ALLEN, Texas— With Thanksgiving looming this Thursday the lines at the grocery stores are already getting longer and the carts are carrying the many makings of a mouthwatering meal. Down in Texas those shopping for their fill of early season Lone Star State Basketball once again had the opportunity to go to the market in Pasadena and Allen for everything on their roundball shopping lists.
The McDonald’s Texas Invitational and the Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest annually provide teams, fans, recruiters and media the opportunity for an early glimpse of teams and talent from the Texas landscape. This year 32 schools made up the program in Pasadena while 28 more were featured in the lineup four hours north in Allen. The Hoopfest also welcomed some visitors from Maryland to add some spice to their tried and true Texas Thanksgiving recipes.
When all was said and done it was those visitors from above the Mason – Dixon line, New Hope Academy, who claimed the Hoopfest crown by way of a 71 – 43 win over host Allen. For the third year in a row and the fifth time in six seasons Duncanville took top honors in the Texas Invitational with a 64 – 45 victory over Humble Summer Creek. For additional results and more information on both events, follow the links below.
15th Girls McDonald’s Texas Invitational
18th Allen Lady Eagle Hoopfest
https://www.allenisd.org/Page/45754
Just a quick reminder. The two tournaments ran Thursday through Saturday and our time was limited at both. While we saw a majority of the participating teams there were a couple in each event that we didn’t get the chance to check out as well as a few highly regarded prospects who were sidelined by injury. (Sarah Andrews, Liz Scott and Camryn Brown to name a few) The two events are combined in our coverage and, as always, are in alphabetical order. Inclusion doesn’t represent any ranking, elevated status or any other social media boast that a well-meaning loved one or coach might want to share. There were plenty of talented players on hand and these were just some of those who had some strong moments when we were in the gym. We’re looking forward to seeing many more over the course of the upcoming season.
Tailor Broussard – 2019 – Forward – Irving MacArthur– Dynamic athlete at the forward spot…Nice length to go with her build…Has some rough edges but lots of promise…Can be explosive on the catch at times…One and two dribble drive from the high post and trail are weapons…Got on the offensive glass
Avery Crouse – 2019 – Wing/Guard – Sachse– Lots of length on the perimeter…Could still grow more despite being a senior…Versatile skill set…Tough match up with size and ballskills…Legitimate long range threat…Getting to the rim more efficiently…Passes the ball well in transition and off penetration…Strength has to come as she moves on
Shamaryah Duncan – 2020 – Guard – Waco Midway– Physically strong on the perimeter…Active and aggressive on the catch…No reservations about taking it into traffic…Handled contact on the drive…Crossover…Ballskills are sound but could be sharpened to add to her game…Lots of effort on both ends…Works
DeYona Gaston – 2020 – Forward – Pearland– High profile…Lived up to past performances…Combination of size, skills and physical tools…Length is an asset utilized well on both ends…Playing a much more fluid and consistent attack…Depth is there in her skill set…Makes plays both in the halfcourt or on the break…Body control serves her well in traffic around the rim…Form and touch are sound from the perimeter…Pull up and floater let her mix it up off penetration…Additional consistency will allow her to separate herself even further from the crowd
Nyah Green – 2019 – Guard/Wing – Allen– New setting…Adapting…Still impressive size and skill combination…Tools are there to make plays in transition or out of sets…Ballskills are effective and improve both shots and passes…Crossover and change of speed are efficient…Elevates with sound form both from the perimeter or pulling up off the drive…Utilizes her strength well on both ends…Has to become more of a factor without the ball in her hands to keep defenders honest
