UTR Stars HOT at ATT #HeartOfTexas
I opened up my coverage of the Heart Of Texas at the AT&T Center on Friday and the memories from my daughter’s Texas A&M winning there before heading to Final Four on their way to winning the 2011 National Championship had my adrenaline flowing yet what kept it going was so many talented players, many of which who might be Under The Radar so I’ll start with them
Olivia Sauvageau-5’6 PG (THS) Second Baptist [2024]
Sauvageau has settled in with a new team and brings the same energy I am accustomed to seeing wherever she plays. She’s heady and understands how to control the tempo yet her court vision and ball handling under pressure always stand out. She made tough passes look easy ad with the numerous long ball shooters on her squad, she set them up for good looks yet on the flip, she too can drop it from mid to long-range
Gabriella “Gabby” Morales-5’8 SG (HG Elite S40) Frenship [2024]
Morales goes hard, on both ends, and watching her overpower smaller guards in the paint had me smiling. Well, she overpowered taller players as well, hitting the boards on both ends, handling the ball in the open court after rebounding plus her interior defense was solid. I also enjoyed her setting the defender up to create her shot, both from outside and off the dribble as she finished strongly and dropped the jumper with a hand in her face
Madison Martin-5’6 PG (HG Elite S40) Little Elm [2024]
Martin has always impressed me with her intensity, on both ends, and the energy she brings trickles over to her teammates. She is always one of the best “on the ball” defenders when I catch her, she uses her quick hands to get steals but her first step leaves defenders cemented to the court, and her ability to dish going full speed is special. She drops the mid to long-range consistently, and her acrobatic finishes speak volumes about her body control and she plays the passing lane
Resse Hoadley-5’7 SG (Austin Elite RFW E40) Georgetown [2025]
Hoadley has also settled in nicely with her new squad and her poise under pressure just keeps getting better. She thinks the game and understands how to get hers “in the flow” be it mid to long-range or off the dribble, she’s ready yet she also plays “within herself” and just gets the job done. I was also impressed with her defense, baseline to baseline as well as in the set but she still has plenty of upside as I see what’s coming and it’s something else
Aolani Woldai-5’7 PG (True Texas Hoops 2024 National) Brewer [2025]
Woldai sold me years ago as a “never takes a play off” type of player and her “you CAN’T outwork” me shows every time she steps on the court. Her explosiveness off the dribble, even playing at 8:30 after placing in a track meet had me SMH yet she attacks and finishes with either hand, after contact. She also can pass the ball, with either hand, and watching her hit teammates in the open court from 25 feet away had me smiling . Can she shoot it, yes she can in fact she made my SHOOTERS list on PGH Texas
Katie Allen-5’7 SG (GOC) McAlester [2025]
Allen was at the AT&T Center on Day 2, she would have been on my SHOOTERS LIST as well as her dropping from deep at around 45% is equivalent to over 67% of points from regular field goals. What I am seeing about her is that she keeps adding and her midrange game has given her options yet attacking the basket strategically keeps the defender guessing. She can drop off the screen as well as create and release while being defended yet her ability to “catch and shoot” with accuracy keeps getting better
Ti’Heiress Davis-5’8 SG (GOC 2026) McAlester [2026]
Davis will always be THE GLUE as she’s coming up huge flirting with double-doubles at the guard spot. Yes, she can outrebound taller players, and she understands positioning yet she can also score over taller players, after contact, so that gives you an idea of how strong she is. Her #THROWBACK mentality keeps me smiling as she goes after loose balls in the stands as well as on the floor but what I’m also seeing is her range getting deeper and more consistent, plus she elevates on her jumper and drops the midrange as well