SOUTHLAKE, Texas—Getting the top club programs in Texas to put aside their competitive instincts and collaborate on a new event for the recently added second NCAA spring evaluation weekend is like getting candidates Trump and Cruz to sit down for some barbeque and sweet tea. On the other hand, if the political boys could come together as well as the newly formed Southwest Sports Alliance did this past weekend there might actually be some hope in Washington. Facilities from the Carroll Unified School District played host to 80 teams from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas for the first annual Southwest Spring Classic. The recruiters were out in force (125) with representatives from every major conference occupying the courtside seats for three days of action.
Follow the link below to see a complete list of participating teams including EYBL Texas programs Cy Fair, DFW and Texas United.
http://www.southwestsportsalliance.com.prod.sportngin.com/swspringclassicteams
Below are images and some quick evaluations on some of the top players on hand in Southlake.
As the seniors move on each spring it’s hard to make the shift in classes and keep in mind just who is no longer considered a “young” prospect. No matter how you look at it, a 2020 point guard still one for the future and Sarah Andrews of the Lady ProSkills Elite fits the bill. The dynamic 5-6 ballhandler has good control of the pace and tempo of the game. There’s plenty of speed and quickness which helps her navigate traffic in transition while she relies on sharp instincts for sound decision making. Her change of speed and explosive acceleration can leave defenders standing and helps her create in the halfcourt. There’s plenty of tools and promise in her game.
An already proven court leader is Desiree Caldwell of San Antonio’s Finest. The 5-7 point guard has been on the recruiting main stage for several years now and she’s one you can always count on to be advancing her game. Entering her junior season she’s showing some physical maturity that’s only adding to her advanced skill set. Caldwell was using her hesitation and change of direction to get herself deep in traffic and create opportunities for herself and her teammates. Always one to be quick with the ball there’s now even more speed serving her well in transition and making her a threat baseline to baseline. The consistency she’s shown with her perimeter shooting in the past will be critical for her to keep defenders honest as an established upperclassman.
Team Xpress got some solid guard play from 2017 point guard Nikki Cardano. Playing with deceiving quickness she’s got the ball skills and release on her shot to force defenders to play her honestly. That shot is somewhat unique and out front on the release but she’s a threat if your close out is even a half step late. She gets out in transition and is always on the attack. She can create off the dribble and cuts with intent. Had some ups and downs but the ups raised some eyebrows.
Possibly the most dynamic player on hand in Southlake was Chennedy Carter from DFW T Jack. The 5-9 power guard is a one man wrecking crew. Her peers can look to her as an example of how to aggressively attack the rim. Her physical strength helps her handle any contact and provides her with an explosive first step. With and without the ball she’s a threat both in transition and in the halfcourt. She struggled to finish at times but the looks she was creating will serve her well on most nights and against even the best defenders. Percentage perimeter shooting is a necessity to keep opponents closing out and facilitating her attack. Defensively she can use the same physicality to control her match up.
Cy Fair’s Charlie Collier continues to advance her game each time we see her in action. The 2018 forward / post is embracing her role around the rim with a passion and is taking her already impressive game to the next level. A more physical approach was on display this weekend and she’s actually initiating contact on both ends of the floor. The 6-5 Collier is working smarter in the paint and reading defenders more efficiently rather than having her mind made up. Her high post drive has replaced the jumpers she used to settle for and she’s finding success even in traffic. On the defensive boards she’s looking for the quick outlet and is instrumental in triggering the transition game.
If speed and quickness is your thing take a good look at Gabrielle Connally of Team Xpress. At 5-6 she’s got a first step that will leave most defenders standing and wondering where she went. The pull up works well and she’s comfortable taking it all the way to the rim when the opportunity arises. The crossover is low and quick and a challenge for even the fastest of hands. She can push it on the break but has a solid attack running things from a set as well. Defensively that same speed and quickness from the offensive end gives her the tools to be a strong on ball defender.
Lexi Gordan may be one of the more versatile players in the state of Texas. While that’s a strength, it also offers up a puzzle in terms of what position she actually might be categorized as. The 6-0 2017 grad makes more than her shares of plays both from the perimeter as well as in traffic around the rim. The touch is there from deep and the size and strength facilitate results when things get physical. Few players play harder and you can count on her at both ends of the floor on the glass. She’s more efficient as a small forward defender but can match up effectively with some bigger wings as well. In the end, when someone’s producing numbers there’s no need to get caught up in positions!
While just a 2019, Nyah Green has shown a game that plenty of players a few years older wished they had to call on. The combination of size, athleticism and skills make the future even more promising given three more seasons of high school play are still in front of her. With the ball she can create her own looks developing both perimeter shots and aggressive drives to the glass. Around the rim she has a pull up and floater to counter rotations but still handles contact well. While her shot itself looks fine the set up for it has something odd that’s not in sync with the fluidity in the rest of her game.
Another elite player who continues to advance her game each and every time out is DFW T Jack’s Zarielle Green. A legitimate threat from baseline to baseline, she challenges any defensive match up. The 6-1 2018 wing is going to leave size in the dust and take the smaller defenders to the rim and abuse them. Few players get out in the lanes on the break like Green and the scary part is she’s creating more off the catch at full speed. Her decision making and shot selection have evolved and makes her the player to play with rather than against.
Lady ProSkills had two of the younger players we saw a lot of promise in. Joining Point guard Andrews (above) on the roster is fellow 2020 Jordyn Merritt. A 6-2 forward, she’s long, lean and athletic. Constantly active, she moves with quickness and agility for her size. Merritt offered up a few moves around the rim and delivered a couple of strong passes from the high post. Her shot is off the shoulder to a degree at this point and she does tend to rush. However, the possibilities are obvious. Tremendous footwork made her a strong asset defensively in pressing situations.
