All five teams won their district championships, so I guess I was right, but I also missed some teams that really stepped up and surprised me. The biggest surprise for me has been Nimitz (31-1) they have never advanced past the second round since the arrival of Griner however she has added much more to her game than blocks and dunks. College Park(31-2) was one of my sleeper teams along with Cinco Ranch (21-13) and those three teams also won their district championships. Before we go any further, these records are from our local newspapers website and they may not be fully accurate but they are close.
Okay, my favorite to get out of Region 3 is, as it was from day one is Dulles, led by Kelsey Bone however to get out of here they probably have to beat North Shore, led by Lauren Flores. Dulles is loaded and can hurt you so many ways with firepower coming from long range by Jasmine Henderson and Hershira Rodgers, inside help from Amber Arceneaux and strong defense from Trayvia Hart. North Shores Flores can flat out take over a game but she is also one of those kids that make everyone around her better and she has some help as well from Arielle Preston, one of the best 3 point shooters in the city and freshman sensation Courtney Williams. If Dulles and North Shore do meet, the winner would likely face Nimitz and Griner in the regional semifinals, however Nimitz would probably have to beat Cinco Ranch, a team that has knocked them out of the playoffs the last two years. I can’t say enough about Griner taking her game to another level and not just a Youtube highlight film. This kid is hitting baseline jumpers, shooting down at the goal, running the floor with ease, well 4or 5 long steps will do it. Jessica Diamonds sweet jumper keeps teams honest, plus the emergence of Chrishauna Parker, sophomore and 5’ freshman Jasmine Clark. Note on Clark, came in game against Dulles back in December and nailed three 3s when Nimitz was flat cold and kept them in the game. Cinco has really come along on the back of 6’2 scoring sensation Demi Clinch who just dropped 32 last night in CLINCHING Cincos 6th straight district title. Kelli Ross is a four year starter and Tara Cioccia who can light it up. Bellaire has a chance to go back to regionals for the first time since 2004 when they were led by a kid named Carla Cortigo. Carlas gone, but Taylor McGilbras running the point and Zoe Rogers and Annette Davis are clogging up the middle. Annette dad, Antonia, played in the NBA. I guess Bellaire has a history of dads from the league playing there. Freshman Bianca Winslows dad Ricky, played for the Bulls and was an original member of Phi Slamma Jamma. Another freshman is sharpshooter Raven Burns who at one point made 15 out of 20 threes over 3 games.
Finishing out my Houston Elite Eight are Cy Fair, College Park and Westfield. Cy Fair started off slowly but Chiney is one of my favorite players to watch. She adds something to her game every season and works hard. Erica Reyna is a 3 point specialist that finishes with her left better than most left handed players, she’s right handed. Cassie Peoples, verballed to Texas as a sophomore, enough said. College Park presses the paint off the floor and Smalls is the key, probably the states all time steal leader. I would be willing to bet she has close to 1000 for her career. Westfield has Carter, a top ranked guard from Texas. Carter has a natural jumper, powerful build and a chance to go back to regional’s again. These teams are in Region 2, which gives the Houston area an excellent chance to have an all Houston final. This has been an interesting season and to be honest with you, I wouldn’t be surprised if a sleeper team came through, such as Hightower, which plays in District 23, one of the areas strongest and most competitive districts year end and year out. I guess having Diamond Ford doesn’t hurt, I saw her nail 11 threes in an AAU game once and drop 40 in another. It was a silent 40 at that.
Notes
Lauren Flores became the all time leading scorer for N Shore breaking future WNBA player Danielle Crockroms record
Kelsey Bone has led Dulles to regional semifinals 2 years in a row
Chiney Ogwumike has a chance to make her 3rd straight trip to Austin, they won state last year and was runner up her freshman year
Notable players from these teams are:
Dulles-Kelsey Bone, Amber Arceneaux and Jasmine Henderson
Bellaire-Zoe Rogers, Jade Handy and Annette Davis
North Shore-Lauren Flores, Courtney Williams and Arielle Preston
Cy Fair-Chiney Ogwumike, Erica Reyna and Cassie Peoples
Westfield-Gevenia Carter, Rachelle Thomas and Simone Hopes
Cinco Ranch-Demi Clinch, Tara Cioccia and Kelli Ros
Nimitz-Brittany Griner, Crishaunna Parker and Jessica Diamond
College Park-Monique Smalls, Megan Shafer and Nicole Morgan
Hightower-Diamond Ford, Bria Butler and Bridgette James
I have seen some great players come through this city but over the past 4 or 5 years, Houston has finally started getting the attention it deserved, on a National scale. This season will mark the end of another chapter because I remember so many of the seniors as 10 and 11 year olds running up and down the court. I have heard several stories through the years, but this one is probably one of the funniest. Kelsey Bone had this huge growth spurt at 9 or 10 and like most kids, she wasn’t as athletic as she is now. Well this coach walks up to her mom and tells her “You may want to consider putting her in modeling school, she will never be a basketball player”
I became involved in Houston Girls Basketball around 10 years ago because my daughters wanted to play; in fact my youngest is the starting point guard for Texas A&M. I am going into my eight year as an assistant for the Houston Insiders Girls Basketball Club and this has given me the chance to look at things from so many perspectives. I plan on covering as much Texas ball as I can over the summer so all I can say is be ready.