2017 Tyrone Johnson Showcase HS Tip Sheet
DIAMOND MORRISON (AUSTIN ELITE RFW)
ROUND ROCK, Texas- The 2017 Tyrone Johnson Showcase continues to show it’s one of the top events in the state of Texas and being hosted by one of the top programs over the past 20 years in the state sort of ties in. Talent galore throughout both days, I was truly pleased at the variety of new faces that I hadn’t seen in the past, the progression I’ve seen from players that I knew a\bout and the abundance of young talent coming up in Texas will continue to keep me busy and as always, on my toes. The Round Rock Sports Complex truly was ideal for me as I could see multiple courts from one location and I truly appreciate those who took the time to turn in rosters because even I can’t remember every player’s name that I’ve already seen and those ESP and Telepathy classes I paid for to try and read minds or figure out someone’s name, number, class, was truly a waste so cooperation is vital to help in what I attempt to do. Here are some of the standouts from the event, more will be on my BLOG and my social media accounts so here ya go
HS Division Tip Sheet
Diamond Morrison-guard (Austin Elite RFW) continues to show why she’s one of the top guards in Texas. She explodes past defenders and yes she has speed, with the ball in her hand which is ever so important but her ability to create off the dribble and knock down shots from everywhere, sometimes it looks as if she’s playing around the world ad HORSE combined, but once she gets going, pretty hard to contain
Mallory Lockhart-guard (Fury Orange) I truly enjoy watching players that can shoot from anywhere, have unlimited range and shoot with accuracy with or without defenders hanging on them and this squad has many however Lockhart’s ability to “catch and shoot” is among the best I’ve seen in the class and that along with everything else made me watch her multiple times do it over and over again
Brooklyn Mitchell-guard (Texas Nation Black) saw this young lady about to enter her 8th grade year back in New Orleans when I think my exact words that stood out were D1 lock. This young lady is a nightmare to defend, she can blow by defenders with that killa first step, she can shoot the long and mid-range very well and her athleticism and ability to take the lick gives many acrobatic and one moments
Zaria Johnson-wing (DFW Elite Houston) she caught my eye the day before at the U of H Camp and simply left me speechless at times in the TJ Showcase. That length truly comes in handy on both ends as she defends and jumps well that she alters numerous shots or just blocks them, she rebounds and she can score multiple ways in the “red zone” or face the basket and attack from the wing
Kennedy Youngblood (Victoria Crossroads Queens) I think my exact words effortlessly, upside and potential and as usaul after looking it up, I did say that and as usual, I was right. She still makes it look easier than it is, on both ends. Midrange has become more deadly, creates in traffic and elevates over defenders. I also like how she has extended her range as well as taking defenders off the dribble and she still isn’t done
Lillian Stewart-guard (Fury Blue) another player with unlimited range, created well off the dribble, keeps defenders guessing, handles ball well under pressure, defends and rebounded on both ends
Samari Obrien-guard (Phoenix Black) her back to back coast to coast drives for and one sort of sealed me choosing her and she did it in crunch time. Good athleticism, good speed and body control, defends well
Anna Carlile-guard (Houston Lady Dominators) loves to attack, loves physicality and just makes things happen offensively. She finishes strong with players hanging on her, she can score mid to long range and rebounds on both ends
Kirsten Beasley-wing (Houston Hoops Grey) hadn’t seen this young lady but after she dropped a 30 footer, I couldn’t stop watching her. Long and athletic, she definitely is hard to handle offensively as she handles the ball wall in the open floor and with defenders on her so that range is definitely an added asset
Charlene Sheppard-forward (Super Girls) she’s a little over 6 feet and does quite a few things well like bang on the inside, on both ends, rebounds well, on both ends and scores BOTH inside and outside. She also defends in the paint and on the perimeter
Nicole Nash-guard (HTX Fire Blue) when you drop three long balls in a row I definitely notice but five. Okay let me put it this way, Nash was one of the best long distance shooters in the event and that says a lot because there were many. If she’s open, you can almost forget about it but she can shoot the ball with the best of them
Tykara Robinson-wing (Dynasty Moore) energy and athleticism always are great to start with but when you bring consistent heat on both ends, that formula comes together. She’s definitely elevated her game, scores multiple ways and creates nicely but that desire is just something you can’t teach
Mariyn Nzoiwu –post ( Lady Thunder) let me say this, she’s one of the most improved players in the state, she always went hard but awe man, she’s definitely taken her game to another level. She’s athletic, jumps out of the gym, runs the floor, has great hands and finishes strong with contact. Can defend inside or on the perimeter and I’m talking baseline to baseline. Add “rebounds well on both ends and over 6’0 “
Dyana Offutt-guard (Shooting For Success) I love flashy but I also love solid, fundamental players that just get the job done. Offutt is flashy, but she’s powerful and watching her set defenders up for one of the best midrange performances I witnessed this season was definitely refreshing. The pull-up and stop and pop were on
Miya Crump-wing (Houston Hoops Red) two years ago, wait TWO years ago I told you this young lady was one of the best players in the state in the 2018 class. Whether you read it or even listened is irrelevant because I love nothing more than saying I told you so. She’s 6’1, long, athletic and can score “however you want it” and with that S/O for All Eyez On Me, they definitely should be on this MC
ZYNIAH THOMAS (DFW ELITE)
Zyniah Thomas-guard (DFW Elite) you got a pick em from this young group still in MS but competing in the top division all over the place and whether it’s cold or not, I like it HOT and this squad brings heat. Thomas, I don’t even want to sell her game because she already sold me last season but she’s an explosive scorer that defends and just won’t quit
Jordan Weaver-post (PHA) loved her not shying away from contact and that old saying it’s better to give than receive doesn’t apply because she does BOTH. Rebounds on each end, finishes strong, good passer from her position
Tiffany McGarity-wing (Texas Nation) no one calls her T-Mac but me but it fits because she can simply find ways to put the ball in the basket. Very good athleticism, high energy and brings plenty of heat on defense
Ashley Borland-post (Houston Elite) when you’re around that magic number of 6’0 and can score in the paint, have good hands and show good footwork, facing the basket to hit that midrange “ain’t nothing but a plus” so excuse my broken grammar because this young lady has plenty of tools on both ends
Tiana Gardner-post (MP Elite) strong, physical, afraid of nothing is always good when you’re a basketball player that’s over 6’0. She just doesn’t quit her ability to finish with contact from multiple players is exceptional. She rebounds on both ends, runs the floor and defends strong
Hannah Hawkins-guard (HTX Fire Orange) love a good comeback and Hawkins definitely is one of those players that doesn’t let nagging injuries slow her down. She can shoot the long ball with the best of them, has added taking defenders off the dribble to her repertoire and does a good job seeing the floor
Madison Garrett–wing (Texas Lady Breakers) another 2020 diamond in the rough is what I called her 2 years ago and that diamond be a sparkling now. Deadly open court player, long and athletic, defends but her midrange and attacking the basket for buckets continue to amaze me