’22 Queens Of The Hardwood-Breakout Players-Elite Division
Oxford languages describe progression as “the process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state” which I sum up as IMPROVING your game and one thing I all always look for, is players adding more on the court,…
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Continue ReadingOxford languages describe progression as “the process of developing or moving gradually towards a more advanced state” which I sum up as IMPROVING your game and one thing I all always look for, is players adding more on the court, it’s simple, like almost everything I put out there such as “it’s not what you do, it’s who you do it against” yet several players have done just that, taken their games to another level and here are some of them
Jaida Gomez-5’6 CG (Pflugerville HS) Austin Elite RFW {2023]
Gomez told me “I do more than shoot the 3” well she sent a subliminal message by showing me that she did, well everything but her acrobatic finishes combined with her constant diving for loose balls, not to leave out battling taller players for rebounds are all adding to her completeness as a player on the court, let me not leave out “on the ball defense” was solid
Ellie Maldonado-5’8 CG (Marshall HS) SA UNITE [2023]
Maldonado had me use the search bar, I encourage people to go that extra step yet after seeing her slice to the basket numerous times, I knew I had seen her before. Her ability to create her shot under pressure has gotten better, so has her range but let me also add her finishing off the dribble after contact was also nice
Jayda Reece-5’11 PF (Clemens HS) SAHE Gold JK [2023]
Reeces has put together several PIECES over the years as I’ve watched her before she even started playing for one of my all-time favorite players from one of my all-time favorite families Nia Torru (Clemens) and I could do a story on her as she terrorized defenders but I’m digging the growth from Jayda. She battles for everything off the rim sacrifices her body going after the ball and taking charges plus she’s scoring around the basket more
Tyra Sotelo-5’6 CG (Brennan HS) SA Lady Hoops Black [2024]
Sotelo is just a gamer and her breakout season with her high school game as she had several huge moments including being a game-changer during the playoffs has elevated her confidence to yet another level Yeah, she was good but that “poise under pressure” and just as important “delivering under pressure” either with the huge mid to long-range shot, off the dribble after contact or breaking up plays on defense, she was everywhere making things happen
Abigail Smith Abigail Smith 5'11" | SG Boerne | 2024 State TX -5’10 SG ( Boerne HS) Boerne Bears [2024]
Smith would fall into that “silent assassin ” category because she hit some shots to start the momentum going for her team as well as stop it from the other team yet what I really enjoyed was seeing her “getting hers in the flow” as her high school team will probably make a state championship run, she will definitely be one of the keys that helps unlock the door. The pull-up jumper is so smooth, I really enjoy watching her create it but rebounding and defending have also gone up
Evie Bruce-5’11 SF (Liberty Hill HS) Centex Attack [2025]
Bruce had me scratching my head after seeing what high school she attended so one more time I used the search bar and her being named Honorable Mention at a high school tournament. I enjoyed her attacking the rim, she does a good job of getting there and finishing after contact yet she also battled for rebounds, on both ends and scored well on putbacks her ball-handling under pressure as well as in the open court caught my eye, yet her eye at seeing the floor, yes court vision was nice
Dejah Dudley-5’7 SG/SF (Judson HS) SA Lady Hoops Carolina Blue [2025]
Dudley and Bruce are on the main page, the 2 freshmen with so much potential got the nod and I amaze myself at capturing moments because I’m a visual person that can look at pictures and things in my head. Dejah left me somewhat speechless when I caught her last season with her abundance of energy and desire but the potential was definitely there so here we go with “progression” and let me reiterate “I am a real evaluator” so her battling over and over is still there, what I love is her finishing over taller players, after contact as well as her defense both in and outside the paint, huge upside