Day 2-Heart Of Texas-Top Performers pt 1
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I wanted to mix this up somewhat and after glancing at my notes I figured another way to be innovative, well sort of because all I need is the talent in front of me, and since talent is everywhere, the…
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Continue ReadingI wanted to mix this up somewhat and after glancing at my notes I figured another way to be innovative, well sort of because all I need is the talent in front of me, and since talent is everywhere, the Heart Of Texas has my notes, written and mental, still banging in my head so I need to let them out and here’s my opening on this segment which includes players who have changed teams that I’ve written about so always remember, PLAYERS, ARE PLAYERS no matter what team they’re on if you know what you’re looking at
Kiersten Johnson Kiersten Johnson 6'3" | C Duncanville | 2022 State TX -6’1 PF (Banshees 17U)
Johnson is long and athletic, her timing is one of her biggest strong points as she can block, alter and deflect and yes, her wingspan plays a part in what she does, so does attacking the rim from the wing to go along with her soft touch facing the basket. She finishes while elevating over defenders and she’s doing it after contact which is pretty big
Lexi Alexander Lexi Alexander 5'10" | PF Cedar Ridge | 2022 State TX -6’0 PF (Austin Elite RFW)
Alexander is one of those players that had so many stars and stripes by her name the first time I saw her, I mentioned she could have her own flag yet that flag has been sailing in the wind strongly, actually, it’s her attacking and finishing strongly but her inside play is second to none, you will not outwork her. and when you add the mid to long-range to equation, she’s going to be JEFFERSONIZED in the rankings, Movin On Up
R’Mani Taylor R’Mani Taylor 5'7" | PG Shadow Creek | 2022 State TX -5’6 PG (Skyrise Edmond)
Taylor was in street clothes dribbling in the 5th grade while I was watching Kyndall Hunter Kyndall Hunter 5'8" | SG Cypress Creek | 2021 State #23 Nation TX playing in the 8th grade and after seeing Hunter go off, I called her a #D1Lock, and a few minutes later, seeing Taylor show some nifty ball-handling, I tagged her the same thing because I KNOW TALENT and knew they were REAL Supergirls but what I really like about what Taylor has become is she’s making those around her better. Yeah, she can shoot the long ball as well as the midrange but that extra factor is just ……
Jada Williams Jada Williams 5'6" | PG La Jolla Country Day | 2023 State #6 Nation CA -5’8 PG (Banshees 17U) 2023
Williams just goes hard the whole game on both ends and the notoriety she has received from various outlets sort of made her a household name, she has committed to UCLA if I’m not mistaken but I definitely wasn’t mistaken by her drive when I first saw her, that and her driving to the basket finishing strongly with either hand but she also mixes up her offensive skills and can score multiple ways. That, as well as defending and seeing the floor all stood out
Aniyah Sanford Aniyah Sanford 5'5" | PG Langham Creek | 2023 State TX -5’4 PG (Houston United 2023 GOLD) 2023
Sanford and Son was a hit TV show yet Aniyah is showing she’s going to be a hit on TV too because I love watching players progress on the court. She ran the 1 for one of the top high school programs off the top and her leadership skyrocketed after her freshman season to just show poise galore this year but her controlling the tempo, either pushing it or setting it up has been one of the biggest keys, along with seeing the floor yet her speed has taken off and to be honest, she startled me crashing the boards and getting rebounds over 6 footers
Riley McCloskey Riley McCloskey 5'3" | PG Memorial | 2023 State TX -5’5 PG (Just Play Elite 2022) 2023
McCloskey is a gamer, she has earned so many hashtags like #sizedontmatter because she can play and I don’t know what I love seeing the most, her ability to create her shot from midrange, her stop and pop in transition, or dropping the long ball. How about those blazing passes on the money, in traffic, with either hand and since I’m talking about both hands, that floater has elevated her game but she’s always under control, she plays within herself and she understands how to run a team