Texas Phenoms bring new heat #ShesBallinExtravaganza
I remember the first time I met head coach and director Derrick Johnson years ago and he was telling me about the heat he had that was coming up, instead of a useless resume some love to throw at me, …
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Continue ReadingI remember the first time I met head coach and director Derrick Johnson years ago and he was telling me about the heat he had that was coming up, instead of a useless resume some love to throw at me, and low and behold, he certainly did and with countless players moving on to the next level over the past decade, more heat will be on hand starting today at the She’s Ballin Extravaganza. Jeriah Warren (Florida) is one of the top players in the country and although not a lot of national buzz, I always tell parents ASGR and their flunkie at the time had my daughter ranked 207 at the guard spot going into her freshman season, some say because my approach to them was wrong and my response was always, “this ain’t golf” yet my daughter finished with over 100 D1 offers, won a National Championship at Texas A&M and will be playing her 8th season in the WNBA so I was right, but I always am regarding talent and here are some of the Phenoms I’ve already caught multiple times but with three teams playing, more coming
2021
Enriqua Bellow (Deer Park)
Bellow caught my eye as a freshman and watching her progression on the court has been something to see as she understands the simple things it takes to run a team, she plays within herself and is aggressive either attacking the basket or defending but her pinpoint passes and ballhandling under pressure is solid, not to leave out she understands how to take over when needed
Alayia Francis (Summer Creek)
Francis solid play at Summer Creek has helped them become one of the top teams in the region, representing the region at the state tournament season before last and runner-up in the region two of the last three. She can shoot the three, handle the ball, under pressure and see the floor but she brings energy on both ends of the court and her defense creates problems
De’ Neisha Winslow De’ Neisha Winslow 5'7" | PF Channelview | 2021 State TX (Channelview)
Winslow is long and athletic, pay attention, that’s the base and she uses her athletic ability well as she elevates over taller players to rebound or get her shot off. She can attack from the wing, has a nice pull-up jumper but I keep thinking about watching her play the passing lane and with her speed and ballhandling in the open court, that’s usually a basket going the other way
2023
Shalayne Morgan Shalayne Morgan 5'9" | CG North Shore | 2023 State TX (North Shore)
Gould made one of my Tip Sheets way before high school and I spoke about her unlimited potential and after staring the season on JV, she was moved up and “seized the opportunity” become the team leader in scoring, rebounding and steals in district play and that energy also helped North Shore become one of the top teams in district play
Ese Ogbevire Ese Ogbevire 5'7" | PG Fulshear | 2023 State TX (Fulshear)
Ogbevire is probably the first older sibling I saw after catching the younger one first but watching her in the playoffs left me somewhat speechless thinking about her upside. I like speed but I love speed with the ball when you add “under control” to the equation that’s big. What’s even bigger is her explosiveness, that first step sets everything up as she runs the one nicely
2024
Simran Williams (North Shore)
Disclaimer alert, I have NOT seen this young lady yet her name has been buzzing like my old beeper used to back in the day, GOOGLE it. I will DEFINITELY have my eye on this young lady this weekend as many say she’ll be the best player to come out of North Shore, that’s a mouthful when you look at all the stars including MDAA Courtney Williams (Texas A&M) and Chastity Patterson (Kentucky) played there
MS
Ruke Ogbevire (Dean Leaman Junior High)
Ogbevire has been on my radar for years and as she’s about to enter the 8th grade, I chuckled at what I wrote about her on that initial sighting. Ogbevire caught my eye immediately with her speed and ability to control the ball with that speed but her athleticism and ability to get to the rim at this age, she’s one of two 3rd graders, tells me a few things.
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