Guess what #ThrowbackThursday

I've had a chance to see some fantastic players come from the Houston area and I remember the first time I saw Nina Norman and Lindsey Harding play together in the back-court in an AAU game, when it really was AAU not what everybody calls it now because AAU is a NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION, nm, anyway I knew girls' basketball had changed from when  I was in school and it was definitely an eye opener. Along that time, I ran into a couple of guys who would be pivotal in passing down knowledge on what to expect, Greg Cook, played at LSU, went to the Final 4 and just kept it  real, his daughter Aubrey was one of the top posts in the nation , played for Cy Fair and the University of Texas and their daughters graduated in 2005, the DEEPEST class ever from the area I personally witnessed

The other gentleman was Vernon Starks whose daughter is pictured above with my daughter, I think this was during the playoff preview Starks' senior year but both dads, who have passed truly were amazing and honest about the BS that goes with all of this that has not surprisingly gotten deeper. The first time I saw Takia Starks, she was in the 7th grade playing as a guest player on a team and dropped 44 on a loaded 11th grade team with 9 or 10 D1 players, she was in the 7th grade and this is one of the reasons why I stress the "it's not what you do, it's who you do it against" that goes completely over many folks heads that constantly send me stuff on what other people say or have said

Starks went on the break the scoring record, at the time, at Texas A&M and helped lead the squad to multiple NCAA tournaments including an Elite 8 showing . Basketball has changed, and like always, I don't care if anyone agrees with me because if you weren't there, or were and have the knowledge to evaluate, many can't evaluate their  own players let alone eras of players, but the Chronicle used to be on top of it, that has totally changed when BCS players are left off , you didn't have to vote multiple times on websites for Players of the Year, especially when you don't all of the players, but what hasn't changed is the people who actually claimed to make players, that falls into the "gotten deeper" category but this is over 280 characters so let me close lol

Lake City Pride 2020 #HeartOfTexas

Hard to believe many of Lake City Pride's players caught my eye right before they started their middle school careers and now some are preparing for their final high school careers. Kristen Broxton is strong and athletic, gets the job done at the point while Anaiya Turner has a lot of tools in her 5'10 body including attacking from the wings and creating her shot.

Macie Montie is a solid combo guard that can knock shots down and watching Raegan Ojora rebound and go coast to coast with ease is something to see because at 5'10, she handles the ball under pressure and ignites the break plus she defends and rebounds on both ends while Aaliyah Jordan falls into the #sizedontmatter when you can play category because she's strong, powerful, athletic and shoots the midrange efficiently

Aasia Sam left me speechless at times because of her #throwback mentality of "going after everything" and that includes diving on the floor or playing the passing lanes but that ain't all because she has a nice pull-up as well as the ability to take defenders off  the dribble and finish any way you want it. Ariyon Artis  also showed a lot of athletic ability, finished strong after contact and so did Aryana Grays that just seemed to be, well everywhere and definitely can score in the flow and fill up the stat sheet. Deonna Brister, also 5'10, is long and very athletic plus she does a good job of setting defenders up because that first step creates some problems. Drop of the Day went to Deja Tanks as she finishes poweefully and knows how to use her body

Royal Players Basketball Academy 2020 #HearftOfTexas

I love catching startups and I had already caught multiple RPBA squads a few weeks earlier but the Heart of Texas gave me an even better view of the 2020 squad. Janiya Maxie plays bigger than her listed 5'9. she's physical and finishes strong plus she rebounds on both ends. Shed also stepped out and showed she could hit the midrange and she and Kayla Alford make a formidable duo on the inside. Alford's physicality and desire is old school as she battles for everything. Upside from the 21's playing on this squad, Kelly Weckesser, who is just under 6'0, Taelyn Johnson and Hailey Sinclair are some of their players I'll be keeping an eye on

Taylor Charity is heady at the one, really enjoyed watching her decision making as well as her midrange and she had the "save of the day"in the opening game on opening day for a no look assist that had the crowd going. Taylor (Lake Creek) and Sinclair (Grand Oaks) are the lone players that don't attend Oak Ridge who should make some noise with several pieces ready to be filled, Gabrieanna Williams and Isabella Tyson are among those who are getting ready

