2018 Austin Elite program still flying high

 

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS- I’ve been covering, as an analyst, or attending as a club coach, the Tyrone Johnson Showcase for close to 15 years and the clubs directors, Fonzelle Martin and Tommy Gregg have been in the game for over 20 years making the one of the oldest and successful girl’s program in Texas and by success, it ain’t about the wins, and their organization has tons of those, it’s about the mentoring and development that has helped shaped young girl’s lives as well as placing in a position to play at the next level and I’m talking HUNDREDS including their own daughters who I had a chance to watch and grow up right before my eyes with my own and all wound up playing at the D1 level. The game has and continues to change, I have my thoughts but what hasn’t changed is my eye for talent and their club has some payers year after year that will play in college and here’s a brief rundown

 

Austin Elite RFW

Alexys King-guard-one of the best “catch and shoot players” in Texas, deep range, takes defenders off the dribble, finishes strong, defends and rebounds, very good BB-IQ and just wants “it” in her hands down the stretch

Portia Leathers-post-keeps getting better every time I see her, physical on the inside, finishes strong, rebounds on both ends, runs the floor

Zahra Cross-PG- heady, understands the game, gets individuals involved, handles the ball under pressure and sees the floor

Natasha Blizzard-forward/guard- good size enables her to play multiple positions. Scores well inside, very athletic and can explode for rebounds on both ends but on the flip she can handle ball in the open court and finish as well as face the basket and score

Devin Mayberry-forward- great “ups” in fact she falls into the “plays bigger than her size” category. She’s powerful on ends, finishing and rebounding

Amani Bradhaw-guard-put on a show at “All Eyez On Me Camp” and her TJ Showcase encore sold me. Great first step, finishes after contact and has a nice stop and pop in transition

Elisa Priddy, Pujita Shukla and Cassidy Salyer have already shown me time and time again the can put the ball in the basket for RFW but Black has some that can fill it up as well

Austin Elite Black

Mercedes Robledo-attacks, nails the mid to long range consistently

Hannah Blair- shoots the long ball and creates her own shot in traffic

Hattie Blair-good ball handler, sees floor and understands how to set teammates up

R’Yani Vaugh- does something I love to see, plays the passing lane, athletic

Felicity Kelly- also athletic loves to pressure and bring heat on defense

 

Austin Elite Fire

Temperature continues to rise for these young ladies and I’ve seen a lot of many of them the past two weekends and to say that I’m OVERLY impressed would be a MAJOR understatement

Zoe Nelson- all bets are off, size, athleticism, BB-IQ, a few tweaks here and there and she’s a BCSLock in fact if she’s not in the mix for Top 100 nationally right now I’d be shaking my head but with those tweaks, she’s probably Top 20

Arrianna Faulks- that “first step” is devastating and it sets up so many other things for the young lady as she blows by most. Nice pull-up and mid to long range but she also plays passing lane and defends baseline to baseline

Jamyria Ramsey-talk about first steps, well add a step back to it as she nails the long ball. When you have the first two things, you’re hard to defend, add the third, it’s almost impossible. She’s fast, with the ball and sees the floor, plus she defends, heading to HS

Jazra Willaims- left a lasting impression on the first impression and you probably won’t get this but like the group, she’s Movin On Up each time I see her. Good size and knowledge, plays within herself and makes things happen that may not show on score sheet, which she fills up. Scores in the flow

Devon Williams- she’s over the magic number of 6’0 which pretty much assures college call but this young lady continues to amaze and watching her handle the ball C2C in traffic for a basket, score facing the basket multiple times and rebound on both ends, she also scores in the paint, the package is being loaded up

Very talented squad, DeAija Brown, Weade Adelke, Makayla Ward and Cai Wilson all did some damage, Sarah Malinowski picked several pockets and handled it well plus she finished so I’m checking all the squads out later this week at the Super 64 so be ready