2013 Texas Spring Invitational GPR Tip Sheet
Alexus Seaton (ball) and Taylor Miller (background)
This has been an exciting season so far, especially for me because it seems like each tournament I’m covering, there are new stars stepping up to the plate doing things I might have missed before. To be honest, I could have done a Tip Sheet of at least ten from every position because it was that much talent at the Texas Spring Invitational and although I have my combined total of 20 between this one and the one I did for Fullcourt.com, the mini stories are Tip Sheets within themselves
2014
Marquisheia Kelly-6’0 forward-DFW Elite East Texas
Not only is Kelly at the magic number, she’s long and athletic and she’s a perfect example of my there’s talent everywhere in Texas saying. She’s long and athletic, can get to rim and finish as well but what I like even more is that she battles for every rebound on both ends of the floor
2015
Taylor Miler-5’8 guard/forward-DFW Elite Peoples
A quick glimpse at her height would make you think tweener until you actually saw her play. She’s one of the best 5’8 rebounders I’ve seen in a while but that’s because of her on the court work ethic. She can go the rim strong and finish with either hand and she gave me a bonus by nailing some 15 footers
Tana Driver-5’1 guard-DFW Elite Gold
I don’t know what I like about Driver more. The fact that she does what she does on the court at 5’1 or the fact that she’s cool and never gets rattled no matter what. She has gotten stronger and faster since I saw her a couple of years ago at a camp and her ability to run a team is second to none
Alaysia Ready in D1 traffic
2016
Alexis Gaulden-5’4 guard-Oklahoma Lady Magic
I brag about Texas talent but our surrounding states aren’t shabby either and no matter what tournament I’ve ever attended since I’ve been doing this has there not been an Oklahoma player that impressed me. Gaulden is speedy and I’m talking with the ball and her body control has highlight finishes embedded in my mind as I type
Alaysia Ready-5’6 guard-Arkansas Mavericks
I told her dad last year that the video didn’t do her justice after watching her live because live was better than Memorex. Live is also better than memory as in last years because if anyone has moved up the next level tier, this is your player. She’s goes hard on both ends the whole game and even though the package wasn’t complete just yet, the way she’s thinking the game has me Ready to tie the bow
Janik Alexander-Smith-5’10 forward-South Texas Hoyas
Another hidden gem from the Alamo City, Smith can do some damage as she combines athleticism with old school mentality of not being outworked to actually rebound just as good or better than taller players. Aside from being aggressive, she runs the floor well and her strength enables her to complete the deal on offense
Bri Wickiware-6’1 forward-Flower Mound Lady Thunder
Wickware is a name I won’t forget because when I walk in a gym and a new player wakes me up off the top, that’s a big plus. She’s long and athletic but attacked the basket from every angle possible. That length also had her above just about everyone for rebounds and when she showed great form from midrange, I was sold
2017
Andrea Martinez-5’4 guard-Cy Fair Nike Elite AC
Last week at the Cy Fair Invitational she told me I missed her previous game in which she dropped six long ones and I responded I’m here now. She dropped two in the first three minutes and had three at the half when I left. Last weekend she was all smiles and rightfully so after dropping over 15 for the weekend including eight in one game, she finished with 30 in that game. Guard this kid once she enters the building!
Alexus Seaton-5’8 guard-DFW Team Loaded
Loaded is the right name for the team because they are truly that. With notes like I have on everyone, I could have picked any one of them. Seaton is athletic and this enables her to not only attack anytime she want but finish with either hand. If you throw that out of the window, the way she sees the floor is a plus
2019
Briauna Johnson-5’4 guard-DFW Elite Houston 2017
Johnson pulls off the playing up gig without a hitch and although it’s hard, it’s especially hard if you happen to be small. What impressed me more than her ball handling and offense was her defense and time and time again she fought through picks, well just fought through everything to show she belonged