Opening day standouts from Sandra Meadows Classic pt 1
After leaving the McKinney North Lady Bulldog Tournament I went on that hour drive journey passing through tolls galore so I could see one of the top sophomores on the planet, ’22 Ashlon Jackson followed by one of the top…
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Continue ReadingAfter leaving the McKinney North Lady Bulldog Tournament I went on that hour drive journey passing through tolls galore so I could see one of the top sophomores on the planet, ’22 Ashlon Jackson followed by one of the top juniors on that same planet, ’21 Jada Malone. Both players are ranked #1 by me for their respective classes on here and I’ve been watching them since elementary school, as well as #3 ranked senior Deja Kelly who I caught in the very last game. Didn’t call Malone a #BCSLock back then, wasn’t sure if she would stop selling girl scout cookies but once she did, I saw what was coming however Jackson and Kelly were definitely amongst the many pre middle/junior high school players I’ve predicted correctly, BCS and or D1, and it’s no surprise to me that they were on fire opening day and you can click on link to see score sheets ain’t that cool BRACKET
Deja KellyDeja Kelly (Duncanville) after signing with North Carolina, she still has something in her sight before leaving Duncanville and that’s making a truly last run to state and based on what I saw from her squad, they just might do it after winning Sandra Meadows. She has one of the most fluid jumpers I’ve seen, she always did, even as a kid I saw it and her ability to create, takeover or just drop 30 in the flow is second to none
Jada Malone (The Village School) power in the paint, nice touch facing the basket, finishes strongly after contact, rebounds on both ends, 6’4, oh now I have your attention. I’ve watched her progression over the years and go from just a decoy they never threw the ball to and now she’s usually the first option but her desire to get better, she started working on outside shot and the 3 ball is there but I really liked her aggressiveness on both ends
Asha ThompsonAsha Thompson (Desoto) the Old Dominion signee just has so much offensive firepower in her arsenal that I think she’ll make an almost immediate impact when she enters college. Her pull-up jumper is amongst the best in Texas and she sets defenders up nicely to take them off of the dribble. Her strong body enables her to finish with contact as well as punish on defense and she rebounds well on both ends
Adhel TacAdhel Tac (Sachse) the TCU signee impressed me years ago in middle school and over the years due to erroneous rosters, the spelling of the name as well as what class she wasn’t always consistent but even though she was raw, I saw potential and she has delivered. That old saying “you can’t teach size” works better if you throw in athletic ability, which she has, as well as length and she rebounds, blocks shots, runs the floor and finishes
D’Ambria WhyteD’Ambria Whyte (Ellison) the talented senior impressed me at the Katy Classic and overly impressed me in their upset victory over Vista Ridge. She rebounds and blocks shots, partly because of timing, partly because over her “ups” but the athleticism is among those who just keep coming at you. I’m upgrading, well adding and upgrading, her on the 2020 PGH Texas list btw
AJ Marotte (Vista Ridge) even though they took an opening round L to Ellison, the #4 junior in the state still put up numbers from various spots, inside the paint, to somewhere behind that arc, to keep her team within striking distance
Ashlon JacksonAshlon Jackson (Hardin Jefferson) what she can’t do that’s a plus would be easier to name, so I’ll say dunk but then again, I ‘m not quite about that, at least yet. She has amazed me for so many years, it’s hard for me to get excited to watch her play, that’s before the game begins because once the opening tip starts everything off, she’s ready. Her unselfishness just stands out, she could average 40 if she wanted to but she understands the big picture and if there is a WNBA when she graduates college, she’ll be in it
Hannah Stines (Troy, CA) my first look was definitely a memorable one as the “west coast” was in the house. I ain’t even take any notes, she attacks effortlessly at will, creates quite well under pressure, her stop and pop from mid to long-range was second to none in the event and she can hypnotize defenders with her ball-handling. My biggest takeaway was “she’s ice under pressure” and she has to be one of the best sophomores in the country, are you listening abroad