Grays among those to watch

There will be no shortage of talent at the UIL girls basketball state tournament in San Antonio. A look at some of the top players to watch from the Houston area and beyond.

RyLee Grays, Sr., Pearland

Grays has been the catalyst for the Oilers all season, and the team will likely need her to have another big performance against two-time defending state champion DeSoto in the semifinals Friday night. The Eagles have 6-2 freshmen Amari Byles and Kamora Pruitt, both highly-touted players. Grays, a 6-3 North Carolina signee, has the senior experience advantage. She is averaging 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds.

Ese Ogbevire, Sr., Fulshear

The Chargers’ guard is one of just four seniors on the roster and has formed a dynamic duo with her sophomore sister, Ruke. Ogbevire delivered a strong performance during the Region III-5A championship against Pflugerville Hendrickson, dropping a team-high 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds and two steals.

Ally Tribe, Jr., Columbus

Tribe is the definition of a multisport star and will be competing at her second state tournament of the school year. The 6-1 senior was an allstate selection on the volleyball court after leading Columbus to the Class 3A semifinals. Tribe averages 14.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Jules LaMendola, Sr., Coppell

LaMendola has been one of the top players in the Dallas area this season, averaging 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per outing. The 6-1 Indiana signee is ranked as the No. 53 player in the country by ESPN.

Arianna Roberson, Jr., San Antonio Clark

The 6-4 junior four-star recruit is the biggest reason Clark finished the year ranked No. 1 in the state by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

Others to watch

Ma’Riya Vincent, Jr., DeSoto; Shadasia Brackens, Sr., Fairfield; Jalynn Bristow, Sr., Holliday; Peyton North, Sr., Lubbock Cooper; LA Sneed, Soph., San Antonio Wagner.