Friday night action to close January

Few surprises last night as the playoffs are only a little over two weeks ago however I guess this could be called an upset as Atascocita lost to The Woodlands which means their last game against Kingwood should be a thriller for the district title

RESULTS

Collins defeats Forest in OT thriller

This game was a battle right off the top and as the lead continued to change hands, one thing was constant, Rexesha Hollis wanted the ball. Hollis scored 20 points on a variety of ways to help lead Klein Collins to a 52-48 OT victory. The interior of Natalya Chatham and Naomi Brown seems to be peaking at the right time as the playoffs near, Chatham also added 10

Tiara Marbley and Twyna Fletcher scored 10 each for KF while Destiny Vincent did her usual job of making plays throughout the game. Two of the biggest plays came late as Klein Forest drew up a play with a few seconds remaining on the clock to set up Fletcher for the OT sending three and in OT, Hollis drove coast 2 coast for the pull-up and that shot starts here and the remaining scenes will be on Twitter

BOX

Bellaire vs Westside highlights big games tonight

Westside is in the driver's seat and I'm talking more ways than one as they are on the verge of winning the district outright for the first time since 2007, which happens to be the year my daughter graduated from there. The Wolves are also one of the hottest teams in the area and if they defeat Bellaire tonight, they are in a very good position to make it to Campbell Center since they are on the other side of the bracket from both Cy Woods and North Shore and once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen

First things first, they have to win tonight and go through some tough competition to make to the regional semis including well I don't  know, hey I do too much free stuff anyway, figure it out and tonight's schedule is at the bottom 

2014-15 UIL Girls State Basketball Championships 6A Regions 1 & 3

UIL Website

SCHEDULE

Space City Jam starts NOW

SATCH has knocked off some heavy hitters this season and I'll be out there tomorrow to catch the action

18U Bracket



BRACKETS

HBU hosts Abilene Christian tonight

Okay I'm scrolling down Abilene Christian's roster and names just pop out at me, Alyssa Echols, check, Whitney West. check, checks all over the place as far as former HS stars I watched group literally before my eyes on the court.

The Wildcats face HBU tonight at 7pm, weatherman says cold front is coming so be ready just in case

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Cougars battle but Green Wave rolls to victory

The University of Houston came out and battled Tulane University early and were only down 8 at the half but the Green Wave had too much firepower as for of their players were in double figures including three from Texas Danielle Blagg (15), Chinwe Duru and Leslie Vorpahl each with 11. Kolby Morgan also scored 13 for Tulane

TULANE

Alecia Smith and Tyler Gilbert led the Cougars with 13 each, Gilbert also added 10 rebounds for yet another double double and Bianca Winslow played all but two minutes scoring with 4 assists

HOUSTON

Courtnie Latham played solid as the former Clear Springs star gets caught in the #AutoAwesome photo and speaking of that hashtag, Vorpahl added  5 assists, a couple of em you might have missed if you blinked

2015 Region 4 favorites TABC and IDK

I put the IDK in the subject because I don't know who the favorite is. I know Carroll did okay in the KISD event but to say R4 is wide open, well all of the regions appear to be except R3.

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Although I hate patting myself on the back about assessing young talent, oh who am I kidding, I DO KNOW I was right yet again about Johnson freshman Desiree Caldwell

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2015 Region 1 favorites TABC and Desoto

I sort of through Desoto in the mix because I actually saw them play and they only lost to TABC #2 North Shore by 2 and #3 Cedar Ridge by 7 in the Texas Invitational and beat #15 Cy Fair by 16 yet they aren't ranked so I only use this stuff as a guide, the game is played on the court and when the playoffs start, always remember you only have to be the best team that game. Desoto plays in one of the toughest district in the state, they lost to #6 Duncanville by 6 and 12 as well as close losses to both South Grand Prairie and Cedar Hill by close margins so the those top teams in the district may just pull off some surprises

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Hightower at Hastings for district tonight, I think

Hightower is in a "UNIQUE" position and them being on the other side of the bracket from both North Shore and Cy Woods means, drum-roll please, they could surprise everyone and get out of here, yes I called them a "DYAMOND" in the rough earlier this season. Always remember anything can happen once you get there and they have the "GLASS" sneakers that could lead them to San Antonio and play for the "TREAZURE" aka state championship but before that happens, they have a "LOTT" of work remaining starting with Hastings tonight.