Hannah Gusters – 2020 – Post – Duncanville– Size and frame…Continues to evolve…Got good looks but struggled with finishing on day one…Makes herself an option…Understands posting angles and position…Keeps it high on the catch…Good awareness of defenders…Surprising agility and rotations defensively…Adds to her game each time we see her…Limits are only those she allows
Rori Harmon – 2021– Point Guard – Cypress Creek– Well known…Speed and quickness…Effective in transition…Sees the floor…Body control on penetration…Jumper is there spotted up or off the pull up…Step back…Hesitation move…Aggressive on ball defender…Anticipates one pass away…Shot selection needs sharpening
Payton Hicks – 2019 – Point Guard – Plano Prestonwood– Small but efficient point guard…Attacking mentality…Passes the ball well on the move…Reads defenders…Plenty of speed and quickness without much size…Can spot up
Morgan Hill – 2020 – Forward – Cypress Creek– Long, lean and fluid…Agility on both ends of the floor…Can post up or work up high…Showed some passing instincts…Got on the boards at times…Watch
Kyndall Hunter – 2021 – Combo – Cypress Creek– Established…Athletic and smooth…Creates and develops options…Speed with the ball in her hands…Step back is there…Delivered some solid passing…Lateral speed is there on defense…Aggressive on the ball…Impressive movement on both ends
Jazion Jackson – 2019 – Combo – Dallas Skyline– Active guard…Slashes and creates options…Mixes up her speed on the attack…Goes both directions…Crossover…Floater works for her…Has both basketball and physical tools
Kiara Jackson – 2020 – Guard – South Grand Prairie– Wiry built young guard…Sharp and effective ballhandling skills…Utilized the dribble to improve both shots and passes…Decent speed with the ball…Slashed some…Could add some height as time goes by
Kiersten Johnson – 2022 – Forward – Plano Prestonwood– Long and very lean at this point…Fluid…Decent speed for size…Willing to post…Holds her ground to a degree…Wingspan is a big defensive asset…Strength will need to come with time…Keep watching
Maliyah Johnson – 2020 – Forward – Humble Summer Creek– Impressive size and athleticism…Potential to grow more…Lots of speed and agility…Lefty…Willing to post or work away from the rim…Active without the ball…First step is quick and long…Some ballhandling in place…Reads and passes well from the trail and high post…Top tier prospect
Niyah Johnson – 2021 – Forward – Clear Springs– Agile with some good length…A forward at this time…Gets out in transition…Was a presence on the boards…Has some tools and promise
Ashlyn Jones – 2021 – Guard – Klein Oak– Lefty guard…Wiry build…Attacking and slashing…Floater and pull up are both options…Delivers the ball well off the drive…Deceptively strong for a leaner build…Got off the floor at times
Deja Kelly – 2020 – Combo – Duncanville– New setting…Looking to create options for herself and teammates…Mixing up her attack more…Elevates on pull up…Acceleration off moves is much improved…Uses change of speed effectively…Making reads and adding depth to her passing game…Quick hands defensively
Kelsey Kurak – 2019 – Swing – Frisco Liberty– Made plays…Aggressive on both ends…Undersized but effective…Plays without hesitation…Mixes things up…Spotted up efficiently…Scraps defensively
Tommisha Lampkin – 2020 – Post – Mansfield Summit– Well known…Strong with an impressive frame…Quick attack for size…Good ballskills for an interior player…Got out and ran the floor…Can develop her own options on the high post drive…Needs to be more active away from the ball
Dajinae McCarty – 2019 – Guard – Cedar Hill– Nice size and athleticism at the guard spot…Strong individual skills…Plenty of speed with the ball in her hands…Accelerates off any move…Can get to the rim…Not shy about contact…Floater has a soft touch…Spots up as well…Timing quickness are there defensively
Destinee McDowell – 2019 – Forward – Cedar Hill– Decent size and build…Deceptive first step attacking from the high post…Physically strong…Can finish with contact…Showed off some ballhandling on occasion…Sound passer…Must find the consistency to make the most of her game
Bria McClure – 2021 – Point Guard – Cibolo Steele– Small and attacking…Creates both shots and passes…Plays with awareness…Interior passing is sharp…Nice change of speed
