAA as well. They are only two of what appears to be another monster class from the area, not to mention the 2015 and 2016 classes are shaping up to be mega talented as well.

Insiders Basketball Classic Deadline May 12th

I haven't seen much of Kimberly Paul this season but I'll get a chance to take a good look at her in the Insiders Basketball Classic. This HCYA star also happens to be a pretty good volleyball player as well but she will get a chance to showcase her skills against not only some of the top area talent but talented players from across the state as well. The ABSOLUTE deadline is Saturday, May 12th

You must register and pay online by  Saturday to guarantee yourself a spot in the tournament. This is another GPR Evaluation and Exposure event and if you have any questions, please contact James Daniel at
(713)594-5234 or zackdaniel@sbcglobal.net

Please click on the link for more information and also register and make online payments

Houston Insiders Basketball Classic

2013 Area Players Not Wasting Time

College Park's Alexia Sanders (middle)

Over the weekend, I found out three additional 2013 players had made a decision on where their next stop would be. Courtney Latham (Tulane), Brentney Branch (SFA) and Alea Godfrey (Bethune Cookman) joined Christin Inman (Northwestern) and Alexia Sanders (Rice) as players who are ranked in my GPR 2013 Top 30 to give a verbal. Getting it done early is a growing trend and if you're sure, why not because so many things can happen and many of them are not good but I always like to put this link at the bottom out there for parents and players to read and hopefully they comprehend the message.

Throughout the years, I can't tell you how many parents have told me they thought their children would play for a Top 25 program like North Carolina or LSU, mind you some of these players didn't make any All District teams or were even starters on their high school teams however someone placed that idea in their heads. The main thing is getting an education, free or subsidized, out of this whole thing and although most won't have a chance to receive offers from Baylor or Stanford, getting a degree is the icing on the cake.

Please revisit the link below, it can be an eye opener for some parents and players. The first link is regarding and titled EXPOSURE and explains how bad exposure will hurt you in the long run along with having a good work ethic on your own. The second link is titled EVALUATING which is something that's truly hard for some parents and players to do. I didn't write the articles, in fact I don't agree with everything that's written in either however much of it is true and it's worth a look so you won't be shocked when it's all said and done.

EXPOSURE 101