2021 Rise 8th/9th Grade Tip Sheet
The 8th/9th Grade Division at Rise gave me a little bit of everything as far as players at different positions who are already showing next-level potential and this is why I do what I do, to look for players who can play SOMEWHERE at the next level.
There are almost 1500 colleges and universities out there, don’t get caught up in D1 or that notion that “if you can play, they will find you” that makes absolutely no sense nor does “chasing scholarships” because more than times than not, you’re not being placed in the right situation0. How do I know this, I’ve been out here over 20 years, I’ve been covering Texas when the other guys, Blue Star, ASGR, Prospect Nation and even Hoopgurlz weren’t covering Texas as a whole until I just said “to hell with it” and did it myself so I know several things regarding how this works, it’s political and many have agendas, I didn’t play their games, my daughter over 100 D1 offers, half of what 4 EYBL teams combined was tweeted out based on some algorithm that made no sense and my daughter played 8 years in the WNBA so click on NCAA link and see how hard it is, well it’s even harder, their numbers are wrong, mine aren’t so here are some of the standouts, rosters were not turned in by any club, thanks to parents who helped out
Tiara Louis (Lady Arnold)
Handles the ball smoothly in traffic, scores off the dribble, and finishes with either hand. Creates her shot, knocks down the jumper.
Azhjanee Mitchell (Lady Arnold)
Strong rebounder, on both ends of the court and did a good job defending both in and outside the paint. Showed she could finish.
Starllett Stout (Arlington Rise)
Long and athletic is the base I use and her timing was nice as she blocked shots as well as rebounded against taller players.
Starbright Charles (Arlington Rise)
Set the defender up nicely with a deceptive first step, this enabled her to get to the rim and finish after contact included.
Makeyla Vation (Pro Skills)
I’m simply speechless as she has D1 written all over because of her scoring and rebounding, not to leave out her defense.
Morgan Davis (Pro Skills)
Heady PG that is showing she can play the combo and her extra inches upward are creating problems on defense.
Reagan Wright (Pro Skills)
Did a good job catching the defender leaning and that enabled her to get to the rim with ease, finishing the same way.
Autumn Willams (Pro Skills)
Handles the ball well in traffic and saw the floor making pinpoint passes on the money for assists, yet she also scored.
Maddison Crawford (Pro Skills)
SDM #sizedontmatter when you can play and that she can as she got to rim whenever she wanted, finished acrobatically.
Ayonma Cooper (Pro Skills)
Her athleticism alone was impressive yet she went after the ball off the rim, scored off the dribble and on putbacks
Kendall Foster(Pro Skills)
She’s long and athletic, handles the ball, and throws passes on the money yet her first step is very nice and it leaves the defender standing in many instances but icing on the cake for me was watching her play the passing lane, very good upside.
2021 Rise 13U Tip Sheet
I talk about the negative social impact has had on the game, said it would over a decade ago, and as usual I was right yet it has also has given me some positives, like meeting a cousin I probably never would have so I was elated to see some new faces on the court. Amarillo Lady Blue Devils came in with a vengeance winning their division, they even turned in a roster before the event and something so simple to help me breeze through what I do is greatly appreciated, so much that I am going to do a Tip Sheet on the whole team later this week but her is Tip Sheet #1, 8th/ 9th Grade will be up later.
Zyonna Walraven (boxing out)
Deveah Johnson (Lady Blue Devils)
MVP of the event, I actually said a bad word a little too loud when she got a steal and went C2C for a layup, playing that passing lane to open the event got me going and she scored off the dribble as well as on putbacks.
Tatyanna Price (Lady Blue Devils)
Asked her if anyone ever used “the Price is right” she said yes, nevertheless watching her drain the long ball in the opener, scoring off the dribble, and throwing touchdown for assists has her in the Showcase Showdown.
Aliana Armitage (Lady Blue Devils)
SDM is the acronym #sizeddontmatter is the hashtag and it applies when you can play and she can. Handles the ball and sees the floor under pressure yet scores easily off the dribble and can drop the jumper, oh yeah, plays the passing lane.
Julia Yarbrough (Lady Blue Devils)
#BATTLES is another hashtag I use when players go after everything off the rim, plus, you won’t outwork her and she attacks strongly but she also plays the passing lane.
Kyleigh Cano (Lady Blue Devils)
#BATTLES was by her name as well, see above on why yet relentlessly going after the ball just does it for me but her attacking the rim, finishing with good body control was also nice.
Kaila Vega (Lady Arnold)
OMG, she too plays the passing lane, I look for bits and pieces and one more time #sizedontmatter when you can play so she’s heady, understands how to control the tempo, and makes the right passes but she also can score, off the dribble included.
Olivia Rivera (Lady Arnold)
Creates her shot, under pressure and showed she could drop the mid to long-range but she also handles the ball in the open court and sees the floor well.
Zyonna Walraven (Lady Arnold)
Took 4 charges while I was paying attention, was on the floor countless times, and went after the ball off the rim, #BATTLES for the trifecta and I can’t remember using that hashtag that many times in one game but she was also named Defensive MVP.
Karsyn Lutrick (55 Buckets)
Has long arms, athletic, yeah it fits, just like the ball going through the nets when she creates her shot but she also scored off the dribble yet her ability to catch and shoot will definitely open some eyes.
Riley Hudson (Texas Rise)
Maybe 6’2, not sure and eyes aren’t 20/20 yet her “inside presence” was nice as she finished around the basket showing nice hands and footwork, also did a good job rebounding.
HONORABLE MENTION
Briley Dawson (Texas Rise) *out with an injury yet her presence cheering teammates on gets her a nod
Ariana Chearis (Texas Rise)
Raine Nyaiteyo (Texas Rise)
Tamasha Johnson (Lady Arnold)
Aaniyah Kitchen (Lady Blue Devils)
Keanu Allen (Lady Blue Devils)
Jami Perkins (Lady Blue Devils)
Angela Deleon (Lady Blue Devils)
Riley Gerber (Lady Blue Devils)
Sydney Snell (55 Buckets)