Can Elkins Go With No Breaux?

Not to mention Breanna Barnet who along with Breaux, combined for over half of the teams points. One of the smallest players on the team, Kaylan Sanders, will probably have to take the biggest step forward to try and help her team return to the post season. Sanders, like Kelechi Kalu pictured right, is a lighning fast lock em up defender. She is also one of the fastest kids baseline to baseline with the ball to come through the city, not to mention her ability to light em up from bta. When you play in the toughest district in the region, good sometimes isn't enough and Sanders is ready for the challenge.

Other Than Elsik

Being over 6 feet and athletic almost assures you a chance to play at the next level. Posts are premium and many recruiters salivate at the chance to land one who can bang and finish, having good hands doesn't hurt. The strides I've seen Raven Wilson make shows the hard work and dedication she's putting into her game. Will this be the year Macarthur challenges Elsik for first place?

If Macarthur does move ahead to challenge the Rams, they will have to jump some teams, namely Alief Taylor and Jamica Byrd. Losing Jaz Victorian is a big blow to the Lions, however Byrd and Kelechi Kalu compliment each other quite well in the backcourt, Byrd being instant offense, while Kalu is a defensive stopper. The ex factor could be Cassie Chiedu and whatever help they receive from their JV and freshmen teams

Eisenhower won't lay down either, Taylor Overton has shown leaps and bounds while Courtney Moore is always all over the place on both ends

HISD 5A

Without having a true banger down low, Bellaire dopped off considerably, taking a surprise early exit in the second round to Cy Woods. Even without a big, that wasn't supposed to happen and believe me Team ABW, Alix, Burns and Winslow, will come back with someting to prove. AJ Alix is already regarded, especially by me, as one of the top 2013 in the country. Like Reggie Jackson, if you don't know GOOGLE him, she is the straw that stirs the drink.

To make sure that drink doesn't overheat, Brianne Jolivet and Blake Hemmitt will have to keep everything cool and give them major minutes down low. These kids are on the verge of  a breakout season and this maybe the

year they step out of the shadows of the threesome.

Aundrea Pipkins id coming around nicely and being 6'2 is a premium. She and Sade "Smooth Operator" Adedapo provide an adequate one two punch that may make the district race interesting.

 Nykala Richards, above right, and Jasmine King, above, both have fought nagging injuries in their first two seasons of high school, however for Westside to show any glimpse of competing for anything other than a playoff spot, these kids along with Breanna Luton, have to be right.

Rangie Bessard will be a bright spot for Lamar as they have one of the top 2014 area posts on their roster. It may wind up being between them and Westside for third place

NOT SO PRIVATE

Westbury Christian has dominated the area private schools for a long time however that may be about to change as Bria Goodman and Dasia Batiste hope to elevate their game at Episcopal

A change of scenery by Micarah Malone will help St. Pius after losing two D-1 players

Brianna Williams has been virtually unstoppable under the basket at St. Johns during her career

Whenever Michelle Nwokedi realizes how great she can be, private and public schools will take notice. As far as anyone being able to replace WC as the top private school in the area, St. Agnes may be in the drivers seat for now

Although not a private school, Crosby is somewhat unknown to many however at one time they were one of the top 4A schools in the area. Crosby's Alea Godfrey is one of the top 2013 players in the city and that's a fact

Breakout Season For Clements Expected

There have been few times when I watched a young unknown player and had to find out who they were after seeing them go completely off the first time I saw them. Madison Wilson is one of those players as she put on a clinic, scoring at will from every position on the floor at standing close to 6' left me somewhat speechless that inaugural meeting. Over the past couple of years, I have continued to watch the young lady who is one of the top 2013's in the area you amy not know about.

Teaming with Wilson is point guard Taylor Forest who will be a key to taking Clements to the playoffs

How deep they go may depend on sharpshooter Michelle Bevan freeing it up for Wilson and Paige Marquez down low. Fort Bend has been one of, if not the toughest district in Region 3 and the early favorites are Hightower, Austin, Kempner and Clements, but you can never count Dulles out.

Caldwell Makes The Cut

I've always said if you can play, you can play and being affiliated with certain programs shouldn't have a bearing on that. Recee Caldwell is a perfect example as she has been named to the USA 16U team, the only kid from Texas selected. I called this young lady one of the best young guards in the country while she was in the 7th grade and as her growth and development continue, she will get everything she deserves. Congratulations to all of the kids that not only made it, but competed as well.



USA BASKETBALL U16 ROSTER



Recee' Caldwell, 5-8 PG (2014), San Antonio, Texas

Jordin Canada, 5-6 PG (2014), Los Angeles, Calif.

Kaela Davis, 6-2 G (2013), Suwanee, Ga.

Rebecca Greenwell, 6-1 G (2013), Owensboro, Ky.

Linnae Harper, 5-7 G (2013), Chicago, Ill.

Stephanie Mavunga, 6-3 F/C (2013), Indianapolis, Ind.

Erica McCall, 6-3 F (2013), Bakersfield, Calif.

Taya Reimer, 6-3 F (2013), Fishers, Ind.

