Diamond In The Rough shows many 2020 Monsters
One thing I love is seeing young players getting after it and showing promise and by young I’m talking in most cases pre middle school and there have been a number of players throughout my observing talent from this century starting with my own daughters. After watching several players that were in the 2020 class, I just knew big things were coming, Deyana Gaston, Deja Kelly, Sarah Andrews, and Jordan Merritt had #BCSLock written all over them at very young ages and although some say you shouldn’t do this or say that and I completely agree if you don’t know what you’re talking about and it’s definitely a whole lot of the latter but at PassThaBall’s Diamond In The Rough, I had a chance to revisit many players from what I called a “Monster Class” after seeing above mentioned and others so here’s a breakdown on the talented 2020 group from Diamond In The Rough
Sarah Andrews-5’7 guard (MacArthur) first time I saw her play I asked what high school she was heading to, she was in 5th grade, shall I stop? Well, she sure hasn’t and when you not only play up and show up against talented older players, things will fall into place, trust me I definitely know. Mid to long-range, creates shot under pressure, finishes with contact, defends and rebounds
Hannah Gusters -6’5 post (Duncanville) every time I watch her she shows me something different and when you have a college-ready body and doing college-ready things at this stage you definitely have an advantage. She uses her size very well, rebounds on both ends, finishes strong, alters shots, all on point as well as interior defense but I’m watching her face the basket and score as well as play defense out of the paint
Jewel Spear-5’8 guard (The Colony) I guess it would be easier to type what she can’t do but I wouldn’t fill up a line yet one thing I do know is she can fill up the basket and I mean scores MULTIPLE ways, blows by defenders, midrange, long-range, out of radar, whatever and she can handle ball, under pressure, as well as bring heat on defense
Tommisha Lampkin-6’2 forward (Summit) I’ve always loved throwback players that simply got it and this definitely applies to this young lady. You won’t outwork her, she definitely is a #BEAST on the inside and when you show me at a young age you’re willing to go after everything and with her size and frame, all bets are off as how high she flies at the next level
Tamia Jones-5’7 guard (The Colony) definitely knows how to use her athleticism to score, that first step is the key because it enables her to blow by defenders or stop and pop but the bottom line is she puts the ball in the basket
Mia Smith-5’11 forward (Lebanon Trail) tall and long multiplied by athleticism and desire means, ding ding ding. Love how she keeps adding a variety of weapons, length alters shots on defense and gets off shots on offense but that ability to get the basket coupled with size is huge
Chelsea Wooten-5’8 guard (McKinney North) you can’t teach speed and you certainly can’t teach it with the ball so with her athleticism, she’s shown me a variety of things on both ends over the past few years and she keeps adding to that. Scores and sees the floor quite well plus defends
Jordyn Williams-5’9 guard (Parkview) good size and shows power on both ends but getting to the rim with ease and finishing with contact definitely are pluses right now but she keeps adding more whenever I catch her
Micah Cooper-5’5 guard (Life School) another pre MS player that just left me speechless via video at that because watching her handle the ball, I nicknamed her Candy Girl because I knew her game was going to be sweet and a growth spurt has definitely put her in the mix as she mixes up speed and athleticism to her advantage. Handles ball under pressure, saw that one coming, but that first step and ability to score and defend all are on point
Daxia Melton-5’9 guard (Hebron)when you play hard on both ends, someone will always notice and when you do it every time a knowledgeable evaluator gets to see you, that means something and Melton definitely does that as she gets to the basket and finishes strong plus pressure defense always is something she brings to the table
Hailey Grant- 6’0 guard (Claremore) got a lot of symbols by this young lady’s name but a 72 inch guard that can handle the ball and attack relentlessly is always big and when you combine her length and ability to create her shot, she shoots midrange very well, there are going to be some problems defending her
Kamryn Arrington-5’8 guard (South Grand Prairie) okay athleticism is always good but when you can play and understand how to use it, well that makes it great. I was sweating watching her bring heat on defense baseline to baseline but two things, the ability to shoot the long ball and go by defenders certainly adds to the puzzle
Makenzie Schillmoeller-5’8 guard (Euless Trinity) creates shot very well under pressure and can shoot not only the long ball but that ever so important midrange consistently and on top of that she rebounds well on both ends
Nina Millner-5’4 guard (Timberview) definitely caught my eye I guess in 3rd or 4th grade as a #sizedontmatter guard because she just got after it. Prototype point guard that knows how to run a team and get teammates involved makes the right passes and understands how to set teammates up
Sierra Dickson-5’7 guard (Hebron) athletic guard that defends well baseline to baseline plus understands the game. Showed she could score and was willing to take shot in crunch time
Jordan Webster-5’9 guard (Prestonwood) good size and energy, very athletic guard that can score and defend baseline to baseline, good upside plus ability to score multiple ways
Teya Thomas-5’8 guard (Prosper) anticipates pass is something I always love to see from players but she relishes getting after it and with her athleticism, she can create problems on both ends
Heaven Butler-5’7 guard (MacArthur) athletic guard that has range, deep range and that gives her options because if you guard her tightly she’s showing she can go by for the pull-up
Aazayleah Pirtle-5’7 guard (South Grand Prairie) another athletic guard that applies heat baseline to baseline and her energy level doesn’t change. Also showed she could score multiple ways
Rayma Ross-5’10 guard (Waxahachie) big guards are definitely a premium and combined with athleticism and strength, Ross has no problem getting wherever she wants and finishing strong, with contact
Erin Fry-5’7 guard (McKinney) another young lady I’ve had the pleasure of watching for some time, the main thing I look for is progression and she keeps adding more to her arsenal
Ash’a Thompson-5’11 forward (Desoto) good size and upside and the jumps I keep saying are definitely more than pleasant because she shows the fire needed to keep the heat going. Athletic, rebounds, defends and shows she can score
Dashia McMillan-6’0 forward (Grapevine) been watching this young lady for what seems like forever already but standing at the magic number definitely gives her options. Can face the basket and hit the midrange or score inside, very active on both ends of the court
Jillian Sowell-5’9 forward (Carroll) athleticism was always there but the mindset is what blew me away years ago because she just won’t quit. Defends all over the court, dives after loose balls plus she can get by defenders either for the jumper or all the way for baskets
Lanae Johnson-Kleinpeter-5’6 guard (Timbercreek) it’s always good to be able to shoot the long ball and keep defenses honest and when you can “catch and shoot) consistently, that definitely creates problems for the other squad and she definitely brings that to the table but the table isn’t completely set as she keeps adding more