2029 These Are No Babies #Next100

Alexa Bibb, Hadley Ternet & Trinity Boyd

So the three youngest players at Pass Tha Ball's #Next100 in Duncanville last Saturday definitely put me in my place when I said "I need a picture of the babies" and I heard one of them respond "hat did he say" another " did you hear that" and finally "I am not a baby" so the general consensus among the trio was that they wanted to compete against older talented players to see how they would do 

Alexa Bibb (Victory Elite) so her on the ball defense is light years ahead of her game, so is her court vision and she may be the youngest player I've seen throw "no-looks" on the money yet her ability to not only create her shot under pressure but knock it down was pretty impressive but was her attacking off the dribble and her poise under pressure... to put it lightly, her ceiling has no roof

Hadley Ternet (Victory Elite) created her shot well under pressure and showed she could either drop the pull-up jumper or attack off the dribble yet she handles the ball well under pressure and this also gives her an edge but her confidence against the older players tells me a lot about what's coming for her in the future 

Trinity Boyd (True Texas Hoops) I have so many stars and symbols by her name that I n could put together a flag yet the red flag should be in the eyes of defenders because she is going to be a terror to stop simply because she has a scorer's mentality mindset, meaning "she finds ways to put the ball in the basket" yet she also sees the floor, makes solid decisions and pressure is irrelevant because it doesn't bother her

 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 True Texas Hoops 2028 National

I closed out day 2 of The Prolific with some talented squads and got a chance to see yet another solid True Texas Hoops squad, the 2028 National, just did it for me, and here's why Charley Morgan, Berkely Smith, and Summer Crabtree are names that I will be writing about, they get it and playing hard and smart always does it for me yet so did their teammates

Paige Davis- BB-IQ over the top, so was her scoring where she showed the long ball as well as off the dribble, finishing with contact. but her rebounding and defense were pretty impressive, as well as her court vision 

Trinity Boyd-4th grader playing up, showing signs of up, Up, and AWAY in the not too distant future. Her poise under pressure, her handling the ball under pressure, and just bringing it applying pressure on defense sold me early

Anna Channel- handled the ball well under pressure, saw the floor, and understands how to create her shot

Kyndall Smith-long and athletic will always be the base, showed good timing to block shots and played the passing lane

Jaeda Ramnanan- scores multiple ways, quite well at this stage, and watching her mid to long-range game under pressure as well as her finishing strongly after contact tells me a lot about what's coming. Also did a good job defending and rebounding

Addie Seal-no roof on her ceiling because the magic number is coming, that's 6'0, she's long and athletic, that's the base remember yet her mobility and the way she reacts and does things instinctively tell me a lot, so does her creating her shot and highlight blocks but she will do plenty of damage
 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 New Mexico Zias 2028

 New Mexico's other talented squad, Zia Elite 2028 definitely left a lasting first impression and let me start with Ady Everhart who is not only heady, yet has nice moves already including a spin in traffic to help create her shot yet she also sees the floor and scores off the dribble. Leyla Crenshaw plays on both squads, she did a good job playing up and when I say up Kylie Lara cleaned up some boards

Kareli Rivera doe a good job of creating her shot, she can knock it down as well but Mariah Mojica and Kareli Rivera both showed that they could also do the same thing, Mojica also hits the boards hard but Meladie Hall's footwork and finishes with power had me smiling. That's a huge plus, not only at this level but as she progresses 

Brisia Crenshaw sold me on her upside because she already gets it, well she gives it too as she makes passes on the money through traffic and can take defenders off the dribble, with either hand to finish. Nice pull-up and her handling the ball under pressure all add into the equation yet the upside on this talented squad across the board is very nice, and as Jazlyn French gives me a closer off the court like she did on the court, Bonjour !

2021 The Prolific #TP3 True Texas Hoops 2028

 

True Texas Hoops definitely has some talented players and Honey Alridge is one of them. She's tall, long and athletic and showed she could handle the ball in the open court but she also does a good job rebounding and scoring on putbacks, the upside is very good while Shiloh Bridges is definitely a #THROWBACK player as she battles for everything, including loose balls as well as rebounds. Ava Gonzales has something you can't teach and that's desire as she is on the floor after the ball as well as understanding how to trap and tie the ball up.

