ALLEN, Texas—If you were looking for a “two-for-one appetizer” last weekend as a prelude to your Thanksgiving dinner, then the state of Texas offered up a menu to keep any basketball fan smiling.  Blue Star Media took advantage of two long running and highly regarded events once again this year to get an early season look at the wealth of Lone Star State talent as they tip off the 2016 – 2017 season.  Our first stop was Pasadena, Texas and Deer Park High School for the 14^th annual McDonald’s Texas Invitational.  In all, over 200 games were played across the three day event with the girl’s side of the action featuring 32 teams.  A late night drive northwest to Allen, Texas had us courtside for the wrap up of pool play and the bracket match-ups of the 16^th annual Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest.  The line-up featured 30 more teams and plenty of talent to top off a great weekend of basketball as only the folks in Texas can do it.

Between both events we saw some well-known talent bolstering their resumes as well as plenty of rising young prospects that will certainly have the eyes of Texas and beyond upon them when all is said and done.  Below are some quick snapshots of some of the performances that caught our eye last weekend.  Both tournaments are mixed together and in alphabetical order so there’s no need to read anything into the layout of our evaluations.  There were many other athletes on hand that left an impression as well and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action down the road in future high school and club events.

Temi Alao – 2017 – 5-10 – Forward – Allen – Strong…Plays with maximum effort baseline to baseline…Makes plays…Can work from the high post or down low…Puts it on the floor to a degree…Plays physical both on the glass and defensively…Focused with intensity

Joanne Allen-Taylor – 2018 – 5-6 – Guard – Cypress Falls – Strong individual skills…Can create her own looks…Floater…Crossover is there…Stepback has a quick release

Ellen Margaret Andrews – 2017 – 5-10 – Wing/Forward – Yale Commit…Constant motion…Can play the wing or a small #4…Active on both ends…Reads the floor on the catch…Decent ball skills…Gets to the rim aggressively…Strong lower body lets her post up at times…Perimeter shot has a two handed look to it

Sarah Andrews – 2020 – 5-5 – Point Guard – MacArthur – Physically strong top tier point guard…Ball skills going both ways…Accelerates off her change of speed…Can take it all the way or call on the pull-up…Has speed with the ball in transition…Elevates on her perimeter shot…Assertive on ball defender…Could turn it up off the ball however

Lauryn Bowie – 2018 – 5-11 – Forward – Duncanville – Undersized forward…Solid and strong…Active with intent in the low post…Finishes with contact…Plays with intensity

Annalise Brisco – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Clear Falls – Quick, athletic guard…Wiry build…Creates off the dribble…Has some tools

Camryn Brown – 2019 – 5-9 – Guard – Prestonwood Christian – Thin…A little length…Has some ballhandling in place…Demonstrated speed with the ball…Sees the floor…Upright at times

Sierra Cheatham – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing/Forward – Clear Springs – Tulane signee…Long, lean and athletic…Fluid in all that she does…Has the combination of size and ball skills…Form is sound…Can spot up with range…Shot is out front to a degree…Active both with and without the ball…Vertical is there…Has a presence on the glass at both ends

Charli Collier – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – Barbers Hill – Continues to develop and add to her game…Increased strength…Passing the ball more effectively…Jump hook is showing much more refinement…Uses the high post drive more selectively…No longer settles for the perimeter looks…Depth of skills challenging defenders…Plays with effort on both ends

Gabby Connally – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Brandeis – Georgia signee…Limited play due to ankle injury…Fluid and creative guard…One on one skills allow her to improve both shots and passing angles

Avery Crouse – 2019 – 5-10 – Guard – Sachse – Skilled guard with some length…Ballskills are there…Willing to attack off the dribble…Deceiving speed and quickness…A factor in both transition and halfcourt sets…Wingspan helps her defensively on smaller match ups…Lean build but took contact

Kayla Demus – 2019 – 5-7 – Guard – Sachse – Athletic guard…Strong ball skills…Sees the floor…Sharp passing…Makes plays

Tavy Diggs – 2019 – 6-0 – Forward – Plano East – Established sophomore forward…Has both size and strength…Can develop her own looks off the dribble…Shot fake is effective…Handles contact on penetration…Not sure what to do without the ball…Strong on the boards…A world of possibilities

DeYona’ Gaston – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Pearland – Well known already…Has both size and athleticism…Physically strong…Has interior and perimeter possibilities…Can create her own looks…Able to take it herself off the rebound…Left hand needs attention…Not hesitant to mix it up inside…Gets out on the break…Good timing defensively…Elevates

