Texas Invitational-Opening Day-2023 Top Performers

I dropped the teams I saw from the D2 Division already, I’m posting the link right here because I hate being questioned, period. It’s cold and rainy in Houston yet I’ll catch even more via Livestream as I catch a couple of the GOLD semi-final teams I missed, Hardin Jefferson and Converse Judson. Speaking of Hardin Jefferson, PGH Texas 2024 Top 100 Kendall Sneed Kendall Sneed 5'7" | CG Hardin Jefferson | 2024 State TX put on a show and orchestrated her team’s 18 point come from behind victory on opening day, she finished with 20, I just had to give the former 7th grader I called a #D1Lock a S/O.

RyLee Grays RyLee Grays 6'3" | PF The Village School | 2023 State #17 Nation TX ( Pearland)

Grays’ sheer dominance on the inside continues as she was hard to handle at the Peggy Whitley Classic, nothing has changed. I spoke about her progression, her finishing with either hand after contact along with her rebounding, all are great signs that she’s going to transition quickly next season with North Carolina. From her growth when I caught her in elementary school until now is amazing

Adyson James Adyson James 5'10" | SF Steele | 2023 State TX (Cibolo Steele)

James plays bigger than her size, I’ve said that for years yet the Nicholls State signee does more than outrebound players over “the magic number” which is 6’0. Her ability to score off the dribble, with either hand, and finish, with either hand has gotten better, I’m talking after contact yet her midrange has me even more excited as it too has jumped

Molly Ly Molly Ly 5'5" | PG Cedar Park | 2023 State TX (Cedar Park)

Ly sold me in the 7th grade, I don’t fabricate and always remember I am a REAL evaluator so check this out. Okay fast forward to now, back-to-back state championships show she can also run a team, the game starts at the 1, and trust me she is one of the TOP UNSIGNED GUARDS in Texas. Her ability to score in DROVES, off the dribble and mid to long-range is special

Ja’Shelle Johnson Ja’Shelle Johnson 5'5" | PG SA Johnson | 2023 State TX (San Antonio Johnson)

Johnson has me tearing up a bit because she will be heading to the University of Texas Rio Grand Valley next. No, I’m not sad about that, it’s just I can’t irritate her by saying “when I see JJ, I know GOOD TIMES rate coming because she’s DYNOMITE” and although 5 years have passed quickly, she was special from that initial sighting. One of the most explosive scoring guards in the state was hard to handle PERIOD

Kylie Marshall Kylie Marshall 5'9" | CG Mansfield Lake Ridge | 2023 State TX (Mansfield Lake Ridge)

Marshall laid down THE LAW is what I’ve tweeted for several years and her ability to take over games, from either end has always made her a “must-see” for me. She’s long and athletic, that’s the base and her playing the passing lane as well as scoring off the dribble was always there but that pull-up jumper is heading to Texas A&M on her next stop. She can take over games from either end of the court

Jorynn Ross Jorynn Ross 6'2" | PF John Cooper | 2023 State TX (Summer Creek)

Ross is one of the keys to Summer Creek making another run to state. Better yet, she turns the ignition and the Pepperdine signee has expanded her game in so many ways since I first saw her. Yeah, she always had the “college-ready body” but watching her score, not only in the paint but dropping the long ball as she showed last week at the Lady Gander Tip-Off

Amiya Hopkins Amiya Hopkins 6'2" | PF North Crowley | 2023 State TX (North Crowley)

Hopkins wasn’t at a hunnid yet she definitely made a difference when she was on the floor, especially down the stretch when she helped her team make a run. She is strong and powerful, with nice moves around the basket yet her interior defense on top of her scoring was huge in the last quarter

Elizabeth Abiara-6’3 C (Mansfield Lake Ridge)

Abiara is a player that will be added to the Top 100. The University of Central Arkansas signee already has the strength and power for the next level and that, combined with her frame will create some issues. She scored in the paint yet her rebounding and the interior defense stood out and she also scored on the short jumper

Baylee Mitchell Baylee Mitchell 5'6" | CG North Crowley | 2023 State TX – 5’9 SG/SF (North Crowley)

Mitchell is one of those players I lost track of. She is listed in the Top 100 plus yet hadn’t been upgraded since I caught her 3 or 4 years ago. She transferred and also transferred her CLUTCH performances and she understands that her midrange is her go-to, yet her huge 3, then a 2 to end the 3rd quarter changed the momentum of the game