Mercedes Russell, 6-5 P (2013), Springfield, Ore.

Jannah Tucker, 6-0 G (2013), Randallstown, Md.

Sydney Umeri, 6-1 F (2013), Acworth, Ga.

Jatarie White, 6-3 P (2014), Charlotte, N.C.

Little Girls With Big Game

It's always refreshing to see the little ones getting their feet wet. I mentioned how Spring will benefit from Bernesha Peters and the two Brittany's next season, allso watch out for Brynae Thompson at Jersey Village.

At times Thompson shows her youth by being erratic, her upside is tremendous and she may end her career being one of the best lefties to play in the city.

Speaking of upside, Kiara McElroy can already hit the open three with the best of them. Playing up has helped her confidence and the improvement shows, but the main thing is her ceiling is far from being reached and she too is someone that may explode.

Another 7th grader, who like me and Bonecrusher "ain't never scared" is Angela Harris. The epic battles between her and some of the top 8th graders shows she will be a ready for prime time player in the future and the future is now!

Khayla Mitchell teams with Harris to form one of the best young club backcourts in the city and will be one of the top freshmen in all of Fort Bend next season.

It Starts At The ONE!

I always thought that I hated being questiones however it appears I love it or I would have changed. I took some heat by saying Hightower would beat Clear Springs in the playoffs last season and they didn't which surprised me however Cleear Springs losing to Elsik surprised me even more so this will be interesting to many as I go on the line early and pick Clear Springs as the teamn to beat. To those that follow the game, the reasons are probably clear however Springs has an arsenal of weapons starting with one of the top point guards in the country, a kid I've been blowing up since she was in elementary school, Brooke McCarty aka "The Chosen One"

With proven players such as Courtney Latham, Aaliyah Brown, Jo Ann Lira and Kaylin Roher, look for Tippit and Alysse Dowdy to do what they've done over the club season and step their games up on the team to beat. Waiting in the wind will be a much improved Madison Harris who brings another outside scoring threat on board.

Let's Do It Again!

Not only was that a great movie from many years ago, okay well funny movie, it served as sort of  a sequel as Cosby and Poitier were in their second movie together. This is sort of like Sedalia Ellis and Crystal Porter coming back for their swan song, who like those two actors changed their names to All Greater Houston and are both considered two of the top players in the city coming from relatively unknown status, unless you read my stuff. Cy Falls was the number one team for most of the season and Elsik was one of two teams that beat them, look for those teams to be back with a vengeance

Carol Willie will be one of the reasons Cy Falls will stay at the head of the class and look for her bringing more offense to the plate after the graduation of Larissa Scott. Shernise Robinsn will move into the starting lineup and her and Ellis creating havoc for opposing backcourts. Porter, along with fellow 2012 stars Akunna Elonu and Jasmine Ocanas, have never lost a district game .

No maam, I haven't forgotten about West Mesquite and their impressive run last season. She'georgia Williams and  Company were entertaining to say the least and that pipeline looks full

                      

The Next Chapter for Cy Woods

Gone is sharpshooter Jenny Nash who will be doing her thing at Nichols State. How do you replace a kid that scored close to 20 ppg as a senior and averaged probably close to 15 ppg for her career. Cy Woods has several that can fill it up and many are UTR. Sure, Olivia Ogwumike will be entering her sophomore season while younger sister Erica will be making her high school debut, but I believe those points could come from a number of players including Justice Crisp, Audrey Garcia, Camille Williams or Desarae Robertson.

With Chelsi Grimes running the point, this senior heavy team will have offense coming from everywhere. Williams didn't move up to varsity until the final week of the season due to transfer rules and helped Cy Woods knock off preseason favorite Bellaire before losing to eventual Region 3 winner Elsik. As her outside game improves, Williams and Robertson have had several shining moments during the club season and appear to be ready to go out with a bang in July. Crisp is also a player you need to keep your eye as the UTR list seems to keep growing.

The Out of Towners-Up Close and Personal

Club basketball gives young ladies so many options to showcase their talents. This is vital if you are attempting to play at the next level. I always consult parents to put their kids in the best situation to be seen, this is actually what it's all about. I've had a chance to watch two kids over the past two seasons grow and develop into next level players and both travel a nice distance to do it. Jessiah Johnson has fully recovered from a knee injury she suffered two seasons ago and put Goliad on her back and led them one game from the playoffs, a place where they have never been. A silky smooth player who can fill it up, Johnson is a throwback to the old pure shooters of the past. Bryce Owens travels a little farther than Goliad and this Metroplex Marvel was one of the key reasons DeSoto was one game from the Regional Final last season. Blazing speed and the ability to get to the bucket anytime she wants, Bryce sees the floor as good as anyone else in her class. She's also one of the best man on defensive players around and please don't blink because you miss something, especially if you're on her team because no look 50 foot passes on the money happen all the time

Kenya Griffin has been a pleasant surprise as she's another kid from along Highway 59 playing at Victoria East. Like Johnson, Griffin is back from a knee injury and at times has been labeled with "BEAST" status for her play around the basket. Although standing at the door of 6', Kenya doesn't settle for the one dimensional label and can step out and hit the midrange.

