Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Ten of the Top Texas 2024



Middle school basketball is a hit or miss, well so is high school in this era and one thing I will always do is keep it real. Lack of comprehension and twisting my words have some equating my saying the talent is not what it was 5, 10 let alone 15 years ago into my saying there isn’t any talent so I don’t have time go back and forth with people like I used to but rest assured there are still talented players in our area and across the state including players that will play ball in college and that includes the highest level. I had planned on doing a recap of 2024 players but Gwendlyn McGrew received an offer from the University of Houston made me say “why not” “just do it”

The first 5 are from the SEC event I caught in July and the rest are from various events including PassThaBall’s The South

Kendall Robinson-5’7 PG (Texas Savage 14U) I called her a #BCSLock a couple of years ago for a number of reasons and although she wasn’t 100% at the event, you’d never know. Good size and body, she plays bigger than listed height, she creates several problems offensively because of her arsenal, in other words, she finds ways to put the ball in the basket. Good defender and rebounds on both ends which also enables her to start and finish the break

Kemah Shaw-5’5 PG (AD Elite Future) don’t know what’s more intriguing, her upside, her progression or her desire but it doesn’t matter because she is showing me a whole lot in a short span. Plays the passing lane, handles the ball under pressure, finishes with contact and creates, not only her shot, but problems for defenders

Leaire Nicks-5’11 PF (Lady Drive Nation Duncan 2023) long and ultra-athletic, her upside is unlimited on high she’ll land because not only does she play the passing lane and has excellent timing to deflect, alter or just block shots galore, she elevates over defenders with ease for a nice pull-up. Her length also enables her to blow by defenders, I foresee her first step becoming devastating

Kiah Goynes-5’7 PG (Texas Savage 14U) very athletic and understands the simple things but the hard things, well she gets them too and her ability to create, not only for herself but her teammates, at this stage of her career is big but doing it against older and sometimes stronger players is huge. She attacks from everywhere, speed galore, and finishes with contact

Chloe Mann-5’3 PG (Texas Savage 14U) nothing like speed but speed with the ball while being under control is always great and when you “get it” early, they’ll get it now and later. Her athleticism enables her to do a variety of things, like bring heat on defense or make acrobatic shots but I still remember the first time I wrote about her a few years ago and I said “she made a save I haven’t seen many on their way to D1 make”

Gwendlyn McGrew-5’9 PG- the more I see her the more she continues to show me that the sky is the limit and when you look at her size, athletic ability and skill set, that in itself is intriguing but her BB-IQ is ahead of the game, she understands she can take over offensively at will. I first noticed her dropping the long ball a few months ago but she attacks ferociously and with power and now her ability to see the floor and make pinpoint passes add fuel to the fire

Nicolette Polochek-5’11 F- saw her a few months ago, was given wrong name so here we are and there she goes because she is going to create issues down the road. Well, she’s creating them now, size, physical, desire, and a nice skill set. Finishes strong runs the floor and rebounds on both ends but her upside will have numerous colleges on her

Jade Williams-5’8 G- one of those young ladies I’ve been watching for a very long time, 5th grade she showed me something and just watching her, I knew what was coming. Scores off the dribble with either hand but that first step includes a turbo that enables her to keep going or take that pull up. Long and athletic, defends and plays the passing lane

Maddison Bob-5’8- if you look at my notes, it’s coded so I have UPS for her not only because she delivers but can flat out explode off the ground. She’s athletic, handles the ball and sees the floor well but her acceleration coupled with her change of pace are great tools to have offensively and when you add she understands how to create her shot….

Torran Deterville-5’5 PG- not the prototype point guard but she can run a team and speaking of run, it’s hard to stay with her as she blazes by defenders. She’s made multiple Tip Sheets already, I saw something special years ago and its crystal clear because she is showing she can take over a game offensively whenever she wants, btw, I didn’t have to take any notes