UIL 6A Watch-Desoto In Driver’s Seat
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I wanted to do some “what ifs” not because it’s Halloween weekend, I hate Halloween, it’s because that’s what I do and after watching Desoto win the State Championship convincingly, I immediately dropped the back to back on them, yet…
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Continue ReadingI wanted to do some “what ifs” not because it’s Halloween weekend, I hate Halloween, it’s because that’s what I do and after watching Desoto win the State Championship convincingly, I immediately dropped the back to back on them, yet let me also add that I remember seeing many of these players I guess in the 4th grade and was questioned by both the novices and the clueless on why so many Desoto players were on my initial ranking, I’ve added where they’re heading unless you’re THE MAN, don’t question me, wait, even if you are, Just Don’t Do It!
Michayla Gatewood Michayla Gatewood 5'8" | PG DeSoto | 2022 State TX – 5’8 PG-Texas Tech
Gatewood is one of the top PG’s in the state, in fact, I have her at #1 because she’s heady, can control the tempo as well as just make those around her better, and when you add the fact that she can score, both off the dribble and from the outside but peep this, she did NOT play in the run due to an injury
Jamia Harris Jamia Harris 5'7" | SG DeSoto | 2022 State TX -5’8 SG- Texas Tech
Harris is long and athletic, pay attention to that because it’s important yet even more important is her ability to knock down shots, mid to long-range, as well as score off the dribble plus she defends and plays the passing lane very well, not to omit “sees the floor” and can handle the ball under pressure
Sa’Myah Smith Sa’Myah Smith 6'4" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State #14 Nation TX -6’4 PF- LSU
Smith is long and athletic and is a terror in the paint, on both ends yet watching her score however she wants on the inside has been a treat watching develop, and with her timing to block shots, she also can handle the ball afterward to ignite the break and go coast to coast and finish
Tionna Herron Tionna Herron 6'3" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State TX -6’3 PF- Kentucky
Herron has also progressed from basically a defensive standout that made players think about challenging her because she too is long and athletic yet her wingspan is impressive as she plays the passing lane but her offensive skills have evolved into a double-double waiting to happen especially with the turnaround
Amina Muhammad Amina Muhammad 6'3" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State TX -6’3 PF-Texas
Muhammad has always been a terror in the paint, her mindset of BATTLING for the ball was just ahead of her years but she is, you guessed it, long and athletic so blocking shots and finishing strongly after contact has become even better year after year and since she’s finishing with either hand as well showing the short jumper…
Jiya Perry Jiya Perry 5'11" | SF DeSoto | 2022 State TX – SMU
Perry has been the “silent assassin” as she fills up the stat sheet because she understands how to “get hers in the flow” but creating her shot under pressure, knocking down the jumper with a hand in her face, and WANTING the ball in clutch situations, as well as delivering has always been a treat and when you add that she applies heat on the defensive end, well there you have it
Ayanna Thompson Ayanna Thompson 5'10" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State TX – Ole Miss
Thompson’s versatility has always been impressive because she can play multiple positions very well so be it 1,2 or 3, she can see the floor as well as handle the ball, she creates her shot to knock down the mid to long-range and she doesn’t mind powering inside the paint and let me add 4 because of her putbacks, yes she rebounds on both ends and defends solidly
Let me also add that they have an impressive supporting cast with senior Miah Overton, junior Jade Miles as well as sophomores Mylassia Smith, Nissa Muhammad, and Madison Caldwell plus one of the state’s top freshmen Makiyah Rigsby, so I guess the big question is “can anyone beat them” and in a one-game playoff, I have seen some strange things happen over the years so I’ll continue my “what ifs” from various regions based on who I’ve seen so far