2018 Prime Time Nationals Tip Sheet
LACI STEELE (LADY HOOPSTERS)
METROPLEX, TEXAS- This was the 6th Prime Time Nationals I covered, I recalled the first one having some exciting 8th graders including Dorian Branch ( Houston) Natalie Chou, Cierra Johnson (Texas A&M) and Lauren Cox (Baylor) to name a few, all made Tip Sheer and all are BCS players, the last three were named to the McDonald’s All American squad and after seeing Cox, I wrote she would make a run at the top plyer in the country, one guy charged me up and said he was HS coach and she would be nothing but a volleyball player so I’ve been running across clueless people long before this new breed, even when my daughter player but when you talent, I actually know it, it is safe to assume that when I saw talent is everywhere, I’m not just saying it to be doing so and of course, I saw several new faces as well as some old that will be playing somewhere at the next level. Here are a few, follow me on Twitter and you’ll see more down the road, as well as my blog as I do some on the whole Lady Hoopsters squad but here you go
RANIYAH LEWIS (SKYRISE)
Laci Steele-guard (Lady Hoopsters) every game I caught, she showed me something different so on top of long and mid-range clicking, she attacks strong from multiple angles. Rebounded on both ends, just an uncanny knack for being in the right place to make things happen
Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso- guard (Amarillo Elite) talk about leaving a lasting first impression, she does so many thing very well already, the mid and long range are deadly, she handles pressure and she applies it, defends, plays passing lane, sees the floor and is a LOCK
Gisella Maul-guard (Cy Fair Elite Maul) already has BCS offers on the table yet has one year of MS left sums it up. Figures out ways on the fly how to get to basket for buckets, pretty hard to stay with and a lot of that has to do with outside scoring ability and still has upside
Markencia Brisbly-post (Flight Elite) strong body, shows signs of being powerful in paint, rebounded well on both ends, ran the floor but out everything she does, I loved how she finished with contact and by that I mean players hanging on her
Calyn Dallas-forward (Lubbock Nitro) long, athletic, scores off the dribble or can stretch the defense by knocking down the long baqll. Understands how to create and get her shot off and shoots it with accuracy
Dymond Grigsby-post (Waco Lady Panthers) if she has another good growth spurt, there is no telling how high she can go but she’s about to enter HS and has time but over time I’ve watched her from a back to the basket to someone that can score facing it
Avery Martinez –post (HTX 2025) understands how to use her body, good hands and footwork, runs the floor on both ends and finishes strong. Also rebounded well on offensive and defensive boards
Katelyn Evans-guard (DC Queens 2024 Black) talk about growing up overnight. The first time I saw her 2 years ago, I said she was a college player; she’s headed to SIXTH grade, plays up and is on the verge of blowing up. Athletic and can score, so many ways as well as rebound defend
HAZLEY GROTJOHN (SMALL TIME BALLERS)
Hazley Grotjohn-guard (Small Time Ballers) buzz was on her early after dropping 7 long ones in the semis and over 20 for the event but this young lady has so much more including spinning enough for me take an Aleve. Scores multiple ways, gets it in the flow and unreal upside
Raniyah Lewis-guard (Skyrise) hard to handle, hard to guard, hard to defend, all apply because she plays so hard and I mean attacking and scoring after contact, defending baseline to baseline, diving on the floor for loose balls, she plays with passion and a pull-up
Aubrey Campbell-post (FL Elite) like the soup, she has potential to be mmm mmm good and with you couple long and athletic with tall and coordinated, you’re on to something but on top of that, love her timing, rebounding and defense. She also showed she could score, good upside
Loghan Johnson-guard (Katy Rebels King) she put up numbers galore during the event but numbers don’t tell half the story. Athletic and can attack or pull-up from anywhere and nail it. Love her passion and she plays the game hard, every play
Kennedy Glover-post/wing (NLMA HUB) the growth, on and off the court, I’ve seen from this young lady is eerie, long and athletic, looks like she’ll be over “the magic number” of 6 feet but her sheer dominance is definitely on the verge of happening as she has an arsenal waiting on both ends