Madison Pigman showed me a whole lot, very good BB-IQ is always a plus but I just love players that play within themselves and can't get theirs in the flow. Nice mid to long range, well multiple long range shots and diving on the floor after loose ball didn't hurt. Alysssa Castro is a prototype PG, she distributes well and can take defenders off the dribble nicley

San Antonio Lady Hoops 23/24 #Shooting4DaCure

JAYDA REECE

One more time, #talentiseverywhere is something I've been saying since NO ONE was covering Texas but there are some stipulations A. You know what you're looking at B. You're actually looking

ARIANA RODRIGUEZ

Jayda Reece has already made one of my Tip Sheets, long, athletic and high energy, she has a very huge upside. Ariana Rodriguez was so impressive all weekend, her ability to catch and shoot at this stage is scary, if you're a defender. Mya Guzman also has made a Tip Sheet, she creates issues on both ends including the long ball and speaking of long ball shooting, Mariah Dotson showed me why she won the 3 Point Shooting Competition

Each game someone stepped up at various points and Brooke Bingheim down the stretch on Championship Sunday earned her the GPR Player Of The Game but playing smart and within yourself is sometimes a thing of the past so I just enjoy seeing it consistently. Emery Espinoza hit some big baskets including the long ball while Madison Ortega brought heat on defense and showed she could score as well

SARAH MORALES

Olliana Witchet, Mackenzie Amos and Vivian Gonzalez filled in whatever blanks that were needed throughout the event and watching this squad get after it and fight to the finish in some heated games was definitely something to see and speaking of seeing is believing, Sarah Morales made the Tip Sheet

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2019 Prime Time #HTownHustle 7th-9th Grade Tip Sheet

VONNE FORMAN

Plenty of talent was on hand in the younger division at Prime Time Sportz #HTownHustle and if you read what I have in my Twitter profile, the phrase "talent is everywhere" is something I've been saying since the turn of the century when no one was giving Texas players their due, you might want to do your on research and not be misled by the abundance of nonsense that's floating around but one thing I enjoy is catching the young stars in action so here are some of the standouts from the 7th-9th Grade Divisions

Vonne Forman (Shooting Starz) has #BEAST stamped all over her and trust me if she grown to be 5'10 or higher, she's a national Top 100 player and if she doesn't, she definitely will play at the next level. Throwback players always impress me and shew definitely was impressive

Kylie Rivon (Intensity) love her upside, long and athletic, rebounds on both ends and runs the floor but her desire to battle for everything definitely caught my attention

Lily Tankara (Leauge City Lady Phenoms Gold) body and strength couple with size and agility is a good foundation and I'm thinking huge upside with this young lady

JEWEL BRANDLEY

Jewel Brandley (TNBA) grandmother was a basketball star, aunt is one of the best I've seen from the area and before I knew her family, I liked what she was doing. High energy, length and athleticism plus she scored multiple ways

Ryan Drummer (Houston Thunder) where there's THUNDER there's LIGHTNING and her ability to catch and shoot the long ball accurately was one of the best at the event. Oh yeah, she plays the passing lane well, that always makes me smile

Skylar Bellamy  (Just Play Sports) talk about players leaving me speechless but her explosiveness off the floor was definitely a deal sealer on her. Plays under control and goes hard, a nightmare to defend is what she'll be

MICAH ELEGORES

Micah Elegores (Katy Crush 2023) I'm partial to PG's for obvious reasons and I love those who are shifty, see the floor and can score, with either hand and Elegores did all of that

Gwendlyn McGrew (RepsUp) talk about an  impressive upside, she is heading toward 6'0, she's only in the 7th grade, she's athletic, she can handle the ball, she elevates on the jumper and she runs the one, "UH OH" watch out

Back To The Future Flashback from 2006

This video has so many memories and ties into today's age, well sort of. University Of Houston star Tye Jackson as well as TCU stars Eboni Mangum and TK Lafleur, the latter two from the greatest class ever to come of Houston, the class of 2005 while D'Franz Small (Rice) and Porsche Landry (U of H) competed in this event, at a shade of just over 5'0 and left their mark in college. How about Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, starred at Stanford and are now doing it up in the WNBA as well as future Texas A&M National Champions Adora Elonu and my baby Sydney Colson who are also in the WNBA. Look closely and you can catch me on  the sideline with jet black hair and the Rice/Ogwumike connection fits as the younger sisters Erica and Olivia Ogwumike have helped Rice to the NCAA Tournament. Footnote, Stanford played Texas A&M in the 2011 Final Four, no LOCAL media coverage with four LOCAL players playing it lol

