Season Rewind: Best Trios in Texas
The big three has become a staple in the sport of basketball. Roster builders at every level have become infatuated with constructing their teams around a trio of players who can carry a program. Putting together a well-rounded starting five…
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Continue ReadingThe big three has become a staple in the sport of basketball. Roster builders at every level have become infatuated with constructing their teams around a trio of players who can carry a program. Putting together a well-rounded starting five and a solid bench are obviously paramount. That said, having three separate individuals who can single handily change the game while also being able to play alongside one another is often the difference between a good team and a great team.
With that in mind, here are three of the best trios from the 2019-20 high school season:
The Village
Jada Malone Jada Malone 6'3" | PF The Village School | 2021 State #30 Nation TX – 2021 6’4 Forward (CyFair Premier)
Tymberlin Criswell Tymberlin Criswell 5'8" | CG The Village | 2021 State TX – 2021 5’8 Point Guard (Houston UTD)
Sydney Ward Sydney Ward 6'0" | SF The Village School | 2022 State TX – 2022 6’0 Shooting Guard (Texas Elite Chuck)
The Village captured the TAPPS 6A state title thanks in large part to their big three. Malone is as dominant as they come in the post with her soft hands and excellent footwork. She consistently commands double teams when she touches the ball. That opens things up for perimeter players like Criswell and Ward. Criswell has great court vision and can get into the teeth of the defense for easy close-range shots, while Ward is a sharpshooter who can score from all three levels. This threesome is also a gifted group on the defensive end. They have a chance to repeat as state champions with these three returning for another season.
Denton Guyer
Jade Thompson Jade Thompson 5'6" | CG Denton Guyer | 2020 State TX – 2020 5’8 Guard/Forward (Texas Elite Prime)
Evie Goetz Evie Goetz 5'11" | SF Denton Guyer | 2021 State TX – 2021 6’1 Guard/Forward (HG Elite Watts)
Isabella Earle Isabella Earle 5'8" | SG Denton Guyer | 2021 State TX – 2021 5’10 Combo Guard (Texas Elite)
Guyer’s trio consisted of a group of dynamic prospects who could all handle the ball and score in bunches. Thompson could out-muscle smaller opponents down low but was equally as likely to pull down a rebound and slice through defenses for coast-to-coast buckets. Goetz is one of the most complete prospects in the state. She can score on the block, shoot the three, convert pinpoint passes, as well as rebound and defend at a high level. Earle is an exceptional ball handler with the ability to create for herself and her teammates. All three of their styles blended so well together. With Thompson graduating and heading to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, look for 2023 point guard Katelyn Jones to slide into a larger role and contribute more as a scorer next season.
Duncanville
Deja Kelly Deja Kelly 5'8" | PG Duncanville | 2020 State TX – 2020 5’8 Combo Guard (Drive Nation EYBL)
Zaria Rufus Zaria Rufus 5'11" | PF Duncanville | 2021 State TX – 2021 6’0 Power Forward (Drive Nation 16U EYBL)
Tristen Taylor Tristen Taylor 5'4" | PG Duncanville | 2023 State TX – 2023 5’5 Point Guard (Team Lex)
The 2019-20 UIL 6A Texas state champions had a roster loaded with star power from top to bottom, but Kelly, Rufus, and Taylor seemed to shine the brightest when their team needed it most. Deja Kelly Deja Kelly 5'8" | PG Duncanville | 2020 State TX took home MVP honors in the state tournament due to her electric performance as a scorer. Rufus is one of those players who is always in the right place at the right time to make timely plays with her high motor at both ends. Those two were tremendous all year, but Taylor was the X factor for the Pantherettes. The Freshman possesses blazing speed with the ball. She makes smart decisions and has an assortment of runners and floaters that she utilizes when she gets past defenders. Now that Kelly is off to North Carolina, 2021 prospects Nyah Wilson Nyah Wilson 5'9" | CG Duncanville | 2021 State TX and Hope Lemelle will share the responsibility of replacing the future Tar Heel’s offensive production during their senior campaign alongside 2022 prospect Laila McLeod.