South Grand Prairie and Desoto’s matchup was a high stakes barn burner that had national implications. Desoto, equipped with some of Texas basketball’s biggest names came into the contest as the highest-ranked team in the country. SGP was more than…
South Grand Prairie and Desoto’s matchup was a high stakes barn burner that had national implications. Desoto, equipped with some of Texas basketball’s biggest names came into the contest as the highest-ranked team in the country. SGP was more than ready for the test giving the top-ranked team their first loss and putting their team into a higher stratosphere. The 8 point win solidified a lot of things but these 5 storylines below will guide both teams’ seasons.
Length vs Speed
Don’t get me wrong they‘re girls are very athletic but SGP’s decision making is different.
SGP’s backcourt, Kiara Jackson and
Kendall McGruder, ran the team’s press break to perfection. The tandem uses their elite handles to weave through defenses and make smart decisions when trapped.
Off guards and forwards handled DeSoto’s pressure with discipline. They found release valves rather than force plays. This roster is full of players with incredible ball skills and feel for the game.
Kendall McGruder
Kiara Jackson
Camryn Hill
Best trio in Texas
The names
Kendall McGruder, Kiara Jackson, and
Camryn Hill are going to hold some weight in their school’s history.
These three players are stacked with guard skills and elite shooting.
McGruder sets the table. Jackson spaces the floor, and Hill gives an inside-outside attack that few can match. All three can run the offense, all three defend, all three won’t hesitate to give a squad 20. They look championship ready.
A Scary Duo
What’s scarier than two 6-4 post players in high school basketball? Two 6-4 post players with the agility and coordination to cover the perimeter.
Both Smith and Muhammad will make some coach very rich. These elite recruits move like Gazelle and cast a daunting shadow. With one covering the inbounder and the other roaming open court the court in half. With the combined wingspan of a small airplane, Desoto can go as deep as their stifling defense can take them.
Tionna Herron
Texas’s next elite guard?
Kendall Brown looked elite last night. The 5-9 guard has a physically imposing frame and big-time game. Everything from her passing to her frame looks advanced for a sophomore.
Speaking of Brown’s facilitating it looked college-ready all night. She sliced through the paint dropping dimes to the bigs huddled around the restricted area.
This young lady is surrounded by jewels don’t be surprised if she ends up the diamond in the rough.
Rematches?
These two juggernauts have at least one more game in league play before this season is over. Mark your calendar for January 21st, where Desoto will defend home court.
Where the real matchup comes is their inevitable match on the way to state. Last year the group ran into each other with Desoto taking the victory. Last year, their overwhelming size proved too much for SGP, however, it seems like they’ve found the secret sauce. With both teams being so young they might just be a much watch ticket well into 2022.