From Travel Ball to High School: Players to Watch This Season

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   I have to admit, after watching so much basketball (more than I can count) over the past couple of months, I truly did walk away from this travel ball season thoroughly impressed. Collectively as a state, we may not have these big power four kids up and down the rankings. What we do have are solid contributors who will be and can be legit difference makers at the next level. There is a place for our kids at the next level. It's just a matter of time until collegiate coaches will see what I see in our prospects, if they already haven't.   To play at the next level, you have to do more than just score the basketball. Coaches already know you are a prolific scorer, but what else can you do? Can you create for others? Finish at the rim? Make timely assists? Defend? What is your IQ like on the floor? Do you give multiple efforts on possessions? Do you rotate on D? These questions are just some of the things collegiate coaches look for. Oh, I forgot one, body language. How do you handle adversity? I am no rocket scientist, but in my opinion, all of these actions are controllable and you can do.   When I look back throughout this travel ball season, I have to admit, I have seen a lot of growth in players. That's a great thing as these players have gotten better on the circuit and will go back to their perspective schools, making them even better. What does that mean? The quality of high school basketball during the season will be on an uptick. I'm excited as there will be new battles forged, unsung heroes, and kids who will be looking to accomplish new milestones.    Here are a few kids that showed me tremendous growth on the floor this past travel ball season. Look for them to be shining stars for the high school teams once we tip off in November.    She is no stranger when it comes to putting the basketball in the hoop. You know as well as I do, this kid can knock it down from all three levels. What she added to her back was the ability to create for herself and others, which in turn is going to make her even more deadly. She is a heady ball player who knows how to utilize her speed and quickness to her advantage. She played with poise, displaying tight handles, getting to gaps to make timely passes, get to the rim, or pull up. Whatever the scenario, she was trusted with the ball in her hands to execute. I will also say this: she's gritty on the defense end as well, becoming a solid two-way player that's going to be difficult to deal with on both ends of the floor. Look for her to not only set records but also become a part of history in Hickman Co. moving forward. Solid kid with a bright future.     This kid is starting to come into her own. She is a solid two-way player who can dominate the painted areas. She has nice moves around the rim where she can finish possession. Her greatest strength is on the defensive end, where she can block shots like no other. She is a tough defender who makes it hard for people to score around the rim. There were multiple games I saw where she had 5 or more blocks, instilling fear in those who even tried to come near the basket. This kid is on the upswing and is about to take off. Keep tabs on this young lady as she will be a contributor for her ball club in more ways than one.     Big fan of her game and how she just competes until there is nothing left. An undersized post player who battles on every possession. A solid two-way player who can score the basketball inside the arc, then turn around and defend like crazy, making it tough for the opposition to score. What I love about her the most, she rebounds the basketball! Keep tabs on this young lady moving forward. She's a difference maker and is willing to do whatever it takes to help her ballclub win. She may not get all the glory, but she is a key piece of any team she plays on.     One kid most people aren't talking about who is about to take off. A tough two-way player who can do a multitude of things and excel at them. Defensively, she is tough. She gets steals, rebounds the basketball, and pushes in transition. Offensively, she can exploit multiple areas, knocking down the 3-ball, unleashing a deadly mid-range, or blowing past her defender and finishing at the rim. She possesses an all-around game that speaks volumes in so many ways. Don't sleep on this young lady as her stock is about to take off. Blessed with size, speed, and strength, look for her to be a huge problem this upcoming season.     A kid who checks all the boxes. Athletic guard who possesses speed, skill, and someone who is overall tough. This kid competes her tail off and will do anything to help her ballclub win. She is unselfish, putting her team's needs over any individual opportunity. Offensively, she can score from all 3 levels consistently, unleashing a deadly stroke. She can create for herself and others, but putting the ball in the hole, she can do that effortlessly. Defensively, she is a lockdown defender who creates havoc. A super talented kid who is a great teammate.

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION