Cy Woods and Barbers Hill are tops in area after week 1

HOUSTON, Texas- When the weather took a big change last Tuesday, I knew I was in for a big week and starting off with North Shore hosting Hightower on opening day sort of set the stage on how I think the season will play out. I said the Mustangs and Cy Woods were ahead of everyone else, I still believe that because North Shore has an abundance of scorers and even though all of their shots are not falling at the same time, believe me once playoffs come around they will and that’s going to make a difference. Making a difference right now is Cy Woods who has already knocked off some heavy hitters early, most recently Barbers Hill who defeated North Shore to play Woods in the Lady Gander Tip Off championship final. The Wildcats have a starting line-up of five D-1 players, while the Eagles are flying high with players simply getting it done. 6’9 Nancy Mulkey (Oklahoma) , Erica Ogwumike (Pepperdine) and Tatiana Perez (Tulsa) are returnees from last season’s regional finalist while newcomers Jasmine Williams, transfer from Episcopal and Cate Reece, one of the state’s top freshmen simply are a force to be reckoned with and the good news is that only Perez and Ogwumike are seniors which is huge for next season’s team

Barbers Hill also has one of the state, well countries top freshman, 6’4 Charli Collier who has already committed to Texas. Collier keeps elevating her game and is doing some damage playing multiple positions but several on this team are just creating problems. The two Leah’s, Boel and Silva, can simply go off at the drop of a dime and when you throw in one of the most athletic players in the state, that can play ball, Jakaila Phillips along with Kristina Kana and Kimi Carter, all of those young ladies can knock down the long ball, yes even Collier. Carter helped get them to the finals with a double-double of 19/14, on her birthday at that but several weapons are on this squad and please don’t forget about Abbey Houghton who simply makes things happen. For their performance over the weekend, I now have Barbers Hill at #2 in the area which also means they’re the best 5A team that I’ve seen so far, I know I haven’t seen everyone but this is a pretty darn good squad.

Mulkey is simply a triple double waiting to happen and I love the picture with her, Collier and Perez because the game still starts at the one and Perez is looking smooth as silk distributing or creating for herself. Reece is more of a silent assassin and one more time; don’t ask me if she’s a freshman. Williams has been the X factor so far, need a clutch basket, rebound, defensive play or whatever, she simply does whatever she needs to do to help her team and when you have a group like this that doesn’t care who the leading scorer is or whatever, they simply want to win, well you got something special and with that being said, I always knew Ogwumike would be just that and her DOMINANCE and poise throughout the game and even more importantly, down the stretch has Cy Woods as the top team in the area. This will all be tested at the Texas Invitational where that North Shore vs Cy Woods meeting may take place after all