Aniya Anderson-guard (Cy Fair Elite RJ) has another speed, turbo, and can simply accelerate and split players easily. Good court sense and sees the floor and makes the right passes while also understands how to set defenders up. Plenty of upside
GABBY TILLEY
Gabby Tilley- guard (Oklahoma Swish) there is nothing more intriguing than watch young players handle pressure and perform under it. Not only did she convert over 80% of her free throws down the stretch to secure the victory, she handled the ball under pressure and made plays plus she wanted the ball in her hands
Dakota Watson-guard (HTX 2023) smooth and handles pressure but more importantly, plays within herself and has an advanced knowledge of the game. She gets hers in the flow and can fill up a stat sheet plus does so many thing that don’t show up on that same stat sheet
Tyler Jones-guard (Mid South Banshees) when you’re playing up and leaping up, up and away, while being under control are very good signs. So her athleticism and upside is scary, gets to the basket effortlessly, rebounds and defends
Destiny Maze-guard (Kansas United 2027) talks on the court, wait, she’s in what grade. That’s not a good sign, that’s a great sign as well as her length and she already understands how to get there and finish strong
Mariyah Dickson-guard (Phoenix Revolution) it’s always great to see young players that get “it” earl and she definitely has a knack for the game. Explosive first step, already, and creates her shot in traffic but she finds ways to score
Heather Baymon-guard (Texas Adidas Elite D’Addeico) faster than a speeding bullet, with the ball and under control will go a long way, trust me as well as what I think she will become on the court. Poised, understands the game, first step is devastating
Paris Guillory-guard (Baton Rouge Lady Pride) one of the most explosive young players in the event, huge upside and her ability to blow by and or elevate over defenders was fun to see. Nice pull up, great body control and finishes with contact
Kaelyn Hamilton-forward (NTX Lady Elite) good size, gets to the basket effortlessly plus she’s on the “ultra” athletic side and playing the passing lane like a cornerback was smooth as well as handling the ball under pressure and seeing the floor
Kileah Parr- guard (DC Queens Orange Platinum) more than just “par for the course” she continues to elevate her game throwing passes just under the speed of light on the money and if threading the needle isn’t enough, speedy with ball and can shoot the long ball makes her hard to hold
Taylor Craver-wing (Cy Fair Coop) attacks strong and finishes after contact, great athleticism, good length and plays the passing lane which is good because that combined with handling the ball coast to coast gets her easy buckets over and over
Saija Cleveland –forward (Texas Elite Lady Warriors) I love progression and she is one of many on her squad that have been working on their games. She has good size and is athletic, knows how to get to the basket and finish strong plus she rebounds and defends well
CATELYN WARD (SAN ANTONIO ISLANDERS)
HS Division
Savannah Velazquez-guard(Quiet Storm) explosive off dribble, nice mid to long range game and handles ball under pressure. Put up numbers galore and was a double-double waiting to happen
Jordyn Fife-forward (Texas Elite Adidas Raptors) long, athletic, can jump plus has timing are the foundation but her ability to score just keeps getting better as she does it numerous ways. Plays the passing lane, defends and is a shade or two under “the magic number” of 6’0
Daisy Rodriguez-forward (Lady Wolfpack) long, athletic, plays within herself yet can score in bunches quickly. Love her upside and passion, plus her ability to play man, read plays before they happen and rebound
Ariel Warren- guard (NTX Elevate Elite) explosive guards galore on her squad but 2 minutes of just taking over on both ends just had me glued to the court. She scored 10 and had multiple steals and assists, fast with ball, nice range or an take defenders off dribble
Catelyn Ward-guard (San Antonio Islanders) from start of the season until now, one of the most improved players I’ve seen and she just gives everything, every play. Scores from long, mid or off the dribble, sees floor and defends