Landry Reynolds with the true pull-up jumper already, nice release under pressure and she understands how to create it, also under pressure but I think the IP and coming talent, Leighton Woodard, Breecia Bell, Addyson Sims, and Avary Campbell will be solid and speaking of solid, Lexi Norris is also on the verge of something big as she and Alridge are probably going to top "the magic number" which is 6'0. Norris has good hands and footwork around the basket and she finishes with power, did a good job rebounding on both ends as well

2021 The Prolific #TP3 West Texas Canes 2028

 

The whole West Texas Canes group proved what I have already stated, not only from this event but since I've been involved in this, aka before social media screwed it up, and that's West Texas has tons of talent and watching Adaeze O'Suoji explode to the rim was one of my highlights embedded in my head. She's long and athletic, has a nice pull-up jumper and she sees the floor, plus she rebounds and handles the ball well enough to go C2C and finish yet speaking of handling the ball and seeing the floor, Maygen Espinosa did a very good job with that, as well as controlling the tempo but the tempo was all Luv Finch needed as she not only rebounded on both ends of the floor, her defense was solid and she showed some nice moves finishing, the upside is very good for her as well Sienna Burnrostro and Irelyn Montgomery

I think I tweeted, Jordan Stokes has got a stroke and if I didn't, I should have because that pull-up is nice and the step back is even nicer. She understands how to create her shot under pressure and also when to take it yet she also has good timing to block shots. This is a solid squad, Kyndal Jiminez, Saibree Gonzales, and Zynea Askew are among those on the verge of making plenty of  noise while Azilee Ornelas showed she could do something I love to see and that's "play the passing lane" which led to scoring opportunities

Amoni Jefferson proves one more time that "size doesn't matter" when you can play so when I drop the SDM, you know SIM knows what he's talking about. Poised under pressure, her athleticism and ballhandling set everything up for her to attack off the dribble or drop the jumper. Addilyn Johnson and Bella Perez round out this talented squad but if you're where I am, you will be noticed so keep that in mind because #ThereIsNoMe 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 Oklahoma Aces 2028

 

I started to drop the 6th graders on my website but I wanted to make sure I covered everyone instead of just the top performers for the older groups already playing middle school basketball, I am and always will be about encouraging young ladies to do their best and strive to be the best they can be so with that being said, Oklahoma is still OK.

Ava Watkins continues to impress me, not only because that 3 ball is looking better and deeper every time I see her but also because of her rebounding on both ends of the court. Karsyn Ellison continues to show she can get to the basket with ease, her ability to take the defender off the dribble and finish strongly always stands out. Kaelin Morrissey is coming along nicely, she understands the game and makes plays yet her defense was  huge plus her upside just grabs me 

Solid play on both ends of the court from Brenly Lamb is nice, she doesn't mind the physicality, either giving or taking but she handles the ball and sees the floor very well, and watching her drop the pull-up tells me a lot.  Amira Harrison just keeps adding proving #sizedontmatter when you can play. She was one of the most intense 4th graders I'd seen in my life when I first saw her and then she cracked a smile, that did IT, she handles the ball, zig-zags through traffic makes big-time passes on the money, and scores with the jumper or attacking and finishing, after contact

Bailee Guthery definitely silences the crowd with her acrobatic finishes yet it also ignites her team's fans but peep this, she's long and athletic, that's the base I USE for a particular profile, and with her UPS to rebound against taller players, she also finishes strongly after contact and plays the passing lane. Dakota Cox plays within herself yet understands how to get hers in the flow but she plays an important role by doing things that may not show up on a stat or scoresheet. Jayden Tavis did some OMG stuff because she's tall and showed solid "hands and footwork" around the basket but don't get it twisted, check that pull-up out in the picture and when you throw in she rebounds on both ends .....

2021 The Prolific #TP3 West Texas Canes 2029

 

I have been saying forever that West Texas has some of the best untapped, unnoticed and unappreciated talent, across the board and I'm so happy this organization brought 3 young teams and provided me with rosters so I won't have to make up last names for players yet Kierra DeLuna is one of those players I'm almost ready to lock in. She's long and athletic, finishes strongly off the dribble and plays the passing lane  Speaking of playing the passing lane, Ashten Childs does that as well as defends, keep in mind she too is long and athletic, why do I call that the base, it's because of the profile and what you add to the base helps attract college coaches. Pull-up jumpers with a hand in your face also attracts them and Emersyn Miranda already is perfecting that, plus she can score off the dribble

Tayleah Meaner has the right name because "all bets are off" on what she'll become. She's long and athletic, plays the passing lane, handles the ball C2C and finishes with an explosive first step off the dribble. Londyn Branch is heady and made plays, Brianna Biggerstaff understands how to create her shot under pressure and plays the passing lane too. Londyn Branch showed both the pull-op and attacking off the dribble, so did Emersyn Miranda. Emree Smith and Adelina Kennard help round out this talented squad yet the circle became complete when Zalise Davis showed her crossover in transition that had me drop the mic, well my pen, but her ability to get to the basket was nice, she did a variety of ways plus she has a jumper and drumroll please as I close out the 2029 group, she plays the passing lane 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 Victory Elite 2029

