Preseason Picks and Now
2014 SUPER SOPH KAYLA NEVITT
Basketball is a simple game and sometimes it can be made more complicated than it needs to be. The girl’s game has changed in so many ways over the years, some good, some not so good however one thing that can always be said is the cream usually rises to the top. When I did my preseason rankings for “Da Magazine”, I put a lot of thought into how the season would play out, not look and see who had the cutest uniforms or whatever system some people use but then again I cover the area year round, I know and have watched most of the players basically since middle school and I’m usually right about everything I say regarding this stuff and that’s not bragging only keeping it real in a time where that seems to be a lost art. Out of my Top 10 teams, nine of them are still alive, this includes one school from 4A and two schools from Region 2 and two of those nine have already reached the regional semifinals. Keep in mind I had all but wrote North Shore and Hightower off after major injuries to Monique Bedford and Taylor Gilbert, yet here they are which has me telling myself to never second guess a GURU
This was my preseason prediction
1.CLEAR SPRINGS CHARGERS (24-5A) –Clear Springs had a terrific run last season before they lost in the regional semifinals to Elsik. I didn’t think they would advance to the Regional Final 4 because of their youth however their press made a believer out of me. Their youth shouldn’t be an issue this season as Brooke “The Chosen One” McCarty (5’6 SOPH), Courtney Latham (5’9) JR and Aaliyah Brown (5’8 SR) lead a talented group of players ready to take it up a notch.
2.HIGHTOWER HURRICANES (23-5A) – While many teams across the county would love to have one D1 post player, the Hurricanes are blessed with three. Taylor Gilbert (6’2 SR), Tyler Gilbert (6’2 SR) and Jasmine Prophet (6’1 SR), have one of the best frontlines that have come through Houston and after playing in the state championship game season before last, the Hurricanes have the strength to be a Category 5
3.CY FALLS EAGLES (17-5A) –The Eagles spent more time ranked number one in the state than any other team last season and even though they lost two starters to graduation, they are someone that you don’t want to blow off. Sadallia Ellis (5’8 SR) and Kit Metoyer (5’9 SR), team up with a much improved Carol Willie (6’2 JR) as they try and finish what they started last season
4. DEKANEY WILDCATS (13-5A) – Alexis Durley (5’7 SR) could have easily been a Top 100 player, as well as so many others in our area however none of that really matters because she is the player that makes the most athletic team in the city go on and on and on. She and fellow senior Shunta Nevitt (6’0 SR) have been around almost since the beginning of Dekaney’s program and they plan on going out with a bang, especially since Shunta’s younger sister Kayla Nevitt (5’9 SOPH), has taken it to another level
5.NORTH SHORE MUSTANGS (21-5A) –Courtney ”The Truth” Williams (6’2 SR) is the best player in the city. She can take over games anytime she wants to and also play every position, but you probably already knew that. Monique Bedford (5’8 SR) is their unsung hero capable of doing spectacular things however the Mustangs also have two starting spots to fill and one of those is the most important spot on the floor. How well this team does could depend on how quickly their newcomer Adriiana Jackson (5’0 FR) can adjust to the rigors of running the point at the varsity level.
6.THE WOODLANDS HIGHLANDERS (14-5A)-Paige Bradley has developed into a D1 point guard. Known early as just a three point shooter, she knows how to run a team, distribute when needed and get the ball to the right people in the right spots and when you have one of the tallest players in the area Kelsey Lang (6’4 JR) as a target, that helps a lot. Don’t be surprised when the Highlanders surprise some opponents as sharpshooter Ashlyn Hargraves (5’7 SR) and tough as nails Anna Strickland (5’9 SR) help round out the arsenal for Bradley.
7.MANVEL LADY MAVERICKS (24-4A)– Briana Turner (6’2 SOPH) joins Chiney Ogwumike and Courtney Williams as 6’2 players from the city that could dominate from multiple positions. Manvel almost went to state in 4A last season with Jade Castille (5’8 SR) almost scoring at will, this season could the smart money has to be on them with the addition of Turner and freshman Jordan Hosey (6’2 FR), who is on the verge of making that 6’2 trio a foursome
8.BELLAIRE CARDINALS (20-5A)– The Cardinals were not on my initial Top 10 list however after watching them bring the heat so far this fall, even in a game without A.J. “The Real Deal” Alix (5’8 JR). Raven Burns (5’9 SR), Regina Harris (5’8 SR) and Bianca Winslow (5’9 SR) came in together as one of the most talented freshmen classes and after making back to regional final appearances in their first two seasons, don’t count them out
9.ELSIK RAMS (18-5A) – The surprise representative from Region 3 last season did it without any depth as they ran with usually a 6-8 player rotation. This season they will have even less depth however seniors Jasmine Ocanas (5’8 SR), Crystal Porter (5’11 SR) and Akunna Elonu ( 6’0 SR) have never lost a district game and they somehow always seem to get the job done