Oklahoma Lady Chiefs- 5th/6th Grade Battle On The Plainz II

Watching this team compete is one of the main reasons why I started doing this almost 15 years ago. The Lady Chiefs had one player in the 6th grade and one in the 5th, look at the graduation years yet you would have never known because they went after it and showed no fear playing against the older players so yes, this is my WHY, well one of them, here ya go

 2029

Cheyanna Black-5'6 (El Reno) used her body well in the paint and showed some nice moves inside to score. She rebounded and ran the floor on both ends, but peep this, she keeps the ball high after rebounding and understands how to throw the outlet to get the break going. Good upside

2030

Kiara Harjo-5'0 (Glenpool) showed me a lot of ways she could score and starting with her attacking the basket and finishing after contact. She also created her shot for the jumper and even showed the step back but her handling the ball and seeing the floor  was nice, and so was her "on the ball" defense and playing the passing lane 

2031

Blair Thompson-5'3 (Bearden) also gets it and her understanding of positioning to rebound, on both ends, many times against taller players were nice. She also used her body inside to score but her interior defense also looked good, so does her upside

Danika David-4'8 (Catoosa) plays within herself and did a good job defending both in the full court as well as in the set. She also showed she could handle the ball in the open court and made solid passes

Dayzie Cooper-5'3 (Glenpool) played solid defense "on the ball" and read the switch well. She also understands how to trap and did a good job handling the ball while being defended 

Aaliyah Smith-5'1 (Cowetta) used her body well on the inside, showed good hands while catching the ball, and made good strong moves to the rim. She rebounded and battled on the floor for loose balls

2032

DeAwna Black-4'4 (Sapulpa) falls into the #sizedontmatter category because she can play. She creates her shot and attacks the basket under pressure. She also played solid "on the ball" defense 

Muhayu McIntosh-4'1 (Glenpool) also falls into that #sizedontmatter category because her BB-IQ is ahead of her years. She handled the ball under pressure, saw the floor, and did a good job defending 

2033

Tinleigh Forbes-4'4 (Broken Arrow) another #sizedontmatter player because she understands how to stay with her man, on the ball, baseline to baseline. She handled the ball and made nice passes 

Lady Natives- 5th/6th Grade Battle On The Plainz II

The Lady Natives were competitive and fought hard, this is one of the things I look for when evaluating younger players. I'm a REAL EVALUATOR, no sleight of hand tricks and I know what I see and that's plenty of potential as well as upside for this squad, here ya go

2029

Reyana Robinson-5'1 (Bogue Chitto Elementary) plays within herself and did a good job defending and seeing the floor

La Taysia Hickman-5'1 (Standing Pine Elementary) handled the ball under pressure and scored off the dribble plus her court vision was nice and she played the passing lane 

Chyler Thomas- 5'3 (Conehatta Elementary) handled the ball well in the open court, she even showed a nice crossover going full speed

2030

Kaidence Thompson-5'4 (Tucker Elementary) understands positioning and not only rebounded on both ends but ran the floor. She also defended well

Kazelyn Farmer-5'1 (Pearl River Elementary) plays within herself, understands how and when to switch, and did a good job defending "on the ball" 

Greatone Ben-4'4 (Tucker Elementary) handled the ball well under pressure and also saw the floor under pressure. Also did a good job of staying with her man

Kaylianna McMillan-5'5 (Tucker Elementary) did a good job creating her shot both in the set as well as in transition. She handled the ball in the open court and saw the floor

Tiana Robinson-5'7 (Bogue Chitto Elementary) is tall and her doing things instinctively, like going after the ball off the rim as well as using her body in the paint was nicer 

2031

Zeta Ben-5'3 (Tucker Elementary) her "getting after it" had me smiling. She understands how to "man-up" and she also dove on the floor for loose balls

 

AZ Newest- 5th/6th Grade Battle On The Plainz II

 I have said previously that I really enjoy catching the youngstas because I love the energy and enthusiasm plus I always find hidden talent and rest assured, my saying talent is everywhere isn't just something I attached a hashtag to. It's real so here are ya go on this talented group from Arizona 

2029

Tianna Eddison-5'3 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) is showing signs of being a force to be reckoned with. She rebounds, on both ends, and she plays the passing lane yet she scores well around the paint with nice moves, as well as off the dribble. She also created her shot and dropped the jumper but her crossover in the open court JUST DID IT for me

