Cook Nowhere Near Well Done

As she continues to grow both on and off the court, Faith Cook continues to impress me with her "take no prisoners" mentality. As sweet and innocent as she appears off the court, the transformation is eerie to say the least when she steps on it and as she heads into the July viewing period with a brand new team, the Texas Preps Elite, she is letting everyone know that she is ready as she sent some messages this weekend at the Texas Elite Camp. This 2016 prospect's nationally ranking will depend on how much she grows however her GPR ranking will keep it real whether she does or not because you gotta have Faith!

Houston Heads West Up 290 or I-10

Marneckia "Ne-Ne" Armstead

It was plenty of heat at Lutheran North over the past weekend and I'm talking about on the court as well. I had another chance to look at another group of youngsters again, the Houston Lady Phenoms, who have me excited to say the least. Let me also throw this out there since I have a crystal ball and I can say I told you so, the area 2016 class is going to top 2012 and possibly go over the century mark of next level players.

LaMycia “Meicy” Hamilton

HLP will join a group of area teams that will play in the Tyrone Johnson Classic and this group of athletic young players have several people talking. Coast to Coast, Katy Rebels 2016 and the Houston Insiders will be in attendance and I'll get a chance to glance at the Houston Elite for the first time this season. More to come on TJC from SJC later.

Taylor Alexander

6'3 Beavers Still Growing

From the first time I saw Justis Szczepanski-Beavers play in high school earlier in the yearuntil I saw her toward the end, I could already see the growth in her game and it appeared she had even grown taller. I was looking forward to seeing her improvement in the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic however she didn't play due to minor non basketball related injury. It appears she is ready for July action with the Texas Preps Elite and if she continues to have game anywhere near her height, this 2015 prospect should keep the scouts buzzing
 

Express-Will's 2014 Duo Keep Getting Better

As a freshman, Crystal Chidomere showed me she could do a lot of things and as she continues to show improvement in her game, this is a good thing not only for her but for Fort Bend Bush as they will head into next season as one of the contenders not only for a district title but a legitimate playoff threat. Chidomere, known for her speed and ability to knock the long ones down has added more to her game as she showed me in the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic. Her ability to attack off the dribble and defense have gone up a notch as she gears up for July

 Another pleasant surprise has been Teylor Johnson (Fort Bend Travis) as she has become more agressive around the basket and is turning into a force. At 5'10, she already has shown the athleticism and if she keeps making jumps like she has, watch out

Katy Rebels Yelling Louder

Jaylan McClure

The title covers two things, giving props to one of my favorite songs and the noise being made from the Katy Rebels organization. The  Katy area is known for their exceptional schools and facilities and throughout the years, athletes as well. The Katy Rebels Girls’ Basketball Program, from Rebels-Goss, to Rebels-Floyd to Rebels Ellis proves once gain how great it is for you all to have me giving you good information and not settling for info from message boards and tweets. 


I've written about the Goss twins numerous times after being totally impressed with them last season while watching them play on their dads team, Rebels-Goss. I also did something on the GPR website about the speedster from Rebels-Floyd, Alexis Freeman (Navasota). More recently I wrote about the vast improvement I've seen from Komal Mougdiel (Seven Lakes) along with Taylor May and Cayla Vanderweide, both from Cinco Ranch and all three from Rebels-Ellis

Charissa Enget

Some other players on Rebels-Ellis have me thinking Cinco Ranch might be in a position to win the district despite losing three starters. The addition of Charissa Enget, a 5'11 transfer from Colorado, will give Angie Moore some additional help on the inside while Jaylan McClure has been working on facing the basket and if it works, that would help tremendously with the loss of Megan Palmer. 

HCYA Stars Ready For July Action

Kimberly Paul and Anna McCleod

Kimberly Paul is a very good volleyball player from what I hear however she loves the game of basketball as well. Anna McCleod is a very good swimmer however when you come from a basketball family, well sometimes things happen for a reason. Both of these young ladies star on the home school squad (HCYA) and both have been pleasant surprises this season for the Houston Insiders. Paul appears to be somewhat passive at times but has the ability to score multiple ways in the paint, she also is a contender for one of my 2014 UTR stars that will post next week.

On the flip side, there has been no radar for McCleod as she scores from, well everywhere and in bunches. The wingspan has her over 6'0 and her range starts when she enters the gym and from what she has shown not only in the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic, but all season long is that she is one of the top 2015 players in the area.

Flames Hammond Hoping For Breakout Season

Athleticism has never been one of Pearland Flames Cree Hammond's problems and if what I've seen so far this season, first at the Alodia Prime Time Rising Star Showcase and more recently at the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic, both GPR certified events, this could be the season she makes a lot of noise. First of all she has grown a couple of inches and appears to be right at that magic number. Watching her attack in the open court is scary at times and I'm talking about in a good way because with her speed and wingspan, her game is turning the corner which will be good news for Dawson.

Where's Willie Series Enters Final Season

Over the course of her career at Cy Falls, 6'1 post Carol Willie has helped make them one of the areas top programs going 104-10 in her three seasons, 75-5 over the last two and a trip to the state championship semifinals this season. Although she's not really "UTR" because a lot of colleges know about her, July will determine how high she will be able to go. It appears I will get a chance to see her live and in living color because I'll be at three of the same events she'll be playing in

July 5-8. DFW ELITE BIG STATE FLAVA JAM IN MANSFIELD TEXAS.

July 9-12. ADIDAS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY.

July 22-26. BASKETBALL ON THE BAYOU IN NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA.  

Four For The Future

Tiffany Arceneaux, Faith Cook, Jae Branch and Chastity Patterson take a break as they are getting ready for July with Texas Preps Elite. These four players all had their moments in the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic and legitimized their GPR rankings. 2016 stars Cook and Branch hope to mirror or go beyond the freshman season Arceneuax had at Dayton where she wound up being her districts Newcomer of the Year. 2017 Patterson will continue target practice for one more season before she heads off to the bright lights of high school ball.

Triple D Still Fighting

Amber (AJ) Harris #50

Although it may appear rough at times as Amber Harris (Clear Creek) battles the former DFW squads Ebony Parker and Nicole Iademarco for a rebound. Triple D is still in the mix in various classes when they compete and a perfect example would be the shooting of Angel Williams (Bellaire) which was on throughout the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic. Injuries and movement by key players can spell disaster at times however when you realize what's on the line, sometimes you have to dig deep and if what they showed in the Houston Insiders Basketball Classic is a July preview, well read more

No "Angel" on the court!!!!