The South adds more and even more
I mention over and over that if I don’t see it, I don’t write about nor mention it because it’s always been politics involved in rankings, being placed on certain teams, USA, MDAA, WBCA and I know this first hand…
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Continue ReadingI mention over and over that if I don’t see it, I don’t write about nor mention it because it’s always been politics involved in rankings, being placed on certain teams, USA, MDAA, WBCA and I know this first hand as a parent, coach and now evaluator so my knowledge of knowing what I’m looking at is second to none and I stress over and over, I could care less what logo a players shoe or uniform has on it, if they can play, they can play and I’ve been like this since I become involved on this side. I’m adding a couple of players from Texas, 2021 Gia Adams to the rankings as well as 2023 Aniyah Sanford to the Watch List but this story has a couple of kids from Oklahoma that would be added as well
Destiny and Mariah SmithMariah Smith- talented 2020 guard from Oklahoma that I first wrote about in the 5th grade and her progression over the years has been smooth as her game. She can fill it up from outside or off the dribble but what I love about her game is the ability to adjust and over the years, I’ve seen her on multiple teams taking a back seat to less talented players, for whatever reasons and she took it in stride. Her confidence will not be broken and she keeps coming back
Gia Adams-that first step leaves many standing still and the transformation from middle to high school without blinking an eye told me big things were coming. I added her to the 2021 rankings and she’ll debut elevating up, up and away, like she does off the ground for her jumper. Her athleticism enables her to bring heat, on both ends of the court and she gets after it, loose balls on the floor or in the stands or playing the passing lane which she does as good as anyone
Aniyah SanfordDestiny Smith-silent assassin would definitely describe her game because of the her ability to get hers “in the flow” and when the game is over, you check the stat sheet and see she’s filled it up. On the notes, I wrote Oklahoma SISTA because at times, I got them confused, playing on separate teams or camps and thought I was seeing double as both her and Mariah crossed their legs at the same time. ’22 Destiny’s step back is a tool that gives her multiple options
Aniyah Sanford- several things can’t be taught, heart, desire and poise and those three things were shown to me from this young lady at an early age. That hashtag #sizedontmatter when you can play definitely applies because she won’t back down and never has. She understands how to run a team, her ball-handling under pressure coupled with seeing the floor is why her status has elevated because at this and any level that we go higher, the game has and always will start at the one