DISTRICT STANDINGS I THINK

The script could be flipped tonight because the Hurricanes have to play in the Bears den and Hastings hasn't been hibernating this season with Sydney Hayes and Raeshawn Jones putting up numbers. This is the HS game I would be watching however Hofheinz is the place I'll be but here's the schedule, double check, double check, for tonight

SCHEDULE  

Former Manvel star Bessard transfers to Wichita State

Rangie Bessard simply got the job done on the court and the former Manvel star was instrumental in helping lead them to state title last season. After signing with Minnesota, Bessard was on par to do big things however a coaching change prior to the start of the season changed her role and she has now transferred to the Shockers

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Sam Houston State's Robertson @SouthlandSports Player of the Week

Shernise Robertson put up numbers at Cy Falls, she put up numbers at Tyler JC and now the star junior is showing nothing has changed at Sam Houston State as she has been named Southland Conference Player of the Week. Robertson leads the conference in scoring at over 22 ppg  through 8 games

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St Agnes #UnderTheRadar stars ready for battle against Concordia Lutheran tomorrow

I've been watching Beth Hawkins make strides over the past two seasons and the 6'0 wing continues to take her game up, up and away. Hawkins and sharpshooter Lauren O'Connell, both juniors, are two of the forces St Agnes will put on the floor against a talented Concordia Lutheran team tomorrow

SCHEDULE

Tulane at Houston tomorrow as Latham returns home

One of the smoothest players ever to play in the area will be back in town as Courtney Latham (Clear Springs) and her Tulane Green Wave teammates invade Hofheinz Pavillion tomorrow night to play the University of Houston Cougars. Latham helped lead the Chargers to 103 wins in three seasons, including a trip to Austin, that's where they used to play for the state championship and now she's helping her Green Wave squad to one of the top records in the American Athletic Conference, they're currently in third place. They've had some huge wins this season, beating both LSU and NC State as well as Miami s

'15 Kryshona Carter going off #UnderTheRadar

Cedar Ridge is one of the top teams in the state and they're in the mix with everyone I've seen and like I always say, once you get there, playoffs, anything can happen, One of the stars on Cedar Ridge sort of ties in what I'm saying because once unsigned guard Kryshona Carter steps on the floor, ANYTHING can happen and I mean good. Minor injuries are the only reason she's available, she's a steal that's the deal and if you don't believe me

Teams Swarming around Battle At The Hive March 6-8

When you look at the teams already on hand, it reads like a "Who's Who" of those that are among the top at their age groups and that usually means players that you'll be hearing about a whole lot. One of those players '20 Katelyn Levings, is already being recruited by not only D1 colleges but some of the top programs in the country. There are still spots available

CONTACT

Here's a list of who's on board

 Lady Hoopsters 2023

DC Queens 2023

Oklahoma Swarm Elite 2023        (2014 Primetime National Champs)

Tulsa Lady Bulldogs 2023

OK Ravens 2022

OK Lady Thunder 2022                  (2nd at 2014  Primetime Nationals)

Oklahoma Swish 2022

Arkansas Mavericks 2022

St. Louis Adidas 2022

Lady Jazz 2022                                 (2013 & 2014 Primetime National Champs)

Midwest Select 2022 (St. Louis)

Team Pink 2022            (2013 MAYB National Champs & 2014 MAYB Runner Up)

Oklahoma Swish 2021

CIA Elite 2021

PWP 2021

Midwest Select 2021 (St. Louis)

AMG Ballers 2021                          (2014 PBT National Champs, 3rd at 2013 AAU Nationals)

Oklahoma Bombers Elite 2021    (2 time defending AAU National Champs

DC Queens 2021

Dream Elite 2021

Arkansas Mavericks 2021

Lady Impact 2021                          (2014 West Coast AAU National Champs)