Last but not least is a true battler that will run through walls for you. Shanice Williams probably has that mentality because she has to play post at Hardin HS. Being 5'6 and beat up all of the time is probably where she get's the mentality that she can do anything and at times, she has. A tough player who has lit it up several times, Williams will do whatever it takes as shown by being one of the keys to Hardin's success. Once again remember to put your kids in the best situation possible and if you don't know, ask me!

Logan Johnson Steps Up

Last season, I believe the most surprising area team had to be Katy Taylor. I figured they would be good, however they were on the verge of making it to the Regional Final 4, #1 Cy Falls stopped that from happening. The Mustangs had already done something I don't recall any other area team ever doing and that's beat two #1 teams in the same season, and up until the final 2:30 seconds, it seemed it might be three in a row. Do it all player Amanda Jungswirth finished up her career with a bang for Taylor however before you think the Mustangs won't be a team to reckon with next season, thing again. Logan Johnson appears to be ready to step right in where Jungswirth left off. I watched her in four or five games over the past month and she was impressive to say the least. She's another potential next level  2012 area player who happens to be UTR, Under The Radar. Johnson uses her athleticism and knowledge of the game to make things happen  Next season, the Mustangs will again surprise many and Johnson will be leading the way.

Miracle at Manvel?

Certainly not over the next few years. After edging Foster last season by a point to make it to the the 4A Regional Final 4, the Mavericks will have the fortune to be on the receiving emd of 2015 wonder kid Jordan Hosey, who is one of the top players from her class coming into high school next season. If the word on the street is true, she will team with one of, if not the top 2014 player in the country, forming a twin tower tandem second only to the Ogwumike sisters era from our area.

Jade Castille was their primary offensive weapon last season, however a couple of JV players are ready for their shot to move up. Mykhaela Tolds game is catching up with her athleticism and could be a factor next season

Also hoping to move up is Kierra Fisher, who keeps adding something to her repertoire every time I see her play. Watch out for the Mavericks, they will compete with several of the top 5A schools next season.

The Big Three Plus

I mentioned Klein Forest's dramatic turnaround last season was due to the tremendous threesome of Gray, Parker and Scott all freshmen who made a name for themselves.

One 2014 player you may not know much about is Jeliah Preston who is ready to step out of the shadows and fill it up from anywhere on the court. Already known as a gifted shooter from "bta", Preston has taken it to another level, something she and her young teammates plan on as they attempt to make a run.

To make that run, remember the game starts at the ONE and after stepping into the starting role of PG for KF last season, a more confident Desiree Davis plans on leading them even further, along with adding more bling in the trophy case. Davis is blessed with something other than height that you can't teach, speed. She is also one of the most explosive guards in the city and if you need 100% from a player on both ends, count on DD. Losing senior Keylantra Taylor in the middle, who will be suiting up for Dillard next season, will be a big blow however Klein Forest will be in the hunt.

The Talent Keeps Coming

With the success of Phi Slamma Jamma, Texas became a hotbed for recruiters looking at unknown talent on the boy's side. It took almost 25 years for many to realize there were girl's that could go in and change programs right off the bat and from what I'm seeing that trend still continues. I've mentioned the Fastbreakers have some of the top young talent in the city, however it doesn't stop there as I see the Class of 2015 on down with future stars in the making.

The Texas Warriors, Cut The Nets and Fort Bend Express join the Fastbreakers for that 2015 class of soon to be freshmen who will be impact players off the top

Entertainment at it's best, these young kids will be the ones we are talking about in the not so distant future, so enjoy the ride, it doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon

Dillingham Returns

Last season, Klein Collins started out with a bang, one of their biggest wins was over eventual State Champion Irving Macarthur and many believed they had a chance to make it as far as the Regional Final 4, however a first round loss to The Woodlands ended that dream. They were operating with one of the best scoring duos in the area, Veja Hamilton and Dominique Dillingham, however the injury bug hit Dillingham who tried numerous times to come back but it was one thing after another. After seeing "Niques" performance so far in the club season, it appeaars she will be ready to do some damage alongside Hamilton next season and pick up where they left off. On a side note, congratualtions to Hamilton who has verballed to TCU!

Fast and Furious

I attended the  Houston Fastbreakers Summer Classic over the weekend and as usual I wasn't disappointed as their program has some of the top young talent in the city. If you recall, I was the one that called Klein Forest's turnaround last season and left my doubters scratching their heads once again because that's what I do. Ekiya Gray, Ebony Parker and Regina Gray were the primary reason KF went off.  Keep an eye on 2012 Taylor Overton over the summer. This kid has elevated her game and is a next level player.

I don't know if my new "Big Three" will carry Spring back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, but I do know Bernesha Peters will be electrifying and entertaining. Even though she's undersized, she understands the game and has one thing you can't teach, heart. Adding her, along with the two Brittany's, Smith and Perkins, will give Spring a solid nucleus. The tallest of the three is only 5'7, so the impact may not be as huge as KF's was last season, but it will be an impact because once again " The game starts at the ONE"