Xoey Ross has her bags packed and ready as she showed me a whole lot in both games. Her ability to handle the ball under pressure immediately stood out, that and her seeing the floor, both huge pluses yet she also scores off the dribble and played the passing lane well. Italia Moore is long and athletic, remember that's the base, rebounded strongly, finished the same way on putbacks while Hartley Barnes also scored off the dribble but I definitely see upside galore with several players like Hartley Barnes who also, scored off the dribble

Alexia Bibb also handles the ball well and has good court vision, her passes are on the money and drumroll please, she plays the passing lane but Aubrey Davis also plays the passing lane, and get this, she's long and athletic with size. Gabby Archer did a good job of attacking the basket as well as defending. Finley Heihn, Hadley Ternet, and Mychal Henderson round out this talented squad

2021 The Prolific #TP3 New Mexico Zias 2029

 So Leyla Crenshaw plays on both teams, she suits up with sister Brisia on the 2028 squad but let me say this, some of the things she's doing right now will take her a very long way, starting with "she follows her shot" which is a lost art and I know players heading to college that  still don't comprehend that but comprehensions a part of her game because she has a nice pull-up jumper, she can score off the dribbel and as you see in the picture, she blocks shots, well she rebounds and defends too, not to leave out finishes after contact

A'Brielle Armitige is heady, she handles the ball and sees the floor while Mezzy Martinez rebounds strongly and is showing some nice hands and footwork around the rim. The upside on this squad is really nice, I know some players didn't make the trip on the older squad yet Anastasia Villegas, Alyssa Mojica, Brooklyn Blakely and Mari Ponce round out the squad, well sort of because Donika Espinoza is showing signs of being a legitimate scorer down the road. Mid to long-range, off the dribble, she sees the floor and hits her teammates in traffic but that pull-up ...

2021 The Prolific #TP3 Lightning Elite 2029

In an era where so many people attempt to be this or that, I stick with the basics because, well I'm right and one thing I love is "things you can't teach" so Lighting Elite's Cayla Collins proved LIGHTNING does strike twice in the same place, both games at  The Prolific. She goes hard, she dives on the floor and she battles, all of that goes with desire, again, something you can't teach so that coupled with her age speaks volumes about her upside as she also attacks the basket and plays the passing lane

Kristen Wolfe is "long and athletic" stay with me because that is the BASE and she has good timing, well very good timing plus she rebounds strongly. Olivia Lewis showed me the pull-up, Zoey Jackson and Gabby Gibson did a good job on the defensive end, well so did Hailey Humphrey and Zoe Ledbetter but what I really liked was seeing smaller guards go off because remember the acronym SDM, it stands for "size doesn't matter" when you can play 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 West Hoops Society 2030

I completed my 2030 coverage with yet another group of talented 4th graders with Hoop Society. The way Jordan Dawson handles the ball in traffic speaks volumes on what she will become, trust me. She has a good head for the game, a variety of moves ahead of her years as well as a nice first step to get the rim and she rebounds. Aubrey Johnson also rebounded well, Destiny Fobbs and Jordy Harris definitely have upside

Ariel Martin is long and athletic, that's the base, and the way she plays the passing lane now is scary, so is her ability to elevate over defenders and finish. Raine Blackerby also scored off putbacks, Tai Jackson understands how to "Play within herself" and score in the flow yet with the energy and athletics from this talented young squad, the future is definitely bright n

2021 The Prolific #TP3 West Texas Canes 2030

 Aubrey Minior impressed me off  the top with the West Texas Canes primarily because she already has a pull-up jumper and when you factor in that she's only a 2030, to say big things are coming would be an understatement but several players on this 4th grade squad stood out, Adelina Kennard is heady and already understands how to play the passing lane, she scored 12 points in the championship gameThis is a scrappy little squad, upside galore across the board and speaking of boards Kaedyn Bogs grabbed em on both ends, Makayla Jefferson is heady and made several good plays while Molly Peeples handled the ball under pressure and drumroll please, plays the passing lane\

Britian Bradford also handles the ball under control while the upside from both Makayla Jefferson and Ashten Childs definitely got attention. Jefferson understands the game and will be "Movin On Up" because of that while Childs is "long and athletic" and that's the base, keep following me to understand why I say that but Hayden Demel, Bhrecklyn Johnson, Hailey Tates and Monette Askew round out this talented squad that I will continue to monitor providing there in front of me 

