Big State Spring Invitational

Most Wanted - Power Rangers
Mississippi 2016

DFW Girls' Travel Basketball Program hosted the 1st Annual Big State Spring Invitational Showcase April 25-26, 2015.  This was one of the many showcases hosted around the country during the NCAA certified viewing period.

Many of the teams were from Texas and bordering states.  The talent pool was flushed with potential young players seeking to play at the collegiate level some day.

Though every young lady played their hearts out, there were a few notable performances and/or consistent play worth pointing out.

2016
Tanesha Miller - 6'2" Forward, Most Wanted - Power Rangers; Though game was off, showed a variety of offensive skills.  What was impressive though was her hustle in transition on both ends and the fact that she averaged 7 blocked shots over 3 games, including 12 against a Houston team.

Ketruanna Gambel - 6'0" Forward, AR Mavs 2016; Impressive athletic frame and athleticism.  Great vertical jump.  Strong rebounder.  One position is define could be a real asset at the next level.

2017
Kevonshaye Stackhouse - 5'8" Guard, AR Mystics; DEEP would only give an impression of Kevonshaye's shooting range.  The confidence of Antoinette Bannister with deadlier accuracy.  If you don't know, you might want to find out.

Jayanna Sanders -5'7" Point Guard, AR Mystics;  Uptempo PG who finds team mates in transition with look-away-passes.  Great speed with the ball.  Plays hard from start to finish.

Jordan Allen - 5'10" Wing, OK PlayMaker Express; Deadly and confident catch & shoot scorer. Showed off the bounce ability to attack basket from both wings.  Moved well without the ball to get to her spots.

2018
Tera Snell - 5'10 Power Forward, Baton Rouge Lady Elite; Plays much bigger than her size.  Very skilled post player who aggressively gains the position needed to score on the blocks.

Tatyana Hall - 6'3" Post, Houston Lady Panthers; Still a little raw offensively, but a great college level frame already with strong hands.  Very physical offensively and defensively.  Finishes moves with both hands.

2019
De'Myla Brown - 5'5" Point Guard, AR Mystics;  Very quick and explosive.  Found numerous team mates cutting.  Stretched the defense out to the arc.  Showed great leadership.

2020
Elaunna Eaton - Very impressive lefty.  Strong and very athletic for her age.  Plays with a strong edge for the game.  Can score on the block when needed or step out to the perimeter.

Keep An Eye On!
Dayna Dewitt - 2017 5'10" Forward, Mansfield Saints Gold; Versatile and very athletic with a lot of energy. Scores in the paint, but has a nice mid range stroke.

Olivia Sanders - 2017 6'2" Forward, AR Mystics; Super wingspan and great athleticism.  Good Shot blocker.

Shanna Shavers - 2017 6'2" Forward, AR Mystics; Very active defender who alters shots.  Draws defenders away from rim with 15ft to 18ft jumpers.

Kennedi Stephens - 2017 5'10" Power Forward, Most Wanted - Power Rangers; Strong physical with a powerful frame.  Good footwork in the post.  Works to get balance when scoring.

Maggie Stephenson - 2018 6'1" Forward, Houston Lady Pride; Strong defensive presence in the paint. Super wingspan, good shot blocking timing.

Lacee Savage - 2017 5'9" Forward, Triple D; Good speed in transition.  Great vertical jump.  High motor kid.  Capable of plying off the bounce.  Huge upside.

Delta Report is a regional scouting service
which covers a large portion of the south. 
Writer/evaluator Leslie Toole has coached,
evaluated and trained athletes for 25 years.
Twitter: @msgbr1 | Facebook: /deltareport
Instagram: msgbr1

Gatorade Players Of the Year 2015

Myah Taylor - Olive Branch HS (MS)
2017 5'7 PG

#5 Myah Taylor the 2017 point guard of Olive Branch HS in Mississippi recently received crowning recognition on top of the many accolades she has already received this season.  Myah, being nationally recruited with more than 20 offers as a sophomore, was announced as the Gatorade Player of the Year - Mississippi for girls' basketball.

Having a stellar season (18 ppg; 8 apg) and leading her team to a 31-2 record and a runner up spot in this year's 6A state final may be the credentials which allowed Myah to be garnished with the honor; however, after speaking with her father, John, other factors may have assisted in obtaining this achievement.

