Brianna TurnerHOUSTON -- The Lone Star State is never lacking for talent. Right now, the Houston Metro Area is producing as many as the nations top prospects as any area in the country. That made the Texas Invitational a must-see on our coverage calendar this year.
Brooke McCarty (Houston, Texas) - Clear Springs HS - 2014
At just 5-foot-4, it would be easy for McCarty to blend in pre-game with the crowd or in-game with the action. However, with her multi-colored Beats headphones and ability to make the crowd ooh and ahh, the future Texas Longhorn always stands out. Her lightning quick foot-speed with the ball in her hands puts in a class that few nationwide are a part of. More importantly, McCarty seemingly always has her A game in tow and never backs down from a challenge.
In a pool game versus Manvel, the nations No. 11 ranked junior went toe-to-toe with No. 2 Brianna Turner and multiple floaters later, emerged as the victor. With her future coach Karen Aston looking on, McCarty got loose, scoring crucial baskets in between causing havoc for the opposing guards on the defensive end and turning in the weeks signature performance.
SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS?
Brianna Turner (Pearland, Texas) - Manvel HS - 2014
Turner has had a basketball-filled six-month run winning two gold medals with USA Basketball teams all the while playing in club tournaments nationwide. The 6-4 forward has used those experiences to round out her game. Defensively she is doing a good job of defending on the interior and rebounding the basketball. On offense, Turner looked comfortable with the basketball in her hands in the open floor. Adding that same comfort level in the half court will be key to her becoming a featured offensive player at the next level.
>#PeachStateTV: @BrandonClayPSB and @KeilMoore team up to discuss the week that was in recruiting including an in-depth look at Brianna Turner's Final Five
Dominique Dillingham (Houston, Texas) - Klein Collins HS - 2013
Energy. Hustle. Rebounding. Dominique Dillingham brings all of those things to the floor. The Mississippi State signee was arguably the toughest player in the event. Like the game itself, Dillinghams motor never stops. She consistently makes plays on both ends of the floor to keep possessions alive or to get stops on the other end of the floor. Our boys side colleague, Dave Telep, tweeted last week that rebounding always translates. That in essence describes why our staff is so high on the future Bulldog. Look for Dillingham, a power wing player, to make an immediate impact in Starkville next fall.
AROUND THE RIM
Texas has really racked up as of late in the Longhorn State. New coach Karen Aston wasted no time making her presence felt and a large part of her programs future was well represented here with the aforementioned McCarty along with 2015 forward Jordan Hosey and 2013 signee Kelsey Lang in action here.
Like its in-state counterpart, TCU also had a nice presence here with 2013 signees AJ Alix and Carol Willie playing well during the event. Alix change of direction skill with the ball left defenders going the wrong way while Willie showed that she can be an impact player on the glass and in the interior next fall for the Horned Frogs.
Even after losing Empress Davenport to graduation, Duncanville should be a player on the national scene this season. Loaded with talent at every position, theyll be led this season by junior wing Ariel Atkins. Follow @BrandonClayPSB
