2015 Cy Fair Invitational Tip Sheet
JOYNER HOLMES
CYPRESS, Texas-With over teams, I had a chance to see a number of players and just about every team at least once in the top division plus many of the top 8th and 9th graders in the state. With teams rolling in from the Metroplex, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, I rolled through a number of schools to try and catch as much as I can and I made it a point to catch one of the teams there from Mississippi and I was glad that I did. Always remember rosters are important and correct information on rosters is even more important but her are 14 of the numerous standouts I saw and I’ll have some mini stories coming on the BLOG on a few teams and players
2016
Joyner Holmes-wing (Cy Fair Ogwumike) I can’t overemphasize my statement of Holmes putting on one of the most dominant performances I’ve seen. She has simply kept adding different skills to her amazing athletic ability I saw when she was in middle school. She defends both P’s, paint and perimeter and she is a nightmare period on both ends and in the overused usage of the word BEAST she was simply terrifying. This is one player that can play just about every position at the next level
Jasmine Williams-forward (AD Elite Peterson) I said she was the most underrated player in Texas with or without a Twitter account and her throwback mindset has always impressed me. She overpowers defenders, she’s strong and gets wherever she wants but her ability to battle in the paint on both ends against taller players is something you can’t teach. She’s improved offensively each year; her ability to finish acrobatically is a joy to watch, with players hanging on her
Monique Terry-forward (South Texas Hoyas Blue) Her height and athleticism told me she was going to play college ball and she could have just settled for that, but she didn’t. Offense has definitely come around and her ability to take over games down the stretch, on either end, was something to see
Alexes Bryant-post (SYE Black) Bryant is another player that was tall and athletic and although somewhat raw, she has definitely been on the grill. She simply won’t let you outwork her; she battles on both ends and has even developed a pull-up in the paint that was effective
Shontae’ Hailes –guard (Southern Phenoms Blue) after a conversation with the coach, I had to give this Mississippi squad a look and after two minutes, I knew Hailes was legit. It would be easier to name ways she couldn’t scorer, like from maybe outside the gym but who knows, after a couple of 30 footers off the dribble with ease, I knew. Right hand, left hand, midrange not to mention a double or triple pump to make me smile, she was something to see
Charmaine McBride-guard (Team Xpress) strong body doesn’t mind contact, plays defense are all great things to have but she simply gets it done. I loved the pull-ups, catch and shoot was awesome to see but she takes defenders off dribble with ease also
ZARIAH McINNIS
2017
Alexus Seaton-guard (Texas Elite Lady All Stars) if I had one word to use as a description it would be explosive and I mean on both ends. She gets to the rim anytime she wants, she can score mid and long range, she rebounds well on both ends and she plays great defense
Kamille Cooper (San Antonio Finest Diamond) how about Super Cooper as she has definitely elevated her game. She’s strong and athletic but she’s a battler on both ends and not only rebounds but scores multiple ways. The great news is that she has tremendous upside which is going to create even more problems
Zariah McInnis (Texas Elite Chuck) that first step is something, she has speed and can handle the ball while using it, that’s always a plus but I like her ability to create off the dribble if she can’t get to the basket more and more after this weekend
2018
Nalyssa Smith-wing (San Antonio Finest Blue) I tweeted she was a BCS LOCK and you can throw away the key. She stands at 75 inches and can shoot the three, she grabs rebounds out of mid-air at an early stage of her career, she blocks shots, she runs the floor and finishes, she handles the ball from the wing, and I’m definitely seeing big things ahead for this young lady
Bre’Asiajah Matthews-wing (Urban Heroes Elite) a lefty that can play on both ends sums it up. She long, almost at that magic number of six feet and she just gets after it on both ends. Excellent timing gave her numerous blocks and that first step was huge because she showed can finish with either hand. She also has a nice midrange game and she’s young
BRI JOHNSON
2019
Taylor Thomas-guard (AD Elite Ice) I love progression and Thomas is one of the most improved players I’ve seen over the past year. More intensity and maturity are definitely showing and she’s gotten stronger as she is finishing well with contact. She’s playing the passing lane and handling the ball in traffic while also creating her shot and seeing the floor quite well
Brianna Johnson-guard (IAF Elite) Her game has always been ahead of her years and the fact that she goes hard on each end falls into that never takes a playoff saying. She’s good enough to not only start for most high schools but receive numerous honors and her mental and physical toughness combined with a number of offensive weapons will have some scratching their heads
Jordan McGee-guard (Lady Warriors 2019) I’ve seen her go off at numerous camps I covered but she’s definitely showing signs of being able to take games over. She handles the ball well, under pressure, she sees the floor extremely well and she does things while being under control yet with speed. She can get to the rim and or launch it from deep past the line