PWP – Tulsa OK 2020                  (2013 MAYB National Champs)

Oklahoma Swarm Elite 2020      (2014 AAS National Champs/9th at 2014 AAU Nationals))

Arkansas Mavericks 2020            (5th at 2014 AAU Nationals)

Midwest Select 2020 (St. Louis)

D1 Shooters Destiny Elite 2020 (2014 Primetime National Champs & 7th at 2014 AAU Nationals)

DC Queens 2020 Orange              (AAU National Champs 2011 and 2012 & Primetime Champs 2011-13)

Texas Lady Tigers 2020

DC Queens 2020 Blue                   (3rd at 2013 AAU West Coach Nationals)

Oklahoma Select 2020

Oklahoma Swish 2020

Oklahoma Swarm Pride 2020

EPPS Elite (Kansas) 2020

Missouri Valley Magic 2020           (3rd at 2014 AAU Nationals Classic)

Arkansas Mavericks 2020 (Love)

Team United 2020                         (2nd MAYB Nationals)

St. Louis Lady Bombers 2020

Fort Bend Stars 2020

DFW Lady Rockets 2020

PWP – Tulsa OK 2019

Oklahoma Swish 2019                  (3rd at MAYB Nationals)

Midwest Select 2019 (St. Louis)                   (7th at 2014 AAU Nationals)

Arizona Mavericks 2019

OK Ravens 2019

DC Queens 2019 Orange               (2014 PBR Super 64 National Champs, Primetime Nationals 4th Place)

Oklahoma Swarm Elite 2019

Oklahoma Swarm Pride 2019

Oklahoma Select Red 2019 (Trevor)    (2014 Primetime National Champs)

Missouri Valley Magic 2019                   (9th at 2014 AAU Nationals)

Tulsa Lady Bulldogs 2019

Fort Bend Stars 2019

Dream Elite 2019

Ok All Stars 2019

Forme Physique Panthers 2019                     2014 Hoop Play USA Nationals 4th

Tulsa Lady Spartans 2019                    (4th at 2014 MAYB)

Prime Time Nationals showed me Sue had the Key to the locks

I caught a video of a young lady I caught at Prime Time Nationals back in 2012 and I called her a Top 100 player that no one knew about. She was and is still unbelievalble and just remeber, "don't fall asleep"

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Even More

No Friday report because I leaped before I looked twice

Here's the deal, weather was bad and I honestly didn't feel like driving across the city, especially when I found out the Chronicle had Kempner at Hastings, it was the other way around. So I looked at what else was up and who I hadn't seen along with what restaurants were in proximity and MacArthur at Eisenhower  stood out, remember " I Like Ike"

If you don''t well here's a pic but anyway I drove up and was bewildered that a=only a few cars and no buses were in sight so I was like, "hey is it a game here" and was told by a couple of people no there was not. I double checked Max Preps and low and behold, Eisenhower was the home team but the game was at the MOC, that's Campbell Center folks. I missed Sonreka White and Bianca Hampton but I'll try and catch them as they close out their high school careers

BOX

Gray and Robertson getting it done in @SouthlandSports

Two former high school stars that left their mark in the area recently found their teams battling against each other. Cy Falls Shernice Robertson (Sam Houston State) and Klein Forest Ekiyah Gray (Nicholls State) helped their teams do something that they had done before.

Robertson's Eagles won more games over her four seasons than any other team in the area, put a trip to Austin as icing on the cake while Gray's Eagles flew to the playoffs each of her four seasons, something that hadn't been accomplished since, well never

Both battled a few weeks ago

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Cy Woods vs North Shore part 3?

