FRISCO, Texas—Our second stop on the Texas 2015 summer tour was just north of Dallas for the seventh annual Premier Basketball Super 64 National Championship. This year the PBR staff played host to 268 teams representing 15 different states. While the main stage was Fieldhouse USA in Frisco, in all 25 courts over five locations turned on the scoreboards for all the action.
Bracket play was the script for this event and with the 64 team Texas Division in the spotlight among five total line-ups. When the smoke had cleared for Wednesday morning’s semifinals four teams were left standing. AIA Truding took on the Missouri Phenom-Nepheesa squad for a ticket to the finals while the Colorado Premier–National team was facing the host Texas Elite-Simmons crew for the other spot in the afternoon’s championship game. The Phenom and the Texas Elite each posted their fifth wins while earning the right to take the floor one more time for all the marbles.
While stats were not available, the Texas Elite did jump out to an extensive double digit lead early in the final only to see the Phenom claw their way back into the thick of things cutting the gap to just two possessions twice before the final horn sounded. When all was said and done the host team wasn’t so hospitable taking home the championship ball and the gold medals and all the bragging rights that come with the hardware.
The Texas Elite squad had plenty of depth to call upon throughout the event’s six games. It’s hard not to be impressed by the continual improvement that we see in the play of Natalie Chou each time we see her in action. While she’s always been an attacking offensive threat, she’s elevated her approach to an elite level. The combination of her size, ball skills and instincts for reading defenders make her one of the more difficult defensive match ups on the scholastic level. That, too, can also be a weakness as she’s not as adept at this point of creating her scoring opportunities off the cut or by utilizing screens. Chou does it well but it’s obvious she’s much more comfortable off the dribble at this point. The 6-2 senior to be is utilizing a quick release from the perimeter to make opponents pay for sloppy close outs and also delivering some sharp passes when she catches defenders cheating off a teammate.
If you’re not impressed by Chou’s teammate Aaliyah Jackson, then it’s time to set up that next optometrist appointment. Though obviously a bit shorter than her listed 6-0, Jackson is a dynamic athlete with a versatile game that exploits any direction the opposition chooses to go with match ups. She can create off the dribble and has a first step that gets her by defenders of any size or quickness. At the same time the strength and willingness to mix things up allows her to post up and go to work on the block. Another 2016, Jackson is more than ready for the physical game she’s going to find at the next level.
Jackson and Chou both better focus on taking care of their point guard Anna Pierce as she certainly is taking care of them and the rest of the Elite. The aggressive attack the 5-6 Pierce brings to the table comes from makes, misses and turnovers. She has the ballhandling and passing skills to run the break or initiate halfcourt sets against any type of pressure. Her own shot has the touch and range to keep her match up honest but she’s at her best improving the options of her teammates. Her foot speed on defense isn’t exactly a blur but her aggressive approach and understanding of gaps makes her a solid defender in her own right.
While the Phenom came up one game short, they got some impressive play of their own from several individuals. In fairness you have to start with where the ball is most…in the hands of Alecia Sutton. The 5-8 guard has the individual skills to create her own looks at will and usually does so in a dramatic fashion. What makes any move the 2016 early Texas verbal makes impressive is the acceleration that accompanies her attack. You can count on any move she makes gobbling up ground and getting her deep in the paint. Her crossover is lethal and creates enough separation for a cup of Starbucks before she has to get her jumper off. In transition Sutton is delivering some sharp passes that will serve her well at the next level.
On the interior Lauryn Miller was providing the Phenom the same top tier game she’s been showcasing all summer. A “true” #4, Miller is providing plenty of firepower from a variety of attacks. On the block she’s quick and strong while finishing successfully with contact. From the 10 to 15 foot distance she can put it on the floor and uses a lengthy first step to get by her defender but can pull up and knock down the mid-range jumper. The 2017 grad is a physical and proactive defender both on the block or taking away a reversal to the trail spot. Miller is every coach’s dream with her effort on the glass at both ends of the floor.
Wiry and athletic 2016 guard Jordan Roundtree gives the Phenom another option to call upon. A Missouri verbal, Roundtree is capable of getting to the rim with a variety of moves off the dribble. Her lean build helps her navigate traffic and she handles contact surprisingly well for her slight physical stature. She came through not only off the drive but was able to spot up on occasion as well. As we’ve seen in the past she’s active at both ends of the floor and provides plenty of effort from start to finish.
Though they lost in the semis, AIA Truding got some strong play from several players along the way. In particular Harvard bound post Jeannie Boehm stood out among the crowd. At 6-3 she’s got the size and build to be a factor now and at the next level. Boehm posts aggressively and understands angles and seals as well as anyone on the high school level. At the same time she can step out and offer up some solid play away from the rim including the ability to put it on the floor to a degree. Additionally, she’s not making the outlet pass you can count on her running the floor and being an option on the break time and again. Teammate Madie Kaelber, a 2016 guard, was a solid contributor as well. The 5-8 Kaelber has strong ball skills and creates with smart reads on the attack. Good form and three point range keeps the opposition on their toes as well.
