5A-Early Look At Region 3

BELLAIRE

To say last season was a letdown is surely an understatement. Bellaire had made it to the Regional Finals back to back seasons on the strength of their youth. The second of the two was more memorable because AJ Alix put the team on her back as a freshman and put up numbers like no other freshaman had from the Elite 8 on, climaxing with 40 in their champioship loss to Hightower. A second round upset last season to Cy Woods should have lingered on their minds as what could have been and now the team that was so young with the bright future enters another era as three point extraordinaire Raven Burns and defensive whiz Bianca Winslow are now seniors. Burns had an outstanding summer and is one of the top shooters in the city plus Brianne Jolivet and Blake Hemmit’s presence down low will be felt more, not to mention the two sophomores with a season under their belt, Lulu McKinney and Angel Williams. They will once again be the best team in HISD, how far they go depends on how high the Cardinals can fly.

KATY TAYLOR 

I’m assuming replacing Amanda Jungwirth should be an issue for the Mustangs this season, after all she was there do it all wing that kept everything together, along with Amira Jenkins who elevated her status to “BEAST” several times during the season. Taylor came from nowhere and knocked two #1 teams off and for 24 minutes, almost pulled off the hat trick. Kendall Covington grew up fast as a freshman and Jada Roberts was steady in their controlled offense but I expect Taylor to again be a contender with healthy sharpshooter Holly Ray along with all everything Logan Johnson who appears to be ready to fill Jungwirth’s spot.  

HIGHTOWER

Year before last, they made it to the State Championship game against Cy Fair and hopes were very high they would manage to repeat that feat. Clear Springs press was a bit too much for them in the Elite 8 however the Hurricanes aren’t done just yet?. They have the luxury of having not one or two but three of the best players in the city over 6’0 tall. Junior Jasmine Prophet and U of H commits Tyler and Tyler Gilbert are hungry for revenge and if what I saw in the summer is any indication of what to expect, watch out. The biggest question is whether losing two next level backcourt players, Raven Lane and Brittney Matthews, will have a significant effect. Alaina Heard will step in nicely at one guard however after being used primarily as a sixth man last season. That void, along with a starting two guard will have to be filled.

 NORTH SHORE

It’s early folks but the season is also right around the corner. If you thought the last few years were crazy in Region 3, look for more of the same this season as we have come to the conclusion that anything is possible. I’ll break down the teams I feel that have the best chance to get out of here, all regions included, which means absolutely nothing since I rode Cy Falls and Atascocita until the bitter end. Then I’ll finish up with my Top 10 teams from the area, all classes. First up, I’ll start with “Da Shore”. MDAA candidate Courtney Williams has come along way since I first saw her, the talent was already there however she has become a more vocal leader on the court and will parlay that over to to Texas A&M next season. North Shore will go as far as Williams and fellow senior Monique Bedford take them however another Williams, 2012 Karina, will be looked upon for more offense. The biggest question is who will fill the shoes of Katira Young and TJ Jefferson. Young was good for a double-double every time she stepped on the floor while Jefferson, who wasn’t overly fast, used her smarts to get the right people the ball at the right time, check her out at HBU this season. Several players from JV are looking for their shot however the biggest boost may come from 2015 GPR Watch List Adriiana Jackson.