NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Last weekend I saw one of the best 5th grade teams I have ever seen and believe me I have seen some great ones. I never got the specifics I needed however I was told they finished in the Top 10 at AAU Nationals last season. Throughout the years there have always been young kids that hadn't reached middle school that stood out, especially for their knowledge of the game, speed and athleticism. To have multiple players that are RFPT right now is simply amazing.

The kids traveled from New Orleans and let everyone know it was all business. As one fan blurted "Ain't no fun when the rabbit got the gun", I couldn't help but chuckle, simply because it was funny, several people were asking what it meant and I had never heard that before. So many times kids peak early, athleticism and height aren't a factor in high school and several other variables can be placed in the equation where the superstars of yesteryear become average players. This squad could potentially break the mold and it will be fun watching their progression.

Speaking of progression, Tyra Cormier has come a long way from the last time I saw her. If she keeps growing and improving, she has a chance to add her name to the list of dominant "bigs" that have come through the city. I caught a glimpse of Taylor Johnson for the first time and although raw, something tells me to keep an eye on her.

MORE COVERAGE

The reason I started doing thses articles was because the girls don't get enough coverage. The reason I started the scouting service was to to try and narrow that gap because there are several kids who still go unnoticed that can play at the next level, however you can't scout what you don't see and even though I hold a very high opinion of what I can do, I just can't do that because it isn't fair. Too much emphasis has been placed on the wrong things  and what all of this should be about and that's  putting kids in the right position to succeed or putting it bluntly getting to the next level if all possible. As we all get ready for the all important July exposure events, I wanted to pick up the pace a bit and start shooting more info out to you. If your kid has the ability to play at the next level and  you're not getting the right answers or any answers at all, please feel free to contact me .


I've added a story about  Dani Fielder on GPR, a kid whose stock is about to rise, please enjoy!

Houstonian Summer Jam-June 24-26 at Dobie HS

I remember the days of yesteryear when I hooped at the Rec against the likes of Rob Williams and other greats you probably don't remember. The Fonde was where my daughters were first introduced to club ball and the the Houstonians have been a big part of Houston's success turning out several players that have gone on to play at the next level, including Adoara Elonu who just won a National Championship at Texas A&M while her sister Akunna helped lead Elsik to the state Final Four, marking only the second time sisters have participated in the Final 4 in both college and high school during the same season, at leastt in Houston

Colson Makes The Cut

I always stress how hard it is to play at the next level coming out of high school because less than 4% go on to play in college. My daughter was fortunate enough to be one of the top players in her class and had offers on the table while she was in middle school, so I could only imagine how she would blossom in college

 The thing about college is that you never know how things are going to turn out and after tons of bumps and bruises throughout her career, those dreaded three letters, ACL, took a little steam from the engine and coming back after only 4 months might not have been the smartest thing in the world, it showed how bad this kid wanted to help her team win and win they did as Texas A&M finished ranked in the Top 10 every year she was there

I can only imagine how happy she must be over the course of the last couple of months as she was named an Asssociated Press All American along with helping lead her team to a National Championship win. That alone would be an excellent way to close out her career, however being drafted into the WNBA and now making the New York Liberty squad makes her the first player from Houston to have done all three of those things and begins a new chapter to a storybook finish.



Can Dobie Deliver In 22-5A?

Much of that will depend on Shenequa Gaston as last seasons runner up to Deer Park ran into a second round playoff defeat at the hands of Elikns. Over the past three years, Gaston has toned her somewhat over agressiveness down to just plain out hustling you on every play, that's her mentality and you have to bring it on every possesion against her

This may be a breakout year for Dominique Davis at South Houston. At times, the team appeared to be capable of making the playoffs, however so many times they just didn't seem to finish when it counted, much of that do to the nagging injuries that plagued Davis, one of South Houston's leading scorers. Now close to 100%, Nique is hoping to lead South Houston back to the glory days of  Latoya Davis and Cat Flores. How do I remember this stuff?

Austin Elite's Tyrone Johnson Classic Coming Up

Fonzelle Martin and Tommy Gregg continue to do what they've been doing for years, helping to put ladies in the same position as they did with their own daughters and that's a chance to play at the next level. They also hold what I consider one of the must stops year after year and that's the Tyrone Johnson Classic on Juneteenth weekend

Loaded with several next level players such as All State point guard Loryn Goodwin and 6'3 frosh Tyesha Taylor, both from Temple, along with three point specialists Kendra King (Bowie) and Rachel Purl (Vista Ridge), A/E is solid at every position on boh teams. My initial meeting with the new players was cut short because of the NCAA Tournament, however I will have a full report not on here, but the GPR website as well because with all of this talent and much of it coming from Temple, my headline might be called the Temple Of Doom!

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