2025 HEART OF TEXAS STANDOUTS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The house that Jerry built as they call it was the destination for the Heart of Texas Showcase. 3 days of nonstop hooping with teams coming from all across the nation and even Canada. Today we will take a look at Louisiana's own class of 2025 standouts at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484976' first='Amijah' last='Price'] - <strong>5'8 Pg (Louisiana United) Woodlawn </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Price a big physically gifted guard ran the show for her United squad by controlling the tempo and attacking the rim aggressively leading to a bunch of and-one finishes. She often times got in the lane and made the rite plays dishing to open teammates! Defensively she garnered a bunch of steals jumping in passing lanes which turned into many layups in the two games I watched. Slimmed down and looking in tip-top shape her stock will steadily rise as the summer continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='484987' first='Akeelah' last='Wade'] - <strong>5'10 G (Team Up Lady Raiders) Natch Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wade is a kid that I just wish was more selfish if that makes sense! The big guard can be a total mismatch when she wants to. Only a sophomore she has a college-ready body and uses it to post smaller defenders. She can play and play anywhere from the 2 through 4 spots. Jumper looks great offensively she's very skilled, just wish she'd go in takeover mode more often because she has all the tools to simply dominate a game on both ends. One of these D1 lock kids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cadence Collins - <strong>6'1 P (PrimeTyme Family) Capt Shreve</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My first time ever putting eye's on Cadence had never even heard of her but boy was I impressed! This kid posted, ran the floor, blocked shots, and rebounded at a high level in the one game I was able to view. Most impressed with her poise in the paint as she drew a bunch of doubles but never panicked and made the right plays for the most part. Offensively of course there's room for growth but let's just say in our rankings update you will see CADENCE COLLINS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hope Cauthron - <strong>G 5'8 (Lake City Pride) Reeves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dynamite in a hooper. Hope may not look athletic but she's super athletic and it showed at the Heart of Texas! Showed a decent handle but when she got her shoulders square and downhill she was able to finish in a variety of ways, she's very strong and finished through contact. She knocked down a few timely 3 balls for her Lake City squad all while defending multiple positions at a high level. She really showed how tough and versatile she is and will be going forward!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKayla Charles -<strong> G 5'9 (Louisiana United) Vandebilt Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's been working on her game it's very evident. Seeing her knock down multiple 3 balls at the Heart of Texas was a site to see, seeing as though she's known for getting to the rim and punishing smaller defenders. After this run at the Heart of Texas I'm comfortable calling the Bully from the Bayou a three-level scorer as she hit mid-range jumpers as well as being a monster on the boards. She will make a jump in our rankings update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maleigha James - <strong>G 5'7 (Lake City Pride) Barbe </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing that jumped out was Miss James' IQ is her decision-making and knowing when to push when not to push. Knowing when to shoot and when not to shoot she's very bright for still a young player. She thrived in transition the lefty can finish. She also showed a nice stroke from deep she actually needs to shoot it more often. Next level she can easily be a lead guard and a DAWGISH defender!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alyssa Hilliard - <strong>CG 5'8 (La Soul) Ponchatoula</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>People are using the phrase 3 and D player these days and that label fits Alyssa. Coming off of a breakout high school campaign Alyssa continued to kill in Texas where she was a monster in transition finishing in a variety of ways floaters, pull-ups, euros, etc. She's a highly underrated defender in my eyes she doesn't get enough credit on that end of the floor on the ball or off the ball she makes things happen defensively! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->