Promising Private School Prospects: Underclassmen Edition
Over the Thanksgiving break, I got a chance to see players from the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS. I witnessed stellar Houston private school programs. I was so impressed with the freshman and sophomore players’ talent…
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Continue ReadingOver the Thanksgiving break, I got a chance to see players from the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS. I witnessed stellar Houston private school programs. I was so impressed with the freshman and sophomore players’ talent levels that I wanted to highlight them in this article. The transition from middle school to high school basketball is a major jump. A lot of times the 8th grade player may be the big fish in their school’s small pond. When these “big fish” enter high school, and start learning a new system and feeling the pressure defense turn up a notch they may feel intimidated. I could see the wheels spinning for these underclassmen as they’re locked in to learning and improving their game. Here’s to the class of 2026 and 2027!
Dylaney Gullage
Dylaney Gullage
Gullage provides an undeniable presence inside for her team. She has an understanding of how to work the block and high post. On the defensive side, her interior presence changes opponents’ ability to get to the basket at will. She is already doing a great job of keeping the ball high on rebounds, and is not far from becoming a relentless rebounder. Once Gullage develops a greater awareness of how to use her size, she will have a dominant attitude which will allow her to be a very powerful force.
Courtland Cloud Courtland Cloud 6'0" | SF St Pius | 2027 State TX
Courtland Cloud Courtland Cloud 6'0" | SF St Pius | 2027 State TX
Cloud has an undeniable athleticism. More impressive than her athleticism, is her sense of competitiveness. She’s got a hunger to her game that is attractive to any spectator. I saw her use her speed to lead the majority of transition breaks. She’s still learning how to read the defense, but shows the ability to pass, pull-up and shoot, or get all the way to the basket. With a little film study and refinement, it will be GAMETIME when Cloud has the ball in transition. She also has a solid three point shot. Even more impressive, when she misses a shot she is the first one back in transition. Cloud has the potential to be a high level competitor.
Annaliese De la pena
Annaliese De la pena
De la pena is a true floor general for her team. Her team plays a very strong team ball system. To run a system like this you need a facilitator and this is what De la pena does for her team. Already as a freshman, she sees the court very well. She plays within herself to get her teammates the ball. She has a quick trigger shot, and jumps on her shot so she doesn’t need much space. The defensive has to be honest when guarding her because you don’t know if she’ll shoot or attack the gaps.
Bookman has a solid frame for a freshman. Her frame paired with a keen understanding of positioning, allow her to score on taller opponents. So she really isn’t afraid to bang in the paint. On the perimeter, she showed she can beat her defender off the dribble. I saw her make beautiful spin moves and finish at the basket. As she’s learning her team’s offense, she is reading what the defense gives her and attacking gaps to get directly to the basket. I also saw her hit a few three-pointers. She has quite a few tools in her toolbox, and when she tightens her handles she will be even more of a threat.
Natalie Leslie
Natalie Leslie
Leslie has a sneaky quickness to her game. I saw her cause lots of deflections and turnovers using her lengthy arms at the top of the defense. She has quick feet and provides great on ball defense. She is more of a spot up three-point shooter, but nonetheless has the foundations of a solid shot form. I saw her as a role player for her team, which is a very underrated position these days. As she gains varsity playing experience, I can see Leslie becoming a go to scorer for her team.