Cambree Thompson-5'2 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) understands how to apply baseline to baseline pressure and her "on the ball" defense helped create turnovers. She also attacked the basket and showed the pull-up in transition 

Morgan Upshaw-5'0 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) gets the #sizedontamtter hashtag because she can play and her comprehension of reading the floor as well as her on-the-ball pressure was very nice. She made good passes and has good upside 

2030

Peyton Moore-5'2 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) already understands the importance of using her first step to attack the basket. She's long and athletic, which is still the base, and she battles for loose balls and also plays the passing lane. Nice upside because she also sees the floor and rebounds and one of her highlights was "banking a 3" 

Rayea Edison-4'11 (Catherine Miller Elementary School) dove for loose balls on the floor, and battled for loose balls off the rim, she just understands the importance of getting after it but she also did what I love seeing and that's "played the passing lane"

Chanoah Charley-4'5 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) has me dropping another #sizedontmatter hashtag because she too can play. Her deceptive first step enabled her to get to the basket, well that and her ballhandling. She also saw the floor and played solid defense 

Shandin Bia-5'1 (Tsehootsooi Middle School) used her body well and already understands positioning. She did a good job defending around the basket, even stepped outside the paint but she also plays within herself which is always a great sign and has nice upside 

Oklahoma Lady Warriors 5th/6th Grade Battle On The Plainz II Runner-Up

 What I loved about this division is that the teams fought hard, and the Lady Warriors gave everything they had. You see some sad faces in the photo but it's all about competing and these young  ladies left a lasting impression, and when you factor in youth and upside, well I can't wait to follow their progression and revisit my evaluations, and here you go

2029

Abigail Taylor-5'0 (Sasakwa) caught my eye early with her defense yet as the tournament progressed, she showed me more. She pushes the ball and sees the floor, scored off the dribble, and has a nice pull-up jumper, as well as a step back

Mya Wilson-5'2 (Shawnee) is long and athletic, which will always be the base, and watching her play the passing lane as well as attacking off the dribble was nice. She also did a good job rebounding, on both ends and defended well

Lacee Thomas-5'0 (Chickasaw) does a good job of playing within herself and understanding the little things that will be big like battling for loose balls off the rim as well as diving on the floor were nice, so was her defending and playing the passing lane

2030

Sage Wildcat-4'8 (Justice) mixed up her offense nicely by attacking off the dribble, body control is nice, as well as showing the pull-up jumper. She did a good job defending "on the ball" as well as playing the passing lane

Aziza Pebworth- 5'3 (Konawa) also did something I love to see and that's play the passing lane. She reacts well on defense, and she understands when to switch but she also does things instinctively which is always a good sign, nice upside 

Olivia Riley-5'3 (Jefferson Elementary-Shawnee) I guess I should have just written that everyone plays the passing lane but she came out of nowhere a few times to get steals. She also attacked the basket from the wing yet she's long and athletic with nice upside 

2031

Alivia Zavala-5'1 (Justice) just gets after it on both ends and when you factor in her age and playing up, I just smiled because I know what's coming. Guess what, she plays the passing lane too but she also ended and handled the ball well

Oklahoma Lady Runners 5th/6th Grade Battle On The Plainz II Champions

 I opened up with this talented group and they helped close out the event by winning the Championship in the 5th/6th Grade Division in the Battle On The Plainz II Tournament. This group of 6th graders, all from the Class Of 2030, have tons of potential in fact some are already showing they will play at some level of the next level so here you go

Madelyn McGrit-5'7 (Okamah) is long and athletic, I call that the base because it's a definite next-level attraction. She does things instinctively, like playing the passing lane as well as reacting quickly defensively but her timing was also nice, and so was her attacking the basket off the dribble

Lala White-5'6 (Calumet) defended well all through the event, both and outside the paint yet her rebounding on both ends was also a plus. She finished around the basket and even showed she could drop the midrange 

MaKya Muskett-5'0 (Calumet) falls into a hashtag I love to use and that's #sizedontmatter because she can play. She applied solid on-the-ball pressure and players the passing lane. She also created her shot and attacked off the dribble

Khloe Bass-5'2 (Mustang) also gets the #sizedontmatter hashtag because she too can play. She understands the game and more importantly, she plays within herself meaning she doesn't force anything. Well she forced turnovers because she did a good job defensively 