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

R-2 6A bringing heat off the top

Cy Ranch has been sending messages throughout the season and they appear to be on a collision course to meet Hendrickson in Regionals, Hendrickson has been #1 based on TABC rankings most of the season, currently they're #2 while the Mustangs are #12. Haley Wesley has been a double-double waiting to happen all season, well most of her career so the UNSIGNED star will definitely be bringing it for Spring who have an outside shot at making a run, Vista Ridge is probably their next opponent and then they'd face am explosive  Langham Creek vs Klein Collins winner, Collins has that 2020 star Emily Dogbaste who is about to blow up. Plenty of tough squads in this region, Alem, Prosper, who knows

2019 First round ready for whatever

First round games are generally iffy to a perfect world however I've seen districts swept in the opening round numerous times because the game is played on the court. Last year, #4 Alvin, pulled off a major upset defeating #1Pearland in the opening round, much of that had to do with UNSINGNED Andreea Mancha dropping 7 threes so with the addition of her talented freshman sister Mercedes, they're opening up against Elsik featuring 6'2 Ernescia Ford who is also UNSIGNED yet both have created plenty of buzz. The winner of that game will probably play Summer Creek who made it to Regional Finals last season and have a chance to do just that again however Clear Springs could throw a wrench in them even making it to Regionals

1st Round GAMES

Ridgepoint has one of the states top sophomore guards in Raven Adams as well as one of the top UNSIGNED guards in Texas, Taylor Thomas and they will have to battle defending R-3 champions Cy Creek in the 2nd round and that winner more than likely will face Katy with talented UNSIGNED guard Cassie Howard to see who makes it to Regional semifinals. On the bottom of the bracket, I think Westside and Jersey Village are on a collision course to see who makes it to Merrell Center while Atascocita and Beaumont United have a good shot at playing that game before the R-3 semifinal and none of this means nothing because again, the game is played on the court, and I ain't playing

R-3 6A BRACKET

2019 Winter Slam Super Shootout recap

I love catching young talent as well as observing those I've seen progression on the court but peep this, had a chance to watch CE Elite (Austin) coach Ashley Roberts while she was in middle school, forgot to take a pic with her and I'm so proud of her starring at Duncanville, finishing her college career at Texas nd now giving back as well as Skyrise Raniyah Lewis whose mom was a star at Conroe and her baby is more than on her way so watching the game change multiple times has been frustrating to say the least but remember talent is everywhere

CE Elite - talented group including Tyanna Hodges, great body, attacks relentlessly, Tatyanna Spencer, good upside combined with size, rebounds well, Janiya Davis with her handles and ability to dazzle as well as score multiple ways while Jordy Barrera has UPS, athletic and finishes

Texas Elite Adidas- Heather or NOT, Baymon has the "it" quality that left me somewhat speechless a year ago, she can go, solid play from both Melinda Winston and Caitlyn D'Addeico and that hesitation, change of direction and first step will tale Rube Ogbewire a very long way

R.Y.T.E.S. Warriors- very young and talented group filled with upside, game has and always will start at the one, never question me regarding basketball Emrie Holt has that lightning bolt attacking ability, creates for herself and teammates, Isabella Riggan athleticism and ability to attack was quite nice and Janiya Murphy's first step is borderline devastating, plus she scores mid to long

Skyrise- Raniyah Lewis upside is unlimited, she does things at a young age many seniors heading to college to play can't while Kierra Merchant slices and dices her way to the basket almost at will. Keely Cummings continue to add even more to her impressive game

SA Lady Hoops- brought two very talented squad, Layla Conley sold me at first sighting, she's dropping the long ball at an alarming rate, if you're a defender ,while Emory Black can play multiple positions effectively, gets hers in the flow or whatever while versatility from Aysia Proctor makes you not want to GAMBLE on her on either end because she can take over a game on both ends.

On the HOOPS younger squad, Ariana Rodriguez mixed up with ease , scoring off dribble, mid to long range while steady play from Emery Espionoza handling pressure and making plays was neatly done as well as Chayse Goetz leaving me somewhat speechless with her length and ability to attack only to be superseded by that mid to long range game