The Peggy Whitley Classic
It was truly a Fantastic Friday out at Clear Creek as I had a chance to see some pretty good talent from some of the top teams in the state. The quarterfinals started with two games as area teams went against out of town squads. Cy Fair met San Antonio Wagner while Clear Springs matched up against Waco Midway. The Cy Fair game started out like most Cy Fair games have this season, Cassie Peoples was on fire however she was getting much needed offensive help from several of her teammates including Kayla Elliot and Gabby Tillman. San Antonio on the other hand was also on fire and I had my first look at Arielle Roberson. Before the game started, I knew this kid could play, just by going through the warm-ups and I was not disappointed. Cy Fair had the lead after one but by halftime, Wagner was in control as Roberson had already scored 15 and freshman Corrina Moncada had knocked down a couple of threes to offset the 12 by Peoples. San Antonio held on to win and will play Clear Springs today in the semis.
Clear Springs went against a very talented and athletic Midway team, problem is Springs is just as talented and athletic and even though I didn’t video this particular play, close your eyes and listen. Well, that won’t work since you’re reading but here’s the play. Aaliyah Brown blocks a shot, and in one motion saves it from going out of bounds while turning her body in the air and throwing it to Courtney Latham who in their backcourt who advanced it to Brooke McCarty for a lay-up. Dianna Jones and Toi Gober led an outstanding cast from Midway but Springs was just on and with the guards they have, at times it seems as if you’re watching a team full of Energizer bunnies, they keep going and going and going.
The return of Mileka Loydrake was a good sign for Springs, Loydrake has battle injuries over the last two seasons and will be a prized catch for some college. Jo Ann Lira also hs been battling minor injuries this year, however she appears to be at full speed. Kaylin Roher continues to improve and impress, hitting countless back breaking shots against Midway. Then you throw Ryshinique Ball who is one of the fastest players in league and creates defensive nightmares. Their match-up against Wagner should be a dandy today.
Once again North Shore pulls one out of their hat and as I have said several times, Courtney Williams doesn’t have to score for them to win. Add this, she doesn’t have to play, at least a lot. Williams was plagued by foul trouble, well many players were however anybody that beats Atascocita has my attention, as it should yours. Seniors Katira Young and TJ Jefferson put the Shore on their backs with the help of Monique Bedford while Williams was on the bench to knock off Elsik, despite the efforts of their talented squad, led by juniors Crystal Porter, Jasmine Ocanas and Akunna Elonu.Elonu initially wasn’t supposed to play after receiving a deep gash on her thigh the previous day that required stitches. Elonu and Raven Hill even offered me a sandwich and popcorn later that evening however after a day in the hospitality room, I could barely walk. The Shore moves on to play Klein Collins today in the other semifinal game.
That HD at KC may not be totally clear however the return of Dominique Dillingham went a long way in having the team pumped up as Klein Collins cruised past Elkins. The game started out close, based on the offense from Jasmyn Howard and Breanna Barnett, Barnett was unstoppable the day before in their upset win over Clear Creek and you may remember Howard hit that backing breaking three against Channelview last season that sent Elkins to the Regional Elite 8, yes the Guru remembers. Dillingham’s Willis Reed like appearance pumped up KC, well Veja Hamilton is always pumped when freshman Infiniti Harris, call her Peanut, comes off the bench to knock down three’s like it “ain’t” nothing, well you’re going to have some problems. Even though Barnett and Howard had 12 and 6 respectively, KC jumped out to a 33-21 halftime lead as Hamilton had 19 and Harris 6. Hamilton finished with 27 points and continues to impress me as she just finds ways to get the job done. I was speaking to several college coaches who all mentioned she reminded them of old school players, I totally agree.
I want to thank Coach Williams and everyone at Clear Creek for the invite and hospitality, listening to Peggy Whitley, Susan Smith and all of the coaches who paved the way for the game in the area was worth my weight in gold and believe me, that’s a lot.
CHAMPIONSHIP
NORTHSHORE (67) SAN ANTONIO WAGNER (45)
Katira Young’s 21 points led the North Shore attack as four Mustang players scored in double figures. Karina Williams and Monique Bedford scored 13 each, while Courtney Williams added 10. Arielle Roberson was magnificent the whole tournament and led the Thunderbirds with 20 points, followed by Aundrea Davis with 10 and Kiara Rivera’s 8.
The Shore’s Williams and Bedford seem to be looking behind and make sure no one is near, after all they are one of the states hottest teams after winning back to back majors, no this isn’t golf, however winning the Katy Tournament last weekend and now the Peggy Whitley Classic, well that’s pretty impressive, even though they lost a close one at home to Hightower on Tuesday. That loss to Hightower was only their second of the season, the first in the Texas Invitational, another major, to North Crowley. Congratulations to all of the teams that competed, you are all winners in the Guru’s book!