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Bryan, TX-

                The third annual Girls TABC Showcase was the only place to be this past weekend for high school hoops. With over 250 high school varsity teams, more than 100 college coaches in attendance, and an abundance of talent from all over the State of Texas, it was a tremendous scholastic event hosted by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC). 

Nearly three full days of action and our staff put eyes on 28 rounds of basketball games. From our natural footprint of the Texas Tri-Regions, to watching the talented ladies of DFW and Houston as well.

Here are some quick hits on what we saw take that made a lasting impression:

1. St. Mary’s Hall HS will be a problem in TAPPS and with their non-district opponents. The guard combo of Beya Chase (2026) and Ava Wineglass (2029) is near or at the top of the pecking order for guard tandem’s in the Tri-Regions. Arguably the most impressive prospect on the entire weekend isn’t even a high schooler yet, but a 2030. That is 5’10” Danita Mabry. Her all-around game left us in awe that she’s an 8th grader. She will be a high major lock.

2. The defending 5A Division One State Champions, Denton Ryan will be primed to run it back. Loaded with talent, guard Kinley Lewis (2026) and post Kaylin Jackson (2026) lead the Lady Raiders. Their inside out attack, and suffocating defense, make them extremely poised to be right back where they ended the season.

3. Coach Vickie Benson and her Westlake program look to be on a mission. State Championships are NOT won in June, but a foundation can certainly be laid and that's what the Lady Chaps have. Three very formidable opponents in South Grand Prairie, Seven Lakes, and Cedar Hill, and the closest victory of margin was 20 points. Tamia King (2026) was unguardable on the block and in the paint. Molly Frazer (2027) and Wynn Thorne (2027) are snipers with plenty of range from all over the perimeter. Sprinkle in a top 2029 in Geralynn Byers-Veal, who’s every bit of 6’2”, and this Lady Chaps team has the making of being very dangerous.

4. As long as Peyton Underwood (2027) and Baylee Bowman (2027) are on the floor, you better have a defender near them and in their face. Two gunslingers who have confidence to let it fly from anywhere and will do serious damage. They make Denton Guyer a tough out for any team.

5. With only 3 seniors on the roster, another Central Texas team with plenty of young talent, is Austin Bowie HS. Coach Iesha Collins instills a ferocity on defense, and the ability for her ladies to be marksmen. Daniella and Danica Williams (2027), Grace Guzman (2026), Kennedy Clark (2029), and Sydney Ashby (2028) were all impressive. Shooting the rock consistently and hounding opponents up and down the court.

6. Guard play is critical in Girls Texas High School basketball, and the O’Connor Panthers have their top guard duo of Casey Chavez (2027) and Symone Pryor (2026). With Pryor’s speed and ability to knife through any defense, and Chavez’s dead on accuracy and range, the Panthers will be looking to make a deep run out of NISD in San Antonio and Region IV.

7. Sticking with the theme of guard and wing play, Mansfield Legacy did not have a single player listed at 5’8 or taller. Guard Cy’Nia Jackson (2027) who plays with a certain swagger and toughness, led the Broncos charge. Their defensive intensity and relentless was the best that we saw all weekend in Bryan. Going 3-0 and holding their opponents to 17, 26, and 33 points respectively.

8. Using a similar mantra, Lake Belton HS clamped down on it’s opponents. The Lady Broncos put on a clinci allowing 29 points by Dallas Wilson as the highest output against them. All three of their wins were decided by 20 plus points, and the trio of Olivia Dann (2029), Layla and Alexa King (2028’s) led the offensive output. Dann is a legit 6’1 and with her skillset as an incoming freshmen, expect her to be on plenty of college radars as she progresses in high school.

9. Our last thought, but certainly not the least, is the abundance of young talent from the 2028 and 2029 classes. Here are just a few names who we saw hooping: Irelyn Montgomery (Abilene Wylie HS/2028), Sydney Ashby (Bowie HS/2028), Kennedy Clark (Bowie HS/2029), Peyton Hensle (Westlake/2029), Geralynn Byers-Veal (Westlake HS/2029), Olivia Dann (Lake Belton HS/2029), Deylamore Tapia (Brennan HS/2029), and Ava Wineglass (St. Mary’s Hall HS/2029) to just name a few.