"She stays in the gym.  She is a gym rat.  When she is not practicing, she is working with her trainer."  John Taylor, Myah's dad told the Delta Report March 12, 2015, the day the award was announced.

The Delta Report list Myah as the top rated point guard in the 2017 class on its report.  Her most attractive attribute is her ability to run a team.  She has a high basketball IQ to accompany this attribute.  In state schools like, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss are all seeking her talents.  Out of state schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgetown, Memphis, and Wichita State would also like to see her in their colors as well.

Shaquera Wade - 2015
Alabama Signee

#8 Shaquera Wade - Huntsville HS; 2015.  The 5'11 Alabama commit is a smooth, athletic wing with good ball handling skills which allows her to be able to create her own shot in transition and in traffic.  Averaging 18 ppg & 10 rpg, she lead her team to a 7A semi final finish.

Erin Boley (Notre Dame Commit) - Kentucky
Napheesa Collier (UCONN Signee) - Missouri
Lauren Cox (Junior) - Texas
Jordan Danberry (Arkansas Signee) - Arkansas
Crystal Dangerfield (UCON Commit) - Tennessee
Asia Durr (Duke Signee) - Georgia
Keiryn Swenson (Arkansas Signee) - Kansas
Cara Ursin (Sophomore) - Louisiana
Aaliyah Wilson (Junior) - Oklahoma


Leslie Toole  @msgbr1 is the Director of Exposure Development for the Delta Report.  March 12, 2015

Ballers Jamboree

Amari Heard 2019
Forward; MS Heat

The month of April is the kickoff month for travel basketball.  Girls' teams are just getting organized and team coaches are scrambling to get shoes and uniforms.

In the midst of this hustle and bustle is an up an coming event in the Jackson, MS called the Ballers' Jamboree.  This event brought girls in from 5 states to compete in a jamboree where travel coaches could take a look at their players in a competitive setting while not having to worry about the pressure of competing for a trophy.

While travel coaches were experimenting with line ups and assessing player combinations, the Delta Report was also in attendance evaluating teams and players.  Though there were no awards on the line, you would be hard pressed to believe otherwise the way the young ladies were going at it.
Team play was great along with some great individual play as well.  And believe me, there was no shortage of talent at the Ballers' Jamboree.  Below is a tip sheet of some stellar and/or consistent performers from the event.

2016 Class

Amber Smith, 6'0" 2016 Wing
Louisiana Lightning

#9 Amber Smith, 6'0" Wing - Louisiana Lightning; First thing you notice is her impress college ready frame.  Has improved & increased her 3 pt shooting ability & range.  With her exceptional athleticism, she now has included the ability to catch and shoot to complement her off the bounce skill set.

#10 Kiara Williams, 6'1" Power Forward - Arkansas Mavericks;  High energy performers who loves to rebound.  Strong penetration skill set from the high post and gracefully athletic enough to get out on the fast break and finish through contact.

#17 Shonte Hailes, 5'7" Point Guard - Southern Phenoms; Impressive explosion off first step. Shooting range beyond the arc.  Strong penetration skill set while having great court vision in the half court and in transition. Impressive DI skill set.

#18 Jasmine Thomas, 5'7 Point Guard - Louisiana Lightning; After sitting out much of the travel season last year, Jasmine makes her return during the Ballers' Jamboree.  Her ability to run a team was impressive along with her basketball IQ and the will to "live for the moment" clutch play.

#29 Tanesha Miller, 6'1" Power Forward - BTA - Most Wanted;  Freakish athleticism.  Hands large enough to palm two balls.  High energy kid whom never seems to get tired.  GREAT shot blocking ability.  Shoots the 3 ball and has good court vision.  DI Sleeper

2017 Class

L-R, Aleah & Amber Sutton
5'8" Guards - 2017

#9 Nyah Tate, 6'0" Wing - MS Heat, very skilled wing with great shot form and extended 3 ball range.  Demonstrated solid ball handling under pressure in the full court as well as the half court. Probably one of the most skilled players in the "Jamboree".