Lexi Gordon – 2017 – 6-0 – Wing – L.D. Bell – UConn signee – Working to add depth to her game…Reading defenders…Understands screen defense…Shot selection is sharpening…Not hesitant to take it into traffic…Effort is never in question…Seeing the floor more efficiently from the weakside on the defensive end…Makes plays at both ends

Myra Gordon – 2020 – 5-11 – Guard – L.D. Bell – Highly regarded freshman…Had moments…Consistency will come with age…Can put it on the floor…Handles contact on penetration…Pull up is in place…Could look for her own more often…Works on the defensive end and boards

McKinzie Green – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Manvel – Athletic guard…Quick…Has speed in the open floor…Creates space with a stepback off the crossover…Passes well off penetration…Active on ball defensively

Nyah Green – 2019 – 6-0 – Guard/Wing – Bishop Lynch – Louisville verbal…Length and skills challenge defenders…Attack is measured and well thought…Mixes up her penetration and perimeter options…Change of speed is more and more effective…Touch is evolving…Pull up is more than reliable…Could be more active without the ball…Size gives her the potential to be an impact defender as well

Zarielle Green – 2018 – 6-0 – Wing – Duncanville –Effort and skill level are always on display… Still searching for previous consistency…A factor in both transition and the halfcourt….Creating off the dribble but had issues finishing in one game…Shot and range keeps defenders honest….Makes herself a factor on the break and sees the floor…Anticipates with the best of them defensively

Hannah Gusters – 2020 – 6-4 – Post – Duncanville – Young with size and physical tools…Keeps it high on the catch…Shows a willingness to apply coaching…Had moments but lots of thoughts rather than reactions at this point…Plays with lots of effort…Moves well in a defensive stance for size…Lots of possibilities…All up to her

Emma Halverson – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Plano – Size and solid build…Good physical strength…Active…Moves well on the perimeter…Posts up effectively as well…Gets on the glass

Jordan Hamilton – 2017 – 5-8 – Guard – Liberty – Northwestern signee…Lean but athletic…Fluid in all she does…Pushes from make, miss or turnover…Strong passing instincts on the break…Utilizes both change of speed and direction…Effective shot fake…Can get to the rim but the form is there from the perimeter

Brielle Hampton – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Naaman Forest – Athletic build…Has some ball skills…Will slash into traffic…Can spot up with range…Defense needs to evolve

Kaia Herrera – 2020 – 5-4 – Point Guard – Brandeis – Promising young point guard…Strong ball skills….Good understanding of the game…Attacking mentality…Active on both ends

Taylor Hutchins – 2019 – 5-6 – Guard – Cedar Hill – Physically strong guard…Deceiving…Explosive first step…Individual skills allow her to create…Lefthander…Stepback creates plenty of space…Plays with instincts…Has both a touch and some range…As conditioning evolves the potential climbs

Starr Jacobs – 2018 – 6-1 – Forward – Duncanville – Evolving athletic forward…Active both offensively and defensively…Works hard without the ball…Cuts hard…Challenges defenders…Upside

Tommisha Lampkin – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Mansfield Summit – Young #4…Lean build with length…Mobility is there…Active…Will flash…Works to get the ball…Overdribbles down low…Had moments

Bre’asiajah Mathews – 2018 – 6-0 – Forward – Centennial – Strong, athletic forward…Aggressive…Some ballhandling…Finishes inside…Vertical is there…Has tools

Dajinae McCarty – 2019 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Cedar Hill – Already a top tier prospect…Quick and athletic at the point…Sharp and effective ballskills…Penetrates at will…Loves the spin move…Efficient in traffic…Change of speed serves her well in transition…Sees the floor…Assertive on ball defender…Takes chances…Emotional at times, lets one play impact the next…Any limits are her own

Jordan McClenton – 2019 – 5-10 – Forward – Naaman Forest – Undersized athletic forward…Has some ballhandling skills…Nice reach…Active and aggressive

Zoe McCrary – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Allen – Has the size and build…Impressive athleticism…Wingspan…Active down low…Has some basic post moves…Nice touch from the mid-range…Could play more physical at times…Lots of tools are in place with lots of possibilities…Keep a close watch

Jordyn Merritt – 2020 – 6-2 – Forward – Plano – High profile freshman…Continues to advance her skills…Length and athleticism…Running the floor with the guards…Reading defenses better…Not afraid to go up inside…Left hand needs to evolve…Vision when catching the ball on the perimeter is solid…15 footer is coming…Working hard on the defensive end

Kyjai Miles – 2019 – 6-1 – Forward – Skyline – Athletic with some length…Runs the floor well…Gets her looks off the dribble…Shot is more of a one hander…Had moments