Jordyn Newsome – 2021 – Point Guard – Irving MacArthur– Developing top tier point…Athletic and attacking…Pushes the ball from make, miss and turnover…Smooth and fluid…Got to the rim in transition or out of halfcourt attack…Interior passing off the drive…Decent form plus some range already showing…Will have to grasp pace better to keep control of the game…Lots of tools
Jaden Owens – 2019 – Point Guard – Plano West– High profile…Mixing her attack better than ever…Change of speed and acceleration are challenging to any defender…Reading efficiently with her mind made up less…Good decisions on pull up and floater…Elevation on the jumper gets her good looks…Better body control as she slashes into traffic leading to more effectiveness
Jazzy Owens-Barnett – 2022 – Guard – Frisco Liberty– Young and athletic…Lots of quickness in her first step…Speed is there with the ball in her hands…Anticipates defensively…Watch closely
Delixia Pinnick – 2020 – Guard – New Hope Academy– Shooter first and foremost…Has touch and range…Quick release is there…Good strength…Became more and more active each game without the ball in her hands…Solid passing skills
Kayla Pilson – 2019 – Guard – Houston Westside– Solid build…Athletic guard…Good physical strength allows her to slash into traffic…Can finish with contact…Develops both looks and passes…Pushes the ball and sees the floor on the break
Zaya Price – 2020 – Guard – Cibolo Steele– Athletic and slashing guard…Has some speed with the ball…Aggressive cutter…Hesitation move is in place…Can spot up…Floater was there
Angeline Sanchez – 2019 – Point Guard – Cibolo Steele– Smart…Skilled point guard…Instinctual and reads the floor…Can spot up with range…Understands defensive rotations and exploits
Adhel Tac – 2020 – Forward – Sachse– Not quite as impressive as a year ago…Still good combination of size and athleticism…Understands options she’s looking for…Active and assertive at times…Cuts hard and with intent…Efficient in the pick and roll…Got on the boards at times…Consistency will be important
Amy Taylor – 2019 – Forward – Allen– Simply put, she’s productive…Physical and smart to make plays…Instinctual to the highest degree…More than willing to set up and improve teammates options…True team player…Willing to get physical or on the floor…Player you want to play with rather than against…Understands the game…Shows up more gifted athletes again and again
Da’Necia Trusty – 2021 – Forward – Alief Hastings– Long and lean build…Will still get physical…Active with some athleticism…Showed off a jump hook…Evolving skill set
Jada Walker – 2021 – Point Guard – New Hope Academy– Highly Regarded…Quick and attacking at the point…Makes plays on the break or out of sets…Improving the options of teammates more and more…Change of speed is as effective as anyone’s in getting defenders out of their stance…Has become a threat off the cut…Much more active without the ball…Becoming more and more of a handful to defend…Consistency is evolving…Has to watch risky fouls
Demi Washington – 2019 – Wing/Forward – New Hope Academy– Good strength and athleticism on the wing…Improving options for herself as well as passing angles for teammates…Individual tools serve her well…Can finish off penetration or deliver the interior pass…Physical tools are there to make an impact defensively in multiple schemes
Jordan Webster – 2020 – Wing/Guard – Plano Prestonwood– Shooter…Quick release with touch and range…Offered up some penetration and attack as well…Ran the floor in transition…Made herself an option off the cut and with reads…Has to apply the same effort defensively
Grace Woodruff – 2021 – Post/Forward – Allen– Nice size…Lean build at this point…Textbook post play…Reads on the catch…Knows her moves and counters…Has been well coached…Mechanical at times but efficient as well…Strength and agility work will serve her well
Noelle Yancy – 2019 – Guard – Richardson– Tough and aggressive with the ball in her hands…Reads defenders and penetrates…Crossover…Nice form on the shot…Fallaway is there and tough to defend…Has to be more active without the ball…Defends…Plays with an “edge”
