SOUTHLAKE, Texas—The question comes up time and again as to why legitimate college prospects should be attending non-scholastic events between the end of the July recruiting period and the fall evaluation weekend.  When you consider that the D-I coaches are limited to the September 23 – 25 weekend this fall and the April 21 – 23 time slot next spring in terms of their ability to attend those events, the question carries validity and warrants consideration.

If someone is in need of “exposure” just a month removed from an overscheduled spring and summer itinerary then there are issues with her planning, club program and understanding of the recruiting process.  We’ll save that extended conversation for another day.  Of course, the given answer that requires no rationalization at all is the opportunity to improve skills and advance an athlete’s game.  In turn, if an event is going to serve that cause then the staff on the floor had better carry impressive credentials and experience beyond just having “played” the game.  Unfortunately, the landscape is now littered with events whose genesis lies in self-promotion or worse yet…self-enrichment.

Last weekend the Southwest Sports Alliance stepped up into that gap with their Basketball Skills and Concepts event in Southlake, Texas.  Starting with a staff that included the likes of Dr. Anthony Pappas, Mary Coyle Klinger, Walsh Jordan and Teri Morrison, the first year event made a bold statement going forward about being a staple among elite instruction on the scholastic and club basketball landscape.

Here are a few of the standouts on hand who benefited from the in depth instruction and attention to detail provided at Carroll High School Saturday and Sunday.

KK Bransford – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard – Cincinnati, Ohio – Showing more length physically…Utilizing a change of speed that draws defenders out of their stance time and again…First step is ultra-quick and challenges recovery…Slashing in traffic efficiently…Good body control and willing to take contact to get to the line…Perimeter consistency will be key to keep defenders honest and closing out…On ball defense is active and aggressive…Anticipates on the weakside

Taylor Dillard – 2018 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Allen, Texas – Small but effective point guard…Lots of speed with the ball…Sees the floor and makes sound decisions on the break…Navigates traffic…Pull up serves her well when the size rotates her way defensively…Active hands and feet on the defensive end of the floor

Caroline Ducharme – 2021 – 6-0 – Wing / Guard – Milton, Massachusetts – Length with some evolving perimeter skills…Works her defender on the catch with fakes and jabs…Gets to the rim consistently……Lean build but handles contact…Reads the floor on penetration and makes good choices…Active without the ball…Strong instincts off the cut…Sees the ball defensively one, two and even three passes away

Daylee Dunn – 2020 – 5-9 – Guard – San Ramon, California – Continues to advance each time out…Uses her speed judiciously…Hesitation sets up her attack…Turns the corner on screens…Reacts to defensive rotations with sound decisions…Perimeter consistency will come…Works hard without the ball…Size and quickness makes her an impact defender

Atlanta Hopgood – 2020 – 5-10 – Guard – Little Elm, Texas – Physically strong, young guard…Can be explosive off the dribble…Crossover is low and quick…First step is lethal…Speed is there with and without the ball…Quick release on jumper but narrow base needs attention…Delivers the ball in transition…Nice touch on passes

Taylor Kennedy – 2018 – 5-3 – Point Guard – Duncanville, Texas – Small, quick and very productive…Depth of ball skills…Change of speed is highlighted by great acceleration off the move…Despite size, not lacking in strength…Always attacking…Quick and aggressive on ball defender…Needs additional effort off the ball

Katelyn Levings – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Edmond, Oklahoma – Length and agility…Deceiving mobility at both ends…Impressive wingspan…Creating more off one and two dribble drives…Reads and cuts without the ball effectively…Strong understanding of posting angles…Slashes well block to block or high to low…Has the range to spot up…Works hard defensively…Good court awareness

Natalija Marshall – 2020 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Forest Hills, New York – Continues to add length and agility…More and more fluid on the catch…Face up moves providing plenty of options…Looking to create off the drive…Seeing more as she attacks…Mobility and fluid movement allow her to contribute off the ball defensively…Confidence is beginning to come through

Alexia Martin – 2018 – 5-7 – Point Guard – Lancaster, Texas – Athletic guard…Strong ballhandling and passing…Quick and creating on the catch…Lots of speed with and without…Lots of effort on ball defensively and very effective taking away options one pass away

Gabrielle McBride – 2019 – 6-2 – Post – Southlake, Texas – Has both size and build…Physically strong…Posts up with intent…Dropstep and spin moves are coming and producing…Utilizes a hard to find shot fake…Reads and passes well out of the post…Will play physical defensively but could even take it up a notch more

Jaden Owens – 2019 – 5-8 – Point Guard – Plano, Texas – Dynamic and attacking…Quick first step…Ballskills are sharp…Interior passing is efficient even with contact…Uses both change of speed and direction…Crossover and acceleration…Jumper had its moments…Physical on ball defender with the footspeed to go with it

Sydney Parrish – 2020 – 6-1 – Guard – Fishers, Indiana – Added length and strength over the summer…Looking to create more off the dribble…Decisions and reads show good instincts…More effective when mixing up her attack…Makes herself an option without the ball…Long strides and first step helps her protect the ball on penetration…Stroke is still top of the line…Has the tools to play multiple roles…Learning gaps in defending smaller, quicker match ups

Lyric Robins – 2017 – 5-11 – Wing / Forward – Plano, Texas – Simply makes plays…Some length with plenty of athleticism…Wiry build…Smart with a good understanding…Can work around the rim or out to 15 feet…Uses her speed without the ball to be a factor in transition…Finishes well despite lack of bulk…Shot is a one hander but drops for her…Jump hook is there as well…Vertical makes her a presence on the glass…Not a set role but lots of tools