Kalya Moutry – 2018 – 5-8 – Guard – McKinney – Physically strong guard…College ready body…Has both ballhandling and passing skills…The pull up and floater are both efficient…Gets to the rim with both hands…Showed a baby hook in traffic…Can be an aggressive on ball defender but needs consistent effort

Quincy Noble – 2018 – 5-11 – Wing – McKinney – Length with the potential to grow…Lean build with strong athleticism…Can put the ball on the floor and create both shots and passes…Hesitation and crossover are in place…Sees the floor and can deliver the ball…Strong off the drive and uses her body…Narrow base on her perimeter shot but the touch is there…All the tools

Uchenna Nwoke – 2018 – 6-5 – Post – South Grand Prairie – Post with size and frame…A work in progress but making advances even within the season already…Knows what she’s looking for but it’s not yet an instinct…Has tools and is working harder…Keep watching

Marilyn Nzoiwu – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Cedar Ridge – Nice size and build…Good athleticism with some strength…Runs the floor…Goes up hard around the rim…More a #4…Defense could be turned up a notch

Jaden Owens – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Plano West – Living up to her reputation…Athletic and attacking point guard…Mixes up speed and direction…Acceleration…Handles contact from defenders…Jumper is sound plus has some range to it…Consistency will need to come…Quick and active on ball defender

Candice Parramore – 2018 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Centennial – Has ball skills…Attacks…Hesitation move is sharp…Form is there…Makes sound choices

Chasity Patterson – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – North Shore – Texas Signee – At her best with the ball in her hands…Creating both shots and passes off the dribble…Capable scorer off the drive and spotted up…Pull up continues to be lethal and keeps defenders guessing…Had some issues when faceguarded…Makes decisions and plays at full speed…Quick and assertive on ball defensively…Dictates the tempo when she’s on the floor

Ravae Payne – 2017 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Pearland – Ballhandling point guard…Creates…Accelerates off the move…Passing off penetration is sharp…Form is there…Overdribbles at times

Catherine Reese – 2018 – 6-2 – Forward – Cypress Woods – Filling out with a college frame…Somewhat methodical but very efficient…Playing more physical…Had a few unorthodox moments…Active and versatile…Can take it herself…Has a crossover to a stepback…Sees the floor well from the high post…Finishes inside with contact…Continues to be a factor in transition…Lots of effort with and without the ball

DiDi Richards – 2017 – 6-2 – Wing/Forward – Cypress Ranch – Baylor signee…Skill refinement is really showing…Developing more looks off the dribble….Passing off penetration…Hesitation is very effective…Strong cutter both with and without screens…Elevating on both the pull up nad the perimeter looks…Will post at times…ORB’s…Anticipating defensively

Lyric Robbins – 2017 – 5-11 – Forward – Plano West – Very lean but ultra-athletic…Can create her own to a degree…Slasher…Runs the floor with the guards…Quick and active on the defensive end…Gets up on the glass

Endyia Rogers – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Bishop Lynch – Wiry and quick at the point…Looking to attack…Decent ballhandling skills…Interior passing off penetration…Can spot up

Gabby Rogers – 2017 – 6-1 – Forward – Bishop Lynch – Has size and a solid frame…Active…Works on both ends…Crashes the offensive boards…Stays involved in the play

Alexis Smith – 2020 – 5-3 – Point Guard – James Bowie – Tiny but very quick point guard…Attacks off the dribble…Crossover serves her well…Jumper is there…Has three point range

Adhel Tac – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward – Sachse – Has size, build and strength…Active…Works hard both offensively and defensively…Fundamental post moves have been taught…Plays with enthusiasm and effort…Very young with major upside

Audrey Wandji – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Clear Springs – Strong power forward…Can call on some post moves…Undersized on the interior but active and aggressive…Gets on the offensive boards

Tray’Liyah Washington – 2020 – 5-10 – Mesquite Horn – Elite prospect…Good length with a lean, athletic build…Wingspan and vertical are both there…Has size and skills…Creates off the dribble…Soft touch on the floater…Makes herself an option in transition

Kayla Wells – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing – South Grand Prairie – Texas A&M signee…Versatile and athletic…Strong ballskills allow her to develop options for herself and her teammates…Change of speed and direction serve her well…Passing off penetration is strong…Pushes it herself in transition…Well suited for the college game

Taryn Willis – 2019 – 5-8 – Guard – Cedar Ridge – Young guard…Had a couple of moments…Impressive first step…Decent form…Watch

Kionce Woods – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing – Greenhill – Some size…Athleticism is there…Active…Ballskills…Defends

Chelsea Wooten – 2020 – 5-6 – Point Guard – McKinney North – Athletic…Quickness and speed…Can create one on one…Goes both ways…Passing off penetration is effective…Stepback is there…Quick release on the jumper…Will defend