2021 The Prolific #TP3 dropped many new faces from HUB 4th Grade

 I caught some talented 4th graders at The Prolific, Bella Johnson (HUB) handled the ball well coast to coast after rebounding strongly, she did that on both ends, yet her ability to attack the rim and finish on putbacks was nice. Her teammate Kayden Lyn did a good job defensively, impressed me with not only playing the passing lane but understanding how and when to trap

Kyndal Lyn showed me some exciting handles and with her ability to zig-zag through traffic as well as an already explosive first step, I'm definitely seeing something blowing up in her game but this is a talented squad, Aaliyah Harkless, Armani Reed, Izabella Weatherby, and Remi Hunt were putting in work as well while Trinity Boyd uses her athleticism well to attack off the dribble plus she anticipates very well, aka plays the passing lane

Dereona Doss is long and athletic, that's the base, so as I was taking pictures she walked up to me and asked was I going to take hers, I said yes and she responded "no your not" and ran off yet she returned and her energy translated off the court like it was on the court, yes she plays the passing lane already. I'll definitely be keeping Kyleigh Williamson, Akachukwu Chijoke, and Kennedi Williamson in the data banks as well as this whole squad

2021 Houston Summer Slam 8th Grade Division (2025)

 

I didn't get a chance to catch SA Finest Dungee, the oldest team at the event however I caught a little bit of Jordan Peete's so squad and a glimpse of Delaney Arrendondo's Lyssa however the first time I saw DA, I knew she would be prosecuting  defenders on the court and if you didn't get that smooth "play on words" well her name, let me break it down for you

Delaney Arrendondo (SA Finest Lyssa) poise at a young age gave it away, well that and her BB-IQ because when you can think the game and not become rattled early, that's huge but so is her court vision and ability to make those around her better. Yeah, she creates her shot to attack or drop the jumper but she still has untapped potential, meaning plenty of upside 

Shaila Foreman (Louisiana United 2025) the mindset off the top "you can't stop me" was sending telepathic messages I truly intercepted because she can overpower guards with her strength, her acceleration and her body control but she also can see the floor so attacking and finishing plus the pull-up has her in the mix for her class nationally 

Arriona Patterson (Louisiana United 2025) just got after it defensively off the top and her energy didn't let up because she attacked and finishes as well as dropped the pull-up jumper and the icing on the cake was her rebounding on both ends

Imani Daniels (Louisiana United 2025) showed a nice mix of skills on both ends of the court, first of all, it was the power that grabbed me, she rebounds fiercely on both ends, even scored off putbacks, after contact yet on the flip, she attacks strongly and under control and that too got her in some "and one" opportunities but she also finished after lick as well

UGOCHINY ACHO battling for positioning

Ugochiny Acho (Houston United 2025 Madison) she already has the frame and the picture is just waiting to dry, yes I'm smooth but I'm digging what she will become and her "work ethic" coupled with"mindset" to go with her strength could make her a force. She finishes after contact and knocks the midrange down

Laneya Chatman (Houston United 2025 Madison) long and athletic is what I call "the base" and she rounded a couple at the Summer Slam by attacking the rim and finishing, under control and by playing the passing lane, desire is something you can't teach, neither being long and athletic

Anaiah White (Houston United 2025 Madison) plenty of upside to go with her energy and athleticism yet she attacks the rim from various angles and her "on ball" defense was pretty good yet her energy stays the same from start to finish 

TRINITY HENDERSON

Trinity Henderson (UHE-MS) 45N has an abundance of talent around the Metroplex and Henderson has my eyes wide open. She creates her shot and attacks the rim, I say that a lot but it's how I say things that fall into how she does things, She's on the verge of taking her game through the roof, that first step, the body control, the finishes, and jumper, I'll be checking

Nilaya Gordon (UHE-MS) did a very good job of seeing the floor, not only in the halfcourt but in transition and having court vision, handling the ball under pressure, and making pinpoint passes, are all pluses that help sum things up down the road

Kristyn Galloway (UHE-MS) it's always good to see players that concentrate on the mid-range which has become somewhat of a lost art and here's why, well nm, but she gets IT and her ability to create her shot, get it off, and knock it down were good

Iyana Axson (UHE-MS) she was a rebounding machine the first game however I'm glad I caught another because not only did she rebound, she handled the ball coast to coast under pressure yet under control to finish or dish and she even dropped a stop and pop just to make me write more notes, so NOTED

