2018 State Line Battle Tip Sheet
TAYLOR THOMAS (TEXAS PHENOMS 2018)
HOUSTON, TEXAS- The 2018 State Line Battle did what a tournament is supposed to do, continue to grow and every year, it does just that bringing in players, many of whom I haven’t seen, that will or that are capable of playing not only at the next level, but beyond. I’ll drop something special on host team, Texas Phenom, organization as well as the teams that crossed the state line, Louisiana Lightning and Lake City Pride as I do believe in nepotism s that’s coming as well as some Tweets and a little something on the Gram but first, here are some of the standouts from the event and always remember, “it’s not what you do, it’s who you do it against” and even more importantly, who actually WATCHES you do it so thanks to all who sent in rosters, it never stops amazing me at those who turn them in to NOT be seen but what do I know
TIARA YOUNG (UHE LIGHTNING)
2019
Taylor Thomas- guard ( Texas Phenoms 2018) She could always score multiple ways but her ability to run a team and deliver in the clutch has been shown so many times of late including The Classic in Louisville as well as doing CLASSIC Thomas at the State Line Battle. Whether it was a three at the buzzer to send it to OT or an and one for the win, she is ready for whatever you bring
Tiara Young-guard (UHE Lightning) explosive off the dribble is an understatement as she’s long and athletic but knows how to create her shot in tough situations. That first step sets everything else up, nice pull-up in traffic, nails the mid and long range consistently and is just a mismatch waiting to happen. Also sees floor well and does good job defensively
Chelsea Green-guard (Lady Dominators) her energy is one of the main reasons she caught my eye years ago and when you’re fast with the ball early, things usually fall in to place but her ability to catch and shoot the ball with accuracy as well as take defenders off the dribble never stops amazing me
Jordan Walker-forward (Texas Phenoms Black) I love players that won’t let you outwork them, I love players that play the passing lanes and I love players that dive on the floor for loose balls and that combo has become a lost art but it will get you somewhere at the next level. Walker does that, rebounds and finishes strong but that battling ….
Mary Domain-guard (Lady East Elite) she’s one of those “never takes a play-off players” and will defend baseline to baseline but on top of that, I loved the way she got to the basket as well as finish after taking the lick. Creates shot well, hits the mid and long range
Aaliyah Williams-forward (Lake City Pride) power in the paint is one thing yet Williams is overpowering in the paint and that’s offensively and defensively. Watching her score with multiple players hanging her brought back memories and seeing her score from midrange as well as rebound on both ends adds to what she brings to the table
DEONDRA YOUNG (BRAZOS VALLEY ELITE)
2020
Annette Clark- post (Rice Warriors Legacy) at 74 inches, she adds so much to the equation as she battles in the paint, on both ends which enables her to rebound well either way. She runs the floor and can finish on the break, finish with contact on top of that and she has good timing which enables her to block or alter shots
Sydney Bowen –guard (DFW Elite Houston) she wants IT and falling down hitting a 3 to send the game into OT, video is on Twitter, doesn’t sum her game up. Threads the needle with either hand, she’s a strong defender and can take defenders strong off the dribble but that pull-up was clicking
Deondra Young-post (Brazos Valley Elite) 6’3 and athletic is always a plus for the next level and after watching her in depth at an event I was covering, I knew she was on the verge of something. She goes after everything on the boards, finishes inside and has a nice touch facing the basket but still has upside so watch out
TORI GARZA (FLIGHT ELITE)
2021
Tori Garza-guard (Flight Elite) I made an old saying up years ago about big guards that can shoot will have multiple offers and trust me, at 5’10 with her range and age, she will have plenty. No matter who she went up against, she wasn’t flustered and has one of the best pull-ups I’ve seen this season. Huge upside so keep listening
2022
Atria Dumas-forward (Phenoms Red) I love her upside a lot because of the little things she does like playing the passing lane, handling the ball coast to coast and just going hard, oh I didn’t mention she was 5’10. Rebounds and does good job finishing in the paint
Savannah Wilson-forward (Flight Elite 8th Grade) strong body, runs the floor and voila, plays the passing lane but after watching her handle the ball after a steal on one end and dribble it all the way under pressure, I know she is on the right track because she actually thinks the game and that’s always good
Brooklyn Nash-guard (Defenders) don’t know if she’s related to singer Johnny Nash but “I can see clearly” that she is going to create some problems on the court. Her instincts on the court are beyond her years, she can get to the basket almost at will and she defends but that handling the ball under pressure, under control is very good
Cierra Taylor –guard (UHE Lightning Boltz) caught my eye last season and has both of them after this past weekend. She gets to the basket easily, she creates her shot and hits it accurately and she goes hard but when you can defend and regroup as quickly as she can at this stage, wow
2023
Kierra Merchant-guard (Rice Warriors Elite) she has the tools to be a household name, she does things many high school guards are not or can’t do yet she understands how to take over a game when needed as well as get hers in the flow. Already showing she can create her shot and get to the basket, plus handles pressure quite well