CYPRESS, Texas—Depending on which way you look at it, the NCAA Fall Evaluation Period could symbolize the end of the non-scholastic season or the start of the upcoming high school campaign. Either way, last weekend from coast to coast both club and high school teams took to the floor with the recruiters sitting courtside once again. In the state of Texas there were plenty of events to choose from to take in the talent from the Lone Star State and our first Fall report comes from the Cy-Fair Fall Classic Showcase. Two days of competition were taken in by over 40 college coaches at Cypress Woods High School just north of Houston.
Quite a few high profile prospects were strutting their stuff with their high school teams and several newcomers from the summer schedule were reminding those courtside that the future may just be now. Here are some of the performers that impressed over the course of the weekend.
There may not be a more complete player in the 2015 class than Texas bound Jordan Hosey. The combination of size and skills is one thing but the aggressive approach to her play sets the Pearland native apart from the crowd. The ability is there to create off the drive and at the same time she can take most defenders down to the block and have her way with them. The Manvel High School standout is without teammate Brianna Turner this season to take the focus off her from the opposition as Turner has moved on to the colligate level and Notre Dame. In that light Hosey will have to take her already high octane game to a whole different level to find success come February and March. The 6-1 forward is still figuring just when to carry the load and when to create for her teammates but the ability is there to make those around her better. Hosey is one of the players we’ll miss seeing on the club circuit next year.
Hosey isn’t the only one carrying the load and wearing a target on her back. Future Texas teammate Lashann Higgs of Cedar Ridge in Round Rock is the go to offensive threat for Coach Angela Beck. Few players have the dynamic change of speed and direction that Higgs does and getting to the rim has become almost an “at will” thing. Even the best defenders would be challenged to stay on balance or in their stance when the 5-10 point guard is on the attack. Making that penetration all the more challenging for the opposition is her ability to read and deliver the smart pass as the rotations come her way. Even if options aren’t there few in the 2015 class finish in traffic or with contact as Higgs does. The perimeter consistency will have to be there to keep close outs tight and honest at the next level but the threat is already one that can’t be ignored. This is one of those players you love to watch…unless you’re sitting on the other bench.
While Hosey and Higgs may be moving on after the season, North Shore’s Chasity Patterson will be hanging around a little longer. The 2017 point guard may not bring a lot of size to the table but her game is challenging for any player tasked with her as a match up. Fortunately, at this point, she’s avoided the early commitment epidemic and appears to be focused on her game rather than a future still four years away. If you haven’t seen Patterson yet, you want to. The ability to create scoring both off penetration as well as from the perimeter makes her a multi-dimensional headache in scouting reports. Her quickness and use of hesitation and crossover moves gets her deep in the paint time and again. Take a cushion on your closeout and she’s going to bury everything out to 21 feet with ease. Even more good news is her reliable use of both the pull up and floater…pick your poison. She’s listed at 5-5 and that may even be a bit generous but on the other hand it’s been said that size doesn’t matter if they can’t catch you…at least on offense anyway!
An extraordinarily early commitment to the University Texas makes Charli Collier the prospect that folks are going to have to watch for a long time wishing they had a another shot at the 6-4 2018 post. Collier has made strides just since the July evaluation period and appears to have slimmed down a bit (not that she was heavy mind you) and just might be pushing towards the 6-5 mark. The diversity in her attack is a challenge for any big looking to contain her productivity. She’s strong on the block and has solid command of a jump hook with full extension. Try getting a hand on that one. The ability is there to work from the high post both scoring or feeding it to a cutting Barbers Hill teammate. Her perimeter shot was serving her well this weekend anywhere from 10 feet out to the three point line. She’s showing much more patience on the catch and making good reads before looking to make her move. And for fun…if she’s not the rebounder she gets out and runs the floor well for a player her size. The challenge will be continuing to advance her game over the years and avoiding the plateau that seems to stall so many young prospects.
DiDi Richards made some noise last summer on a talented Cy-Fair team and appears ready to do the same for Cypress Ranch this season. A 2017 wing, Richards has the length and athleticism that is the gold standard for college recruiters these days. She can create off the dribble but has the tools to be effective from range if necessary as well. The speed is there to get out in transition and it serves her just the same in the halfcourt with quick, fluid cuts. The aforementioned length and her lateral footspeed make her a strong defensive asset in almost any scheme. Her vertical makes her a potential rebounding standout and gets her a good look at the rim off the offensive glass. Her lean build at this point sees her bounce off some contact in traffic but time and Mother Nature should provide an answer as the years go by. The only limits she’ll face are the ones she sets for herself.
