2023 Breakout Players Texas Top 250 Expo
It’s always good for me to drop that “talent is everywhere” line just to try to get players as well as parents to pay attention and that, along with the also important “it’s not what you do, it’s who you…
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Continue ReadingIt’s always good for me to drop that “talent is everywhere” line just to try to get players as well as parents to pay attention and that, along with the also important “it’s not what you do, it’s who you do it against” quote should register at some point but these six players, with the exception of one, were unknown to me before the event yet they definitely left an impression. Follow me on Twitter @girlzprepreport
Samantha Basson-5’7 G (Lovejoy HS) @sambasson2023
Basson showed me something I love to see a player do, especially in the open court and that was use the change of pace because it sets the defenders up nicely and she was effective with it. She creates her shot while being defended, showed a nice hesitation but getting the defender to lean and go by them was something she did numerous times, that as well as her ball handling enabled her to finish multiple times, including after contact
Daizjia Oages-5’4 PG (Tascosa HS)
Oages use her athleticism nicely, it’s a great addition to her being able t create her shot because she can take defenders either way off the dribble but her ballhandling, as well as court vision, were nice touches. She understands how to control the tempo, she plays within herself and she also did a good job defending but her playing the passing lane definitely was a finishing touch
Raimi McCrary-6’0 P (Allen HS) @raimimccrary
McCrary was probably one of the strongest players at the event, physical strength, and size, she’s at the magic number of 6’0, will always grab attention for the next level yet the intangibles, like throwing the outlet pass and running the floor will grab even more. She finishes strong, after contact and understands how to use her body around the basket with good footwork. She did a good job rebounding on both ends of the court, good upside
Elizabeth Walton-5’6 CG (The Village School)
Walton is having the “and one of the day” every event I’ve caught her in but watching her at a young age, already skilled up and passionate about her game told me she was on the verge of turning the corner. She’s turned several corners, she’s handling the ball under pressure, she’s seeing the floor very well and her mental toughness just jumps out at you. Her ability to create off the dribble for the mid to long or attack the basket keeps soaring
Kelsey Ground-5’4 PG (Milsap HS) @GroundKelsey
Ground elevates off the ground which was apparent early after she showed the pull-up jumper in the halfcourt or the stop and pop on the break but she creates her shot nicely while being defended, can take defenders and finish with either hand but she can also step back and drop the long ball. She handles the ball well under pressure, does a good job seeing the floor, and plays defense
Makenna Kaunitz-5’7 PG (Christian Heritage Christian School)
Kaunitz ballhandling was the first thing that had me glued as she understood how to get out of traps and make things happen, especially in the open court but she not only was dazzling with the ball at times, she made pinpoint passes through traffic over and over but she also did a good job at creating her shot and she could shoot it. The midrange was consistent, she got it off from numerous spots and she also showed she could drop the long ball