Cy Woods, well everyone that makes the playoffs has to stay healthy and also not have KEY players get into foul trouble and with the number of questionable calls I've been seeing, hopefully the players will be the deciding factors. I just changed the video on the front page because the clock is ticking and I kept forgetting but here it is, live and in living color, okay taped, but still in living color, the Texas Invitational Championship between Cy Woods and North Shore

HBU shows plenty of fight in loss to Lamar

This was certainly an exciting game for me because I love seeing players step up under the bright lights and although Houston Baptist lost the game against Lamar, they've played the Southland Conference's toughest two teams, Cardinals and Northwestern State, well enough to win. Even more importantly is that the Huskies were in this one without leading scorer and rebounder Shanice Steenholdt who is out with an injury so I have to give a special S/O to head coach @HBUCoachDonna and  staff because they were in this one

It was also good to see several high school players in attendance, I always encourage players and thie parents to go out and observe so they won't continue to have false impressions on being this or that, I'm just keeping it real, #TalentIsEverywhere

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'15 Holiday taking no days off as rematch nears #UnderTheRadar

Aeriel Holiday's talent jumped out at me from day one, I saw the enthusiasm and energy she laid out on the floor as a freshman and I've watched the skill set improve every season. At around 5'10, she's simply a throwback player that doesn't mind two things that certainly should stand out to college coaches, her ability to bang in the paint and getting on the floor after everything. Throw in defense and the ability to score, I watched drop four or five threes in a matter of minutes numerous times and at her size, that's even huger

Holiday is averaging around a double-double, recently put up a high 20 along with close to 20 rebounds  but she and her Bellaire teammates have district leading  Westside next Friday.

Mustangs hold off Titans to clinch district

One of the best games I anticipated earlier in the season was Port Arthur Memorial at North Shore, both were in my GPR Top 10 Rankings for the area which, other than Cy Woods and North Shore, has been jumbled around all season as "your turn" seems to be a good way to put it. Well that first game was a blowout, over 30, which left me in total disbelief however I was assured by Port Arthur faithful this game would be different

Although the Titans didn't win round two, they certainly closed the gap 57-52, which again makes them a threat as they go the "other" side of the bracket and keep in mind that once you get to Campbell Center, everything ain't always Mmm Mmm good because the team that is supposed to win doesn't always do so. Alyssa Okoene and Chastity Patterson led the Mustangs with 15 each while Joyce Kennerson keeps showing "it's not what you do, it's who you do it against" dropped 25 to lead all scorers and Telliah Joyce added 10

BOX

Presto changeo Friday keeping me bewildered

Okay I got photobombed in the photo and was almost ready to blow up since the Chronicle had Kempner at Hastings tonight, it's the other way around, so like everything else, you just don't really know what to believe.

This says Eisenhower is in it for a spot

STANDINGS

This say they are NOT

STANDINGS

I haven't seen MacArthur so this might be the game

'15 Carter wants to finish like she started #UnderTheRadar

Kimi Carter is one of those players that I knew would be good before they saw them and I vividly remember her around five or six watching her talented sisters play and when you see kids at this age absorbing what was happening on the court, well you just know that it's probably going to turn out well

Carter has been nothing but a joy to watch progress over the years and after catching her in middle school at Barbers Hill, I knew she would be a key at the high school so needless to say, she helped lead the Eagles to state as a freshman, knocking off the top in the state in the regional finals by over 20 points and to be honest, I chose not to attend that game because I thought it would be 20 points the other way

Carter happens to be one of the best finishers in the state, with either hand as well as a legitimate scorer and defender and her ability to play the one and a two and a three will be huge as the Eagles attempt to soar to San Antonio for the dance

Here's a link to Carter putting up a double-double on her birthday in Barbers Hill's win over North Shore. 19 points and 13 or 14 rebounds

VIDEO

'15 Finley helping Hurricanes change categories #UnderTheRadar

Unsigned senior Unique Finley is a name I've been hearing in gyms for quite sometime and once I heard the name, I automatically took a peek and when I saw her game, I never stopped watching. Finley has battled minor injuries over the past two seasons but peep this, she battled them like she does on the court and when you talking about a player that simply gets after it, you're talking about her

Finley is one of Hightower's keys as they get playoff ready and they're also one of the teams that just might pull it off as they are on the opposite side from both Cy Woods and North Shore, the teams to beat. The unsigned Finley's physicality and ability to score will definitely be something that could help the Hurricanes storm into San Antonio

