Girls High School Basketball Season is finally here.
Club ball, AAU ball, Fall League is done!
Many HS teams have lost a lot of key players and I'm sure a lot of teams feel they are getting stronger with the emergence of its young players and some teams might feel it's their turn to make things happen! A lot of teams have to deal with some huge losses from graduation.
But before anyone can claim or brag about anything, there is one team that is still going to be the team to beat, Wagner!
No matter how your slice it, Wagner has the experience, a Coach that is dedicated to winning, 2 playmakers that can go off against anyone, a very capable supporting cast and a more importantly, a Mindset that no matter what, they are the best team out there!
And for now they are Number 1. Players to Watch : Amber Ramirez and Kiana Williams
And since the season hasn't started, we will give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure everyone is saying what about us. But it's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
So for now, Everyone else is tied for 2nd.
And as for Players to Watch, it's mostly based from last years top scorers returning to play.
Let's stay in District 25-6A.
Clemens was runner up last year but lost one of the best players in the country. They always have nice players and athletes and a respected Head Coach. How are they going to regroup to stay in contention remains to be seen.
Steele looks like a team that can challenge Wagner for District on paper with all their height and athleticism. Judging by Fall League play. players, parents and coaches have high expectations going into the season. If they can consistently hit from outside, that will open up the middle tremendously making this team a dangerous team. Their defense is always going to keep them in the game. PTW: Alexes Bryant, Charisma Shepherd, Antonia Anderson
Judson got into the playoffs with hard play and tough defense last year. They plan to take the next step with the same recipe plus the addition of Belle Tovar to add some firepower on offense. They also have some great young talent coming up that should have some immediate impact. PTW: Belle Tovar, Lena Wilson
Smithson Valley had a great start only to be left out of the playoffs last season. They look to make a playoff push this season with a little more experience under their belt. They also lost some key players from last season so it's going to be a wait and see situation with them.
Lets go into to District 26-6A. All four teams that made the playoffs lost their key players. One team that didn't make the playoffs, Reagan is returning most of their key players.
Reagan should be the favorite with their inside presence and strong guard play. Do they have enough of a bench to help them sustain wins? Time will tell. PTW: Sara Lewis, Mailee Jones, Emily Sandoval
Johnson was District Champ last year but also lose key players from their run. Tara Molina with her experience and basketball savviness, should be leading the way in running the team. They also have a young strong Post as well as some athletic players. PTW: Tara Molina, Alyssa Adams
Does Lee HS have enough to try and make a playoff run. They have a couple of experienced seniors in Julie Hernandez and Jennifer Sullivan with an abundance of real good young players including a point guard that can go and make things happen on both ends of the court. Confidence is essential as they haven't been in the playoffs for as it may seem forever. PTW: Jenesis Navarro, B. Deleon
Churchill also seems poised to reload after a successful run that have enabled them to make playoff pushes for at least 4 to 5 years straight. They have some young talent as well with height, athleticism and a strong senior guard. How are they going to adjust as a team without one of their main contributors from the last few years? Time will tell. PTW: Maiya Green
Roosevelt, Madison and MacArthur all have a lot of key players gone from last year. It should be interesting on how they come out the gate.
Madison should also be in the playoff hunt especially with the help of their senior guard that can go off at any one time! PTW: Lexi Rich
In District 27 6-A, Brennan should be the team to beat simply cause they are loaded again in almost every position, from top to bottom. They will definitely make another run in trying to lay stake as the best teams in the city! PTW: Kenzie Heineman, Megan Valdez, Monique Terry
O'Connor will try and reload from their great run last year. They did graduate some key pieces to the puzzle but have 2 heady and savvy guards to lead the team. Victoria Pena is poised for a great season as she has been steadily improving since her freshman year. Do they have enough down low on both ends of the court to make them viable as a threat to the city crown? PTW: Victoria Pena, Kasey Saldana
Clark lost a lot of talent with graduation but still are poised to challenge with the presence of a strong point guard and post combination that should enable them to compete. They also have some young talent coming in that should make an impact quickly. PTW: Ria Gulley, Emily Sims
Brandeis also lost a lot to graduation but you never can count them out. Led by a dynamic and athletic point guard that can light it up from anywhere on the court, they should be in contention for the district crown. She will be helped out by Cindy Si, who has grown leaps and bounds in the last year! Don't count them out on anything. PTW: Gabby Connally, Cindy Si
Jay is a super young team that is on the rise and should make a playoff push. They have a lot of kids that are playing together in the offseason which helps right off the bat with team chemistry. PTW: Ali Salina, Ariel Hernandez, Alex Alvarez
Marshall has a pair of guards that can keep them in playoff contention with the right scenarios. Bri Lane is ready to go after two seasons of setbacks due to injuries. They need to get some early season confidence to get them going. PTW: Abby Rolloque, Bri Lane
Stevens is looking to regroup after numerous losses due to graduation.
Taft looks to make a playoff push with some heady defense. A lot of kids have been playing together for a long time. They might surprise some people. PTW: Stephanie Ruiz
In District 28 6-A, East Central is led by one of the most dynamic players in the city that can play inside and out and a point guard that has experienced, strong to the basket and a baller. They also have a new head coach that should challenge them to make a run. PTW: Nalyssa Smith, Brittany Rogers
Southwest is loaded with talent that have been playing together since it may seem forever. At any time they can go off from beyond the line. This threat enables them to be a team to contend with. They will certainly be a playoff contender. PTW: Aaliyah Holmes, Alexandra Busby-Leija, Bri Longoria
On the Private School side, Antonian will keep going strong with virtually every key player coming back from last year's team. They are heavy guard dominated. On the inside look for Kayla Alvarado, undersized post with great footwork and nice shooting touch. PTW: Sandy Ramirez, Brittany Parker
Incarnate Word is looking to build from last year's playoff run with virtually every starter back and the addition of one of the city's leading scorers transferring in, plus the addition of some talented incoming freshmen that should add a lot of depth to the team. Jenna Villarreal has improved her game down low to add to her threat from outside the line. Point Guard Alexia Torres has a lot of kids around her that can shoot the ball which should open up things for her as well. PTW: Lexi Torres, Sophia Ramos, Olivia Balderas, Analisa Narro, Jenna Villarreal
Other players to watch from smaller schools around the city: Angel Hasttings, Mica Schneider, Katlyn Ghavidel, Makala Mabry, Aaliyah Prince, Baylee Quisenberry, Vanessa Oyola , Kayla Nunez, Skyler Reyna and hey, I have to give a shout out to my players from way out of town, Bri Soliz, Jordan Brooks and Alexis Worley, who will all be making a huge impact at their respective schools!
I'm sure everyone is ready and anxious to get going.
By next Wednesday, about half the teams will already have a loss!
By the end of next weekend, a lot of things will get a lot clearer with practically everyone playing in some kind of tournament.
Next Monday the 9th, some games of note:
630pm Churchill vs Brandeis
730pm Johnson vs O'Connor
8pm Incarnate Word vs Clark
Next Tuesday the 10th
7pm Brennan vs Wagner
7pm Southwest vs Steele
On one other note, San Antonio Girls Basketball has come a long way in the last few years.
So much so, that there is an influx of young freshmen players ready to make their mark for their respective HS teams and that's always a good thing. And soon we will be hearing more about them as well.
For now, Let's support our teams and our players but also let's give respect to one another where credit is due! There is tremendous amount of skill and talent all around the city. Let's enjoy all the hard work these young ladies have been putting in the gym.
But hey, don't take my word for it, I'm just a fan like anyone else, go out and check it out for yourself!
GO SUPPORT GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL!
