A Look Back: December Standouts
It was tough getting to some of the girls’ holiday hoop events, as I was wall to wall covering the boys. However, I did get an opportunity to catch a couple of girls’ games in December, and here are some standouts that caught my eye.
Tanita Rai’Nique Swift (5’5/Combo Guard/2022)
School: Center Point HS
Instagram: t3swiftt_
Twitter: N/A
I spoke with Tanita’s coach this past weekend, and she said she is about 50 points from hitting the 1,000 point mark for her career. She is an under-the-radar high-level scorer, making a lot of noise at Center Point. She is a beast on the offensive end and gets it done in numerous ways. She handles the rock well and is quick with the ball in her hands. She has a quick first step that enables her to get a step on defenders, and once she has that step, she keeps them on her hip, dictating what she wants at that moment.
She gets it done at all levels as she is a playmaker and a shotmaker.
She looks to put pressure on the rim in transition, which exposed Hayden’s transition defense at times. She understands the importance of straight-line drives and doing more with less, which is probably one of the reasons she is approaching 1,000 points in her career. Hayden did not have an answer for her, as the only thing that slowed Tanita down was foul trouble and ultimately fouling out the contest. She is a 2022 player worth taking a shot on, as I am sure she will find her way to the next level, the question is who will land this hidden gem.
Ramie Reid (6’0/Wing/2023)
School: Hayden HS
Instagram: ramiefaith
Twitter: N/A
Ramie is one of the most skilled scorers I have seen this season. She is extremely versatile and has good size. Coming off an off-season injury, it looks as though nothing is hindering her. She did it all against Center Point, putting what she brings to the floor on full display. She ran the floor, scored at all three levels, passed the ball well, moved well without the ball, defensively played passing lanes, and was strong on the boards.
She is a complete player and had consistent production throughout the game.
She is not real flashy, but she impacts the game in so many areas. With her size and her knowledge of being able to utilize her size to create fouls, she gives defenders fits when trying to limit her production because if you take away one aspect of her game, she is comfortable shifting to another mode of contributing. I look forward to watching Ramie the rest of this season and watching her this spring and summer. From now to the start of her senior year, the growth of her game will be crucial as she stands poised to have a terrific senior year.
Karniece Hendricks (5’3/Combo Guard/2024)
School: Center Point HS
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Karniece is a young developing talent. What caught my eye about her is her pesty on-ball defense that gave ball-handlers issues and allowed her to turn defense into offense as she piled up several steals against Hayden. Playing alongside the prolific scorer, Tanita Swift Tanita Swift 5'6" | PG Center Point | 2022 State AL , Karniece doesn’t have the pressure of having to carry the team offensively night in and night out.
This allows her to continue to develop as a floor general and a playmaker.
Karniece has a lot of intrigue surrounding her game, and it will show when she steps out from the shadow of Swift. Karniece has the tools to emerge as the leader for Center Point but does she have the emotional IQ to lead? The story is unfolding.
Kate Cotton (5’9/Forward/2024)
School: Mountain Brook HS
Instagram: katecotton__
Twitter: @kate_cotton5
Kate is a solid player that has settled into her role on the varsity squad. She plays within herself and is a consistent presence in the paint. She defends the paint, crashes the boards, and contests shots. If she can develop a consistent midrange J, it will make her more of a threat on the offensive end. She works extremely hard in her role and is the type of player whose impact may not always be seen in the stat book but is felt in the game.
With scorers around her, Kate has silently developed this year into a critical piece for the Mountain Brook squad.
With a good off-season of expanding her game outside the paint and getting the confidence to step outside the paint in games, Kate can have a breakout junior year, but for now, Kate is ready to help her team as they head into postseason play in a few weeks.
Skylar Lassiter (5’8/Shooting Guard/2024)
School: Hayden HS
Instagram: lassiterskylar
Twitter: @skylarlassiter5
Skyler is a young athletic wing, that is taking strides since I saw her this summer. She is a streaky shooter, but when she is on watch out, as she can fill it up. When I saw her against Center Point, she showed flashes as she did this summer, but she has to be more consistent with her perimeter shooting. She showed that she could get to the paint, and she made good decisions when getting there.
She shows a lot of promise but has to continue to build her confidence in handling the rock.
The strength of her game is shooting, but her confidence takes a few steps back when she has to lean on creating her shot off the bounce. When she pulls it all together, she is going to b a tough cover. Defensively she is improving with her feet which improves her game so that she can impact both ends of the floor. If she continues on the trajectory she is on, I look forward to watching her over the next two years of her high school career and seeing just how good she can become.