4A players to watch for December

<p>The teams in Texas 4A are heating up. For this article, we have selected some of the under-the-radar players who are contributing to their team's early success. These are players worth keeping tabs on for the month of December and as the season progresses. The players below range from every position and possess individual abilities worthy of being notated here. But these players are also consummate teammates, and their fit within their respective team's system makes them crucial pieces in the fight for 4A supremacy. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.com/prephoops.com/player/taeshaun-jones">Taeshaun Jones</a> Levelland 2023 SF</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jones is a multi-positional big who can handle the ball and facilitate a little. He posted a monster game on Dec. 2 against Midland Lee with 19 points, ten rebounds, and two blocks and posted a 20 point, two steals, four block game on Nov. 30 against Lubbock.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But Jones’ real claim to fame is his acute ability for blocks. He has excellent timing and feel for weak-side help and swatting away attacks at the rim. Jones is improving upon last season’s Second Team All-District. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="781891" first="Kiante" last="Williams"] Lubbock Estacado 2022 SF</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At 6’10, 185 lbs, Williams has all the tools to be a transformative athlete at the next level. He has grown two inches since last season, where he was named District MVP and was selected as Lone Star Varsity Boys Basketball Player of the Year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lubbock Estacado fans hope Williams can lead them to the UIL state championship. With two extra inches of growth and a refined game, they may get their wish. </span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/glenn-bishop">Glenn Bishop</a> Stafford 2023 SF</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bishop has an unassuming and smooth game. His ability to drive and heave from three appears effortless. He’s racked up many awards as an underclassman. Now he leads his team as the undisputed leader.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Dec. 4 against Eagle Pass, he notched four steals in a game. His penchant for in-court theft doesn’t come from athletic defense feats but rather by reading the defense and playing the passing lanes. </span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tj-newton">T J Newton</a> Burkburnett 2022 Combo Guard</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cameron University commit is an absolute bucket. Newton ended the month of November with a 25 point outing against the Bowie Jackrabbits.  Newton is the perfect example of a Texas high school player building upon his work ethic to come out of nowhere.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before his junior season, he wasn’t on the radar as an MVP candidate for District 5-4A, but he won the award and Red River 22 honors after a stellar junior campaign.  </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1180541" first="Jailan" last="Ardoin"] Hamshire-Fannett 2022 PG</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ardoin averaged an astounding 24 points, eight rebounds, 3 steals two blocks through the season's first five games to start 4-1. In addition, Ardoin is a capable shooter, as he showed when he hit three triples on Dec. 4 against Lumberton, earning them third-place at the Bulldog Classic.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jr-cruz">J R Cruz</a> - Sinton 2022 PG</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The two-sport Cruz is a threat for the Sinton Pirates on both sides of the ball. Cruz credits his ability to play both sports to become a better basketball player and is named an all-district standout. At 6-3, the lead guardians his length and wing-span to gobble up steals, as he did against Mathis on Dec. 7 with two steals.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dillpn-deleon">Dillon De Leon</a> La Vernia 2022 C</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">De Leon is a big-bodied frontcourt player as a senior for La Vernia. He is averaging 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists thanks to his 6’8 wingspan. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The senior opened up the month of December with an astounding five blocks on Dec. 2 against Karnes City in a 61-20 blowout win. </span></p>