2023 Rankings Update: Newcomers pt 1

I did something this season I rarely do and that was watching the complete UIL Texas State Championships for all 6 classes and I’m glad I did because I not only identified some next-level players I hadn’t and probably won’t see in person as well as some players who I had a chance to add to the various Top 100 lists. I also caught a few players from various practices I attended, I’m that good and there is no me so here are the non-guards who made the list <strong>#58 [player_tooltip player_id="267342" first="Jaydan" last="Davenport"] -5’10 PF (College Station)</strong> Davenport falls into the double-double waiting to happen category and her intensity at going after the ball off the rim is also #THROWBACK. She’s long, strong, and athletic, she explodes off the ground to not only grab the ball but to block shots and her ability to finish with players hanging all over her gives you an idea of just how strong she is so with all of that as well as her upside, I expect her to keep moving up <strong>#60 [player_tooltip player_id="267343" first="Janavia" last="Gage"]-6’3 C (Huntsville)</strong> Gage is a player whose name preceded her and my sources, her club coach, was on the money as usual so I’m just overwhelmed at watching the non-finished product because she is going to create some problems. She’s long and athletic and also strong yet powerful and watching her snag rebounds out of the air as well her hands and footwork. She understands how to ignite the break, runs the floor well and her finishing will keep getting better and advance her to #BEAST status, trust me <strong>#78 [player_tooltip player_id="267345" first="Shadasia" last="Brackens"]-5’10 SF (Fairfield) </strong> Brackens is long and athletic and I caught her via live stream in the UIL 3A State Championship game. I had seen her sister [player_tooltip player_id="158699" first="McKinna" last="Brackens"], ranked #44 in this class however Shadasia was definitely a pleasant surprise as she plays the passing lane, attacks the rim strongly, and finishes with contact but her rebounding, as well as defending "on the ball" stood out as well and she has some  pretty good upside <strong>#85 [player_tooltip player_id="267348" first="Molly" last="Beavers"]-6’0 PF (Hardin Jefferson)</strong> I’ve been watching her for going on three seasons and every time I catch her, I’m seeing progression and that’s big because it tells me she’s not only working but absorbing and that’s definitely refreshing so she uses her size and body well around the basket, she has hands and footwork down yet she can take the defender one-on-one and finish but her shooting facing the basket is taking off, let me not omit she battles on both ends for rebounds <strong>#86 [player_tooltip player_id="267349" first="Kate" last="Marshall"]-6’0 PF (Second Baptist)</strong> Marshall impressed me fundamentally the first time I saw her and I wrote "she catches the ball, keeps it high, and finishes but I like the fact that she’s constantly moving, and when you add the good hands and footwork"  but I also liked her strength as well as using it under control to finish. I love seeing players battle, she does a good job in the paint on both ends and falls into that "you won’t outwork me" category