Babies Blasting Off at Lady Thunder Classic

 I took a road trip to Bryan to catch Lynette Woodard and Deborah Newkirk run a clinic with Lady Thunder to give a glimpse of what it's like to be "that girl" and elevate their games by not only putting in the work, but understanding the "WHY". Woodard is an Olympian, the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters, and is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, not to leave out one of the highest scorers in collegiate history, male or female

Newkirk is also highly acclaimed, and her name preceded my first meeting with her, as I have been hearing about her for years, not only for being a highly soft after shooting coach in Texas, but also someone who can break the game down into layman's terms, she gave me a glimpse of what I'd already heard. Both ladies traveled from Kansas, and the response from high school seniors down to 4th graders was special for me to see, as many waited after the event for even more tips

Jocelyn Balcazar (2034) was the youngest player in attendance, yet neither age nor size didn't matter because her energy stayed the same as she not only scored off the dribble but also applied solid pressure on defense
 

2033 was represented by Hailey Swanson, Laura Ross, and Raelyn Johnson, and along with being heady and grasping what they were taught the first time, their foundation is being set right now, as I can't wait to watch their "on the court progression

2032 rounded out the 4th-6th graders as Addelyn Cunningham was another #sizedontmatter player who is a fierce competitor on both ends. Her defense was intense; she played the passing lane and scored off the dribble. Mia Garcia smoothly handled the ball while being pressured and also made good decisions while showing good court vision. Zoey Robertson used her frame inside the paint on both ends. She rebounded, got the outlet going, and played good interior defense, plus she scored around the basket