'15 Kennerson's numbers don't lie #UnderTheRadar

I've had a chance to watch some talented players come through the area and I'm talking about players that were among the best at every position so believe me, I know where the bar has been set. Joyce Kennerson has shown me something new every year and her explosiveness has simply gone through the roof and I'm talking about both ends. Kennerson has been averaging in the high twenties since December with numerous triple doubles or close to them in fact she's been putting up more points than minutes played in some of her district games

Speaking of district, her Port Arthur Memorial team faces North Shore in their second district match-up, the Mustangs won the first one easily however Kennerson scored 18 in that loss. The unsigned senior will always be ready and play through whatever, no matter if they're 20 up or 20 down, she's going to bring it

'15 Hughes ready to help Mustangs make long ride #UnderTheRadar

North Shore has an abundance of talented players and I told you months ago that many of their players coming off the bench would be starting on the majority of teams in the area, so that in itself should you tell you how deep they are. One of those players is the lighting quick Deja Hughes who is also one of the fastest girls with the ball in the state. Hughes is a good defender, I'm talking baseline to baseline, and she has shown me over the past three years that she can score and handle the ball under pressure

The unsigned senior will be one of the keys as North Shore tries to unlock that gate which heads to San Antonio, check out her video

2015 GPR Under The Radar players ready for playoffs

I started promoting Texas basketball over a decade ago for the simple reason that I was out on the circuit and I knew the talent here was just as good as it was across the country so no matter what anyone else tells you or what you think you believe, I got the ball rolling and I also have documentation to prove it, that always helps.  With that being said, there will always be kids who are not can’t miss players that fall “Under The Radar” for a number of reasons and the 2015 players I have listed will all play a huge role in how far their teams go in the playoffs so here I’ll be bring you something on these players to close out the week 

Deja Hughes (North Shore)

Unique Finley (Hightower)

Aeriel Holiday (Bellaire)

Kimi Cartern (Barbers Hill)

Kryshona Carter (Cedar Ridge)

Joyce Kennerson (Port Arthur Memorial)

Friday schedule-always double check and s/o to @tmatt27

I don't know if "do as I say not as I do" applies however sometimes I don't follow some of my own advice as far as double-checking the schedules. Yesterday I posted I would be at Hastings to watch Kempner stay in tee hunt for a playoff spot but here's the deal, the game is at Kempner si I would have been a little more than upset about being at the wrong place, especially with the cost of gas

Any Tiara Matthews, one of the top 2016 players in the state, caught it and I appreciate that

Here's the schedule from the Chronicle, and remember ALWAYS double check


Friday night schedule 

'18 Queen helping lead Travis to royalty

Travis freshman Queen Egbo is a player I saw briefly during the summer and even though I had no roster to know who she was, I knew was two things, young and 6'2 so everything would fall into place eventually. Fast forward to her school season, she's already made an impact not only at Travis and District 23 6-A but the area and soon to be  state and maybe beyond

1st Hightower 20-6 (10-1)

2nd Hastings 18-7 (8-2)

3rd Travis 16-9 (8-3)

4th Austin 13-10 (6-4)

Egbo has Travis in the heat right now, they're in a battle for positioning themselves for a playoff run and Egbo has been one of the keys to the teams success all season and although numbers can sometimes be misleading, hers aren't as she's eclipsed 30 twice, has numerous 20 plus games and is averaging a double-double

STATS

Memorial defeats Aldine Davis in district thriller

This is one of those games that could have gone either way, neither team led by double digits and both stayed within a couple of possessions either way throughout the match-up but the icing on the cake was me receiving a goody-bag as the Lady Mustangs held off the Lady Falcons 37-33. Memorial led after one 7-6 including two from bta and found themselves down 15-13 at the half  as they added another three