The beauty in Alexis Morris’s game is in its versatility. One time out she’ll create and distribute, the next she can take over and score at will. The 5-7 point guard has the confidence to take any role and be comfortable with it or with whatever lineup is on the floor with her. Her ability to get to the rim creates her own opportunities but she can deliver the ball at the last moment as the rotations come her way. The consistency on her perimeter shooting has forced tight close outs and opened the door to more and more attacks off the dribble. Defensively the 2017 grad can turn a ballhandler and is aggressive on the catch. On the weakside she tends to hang back but anticipates well.
This list is alphabetical but it’s only appropriate that Chasity Patterson and Alexis Morris be side by side. Patterson’s game has that same versatility of Morris but may well be doing it with just a half step more quickness…if that’s possible. Patterson creates a lot of her options off the dribble and the variety of options keeps defenders guessing. Give her room and she can knock it down from NBA range, close out tight and she’s gone without a chance to recover. Patterson, another 2017, may be more efficient on the pull up than any player you’ll find at the scholastic level and the release is beyond quick. Defensively she’s active and gets more than her share of touches leading to transition options.
DiDi Richards got off to a slow start in Cy Fair’s first game but recovered nicely to show off some strong progress in her game over the past year. Adding some size, strength and length makes the 6-2 wing a challenge to match up with. She’s creating more off the dribble than in the past and is mixing up her game more and more each time out. Richards had a few strong drives to the rim that will do wonders to keep defenders from playing her just for the jumper. Defensively the 2017 standout is playing much more assertive both on and off the ball.
San Antonio’s Finest is seeing their promising young forward grow up right in front of them. Nalyssa Smith, a 2018, continues to play a stronger, more aggressive game in turn finding plenty of results. Now a solid 6-4, Smith can be a physical presence around the rim and is assertive in looking for her options. She’s active both on short cuts as well as posting up. She’s quick on the catch to attack and isn’t backing down from contact. Smith is also refining her efforts from the high post and becoming much more proficient off the drive than in the past.
Sometimes it’s not what you see now but the moments of what you might see by the time August rolls around. Stephanie Soares, a 6-6 post for Team Xpress, is beginning to evolve into a promising threat beyond her size. Her long and lean build allows her to move well plus she can get out and run the floor in transition. She keeps it high on the catch and knows what options she’s looking for. A 2018, she does rush at times and will need added strength but lots of promise is in place.
Kayla Wells was on the attack from start to finish this weekend. The 6-1 wing from Texas United has the ability to make plays in transition as well as on the break. She’s fluid and athletic in her movement as well as assertive on the catch. The 2017 Wells can create her own off the dribble and utilizes a solid crossover to get past defenders. Her jumper is out in front of her a bit but she was able to connect on a few. She’s a presence on the boards and gets herself involved in defensively.
There was a wealth of point guards showing their stuff this weekend. Add one more to your list in the form of Ariana Whitfield. Another 2017, Whitfield handles the ball for the AD Elite. Not quite her listed 5-7, she’s strong and quick and dictates the pace when she’s running the show. Whitfield mixes up her change of speed and direction and reads the floor effectively on the break or in the halfcourt. The pull up serves her well off the drive and she calls on a lethal step back on the perimeter. There’s soft touch on her jumper and the range is there to keep defenders closing out.
Mixing both athletic skills and individual skills, Christyn Williams continues to offer up her case as one of the premier two guards in the 2018 class. Combining size, strength and quickness, her attack is challenging to contain. The lefthander changes both her speed and direction on a dime and has the ability to rise above defenders for a good look at the rim. Off penetration she handles contact from rotating bigs but can pull up as well to keep them guessing. Her acceleration with the ball is impressive and serves her well on the outlet or the wing entry. A strong defender, Williams is aggressive on ball and reads well from the weak side for picks.
Jade Williams has swapped uniforms and is now suiting up now for Cy Fair. The 2017 post has added some physical strength and maturity to her 6-4 frame and she’s using it well. Williams is deceiving in her agility. Several times in transition she offered up some fluid moves that players six inches shorter only wish they had. She’s active without the ball and makes herself an option on the block or in the high post. She can put it on the floor to a degree and makes good choices as to when to take it to the rim. Defensively she has impressive lateral speed for her size and can be a tremendous option in pressing scenarios.
Kiana Williams of San Antonio’s Finest continues to challenge defenders who have illusions of staying in front of her and containing her penetration. The 5-7 senior to be gets to the rim almost at will. The depth to her arsenal continues to grow as she was efficient on the pull up as well as spotting up on the perimeter to keep her match up guessing. The speed she plays with creates options for her teammates as well as her own looks at the rim. Williams is one of the rare guards that makes the players around her better.
While just a junior next season, 5-11 guard Madison Williams of Texas United has the physical build and cut of someone at the college level already. She puts that athleticism to use well. Always on the attack she can score in a variety of ways. Around the rim she uses her strength to muscle it up among the bigs but at the same time can work off the drive and rise above smaller defenders. Williams has an aggressive mentality at both ends and makes plays time and again. Defensively she’s not the person you want to see in a stance in front of you.
Cy Fair Premier got some impressive play out of 2017 guard Tatiana Wright. The 5-9 guard plays at speed and is always on the attack. She can create off the dribble and delivered a couple of sharp passes to mix things up. Her left will need to evolve but she’s versatile enough to still make plays going weak. Her build is solid and she’s not hesitant to mix things up on the defensive end of the floor.
