Even though there is some good information already posted in other threads, me thinks this subject deserves its own thread. So my seeding attempt is from the DMNews Sunday. Top storyline concerns Duncanville’s chance of repeating. They have already played 7 games that was decided by 9 points or less. Leading the pack to dethrone the 10 time champion are Converse Judson, Cibolo Steele and Plano. Plano’ s chances depend on Merritt’s ability to play through an ankle injury. Argyle won the last 3 state championships in 4A. Fresno State signee Gabby Standifer is the leader with Vivian Grey in college. With 7 losses this year, may be tough. DeSoto has 2 White girls committed to SMU and just loss to Duncanville by 1 in OT on Tuesday. They are 25-6 and ranked 14th. Plano is 28-6 and ranked 4th. Without Merritt, they lost to Plano East on Friday. Mansfield Timberview is 34-2 and is the only team to beat Duncanville this year. They also beat Plano and Frisco Lone Star (no. 3 in 5A ). All 3 of those victories were in a 2 day stretch in November. Dark Horses are McKinney 25-10, Allen 27-8, and Irving McArthur 24-11. Sarah Andrews the 8th best player in nation plays for McArthur. I will have to check the paper tomorrow to see if there is a good match-up close by for Monday and Tuesday. These number 1 vs number 4 games are generally non-competitive. Perhaps there is a good one. Would love to hear about results from other parts of the state.
Having checked brackets today, the best game will be Plano vs LD Bell at Coppell HS. Get to see Merritt vs Myra Gordon. Plano is really good even without Merritt to go 2 rounds into playoffs. But probablematic after that. Hope she plays tonight. Regardless, it will make the wife happy to get me out of the house so she can watch ice skating. Ya’ll will have to pull the Horns through the Bears tonight.
I'll be curious to get your feedback on Gordon. Hopefully, Merritt will return to action. Although she probably won't be 100%.
Plano up by 6 at half. Merritt with 2. Gordon must have 22 of the 25 points for LD Bell. I truly can’t remember but one free throw and one early bucket by another player. It is 1 on 5. She is the real deal. Plano will ultimately win by 15-20 as Bell is overmatched but scrappy. Better scouting report later.
We’ll chalk this up to a lapse in coaching judgement in my fair and biased opinion. Plano was up 14 early in fourth and it looked like they would cruise to the end.........and the Plano coach went into a full court press. This opened up the court to not only Gordon but others. It quickly closed to 4 with 2-1/2 minutes, then 3 with 34 seconds left. Bell had the ball and Gordon turned it over in backcourt in a triple team situation then fouled the Plano player. That fouled Gordon out so they never got to shoot a 3 for the tie. I have no earthly idea why he changed when they were in control and had the half-court game locked down.
Charli not the only one putting up big numbers in the first round. Deja scored 45 out of Johnson’s 58.
Merritt made two three pointers and looked better the second half. She has a MUCH better team around her so doesn’t have to assert herself that much. She is a very nice player. However, Gordon is quite a player. I had never seen her but remember some comments the last year were they Myra was better than Lexi. I can see why. Merritt and Gordon are both sophomores and play different games so it is not fair to compare. Gordon is a very strong, physical and athletic 6-0’’ point guard. Merritt is a long, lithe, athletic wing who plays off the ball. Gordon simply can’t be stopped at this level driving to the basket. She made her only 3 pointer of the game and I think one mid-range shot. All others were hard slashes to the basket cutting and forcing her body between players. She has amazing body control. She defeated double and triple teams to get to the rim all night. Bell asked her to bring the ball down against pressure and run the offense. She was exhausted at times and she simply had to rest on defense. Gordon is the real deal. Will be very interesting where both these players end up.
Story on Charli’s 52-point night. http://vype.com/nehouston/2018/02/1...-hill-takes-first-step-towards-ultimate-goal/
No mention of Lolo Davenport. Assuming she did not play for Plano?? Any idea if this is an injury or disciplinary issue? She was not mentioned in the “Premier Basketball” review of Plano High?
Looks like Deja’s last 2 of her 45 were the game winning points. Good to see she battled after her initial miss to get the offensive rebound and putback.
Johnson should play Cibolo Steele this weekend with players to watch Desi Caldwell (USC), Aja Holmes, Torrianna Nesbitt (A&M CC), Bria McClure. Should be a very good game to watch!
Davenport hasn’t played for Plano in a couple of months. She is not hurt that anyone can tell. Won’t play this year again until Delaware.
I didn’t make a Tuesday night playoff game but here are some tidbits courtesy of today’s DMNews: Duncanville won by 70....yes 70. McKinney won by 41. Think they get Duncanville next? Rockwall beat The Woodlands by 21. DeSoto beat Copperas Coveby13. Lincoln beat Bridgeport by 27. Allen beat Lewisville by 4. Bishop Lynch won by 20 with Rogers with 21 and Green with 20. After first round there were zero major upsets. The only minor one was Keller with a 18-14 record beat a decent Arlington Martin squad. Next round will be really interesting as some outstanding matchups. More on that on Thursday.
All games Friday, 2/16: Sedona - Liberty Hill vs Mexia, 6 p.m., Hearn High School Audrey - Boswell vs. NRH Birdville, 6:30 p.m., Trophy Club Nelson HS Charli - Barbers Hill vs Shadow Creek, 6:00 p.m., Delmar Fieldhouse Deja - Johnson vs Clark, 7:00 p.m., Alamo Convocation Center
Lots of good options for Friday. Might go to see Warren and see if Boswell is as good as I think. But Duncanville vs McKinney at Coppell is tempting. McKinney is playing really well and gave the Panthers a good game earlier. Since it is only 5 miles from home that probably gets my time. Even though there a lots of ties to Duncanville.....I just have to pull for the underdog(s).
Deja & co could make it another round or 2. They were supposed to play Steele, but they were upset by a Clark team that is fundamental but not very talented. Excited to see how far Deja can take the team with more of an open field ahead of them.
Somebody post the Duncanville game. I switched and am at Irving MacArthur vs Allen. Decided to see Sarah Andrews for first time. Scouting report on her later in the 2020 thread....along with some inside recruiting info on her leaders.
Ellis was right. The Houston High School Athlete of the Year award was given out too soon. It's hard for me to believe that any other high school athlete in Houston has had a better year than Charli.
Johnson and Deja Kelly fall to Clark. Audrey and Boswell avenge the last minute upset by Birdville last February.