2021 Houston Summer Slam 7th Grade Division (2026)

 Jordan Peete sold me when I caught her going completely off at Cynthia Guillory's the Duel States All-Star games and I asked if she was related to Calvin, BT, before Tiger, GOOGLE it, and she looked bewildered after I said "you're more than par for the course" and her energy and enthusiasm along with her skill-set helped set the division off

Jordan Peete (SA Finest So) off the dribble, check, stop and pop, double-check yet watching her savviness as well as playing within herself is really impressive yet so is her flipping the switch to take over. Her mid to long-range is high school ready and she plays the passing lane

Janea Walls (SA Finest So) another bright surprise from the city where I can't find good tamales yet she definitely had skills wrapped up nicely. She was very consistent from the midrange, which is a lost art that will get your college education paid for, listen to ME, and she defends 

Carmen Evans (HLRR 2026) I really enjoyed watching her zig-zag in traffic with the ball, keeping it under control, and seeing the floor going full speed and making tough passes on the money, but when she dropped the floater, that did it, plenty of upside as well

Jaymie Solomon (Houston United Hoops Gray) that first step is going to create some issues for defenders because she understands how to get to the basket and finish after contact but she also does a good job at creating her shot and playing the passing lane

Avery Mier (Houston United 2026) oh man, she definitely left a big impression as she is a growth spurt away from "the magic number" which is 6'0. She rebounds strongly, she's agile and can take defenders off the dribble plus she can face the basket, like in the above picture, and score

Sophia Rodriguez (Houston United 2026) her power now is nowhere near what it's going to be and that's scary because she rebounds strongly and finishes the same way but her attacking from the wing after creating her shot is ahead of the curve, especially since she has a jumper to go with it

Kamdyn Flora (Houston United 2026) her mannerisms, her poise, her ability to do things instinctively, and the way she reacts got her #D1Lock a long time ago yet she ain't settling, and her playing up and doing what she's doing on both ends is admirable to say the least

2021 Houston Summer Slam 6th Grade Division (2027)

KENNEDY PRICE

I'm just feel tickled pink sometimes, hey based on ancestry.com DNA it's possible yet not likely visually but yesterday I talked about watching Zay Green's younger sisters, last week it was Ny'Kyiah Jeffrey's mom and aunt so today, let me open up the 6th-grade division talking about Just Play's Kennedy Price's older sister Lauren who helped get the ball rolling at Atascocita, who I started calling "The Taz" and it was simply because I also used "The Price Is Right" so let me break down some of those I knew, I appreciate the rosters because I ain't got time to ask questions but anyway

FRANKIE FRANCIS

Frankie Francis (Just Play 2027) already has a dynamic first step and watching her set the defender up to take off the dribble, with either hand, has her ahead of the curve because she can also finish, after contact and she has a nice pull-up jumper, so what else, she sees the floor

Kennedy Price (Just Play 2027) the price will continue to be right as she played in pain yet was efficient and she too has a deceptive first step to get by the defender, she creates her shot under pressure and she can finish or hit the jumper yet watching her play the passing lane was a definite treat for me

Shiloh Grays (HLRR 2027) long and athletic, that the base I use and for those who pay attention, I say it over and over for a variety of reasons yet she plays the passing lane, she has good timing to block, alter and deflect shots and she rebounds on both ends as she will be over the magic number of 6'0

Aniyah Gardner (HLRR 2027) also long and athletic, yet she attacks the rim strongly, she has good body control and finished after the lick, this is good, really good at this stage but she also showed she could "man up" in a hunnid, on-ball defense full court, as well as handle the ball in the open court

Brittany Moore (Louisiana United 2027) speedy point guards seemed to be a pre-requisite for the organization as they had many yet she's already showing major signs of doing damage in high school. She can handle the ball going coast to coast full speed yet stays under control and she can hit teammates on the money without breaking stride

2021 Houston Summer Slam 5th Grade Division (2028)

 

A few weeks ago I covered the Houston Summer Slam hosted by Chuck McCowan and I made it a point to try and catch as many teams as possible, providing I had a roster and catching a group of talented players heading to the 6th grade, including a set of twins, Ariele and Ariana Warren (Urban Heroes 2028) brought back memories of  when I caught their older sister around the same time, Zay Green, who helped lead Duncanville to a state championship as well as MDAA honors, she also was labeled a #D1Lock by me before her first middle school game and here are some of the  Top Performers from that division 