One of the most talked about players among the recruiters and evaluators roaming the sidelines was Robbi Ryan of the Colorado Premier. Unfortunately for the college crowd she’s already pledged her love to Charli Turner Thorne and the folks at Arizona State. A 5-8 guard, Ryan simply makes plays. Everything she does is with intent and she has the skills and understanding to pick apart individual and team defenses. The Wyoming native can score off the drive or pull up but is just as comfortable spotting up out on the perimeter. Her deceiving speed with the ball gets her deep in traffic and the ability to finish is equaled by her ability to deliver some sharp interior passing. A recent New Mexico commit, Liah Davis, played some of her strongest basketball to date for the Premier. At 6-2 she has the size and build to battle with the bigs down on the block but moves well both in the halfcourt and running the floor. Davis averaged a double – double in high school last season and is just scratching the surface.
QUICKHITTERS
Maya Banks – 2017 – 6-3 – Post – AZ Elite Black – Size and frame…Athletic…Posts strong…Can finish…Jump hook is in place…Lots of potential
Brittany Brewer – 2016 – 6-4 – Post – Texas Elite – Size with college frame…Keeps it high…Active in the paint…Mid-range is there…Strength is evolving…One of her better showings
Kennedy Brown – 2019 – 6-5 – Post – NLHA Asics – Lots of size…Moves well…Has been coached…Works well high – low…Keeps it high…Uses both hands…Runs the floor
Haley Cavinder – 2019 – 5-5 – Point Guard – AZ Elite Gold – Penetrates and creates…Has tools…Passing…Spots up…Scraps
Queen Egbo – 2018 – 6-2 – Post – Cy Fair Premier – Young post…Moves well…Post moves are evolving…Gets off the floor
Sydney Goodson – 2016 – 5-8 – Guard – Cy Fair Premier – Strong ballhandler…Pushes it…Uses both hands…Change of speed and direction…Perimeter shot is off her shoulder to a degree
Jasmyne Harris – 2016 – 5-9 – Guard – Texas Elite Phenom – Athletic on the wing…Strong combo…Anticipates…Vertical
Lauren Heard – 2017 – 5-10 – Point Guard – Texas Elite – Power point guard…Lots of speed with the ball…Plays with strength…Quick hands on the defensive end
Kelcey Hinz – 2017 – 5-10 – Wing – NLHA Asics – Has size on the wing…Aggressive…Some ballhandling…Stays involved on both ends of the floor
Jalynn Holmes – 2017 – 5-9 – Guard – Cardinal Crusaders – Athletic and attacking…First step is quick…Floater is a weapon…Steps into her shot but connects…Making big strides
Lexi Kirgan – 2016 – 6-4 – Post – Texas Fire – True #4…Moves well…Lean build…High – low passing…Moments
Jazmaine Lewis – 2019 – 6-4 – Post – Missouri Phenom – Young with size and athleticism…Lots of potential…Watch
Brittney Myles – 2016 – 6-2 – Post – Louisiana Lightning – Strong post…Good frame…Active…Not there yet but….!
Emer Nichols – 2017 – 6-4 – Post – Cy Fair Premier – Size and body…Has potential…Tired easily…Watch
Bryce Nixon – 2018 – 5-10 – Wing – AZ Elite Black – Thin build…Strong ball skills…Crossover is there…Has instincts
Quincy Noble – 2018 – 5-11 – Guard – Texas Elite – Wiry athlete…Speed with the ball…Skills are evolving…On the edge
Uchenna Nwoke – 2018 – 6-4 – Post – Texas Elite – Size and build…Active…All the tools…Rough edges right now…Rushes things at times
Shelbe’ Piggie – 2016 – 5-3 – Point Guard – St. Louis Running Angels – Small but dynamic…Attacks and creates…Stepback is there…Penetrate and pitch…Range on jumper…Aggressive on ball…Makes things happen
Danielle Rainey – 2016 – 5-10 – Guard – Texas Elite – Athletic guard…Individual skills…Quick with the ball…Jumper is there…Decisions at times??
Kianna Ray – 2016 – 6-1 – Wing – Texas Elite – Active…Lots of effort…Ballhandling is sound…Can penetrate…Is there in transition…Jumper works
Taylor Sells – 2016 – 5-5 – Point Guard – Oklahoma Shock – Tiny point guard…Wiry and quick…Pushes it…Penetrates…Sets the tempo
Amber Smith – 2016 – 5-9 – Guard – Louisiana Lightning – Power game…Aggressive off the dribble…Physical player…Boards and defends…Big upside
Nehaa Sohail – 2017 – 6-1 – Wing – Team Fusion – Long and lean…Active with and without the ball…Smooth stroke on her shot…Good instincts…Potential is there
Briana Thompson – 2017 – 6-0 – Forward – Lady Pumas Elite – Athletic forward…Has length…Gets up and down…Finishes well…Tools
Jasmine Walker – 2016 – 6-3 – Forward / Post – Alabama Diamonds – Established top tier prospect…Size and skills…Creates on the block and from the elbows…Plays and enjoys the power game…All the tools
Kiana Williams – 2017 – 5-7 – Point Guard – San Antonio’s Finest – Speed and quickness…Hesitation move…Pull up and floater…Elevates…Competes…High end talent