Demetria Heard was huge for Davis in the third quarter as she hit a couple of baskets, made a couple of assists and also added at least two steals which was good because Memorial was still dropping threes and stretched lead to 25-16. Their threes were coming from everywhere, Courtney and Kelsey Slattery along with Amy Houser were letting them fly while Amanda McCloskey was solid inside

Jerra King and Daikea Milton hit some big buckets while Raven Brown  and Antoinette Shrepee were solid on both ends and Davis simply kept fighting, especially Nijia Young who was a force under the basket but again, both teams understood what this game was about and they battled till the last buzzer in a game that could have gone either way

The youngest player on the court, Grace Yochum, simply elevated what I think about her game a lot as I was impressed when I saw her earlier, the things she does instinctively means a whole lot more because that's simply something you can't teach and her big plays on both ends were crucial and the Memorial freshman is one you definitely will be hearing about

Gilbert coming off double-double as Cougars host USF

Tyler Gilbert was one of those middle schoolers that I knew big things would be in store for down the road and after an illustrious career at Hightower, she's hit her stride at the University of Houston. Gilbert scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her last performance and the Cougars host USF tomorrow, which is Wednesday January 21st at 7pm

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Next Tuesday night, former Clear Springs star Courtney Latham will be rolling in with her Tulane squad, I'll be there for that one

SCHEDULE

'17 Leblanc-Ernest ready for return #SpaceCityJam #UnderTheRadar

Sometimes sitting out is the best thing for nagging injuries to heal and the way CHSA guard Jade Leblanc-Ernest goes hard from baseline to baseline, it's probably good she's getting the rest she needs. A couple of seasons ago I saw the potential in this young lady simply because you can't teach heart and that coupled with a solid skill set and basketball IQ kept me watching and the progression has been steady, especially since the offense has caught up with the defense and where there's heat, there's Jade.


SPACE CITY JAM

'16 Forsythe continues to show progression #UnderTheRadar

Just caught a video of Maci Forsythe doing damage with her 21-2 Godley HS team, which happens to be ranked in the TABC Top 25 for 4-A and Maci has been a big part of that. Right now they are tied for first with Kennedale in district, that showdown comes tonight, however Forsythe has been ready for several showdowns since I've been watching her. Initially, I was impressed by her consistency from bta, then her catching and shooting got quicker but what I really wanted to see her do was score multiple ways and over last summer, she definitely showed me that. The aggressiveness has definitely been a plus as well as her playing multiple positions on her school team, the one and two and she'll definitely be ready for a huge summer

'17 Hudson helping to fill in gaps #UnderTheRadar

Hannah Hudson isn't a household name however I saw enough of her to know she had potential last summer as she could face the basket and score and with her size, that was a huge plus. Her size has also come in handy during the school season, especially after 6'2 Brittany Panetti went down with a knee injury. Hudson is now showing she can play multiple positions, in fact she's already established the school block record of 10 in one game and had 6 in another however probably her most complete game came recently against Cinco Ranch as she scored double digits missing only one field goal

I'll keep you updated on this talented sophomore so be ready, I know she will be

'18 Ott returns tonight for Lake Travis #UnderTheRadar

There were several stars that shined bright over the summer that I had to chance to see before they entered their first year of high school and among those that shined the brightest was Jordan Ott. Her name preceded her game, I had to see just what the buzz was about and was pleasantly pleased to say the least after catching her the first time for a few minutes. The second time I saw her, it was a little but more in depth as she showed me a variety of things she could do and that sealed everything. Ott's freshman season was slowed by a knee injury however as Rod Stewart sang, Tonight's The Night as she suits up for Lake Travis varsity and I'll be keeping you updated

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Lamar in town @ HBU following Strickland's double-double on Saturday

Anna Strickland get's a helping hand from teammates Shanice Steenholdt and Rachel Arthur however former The Woodlands star gave plenty of help herself with her second double-double of the season, the latest against New Orleans on Saturday

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The Huskies have won back to back games and are positioning themselves for the post season tournament with one of the conference hottest teams coming to town on Saturday, Lamar who is in a tie for first with Northwestern State

Lamar's Dominique Edwards was recently named Player of the Week


SOUTHLAND