Jordyn Littlebird-5'4 (Darlington) scored off the dribble as well as from mid to long-range but her court vision was also nice, as well as handling the ball "coast to coast" after rebounding. She has quick hands, came away with steals, and played the passing lane but her diving for loose balls was also nice 

Aashari Hollins-5'5 (Darlington) rebounded on both ends and scored around the basket, putbacks included, and after contact. She also showed she could attack the basket off the dribble and did a good job seeing the floor and making nice passes

Michelle Hoffman-5'5 (Darlington) also played within herself and did a good job of getting hers in the flow. Her defense stood out in each game I caught them but her seeing the floor as well as attacking the basket off the dribble was also nice 

Houston United 2028 #simmiecolsonclassic

 I always give useful information, not just NONSENSE many believe on social media but this is sort of funny. Jada Malone had been selling me Girl Scout Cookies for years as I watched her watching her older sister Micarah put in work over the years. I guess in the 6th or 7th grade, Jada said "Mr. Simmie, I have bad news for you, I'm going to start playing and I won't be selling the cookies anymore" and she was right, it was bad news because I thought this would help me lose weight, it didn't

Fast forward to now, after a state championship as well as runner-up with The Village, the good news for her is that she's putting in work for Texas A&M now, and also the good news for me is that Jayda Hart is now my go-to for the lemon cookies as she is showing signs with Houston United as are her teammates 

Kennedy Price has grown both on and off the court and her being "long and athletic" which is THE BASE has her on the path around all 4 for a home run. I used to drop "the PRICE is RIGHT" when her older sister Lauren played and I'm sure I'll be using it again. Her ballhandling in traffic, her court vision  as well as creating her shot under pressure to attack or drop the jumper was impressive, so is her upside as she's playing up, class of 2029

Addison Little is heady and understands how to set the defender up with a deceptive first step. I think I enjoyed her understanding of how to get hers "in the flow" more than anything yet she saw the floor well and made good decisions which is always a plus. She defended as well as understood how and when to trap

Jayda Hart is also "long and athletic" and watching her rebound and handle the ball in the open court tells me a lot. I remember watching her older sister Tymberlin Criswell who also starred with Malone at The Village and is not putting in work with SMU and I see similarities like the explosiveness off the dribble as well as playing the passing lane but she has scary upside as well 

Others I'll be watching closely are these young ladies because they already GET IT and GET AFTER IT and I'll enjoy all of their progression on the court 

Brianna Kelly

Liana Calderon

Naomi Rodriguez

Autumn Randle 2029

Houston Lady Roadrunners 29/30 #SimmieColsonClassic

Let me say this, I was overly impressed with this talented young squad because of their intensity, skillset, and BB-IQ, and when you factor in they are  5th and 6th graders, well that speaks volumes. They played all of their games on opening day and they left a lasting impression

Here are the PLAYERS 

2029

Tia Robinson is a long and athletic guard, that is showing signs of dazzling with the ball. She scores off the dribble yet creates her shot and drains the jumper, this includes "in transition" and she defends

Legacy Gill created her shot and got it off, with a hand in her face yet she plays within herself and understands how to get hers "in the flow" but she also showed she could handle the ball under pressure

Parker Reed is long and athletic, forgot to mention that is the base, and observing her use a deceptive first step to attack the basket was nice, and so was her playing the passing lane 

Rihanna Washington is also long and athletic yet she can rebound and go to coast effortlessly with the ball under pressure. She also does a good job of not only scoring but seeing the floor

Dakari Hunter handled the ball under pressure, and even split defenders a few times but she can attack using either hand and finish along with making tough passes on the money under pressure 

Meghan Davis has some scary upside because she's tall, athletic, and goes after the ball off the rim, you can't teach that but she also scored around the rim and did a good job defending inside the paint

McKinley Peterson shows me she has the potential to control the inside. She too is long and athletic, and also goes after everything yet her TIMING to block shots, as well as score around the rim, is nice

Lamoni Davis showed some rugged defense around the basket and her going lateral had me smiling because she could defend outside the paint as well. Good upside, and her shot is fluid around the basket

2030

Abigail Flores falls into that #sizedontmatter category I hashtag because she can play. I enjoyed her "on the ball" defense as well as diving for loose balls yet her court vision is ahead of her years

2029 Standouts -PassThaBall #NXTUpDallas

 

Plenty of new faces in this group as well and let me dub this group the Fab 4. I really enjoyed what they not only brought to the table but what they also didn't leave on the table 