Trinity Thompson-(Urban Heroes 2028) long and athletic is one of the bases I use when profiling players, the novice wouldn't comprehend so just read. I'm ready to drop the LOCK # on her after one sighting because of her sighting on the court, court vision, and ability to hit teammates for baskets is only superseded by her taking defenders off the dribble to score as well as show the pull-up jumper

Ariele and Ariana Warren (Urban Heroes 2028) games mirror each other at this stage, both attack hard, rebound and play the passing lane and apply pressure on the defensive end, yet they play hard and play smart, which is really good, so I'm definitely keeping an eye on them because like older sister, mom was a standout player as well

Laney Hudson (Lady Drive Nation) she's wearing the right number because she can drop the long ball with ease but get this, she already understands how to "create her shot" under pressure which is going to give defenders even more problems as she gets older. Her creating her shot also helps her attack and finish, this includes with either hand and after contact

Bella Ortiz (Lady Drive Nation) she's heady and crafty and when you combine that with a deceptive first step to take defenders off the dribble, you're ahead of the game yet she does something at an early age that told me a lot, she plays the passing lane and for me, that did it

'28-'30 Girlz Got Game Individual Showcase Tip Sheet

 

One thing I enjoy is catching new talent on the rise and the Girlz Got Game Individual Showcase did not let me down, in fact, it lifted me up as I saw some talented players who are already showing next level ability, yes I'm that good and history is on my side, so I decided to start off the Tip Sheets with the babies who haven't played their first middle school game and won't be this season either 

Zonai Cook (2028) her athleticism stood out before the camp even started and when I got a chance to see her in action, she brought so much to the table because she attacks and finishes and has a pull-up jumper, right now yet her ability to see the floor puts her ahead of the game

Naomi Durrah (2028) already understands two big things, how to create her shot and handle the ball, both under pressure and watching her attack the rim and finish strongly, especially going 1 on 1, was big but she also saw the floor and made passes on the money while attacking

Sari Green (2028) I always enjoy watching players that understand the little things early which become big things as they get older and watching her get positioning to rebound, on both ends, as well as finish on putbacks and defend was refreshing 

Kennedy Price (2028) she went through the drills with ease, that didn't surprise me because I've caught her working out before yet she creates her shot well and showed the midrange as well as attacking and finishing after contact. She also played the passing lane and did a good job defending 

Bristol Jensen (2029) I thought I was seeing things until she showed it again but her crossover is going to create some problems in the future, well more problems because it enabled her to get by defenders in both the open and half-court and she also showed she could hit the pull-up jumper

Arianni Hodge (2030) youngest player at the camp yet you'd never know it and she proved #sizedontmatter because she can flat out play. She handles the ball well under pressure, attacks the basket, and dropped the outside shot while being defended. Doing what she did playing up says a lot

2025 San Antonio Lady Hoops Carolina Blue

 

I hadn't seen the San Antonio Lady Hoops, 2025 squad, before yet the Carolina Blue left a lasting impression after their performance at Rise Up's All Eyez On She winning the HS Division, keep in mind they haven't entered HS and one more time "it's not what you do, it's who you do it against" and in front of. This team brings a lot of heat, I mean I was just somewhat speechless at them getting after it and applying pressure on opening day that I made a special trip to catch a full game on day 2 and I caught a lot

Zara'Nique Neely and Kamila Sosa were attacking and playing the passing lane while scoring and speaking of scoring, Madison Borjas and Gabriyela Galvan just filled it up early but this team is just on the verge of creating some major issues. Giana Monda and her inside presence made an impression, so  did JahDae Bussey, Dejah Dudley attacking from everywhere while Beth Garcia just understands the game and made some big plays on both ends and speaking of big plays, Kayla King just continues to amaze me because she scores multiple ways, rebounds and defends and  newcomer Aniya Williams definitely made her presence felt with my initial sighting of her game, as well as potential

Julia Johnson was solid on both ends, saw the floor well, and speaking of seeing the floor the team does a good job of moving the ball to the open man, and that, as well as trapping, were definitely #THROWBACK stuff that I love to see I was watching their 2nd game on day 2 from afar and saw the score and afterward, Borjas was walking towards me with a sad look on her face. I went into my speech about "you have to learn how to lose  before you learn how to win" spill and she told me, we won, I just missed a couple of open threes, the score was the wrong side yet she hit probably the biggest 3 of the event to cap a 16 point deficit and send the game into OT

2021 8th Grade Division "Breakout Players" #DuelStateAllStars

 

