Elite 8 Predictions

 North Shore vs Elkins

When the season started, I said 7 of last season’s Elite 8 would be factors this season. I also said this might be the year Cy Falls knocks Cy Fair from top dog in their district and I also said Seven Lakes and Clear Springs would be sleepers. I was right on point for the most part, laying an egg on Seven Lakes, who didn’t even make the playoffs, however when your best player, Christen Inman, is out due to injuries, this can have a tremendous effect on a team. A perfect example would be Donielle Breaux who had to sit out until January and helped lead her team to not only an upset win over Hightower in district but keeps me looking like a genius because they should wind up playing North Shore and Courtney Williams in the Elite 8.

Hightower vs Clear Springs

 Speaking of Hightower and North Shore, they played one game earlier in the season, the Mustangs lost by 4 points, only their second loss of the season. North Shore was knocked out last season by Hightower in the Elite 8 after being thwarted by Dulles from going past that point all through the Lauren Flores era,  and their game against Elkins will have two of the top players in the city going at it. Hightower on the under hand are at the top of the bracket and should wind up playing Clear Springs. The Canes and their three towers, the Gilbert twins and Jasmine Prophet, plus an electrifying back court have been solid all season with only a few miscues, while Brooke “The Chosen One McCarty” mere presence on the court takes Spring to another level.

Bellaire vs Elsik

I expected more from Bellaire this season, however they have been in most of their losses and after losing the HISD Championship to Westside, they beat the Wolves both games in district for their “FOURTH” consecutive district title and sixth in eight seasons. Last year they pulled off the impossible, coming back from over 20 to beat Elsik in the quarterfinals then losing to Hightower by 6 in the championship, led by AJ Alix who averaged close to 30 for the playoffs after dropping 40 in the Regional Final. They’re on a collision course to meet Elsik again, but this Elsik team isn’t the same as it was last season. Jasmine Ocanas showed she needs to be mentioned among the top guards from the Class of 2012. Ocanas, along with juniors Akunna Elonu and Crystal Porter are as good a threesome as any in the area and they are the only team to knock off the team I consider as the one to beat, Cy Falls.

Cy Falls vs Katy Taylor

Cy Falls knocked Cy Fair off the district throne and have everything it takes and more to get out of here. They have the “bigs”, they have the “bomb squad”, they have the bench and they also have Sedalia Ellis who has come into her own. Falls should have no problem making it to the Elite 8, already beating both Memorial and Westside; however it can be tricky after that. Providing Katy Taylor and Cy Fair both win their first round games and play each other, that winner would play Falls. Katy Taylor has already pulled off major upsets this season by beating Hightower, Atascocita and Elsik.  Cy Fair has a McDonald’s  All American in Cassie Peoples who is capable of putting up some big numbers from every spot on the court and any way imaginable. Cy Fair has made it to state four consecutive seasons and to the Regional Final Four six straight seasons, in either Region 2 or 3.

Over in Region 2, we have three teams that could possibly make it to state and these three should make it to the Elite 8. Dekaney took no prisoners, even after their star sophomore tore her ACL. The team has many gifted athletes and their press creates problems for many. The Woodlands already have knocked off Atascocita once and would have to knock off Dekaney for the tiebreaker game, providing Curtyce “Fort” Knox and company get by Georgetown and McDonald All American Crystal Fortham, which would get them to the Region 2 Final Four. Call me a homer if you want, but I would love to see an all-area final. Good luck to all the teams and may the best one win!