Texas Nike Challenge highlights March Fest

How good was the DFW Elite’s BigTyme March Fest? Very good as I’ll use the “off the chain” phrase I give to players when they do really well. There were times when my head was spinning trying to decide which court to focus on because with all of the next level players I had a chance to watch either for the first time or observing others to see who had actually improved, it was a can’t miss for me. There was an abundance of talent, I mentioned I saw hundreds of young ladies that will be playing college basketball and many had a chance to not only show where the bar was set,  but also raised it and in doing so elevated their statuses as far as where they stand on national scouting services. There were several talented teams that put on shows and many games went down to the wire however opening night, the majority was waiting on one game in particular Although this isn’t the official name but just to set the stage for Round 2, I think I’ll call the first 2013 meeting between Cy Fair Shock Nike Elite and DFW T-Jack “The Texas Nike Challenge” and it was a challenge even before the game started as seats were becoming scarce and this game was hyped as everyone was anticipating the showdown.  Even I was receiving tweets from Duncanville residents asking me about where the game was and if you recall I had already witnessed “The Game” a five overtime thriller in Duncanville back in December during the Sandra Meadows Classic so all sorts of thoughts were traveling through my head.

The Shock recently added two Duncanville stars to their roster, Ariel Atkins and Tasia Foman, both recently committed to Texas after their second consecutive state title, and they will join fellow Longhorn commit Brooke McCarty. I tweeted that Atkins was one of the best female players I have personally seen in my life during the Sandra Meadows Classic and anyone who witnessed her performance on Saturday night probably know why I made the statement. T-Jack jumped out to a 5-0 lead only to see Cy Fair score 10 unanswered points and by the end of the half, the stars were shining for both teams as McCarty and Atkins kept Cy Fair close as they were down two, 34-32. T-Jack stars Brianna Turner and Mackenzie Calvert were carrying much of the load for DFW something they both did during the school year. Calvert in fact helped her high school team, Cibolo Steele, make it to the state final against Foman and Atkins’ Duncanville squad who defeated McCarty’s Clear Spring in the semis, well you probably knew that. What you probably don’t know is how a couple of players from each club team have already taken their games to another level as T- Jack’s Ashley Hearn has added so many elements to her game that I almost needed a periodic table while Erica Ogwumike stepped up big and her back three pointers gave Cy Fair the cushion they needed to hold on to this victory. Before this season is over, I’m sure I’ll have just about every one of the players from both teams on one of my “Tip Sheets”, it’s that much talent and they are that good. Round 2 coming up soon!