KENNEDY WALTERS

I'm always searching, always looking and watching many players for the first time, or getting a really good look at those who I've seen in a different setting is one of the reasons why I consider myself among the best to evaluate, no sleight of hand nonsense because your club team has a certain logo or who isn't showing you how to play the passing lane, take away the baseline, follow your shot, it goes on and on because I've been there with muy own daughter, I know the BS that's involved in this so when I am COVERING an event, I try and look at as many players as possible and at the Duel States All-Star games, I have identified probably 75% of the over 200 players there, many are already locked in at the next level, some at #BCS, many at #D1 but the main thing is "keep working' because your status can change at the blink of an eye, here are some of those BREAKOUT PERFORMERS 

Yaniska Mestre-G (ATL Dream) creates her shot under pressure, deceptive first step allowed her to attack and finish and she showed the "floata" 

Tiara Williams-G (ATL Dream) attacks the rim strongly, finishes the same way, this includes after contact and played solid on-ball defense 

Peyton Dolan-G (Dallas Wings) rebounds well, understands positioning and did a good job battling taller players for the ball, ran the floor well

Tieasia Todd-PG (Dallas Wings) SWB means "speed with ball" and when you add she was under control and hit teammates on the money going coast to coast...

Raylen Kernell-G/F (Dallas Wings) also did a good job blocking out for rebounds, on both ends of the floor and she also finished on putbacks

Kennedy Walters-PG (Dallas Wings) poised and under control, heady point guard that controls the tempo and saw the floor, creates her shot under pressure

Jamie Walker-G (Dallas Wings) uses her athleticism nicely, explodes off the dribble while attacking the basket, and finished, "floata" included 

Meredith Legard-G (Fever) played solid defense, outrebounded taller players, handled the ball in the open court, and knocked the outside shot down 

MiaGrace Delahoz-G (Las Vegas Aces) attacks the basket strongly from a variety of angles, finished after contact, played solid defense

Staci Pettie-SF (Lynx) uses her body well, shows signs of being able to overpower on the inside as she finishes with players hanging on her. also rebounded well

Tatum Howlingwater-G (Mystics) rebounded on both ends and handled the ball coast to coast after grabbing it on the offensive end, attacks and finishes

Gavyn Robinson-PG (Mystics) understands how to control the tempo, sees the floor yet she's an explosive scorer either attacking the basket or knocking down the outside shot

Kandace Barnett-G (Storm) long and athletic is the base if you haven't been paying attention and she makes the defense pay by attacking and finishing acrobatically and plays the passing lane

Taryn Jacobs-PF (Storm) also long and athletic, creates her shot under pressure to attack the basket and finish or show the jumper, very good form on release 

Abbie Martin-G (Storm) does a good job handling the ball under pressure as well as creating her shot, also under pressure and showed she could drop the mid to long-range

Christina Ybarra-P (Storm) uses her body well inside the paint, finishes strong after contact, this includes on putbacks and rebounds on both ends 

2021 7th Grade Division "Breakout Players" #DuelStateAllStars

 

LILY KING

Just like in 5th/6th Grade Division, I saw an abundance of talented players in the 7th Grade Division and I broke some of them down already in pt 1  as well as pt 2 and here are some other talented players from the 2026 class I had a chance to catch

Lily King -G/F (Baylor) active on both ends of the court, does a good job at creating her shot as well as taking defenders off the dribble and finishing 

Ka'Mauri Miller-G (UT Arlington) good athleticism, used it nicely on both ends but her pressure on defense was really good, well so was her attacking strongly and finishing after contact

Aundrea Walter-G (Dallas Baptist) attacks the rim strongly, plays the passing lane well, and can handle the ball in the open court. Also sees the floor and knocks midrange down

Jazelle Scott-G (Dallas Baptist) created her shot to attack or drop the jumper, uses her athleticism well, and also showed she could finish after contact

Dawson Doggett-G (Dallas Baptist) mixed it up nicely on the offensive end by attacking or knocking down jumper which she got off by creating her shot and hit the long-range

Skylar Hicks-G (Dallas Baptist) athleticism stood out on both ends, initially with the pressure on ball defense however attacking the rim with a nice first step was equally impressive

Savannah Reynolds-G (North Texas) created and dropped the long ball multiple times and also took defenders off the dribble and saw the floor

Anna Carroll-SF (North Texas) attacks and finishes with power, after contact and also did a good job rebounding on both ends of the floor as well as defending strongly 

Alaysia Brown-F (North Texas) long and athletic is the base and her upside is nice but she played the passing lane, attacked and finished after contact, and did a good job on defense

