2021 group shows progression at Tyrone Johnson Showcase

I can't tell you how many young players that people would go on and on about that simply didn't progress in fact when you have people of no knowledge or comprehension ranking elementary school players to pacify parents, it's truly sad. I know some will say that I do the same thing, that again falls into the comprehension part because what I know is if a young player is a "can't miss" at a young age and that's different. <strong>Sarah Andrews (2020), Deja Kelly (2020),  Rori Harmon and</strong> <strong>Kyndall Hunter (2021) and Ashlon Jackson (2022</strong>) were all in the 5th grade or younger when I called them #D1Locks and (or) #BCSLocks as they are among the top players in their classes right now as well as a couple of players in the WNBA,  <strong>Brooke McCarty (Dallas Wings)</strong> and my own daughter <strong>Sydney Colson (Las Vegas Aces)</strong> because not only do I see and comprehend talent, I also look at things that tell me players won't "pan out" or just not improve considerably over the years so progression has and always will be a key on every level [caption id="attachment_86519" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jazra Williams[/caption] <strong>Jazra Williams-forward-Austin Elite-</strong> if I gave a Most Improved award for every player I saw in this class, she would be in the Top 5. The size and athleticism has always the foundation but I see the "work" she's put in over the past season. Poised and confident, she scores multiple ways, mid to long as well as off the dribble but she also is playing the passing lane, rebounding and defending <strong>DeAjia Brown-post (Austin Elite Fire)</strong> Fire is the right word because Brown brought heat on both ends of the floor and although I've always been impressed with her desire and effort, which is something you can't teach,her ability to finish, with contact and rebounding has gone up <strong>Ellie Ward-combo guard (Waco Elite Blue)</strong> she already had shown me she could shoot the mid to long range but that range is deeper and her ability to create off the dribble as well as finish strong after contact has certainly improved [caption id="attachment_86520" align="alignright" width="300"] Lanay Fuller[/caption] <strong>Londyn Steere-guard (Rock Nation 2021 Red)</strong> on Friday at the #AllEyezOnMe Individual Showcase, I could already see the progression however my eyes were wide open during the event as she added #CLUTCH to her repertoire. Mid to long continues to impress but she "wants" the ball in pressure situations and delivered <strong>Kaitlyn Smith-guard (Fury Haney/Brinkoeter Navy)</strong> another that showed me a while back she could shoot the long ball with ease and that's always a plus but since we're adding, her ability to "catch and shoot" has become a valuable asset to her game <strong>Taliyah Johnson-guard (Supergirls Ridge 2021)</strong> explosiveness off the dribble is always good to have but her ball handling under pressure, her ability to see the court as well as being able to control the tempo has taken off. She can score from outside as well as defend baseline to baseline <strong>Lanay Fuller-forward (Austin Elite Fire)</strong> that college ready frame has always been able to take punishment attacking the rim but she's finishing stronger as well as rebounding on  both ends.She's also attacking the basket from the wing and hitting the mid-range with ease [caption id="attachment_86521" align="alignleft" width="300"] Valerie Panuco[/caption] <strong>Valerie Panuco-guard (Lady Wolfpack)</strong> three of her club teammates play with her on the same Whitney HS team and are ranked among the Texas Top 100 in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and with her continued progression she's on her way. Heady guard that has gone from a defensive stopper to a stop and popper that attacks relentlessly and delivers and the thing that really stands out is that she gets hers "in the flow" and before you know it, she's filled up the stat sheet. On top of all that, she defends well