ALLEN, Texas—With a Thanksgiving feast lining up just beyond next week’s horizon, we were obligated to cutback this year on our usual two day helping of the annual Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest. While we didn’t reach for seconds this time around, our portion size for day one of the early season Texas standard was greedy and more than filling.
Once again 32 teams made up the eight pools of the event which continues through Saturday’s championship brackets. All the participants come from the Lone Star State including a bevy of teams ranked in various Texas preseason polls.
A big menu and very limited time ties our hands to a degree. The ability to see a large majority of the teams comes with the caveat of limited time for each, in some instances splitting time slots on two different floors. Our evaluations today are based on what we actually saw this time around. Some terrific players may be omitted or evaluated critically if we caught them in a bad moment. On the other hand young players or less regarded prospects might have had their moment at just the right time. But guess what folks! That’s how college recruiting often works as well. A decision on a player may come down to a single half or even quarter. Make every moment count…you never know who might be watching.
Here’s a look at some of the standouts from day one of the 2019 Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest.
Sarah Andrews – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Irving MacArthur – Dominates the floor but shares the ball as necessary…Tremendous acceleration…Playing much more patient…Cold shooting early on some good looks at the rim…Assertive defender….Looking to create offense by way of her defense…Gets out in transition…Pushes it at opportunity…Physically stronger and more mature…Woman among girls
Jordan Conerly – 2022 – 5-9 – Guard – Frisco Memorial – Physically strong…Speed and quickness are in place…Playing out of position but still effective…A presence on the boards for age and size…Pushed it a time or two herself in transition…Had moments…Watch
Bailee Chynoweth – 2020 – 5-11 – Wing/Guard – Austin Westlake – Strong skill set combines with size on the perimeter…Active both in full court and half…Looking to penetrate…No reservations about going in among the bigs…Slashes well…Understands the game…Can play upright at times…Leaves it on the floor
Sierra Dickson – 2012 – 5-7 – Guard – Hebron – Exceptional speed and quickness in the halfcourt…Acceleration leaves defenders and creates options…Quick release on the catch and off the pull up…Crossover is low and quick…Gets up on the ball defensively but gets out of her stance on the weakside
Arrianna Faulks – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – Ellison – Fluid and smooth athlete in the backcourt…Shows speed with and without the ball…Can find and improve options…First step is quick and long…Crossover allows her to accelerate…Form and stroke are well developed and serve her well both spotted up or pulling up
Sierra Headquist – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Dallas HSAA – Methodical but efficient forward…Plays with a strong awareness…Decent ball and passing skills at her size…Can take it to the rim herself…Works well with teammates and within sets
Shay Holle – 2020 – 6-0 – Wing/Guard – Austin Westlake – Very deceiving athlete…Vertical serves her well…Textbook skills and instincts…Plays with intensity on both ends…Scoring options from both inside and out…Gets on the glass…Can pull up in traffic or handle contact all the way to the rim…Makes plays
Anzhane’ Hutton – 2020 – 6-0 – Forward – Cedar Hill – Physically strong and agile at the forward spot…Works to make herself an option…Understands the advantage of physical play…Can finish down low…Relentless on the glass…Left hand needs urgent attention…Impact defender in multiple roles
Kiara Jackson – 2021 – 5-7 – Guard – South Grand Prairie- Extraordinarily thin guard…Slashes with ease and without fear…Lethal spot up touch and range…Elevates on a tough to defend floater…Deceptively quick…Assertive on ball defender…Anticipates on the weakside
Zoe Jackson – 2021 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Allen – Left hander at the point…Mixes speed and direction well…Speed and quickness are there with and without the ball…Can slash and create her own looks…Keeps her dribble to reattack after an initial move…Assertive on the defensive end
Deja Kelly – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Duncanville – Playing relaxed and with confidence…Shot is smooth fluid and off quickly…Making those around her better…Mixing up her attack more…Continues to handle contact well on penetration…Cutting more precise and with intent…On ball defense is sharper…Weakside still needs the same focus
Jakoriah Long – 2020 – 5-7 – Guard – Waco Midway – Wiry build but fluid and athletic…Smooth attack to the rim…Crossover to a pull up is impressive…Gets out in transition with the ball or in the lanes…Uses both hands well…Strong awareness of the floor around her…Can penetrate and deliver the sharp interior pass…Plays bigger than size
Kendall McGruder – 2021 – 5-9 – Guard – South Grand Prairie – Strong scoring threat in the backcourt…Can connect in multiple ways…Gets to the rim and finishes with contact…Explosive first step…Shot selection is sound…Has the touch and range to force close outs…Splits double effectively…Sees the floor on the drive…Creates options teammates around her…Lots of tools
Cammie McKinney – 2022 – 5-7 – Combo Guard – Hebron – Lefty…Utilizes speed in every facet of her attack…Attacks quickly on the catch…Step back is impressive and creates separation…Effective in traffic both on the break and in the halfcourt…Can pull up at full speed for midrange jumper…Only going to continue to add to her established game
Aaliyah Morgan – 2020 – 6-1 – Forward/Post – Tyler Lee – Power player down low…Somewhat undersized as simply a post up player…Tools are there to work from the elbows…Physically strong…Gets on the glass…Handles contact on the interior…Showed off a jump hook…Did struggle against a zone
Jazzy Owens-Barnett – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Frisco Liberty – Young athletic guard…Good physical strength combines with speed and quickness…Pushes it in transition at opportunity…Effective crossover and back move…Aggressive defender…Looking to create turnover…Plenty of possibilities
Storie Sexton – 2023 – 6-0 – Wing – Prestonwood – Eye catching size and length…Just a freshman…Moves well…All legs…Had a moment or two…Moves very well for age and size…Strength is a ways off at this young age…Soccer??
Adhel Tac – 2021 – 6-1 – Forward/Post – Sachse – Added strength…Active and aggressive on both ends…Mobility is deceiving…Some ballhandling is there for short drives…Mid-range touch…Good feet defensively…Still slightly rough…Leaves you wanting more
Arriana Villa – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Brandeis – Solid and physically strong guard…Sharp ballskills are in place…Reads the floor on the break and in halfcourt scenarios…Good form and range…Needs more consistency…Works on the defensive end
Nyah Wilson – 2021 – 5-8- Guard – Duncanville – Playing with even more energy…Constant motion…Active and on the attack…Solid ball skills…Floater is serving her well…Can spot up efficiently…Small forward action on her shot at this point
Elizabeth Woods – 2022 – 6-2 – Post – Sachse – Size build and frame are all there…Has physical tools…Mechanical at points offensively…Simple drop step is long and efficient…Possibilities are in place but waiting for a more intensive approach
Desiree Wooten – 2022 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Mansfield Timberview – Speed and quickness with the ball in her hands…Looking to push from make, miss and turnover…Can go coast to coast or pull up effectively at speed…Consistency will need to come to keep defenders honest….Aggressive on the ball defensively but just a trailing shadow one and two passes away
Mackenzie Wurm – 2021 – 6-3 – Post – Allen – Evolving post…Active without the ball…Understands her role…Effective working in the high post…Cuts with intent…Decent passing…Showing more scoring option depth…Physical strength will have to come