Whitney Smith-G (UT Arlington) SWB, speed with ball, and her first step is devastating as she gets wherever she wants and scores after contact but she also can knock mid to long-range down

Mea Ginn-G (Paul Quinn) finished strongly throughout the event after the lick included but her athleticism and power stood out as well, even on the defensive end

Janaiya Rogers-G (Paul Quinn) athletic ability showed from the opening tip as she played "on ball" defense right off the top and her ability to create her shot to attack or take the jumper

BreAnna Breland-G (Paul Quinn) very athletic and two things immediately stood out on her ability to create her shot, a legitimate jumper, and some acrobatic finishes by attacking the rim

Amber Ellis-F (SMU) uses her strength nicely, understands positioning to get rebounds and she finished on putbacks as well as taking defenders to the basket 

Jamari Milton-PG (SMU) she's athletic and understands how to control tempo so she can attack and dish or see the floor in the set but she finishes so well, after contact

CeMaria Kelly-G (SMU) an athletic nightmare as she's basically a track star that can PLAY basketball and in the open court, you can almost forget about stopping her and amazing upside is an understatement

Simone Pryor-PG (TCU) athletic guard that attacks the rim strongly, nice pull-up jumper but her ballhandling and seeing the floor was nice, so was the pressure she applies on defense 

Hayden Walker-G (TWU) attacked strongly and finished after contact, showed she could handle the ball under pressure as well as create her shot from outside 

Ameyah Brown-G (TWU) handles the ball well, with either hand, while being defended but she also did a good job at seeing the floor and hitting teammates. Good upside 

HC Harding-SG (UT Arlington) very active on defense and showed good timing with her numerous blocked shots yet she also creates a legitimate pull-up jumper that was dropping 

Paige Willaims-G (UT Arlington) athleticism galore as she attacks the rim from, well everywhere but she also can create her shot and showed she could knock both the mid and long-range down, repeatedly 

2021 5th/6th Grade Division "Breakout Players" #DuelStateAllStars

AMIRA HARRISON

 I already dropped Tip Sheets on the guards and those who were not guards but always remember, talent is everywhere and it's not what you do, it's who do it against so here are some other players that caught my eye at the Duel State All-Star Games in the 5th/6th Grade Division 

2027

Maleah Nwankwoala-F (Paris JC) size, power, and upside and let me change that to POWER because she sent some messages loud and clear so rebounding and finishing was definitely a huge plus

Sofia Read-G (Paris JC) attacks the rim from every angle, did a good job of not only finishing but finishing after contact

Mariah Connally-G (Trinity Valley JC) uses her athleticism nicely, plays under control, and showed she could defend baseline to baseline 

Savannah Hoskins-PG (Trinity Valley JC) heady point guard that doesn't force plays, understands how to run the offense, and showed she could drop the long ball

Kinsley McClaughlin-G (Tyler JC) understands how to get to the rim multiple ways and finish strong. Also showed she could create her shot

Savannah Switch-PG (Tyler JC) comprehension of the game is ahead of her years, she can slow it down or she can push it, either way, she sees the floor, and with her ballhandling and shooting, watch out

2028

Karsyn Elison-G (Paris JC) handled the ball well, especially under pressure, and showed she could attack and finish or dish

Jordyn Richardson-PG (Temple JC) plenty of upside yet she already understands how to control the tempo and see the floor but her timing and defense really stood out

Cheyenne Capps-PG (Weatherford JC) athletic and has a deceptive first step which enables her to go by defenders almost at will 

Lexi Ewen-P (Weatherford JC) long and athletic, hopefully, you were paying attention when I said that's the base and her upside is really good because she understands the simple things, like keeping the ball high and blocking out so be ready

Amira Harrison-PG (Weatherford JC) her poise just amazed me when I caught her initially, she has the making of a big-time PG, she handles the ball, handles the pressure, and gets the job done

Salina Lady Warriors win 3rd Grade Division #WinterJam

 I caught the Salina Lady Warriors against ORB and watching Jordan Foster play the passing lane, at this stage was just as impressive as her attacking the basket and finishing while Kyndall Jefferson, a 2nd grader playing up with ORB showed #sizedontmatter when you can play yet ORB also had a #sizedoesmatter player in Jayden Krueger

Foster kept surprising me as she showed she could create her shot but she has something going for her as well as her teammates because I love seeing the younger kids get after it and many are already getting it but the important thing is to stay focused and keep working. The Lady Warriors had to avenge a loss to Team Trae Young they had in pool play but in a nailbiter, they advanced to the finals and defeated Lady SOKC'S 

BRACKET