2023 Standouts at Heart Of Texas part 2
Kennadi Johnson-5’6 PG/SG Lady Drive Nation Randle/Jet (Skyline HS) Johnson’s ability to handle the ball under pressure caught my eyes right off the top and handling pressure is a must to be successful where the game starts, at the one.…
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Continue ReadingKennadi Johnson-5’6 PG/SG Lady Drive Nation Randle/Jet (Skyline HS)
Johnson’s ability to handle the ball under pressure caught my eyes right off the top and handling pressure is a must to be successful where the game starts, at the one. She sees the floor and sets her teammates up nicely, she’s vocal and those “on the money passes” for layups definitely kept my attention glue as well as her demeanor, not to leave out her defense
Diamond Hutchinson-5’3 PG/SG Team Lex Future (Faith Family Academy)
Hutchinson falls into that size don’t matter when you can play category because she definitely showed plenty of signs like handling the ball under pressure, controlling the tempo and pinpoint passes on the money but I also liked was her ability to get defenders leaning and explode to the rim, where she could make the pass or just finish, after contact
Addyson Brown-6’1 SF/PF Team Lex Nation
Brown isn’t long and athletic yet she makes her presence felt in so many ways because she does have athleticism, she’s mobile and she understands how to maneuver around the basket and finish strongly after contact but she also can face the basket and score but it doesn’t stop there because she rebounds well, on both ends of the court and runs the floor
Jalynn Bristow-6’2 S/F P/F Team Lex Nation (Wichita Falls Rider HS)
Bristow’s upside is intriguing because she is long and athletic and as I mention over and over, that’s the base and watching her attack from various angles on the court while handling the ball under control tells me a lot right there because her body control is solid, she understands how to take defenders and she finishes well. She also has good timing and plays the passing lane
Alexis Cortez Alexis Cortez 5'10" | SF Allen | 2023 State TX -5’9 SG/SF Lady Drive Nation 16U National (Allen HS)
Cortez was injured at the She’s Ballin Showcase a few months ago with an ankle sprain and that bummed me out because she was one of the top young players that caught my eye last summer so make no bones about it, she’s back and watching her not only attack the rim but the hit the stop and pop jumper was nice. She plays the passing lane quite well and handles the ball in the open court
Harper Biley-6’3 C Cy Fair 15U National (Cy Falls HS)
Biley falls into the size does matter when you can play and every time I see her she is adding something to the equation and using her body around the basket has taken a huge jump. Good hands and footwork are always a plus, add both of those to the fact that she’s finishing better, rebounding stronger and her outlet passes on the money are definitely huge
Riley McCloskey Riley McCloskey 5'3" | PG Memorial | 2023 State TX -5’3 PG Just Play Elite 16U (Memorial HS)
McCloskey just keeps showing me a glimpse of what’s coming as she is just turning into that PG that I envisioned after the first time I saw her a couple of years ago. I won’t say #sizedontmatter because I hashtagged it years ago and trust me, she can play and her desire never stops as she runs a team, she’s vocal, handles the ball with both hands and can take defenders off the dribble or hit the outside jumper plus those passes…..
Karli Marburger-5’10 SF Lady Thunder (Rockdale HS)
Marburger impressed me with her solid play a few weeks ago after I attended a combine and I’m even more impressed knowing she’s a 2023. Good size plays within herself and understands how to get hers “in the flow” yet she also understands how to take defenders from the wing as well as face the basket for the mid to long-range jumper and her rebounding and defense are solid