#24 Aleah Sutton 5'8 Guard - Southern Phenoms; very active guard with deadly 3 pt range.  Scorers mindset.  Aggressive defender on the ball and in the open court.  Prefers to play off the ball.

#25 Amber Sutton, 5'8 Guard - Southern Phenoms; A great complement to her twin sister Aleah (above).  Attacks the basket aggressively in transition and keeps defenses honest with her own ability to sink the 3 ball.

#31 T'Kyra (TK) Hicks, 5'8" Guard - BTA Most Wanted;  Tough minded player who goes about the business of basketball.  Excellent rebounder from the guard position, has WNBA shooting range and moves well without the ball.  Will be on several watch list after this year.

#28 Kennedi Stephens, 5'10" Post - BTA - Most Wanted;  Powerful, athletic and agile.  Plays like a female Charles Barkley.  If she was 6'1  she would be a BCS recruit.  Tough scorer in the paint and showed a soft touch from the high post.

#48 De'Ja Bradford, 5'7" Guard - Lady Warriors;  Demonstrated a strong ability to get her shot off. Probably one of the "Jamboree's" top scorers for the weekend.  Drew a lot of fouls and had numerous point at the free throw line.  Stock should steadily move up...

2018 Class

The Arkansas Elite 9th Grade girls displayed a stellar performance.  Several of their players could receive individual accolades.  The team played so well as a group I felt it necessary to mention at least the group while pointing out some outstanding play be a couple of their players.

Amber Hawkins, 5'7" Guard - Arkansas Elite 9th; Long and athletic with a winners mentality.  Played tough and aggressive the entire game.  Found her shot and opportunities for others.

Ariyanna Hall, 5'8 Wing - Arkansas Elite 9th; Strong and athletic for a player her age.  Penetrated numerous times and finished thru contact.  Nice shot off set her all out mentality in transition.

2019 Class

Amari Heard, 5'10" Forward - MS Heat;  After Amber Smith, probably demonstrated the most athleticism of any athlete regardless of grade.  Exceptional vertical leaper, scored well in transition and was a terror defensively in the passing lanes as well as on the boards.

Delta Report is a regional scouting service
which covers a large portion of the south. 
Writer/evaluator Leslie Toole has coached,
evaluated and trained athletes for 25 years.
Twitter: @msgbr1 | Facebook: /deltareport
Instagram: msgbr1

Ballers' Jamboree - 2015 Opens Eyes

Jackson, MS is developing a growing niche for finding sleeper athletes in the world of girls basketball.  Recently, the Ballers' Jamboree showcase teams from 5 states.  These teams came together to kickoff the travel basketball season.

For a number of these teams this was the first opportunity to view their respective rosters in action.  Along with returning players, the coaches were able to mix in the new players and evaluate skills and potential positions.

While the coaches were performing their evaluations the Delta Report was also taking notes.  The Ballers' Jamboree allowed several players to announce their coming out, "so-to-speak" while some others reinforced their already recognized abilities.

Players like Shonte Hailes (2016) point guard for the Southern Phenoms is raising her stock with each showing.  Last year she was rated by some as a Low Major to Mid Major player, but she has risen above and is steadily reaching for higher plateaus.

Jasmine Thomas (2016) point guard for the Louisiana Lightning sat out much of the travel season last year.  Making her return to travel basketball at the Ballers' Jamboree let her open the eyes of a number of fans, coaches, and scouting services.  She clearly offered reminders of why she is one of the top point guard prospects coming out of the south.  She demonstrate clutch play, leadership and the ability to run her team throughout the event.

Two sleepers that will some open the eyes of others around them play for the newly formed Most Wanted program hosted by the Bigfoot Training Academy in Jackson, MS.  Kennedi Stephens (2017, New Hope HS) is a powerful post player with a Charles Barkley approach to the game.  Tanesha Miller (2016 Greenville HS) is a 6'1" super athletic forward with great leaping ability and extended shooting range and a nose for blocking shots like Anthony Davis.

Delta Report is a regional scouting service
which covers a large portion of the south. 
Writer/evaluator Leslie Toole has coached,
evaluated and trained athletes for 25 years.
Twitter: @msgbr1 | Facebook: /deltareport
Instagram: msgbr1