TAPPS Playoffs: Final Four Preview
Many have focused their attention on the UIL state playoffs, but the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) playoffs are in full swing as well. The Final Four is set and will take place at University High School…
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Continue ReadingMany have focused their attention on the UIL state playoffs, but the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) playoffs are in full swing as well. The Final Four is set and will take place at University High School in Waco on Thursday. The Village School and St. Agnes Academy will face off first at 1:30, and John Paul II and Prestonwood Christian Academy will play shortly after at 4:00 in their third meeting of the season. The winners will head to the championship game scheduled to tip off at 1:30 on Friday at West High School.
I wanted to highlight some prospects to watch during these final few games of the year. I’ve had the opportunity to see three of these schools play multiple times this season, with St. Agnes being the exception. Therefore, I will not be including any information about St. Agnes here. However, keep an eye on 2021 point guard Sammy Meyers who is a captain and the team’s leading scorer.
With that said, here is a quick look at the other three teams:
John Paul II
The Cardinals are led by senior point guard Nevaeh Tot. She is a dynamic floor general who can score from all three levels. The Oklahoma commit is an equally gifted playmaker with an unselfish nature to her game and a high basketball IQ. She is joined in the backcourt by junior combo guard Kate Valle who is a great defender that can shoot the three from the catch as well as finish through contact in transition. Delinah Hailey provides JPII with another guard who can score and handle the rock. Down low, 6-foot-3-inch senior Nevaeh Parkinson has a soft touch and is a deceptively good passer from the interior. This team is tough to defend with their variety of offensive weapons.
Prestonwood Christian Academy
PCA is headlined by the duo of Jordan Webster and Kiersten Johnson. Webster is a versatile point forward who can impact games with her scoring, passing, rebounding, and defense. The No. 16 ranked player in our 2020 rankings is tremendous when she gets downhill and is liable to go coast-to-coast whenever she pulls down a defensive rebound. Johnson is a sophomore stretch four with great size and length. She is an eraser as a rim protector on D. The Lions also have an underrated prospect in junior point guard Kendall Parker who keeps the rock moving on offense and possesses a nice little floater.
The Village School
I don’t get to see many Houston-area teams, but I had the luxury of watching the Village Vikings play in the Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic back in November and was thoroughly impressed by their big three. This trio is led by 6-foot-4-inch forward Jada Malone who is the No. 1 ranked player in our 2021 rankings. Malone has terrific footwork in the post, soft hands, and a solid back-to-the-basket game. Sophomore shooting guard Sydney Ward is one of the best catch-and-shoot three-point shooters in the state but can also light it up from mid-range or off the drive. Tymberlin Criswell, a junior point guard, has terrific court vision and is an incredibly accurate passer, making her the perfect floor general to play alongside Malone and Ward. Village is a threat to win it all this year and next with these three at the helm.