Finley Hein (True Texas Hoops) is a long and athletic guard that does a good job of not only creating her shot but getting it off while being defended, this includes with a hand in her face. She has a deceptive first step which allows her to attack the basket from multiple angles and she sees the floor

Alexa Bibb (Drive Nation) already gets IT as far as running a team and she understands how to set her teammates up for gimmes. She attacks off the dribble and has nice body control, yet in the open court, her change of pace is special. Let me also add she has a nice pull-up jumper, in the set and in transition

Nicole Jones (Arkansas Bears) was one of many players that crossed state lines to show what they had and immediately her handling of the ball showing both the crossover and the HEZ stood out. She attacks with ease, and nice body control and she creates her shot under pressure and drops it from outside

Gracie Ross (TBI Ballstars) was one of the most athletic players at the camp and watching her rebound on one end and go coast to coast a few times to either finish or dish JUST DID IT for me. What she also did was understand how to "create contact" which will be HUGE throughout her career and when you add she has UPS, is explosive off the dribble, and body control, the upside is scary 

2030 Standouts -PassThaBall #NXTUpDallas

 

This young group of players is loaded with 2 things, upside, and next-level potential. I loved the skillset yet just as important, I enjoyed how they "thought things through" on their own. That is one of those small things that turn into HUGE things because you can't properly play the game if you don't comprehend it, well more times than not so here are the Super 6 from the 2030 class, #WatchOutForTheBabies

Jordynn Harris (Hoop Society)  left me speechless when the bright lights came on. Her explosiveness off the dribble is ahead of her years but her athleticism on both ends definitely stood out during the 1 on 1 drill. She understands how to defend "on the ball" but she also showed good timing to block shots. Her crossover in both settings showed me even more

Kyleigh Williamson is one of those "never takes a play-off" types of player and her high energy on both ends had me going. She understands how to defend, force players into traps, and used her quick hands to come away with steals, she also read the court and played the passing lane. On top of that, she already understands how to create her shot and got to the rim with ease

Kyndal Lyn had me pumped before the event even started as I've been catching her and her sister doing damage via the internet for quite some time. I had a chance to see them live at Prime Time Nationals yet Kynda has taken it to another level. Her first step is going to be an issue because her athleticism coupled with her body control is very nice but so is that pull-up jumper 

Peini Jiang (Hoop Society) is definitely on to something because of her change of pace, COP, which will make defenders call the law, pun intended. Her crossover is also nice, and she does both in transition as well as in the set. She also understands how to do something many guards going to college don't and that's how to create contact and when you add that she finishes after the lick ...

Trinity Boyd (DC Queens) falls into a category I've hashtagged quite a bit over the years and that's #sizedontmatter which was amended to also add when you can play and she can definitely bring the heat on both ends. She's fearless, and does a good job defending both "in the set" as well as "baseline to baseline". She also creates her shot, her deceptive first step get the defender off balance and she finishes

Chloe Davis (Pro Skills) is a player I love to irritate, this time I told her that her name rhymes with SHOWIE so I want to see a show. I'm running out of clever things to say yet her ballhandling is HYPNOTIZING and with her variety of spins, stepbacks, and of course, the HEZ, she is going to be a "nightmare to defend" because she scores off the dribble, at times acrobatically and can drop the mid to long-range, yeah I already dropped #D1Lock a while back

2022 Pass Tha Ball #NXTUpDallas Hits It Again

 I always enjoy covering Pass Tha Ball events, starting with the first major event back in 2013 called the Hoop A Holics and if you can remember to use the search bar on here as well as on my website, there's a vast amount of information that you probably didn't know existed 

I love catching new faces as well as the progression of others, primarily so I can say "I told you so" without copying anyone because that is definitely BS, pun intended, I COPY no one, but that's another story, and trust me, I have plenty of tales like being confronted at the first camp about "not getting permission" to come to Dallas and do this

Let me give a special S/O to Charles Stoker for running the 1 on 1 station accurately and efficiently as it gave me an opportunity to see players performing what I love to see, making decisions on their own so the talent from the event was just overwhelming, to say the least 

I'm going to start off with the 2030 group right here and that group includes a young lady, Chloe Davis, I've already dropped #D1Lock on, yet the talented group I'll title, The Babies, left me speechless at times

The 2027-2029 group will be on my website, in fact, I'll even drop something on the Top Performers on Prep Girls Hoops Texas so stay tuned but even more important to players, stay ready because you never know who's watching