There was one local club team in the mix in Cypress this weekend playing under the Cy-Fair banner. As with Al Coleman’s summer squads this group wasn’t hurting for talent. Sedona Prince, a 6-5 2018 out of Liberty Hill, Texas, provided some promising moments in the post that are just the tip of the ice berg. The size goes hand in hand with a solid frame and good mobility. She’s been coached well and understands posting angles and reads defenders well before and after the catch. There are some solid moves in place and a confident attack to the baseline side. Beyond her own scoring is an ability to see the floor and more so make the pass from the high post or trail spot in transition. She’s active defensively but could stand to be a little more proactive than reactive. She does have good vision and rotates on penetration effectively. Prince will be able to focus on her development over the course of her high school career as she’s also committed early to the folks down in Austin.
Probably the most dynamic athlete on hand over the weekend was Langham Creek’s Kayla Owens. A 6-1 swing player, she has the tools to be an inside-out threat on almost any level. She played the point at times but really is more suited over on the wing catching entry passes rather than making them. The 2017 grad has a first step that is long and explosive getting her past defenders of any size or speed. She’s not hesitant to take on contact and goes up strong around the rim. Her shot is sound but could still use some refinement to make her a threat and force tight close outs. Defensively and on the boards she’s assertive and utilizes her physical strength to clear space on the interior. Owens epitomizes the word potential with a capital ”P”. It will be interesting to see what she does with it.
Ray Caldwell brought three of his San Antonio’s Finest club teams over to Cypress and as always they were well coached with promising talent. Standing out on the Red squad was dynamic 2018 point guard Angel Hastings of the George Gervin Academy. While no size was listed it’s a safe bet she barley clears the 5-0 mark on any scale. However, don’t let that fool you in any way. She’s quick, attacking and has a presence that makes you take notice. The ballhandling is sharp, low and explosive. There’s no fear in driving into the trees and the potential is there for some efficient interior passing. Occasionally a pass or two will be wishful thinking but you have to love the intent. On the catch her acceleration with the ball gets her from A to B like a sprinter and the look on her face tells you something is going to happen…it’s not always clear what…but something is going to happen. Beyond her game, Hastings plays with passion and fun which these days is a commodity harder and harder to find. Keep watching.
Playing alongside Sedona Prince on the Cy-Fair club team was 2018 forward Catherine Reese. Standing 6-1, she’s active, physical and has a very, very promising game. Reese may be one of those elusive “true 4’s” that nobody actually wants to be but are in such great demand at the next level. There is some ballhandling there but not to the tune of calling her a wing anytime soon. One asset she has that few in ANY class possess is the ability to cut effectively on the interior. Her movement without the ball set up shot after shot for her and created havoc for opposing defenses. And it’s not just where she goes…its how hard she goes. She finished by the rim but had some mid-range moments and even showed off a short baseline fall away. The Cypress Wood High School product is willing to play physical and it makes her productive on the defensive end as well as the glass. Very bright future.
Quick Hitters (Alphabetically)
Laura Daulton – 2017 – St. Pius X – Post…Nice size and frame…Physically strong…Mechanical but has moments…Watch
Shae Moore – 2015 – Atascocita – Point Guard…Creates…Change of speed and direction…Spot up shooter…Gets to the rim
Erica Ogwumike – 2015 – Cypress Ranch – Swing…Can play almost any spot…Strong and aggressive athlete…Plays smart and relentless…Quietly productive
Alyssa Okoene – 2016 – North Shore – Forward…Active and athletic…Lots of effort on the boards…Rough edges but tools are there
Imani Robinson – 2016 – Cedar Ridge – Wing/Guard…Lean and athletic…Some ballhandling in place…Active on both ends…Makes plays…Could be more physical
Tasharian Robinson – 2017 – Clear Springs – Point Guard…Speed and quickness…Ball skills…Sharp passing…Shot needs refinement…Has tools
Jasmine Smith – 2018 – Cy-Fair (Kinkaid H.S.) – Point Guard…Assertive with the ball…Physically strong…Great first step…Strong on ball defender…Strong Basketball IQ…Major
Nalyssa Smith – 2018 – East Central – Forward…Size and athleticism…Runs the floor…Will post up…Strong on the boards…Willing to defend…Potential
Jasmine Williams – 2016 – Cypress Ranch – Wing…Athletic…Strong…Assertive…Exceptional on the boards…Simply makes plays
Doubling Up
Faver Twins (Courtney and Morgan) – 2017 – Langham Creek – Combos…Length and lean…Both can handle it…Penetrate and create…Shots need to evolve but promise is there
Holle Twins (Brooke and Bailey) – 2016 – Westlake – Point Guards…Both are physically strong…Deceptive athletes…Play hard and smart…Neither will be outworked
