San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
SCOUTING REPORT
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crystal Aragon: Holmes, G, jr.
Delaney Arredondo: Judson, G, soph. Nadia Bailey: Madison, G, sr.
Emery Espinoza: East Central, G, sr. Rian Forestier: Brandeis, G, sr.
Bella Flemings: Brennan, G, soph. Emma Flores: Harlan, G, jr.
Sahara Green: Reagan, G, jr.
Kamryn Griffin: Clark, F, sr.
Mia Hammonds: Steele, G/F, sr.
Debi Hernandez: LEE, G, sr.
A’Maya Holton: East Central, F, jr. Natalie Huff: Clark, G, sr.
Kayla King: Judson, G, jr.
Joana Lopez: Reagan, G, sr.
Rakiya Nelson: Churchill, F/C, jr.
Lena Newby: Steele, G/F, sr.
Rosanelly Pastrano: LEE, G, soph. Jordan Pete: Sotomayor, G, soph.
Jade Perez: Clark, G, sr.
Sophia Perez: Madison, G, sr.
Simone Pryor: O’Connor, G, soph.
Mia Ramos: Brandeis, G, jr.
Arianna Roberson: Clark, C, sr.
Taylor Ross: Brennan, F, sr.
Tyra Sotelo: Brennan, G, sr.
Outlook: Clark and Brennan played for a state-tournament spot last season. That could be the case again with Brennan returning UTSA commit Taylor Ross and sophomore guard Bella Flemings, last season’s Express-News Player of the Year. The road through Region IV-6A will not be easy with 27-6A’s Steele, led by Mia Hammonds, who is also committed to UTSA, and Judson.
Brandeis will battle Clark for the 28-6A crown. The Broncos are led by Rian Forestier, a Southern Cal commit.
Forestier and Clark’s Arianna Roberson are among the nation’s top basketball recruits.
CLASS 5A
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aniya Bigley: Wagner, G, sr.
Savannah Botello: Burbank, G, soph. Alisha Brown: Brackenridge, G/F, sr. Lillian Covarrubias: Southwest, G, sr. Brenna Davis: Sam Houston, C, jr. Mckayla Flores: Southside, G, jr. Gabryla Galvan: Southside, G, jr.
Alina Garza: Wagner, G, jr.
Berkley Hart: Alamo Heights, G/F, soph.
Allison Howe: Smithson Valley, F, sr. Aaliyah Mancha: McCollum, G/F, soph. Kera Martinez: Southwest Legacy, G, sr.
Bre’yanna Murray: Sam Houston, G/F, jr.
Alisha Peavy: Pieper, F/C, jr.
Mia Perez: Smithson Valley, G, jr. Cascia Sandoval: Harlandale, F, sr.
LA Sneed: Wagner, G, jr.
Lyah Veira: MacArthur, G, sr.
Zoey Yanez: McCollum, G, soph. Sophie Zadel: Alamo Heights, C, jr. Outlook: Wagner, a state semifinalist last season, returns junior guard LA Sneed, an Express-News Player of the Year finalist in 2023. The Thunderbirds are in a bit of a rebuilding mode after graduating three starters. Despite that, the Thunderbirds are the area’s best bet for a state-tournament bid.
CLASS 4A-1A
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Averi Aaron: Boerne, F/C, sr.
Cayla Albers: Falls City, C, sr.
Kahlen Castro: Poth, G, sr.
Denise Contreras: Devine, G/F, sr. Chloe Donnell: Boerne, G, jr.
Ashlyn Flores: Floresville, G/F, jr. Taylor Grona: Fredericksburg, G, sr. Amari Haines: Randolph, G, sr.
Tegan Harborth: Navarro, G, jr.
Jordin Johns: Floresville, G, jr.
Alyana McGarity: Davenport, G, jr. Jerriana McWilliams: Davenport, G, sr. Ryann Miller: Poth, F, sr.
Jenna Ruede: Boerne, G. jr.
Calyssa Sevier: Lytle, G, sr.
Zoie Silvas: Fox Tech, G, sr.
Abby Smith: Boerne, F, sr.
Carolina Villarreal: Edison, G, sr. Outlook: Boerne’s hopes for a third state-tournament berth in four season looks favorable with the return of three starters, led by Louisiana Tech commit and two-time Express-News Super Teamer Averi Aaron, a center/forward. District-rival Fredericksburg will challenge the Greyhounds for a state berth.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Beya Chase: Saint Mary’s Hall, G, soph. Maddie Florence: Saint Mary’s Hall, G, soph.
Shaniyah Fox: Antonian, G/F, soph. Ella Nietz: Antonian, G, sr.
Kalysta Martin: Providence, G, sr.
Kyra Petty: Boerne Geneva, G/F, jr. Maegan Riebel: Boerne Geneva, G, jr. Yasmeen Schmidt: Cornerstone, G, soph.
Outlook: Antonian returns four starters from its TAPPS 6A regional final squad. That sets up the Apaches for another strong run. Saint Mary’s Hall returns its top two players, sophomores Beya Chase and Maddie Florence, from its breakthrough 5A state semifinalist season. Meanwhile, Providence features one of the nation’s top recruits in 6-1 senior guard Kalysta Martin, who is committed to Texas Tech.