Standout players from holiday season tournaments in Houston

<p>After attending Vype Holiday invitational , TexLou Texas vs Louisiana Christmas, Conroe Tournament, Houston Private School Classic seeing what Houston have to offer. We all know the talent runs deep down south. During Christmas break we got the gift that kept on giving.... BUCKETS ! So who stood out during the Christmas Break?'</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Dillon Battie Wing-Forward Lancaster High School Class of 2024</h2>   <p>Battie one of the versatile players in his class. Battie can score in isolation from the perimeter or his post work. Plays both ends of the floor well using strength and athelticism. Saw him in action against back to back 5a Louisiana State Champions Zachary where he posted 22 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists. He scores the ball in an efficient manner. Doesn't force shots, but knows how to take advantage of his mismatch. Three-level scorer that gives second effort on rebounds. Not the quickest but knows the angles of the game. Active in the help on defense keeping an eye on his man and the ball. Makes it harder for opponents at the rim to protest.</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Anthony Bates Jr. Point Guard Seven Lakes High School Class of 2024</h2>   <p>Bates walked away with tournament MVP at Conroe ISD tourney. Bates skill set is built for the next level. In the championship game Bates didn't attempt a three but was finding angles to the rim and kicking to the open man. Keeps his defender off-balance with his dribble and his head is always up. Finished double-digit scoring in the championship game, but made his impact playing the passing lane coming up with steals for easy fast-break points in a close game. Plays with a consistent motor not taking one possession off. Kicks the ball up the court when his wings get out in transition. Bates seems to look to mature his game. Getting his team efficiently and easily. Have put more muscle on his body as well which can help him to withstand contact for playoffs. One play Bates flew in for the rebound leaning away from the basket and tipping the ball in with his right hand on the left side of the rim.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Julius Crosby Point Guard Wheatley High School Class of 2023</h2>   <p>Crosby is electrifying to watch with the ball. The twitch he have with his dribbling is amazing to watch. Probably one of the quickest in the state while maintaining his dribble. The natural feel he have when reacting to defenders is something special to watch. He obviously can get his points on anybody, but he is a team first player. He make sure his teammates are involved. His body frame won't blow you away but so explosive attacking the rim. If he outside shot gets going it'll be a long day for his opponent. Can get numerous of paint touches no matter if the defense sits in a zone. Plays with a burning fire inside him taking pride his representing his neighborhood, and being a role model. Scrappy player that battle with the bigs in the paint for rebounds offensively and defensively. Once he improve his shot selection his whole team will follow his lead.</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">[player_tooltip player_id='1350954' first='Jayden' last='Gambrell'] Guard Houston Madison High School Class of 2024</h2>   <p>Gambrell gets to work like a blue-collar employee working the busiest factory in town. Knows how to create space to get his shots off, and can score from multiple spots on the floor. There is no shot he doesn't like at all. Full of confidence every shot will go in. A player that can fill the stat sheet up against Concordia Lutheran scored 31 points, grabbed eight rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block in Houston Private School Classic; Earned the same points against Cypress Christain, snagged five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. Can find the open man when he gets paint touches. Very poise when handling the ball, and soft touch on his shot. Would love to see him become more explosive around the rim. He creates angles to finish below the rim when attacking, but as time grows we should see more above-the-rim finishes.</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Mason Allen Point Guard Houston Madison High School Class of 2023</h2>   <p>Allen one of the underrated scoring guards in the state leading his team in scoring averaging 29.8 points knocking down 45 percent of his shots, and being leader in team steals averaging five per game. Have muscle mass on him to take contact in the air against the bigs, but overpower small guards offensively and defensively. He is a pest on the court because he is everywhere on the floor. Ball handlers have no room to breathe when he is on-ball and picks up full court. Good perimeter catch-and-shoot player, and can create space with the quickness in his moves. High-motor guard on both ends of the floor. When he gets to the paint he likes to use his floater if nobody steps up. The one thing he can do to improve his stock manages the game situations better. The numbers may decrease but his win column will. His stat line from one game during Houston Private School Classic</p>   <p>vs Cypress Christian: 23 points, eight steals, two assists</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">[player_tooltip player_id='2290122' first='Milton' last='Rice'] Forward Ft. Bend Hightower Class of 2024</h2>   <p>Rice has been growing his name this year with his versatile presence. He helps stretch the floor for the guard play Hightower posses, and can knock down shots from the outside. Moves well without the ball around the rim not standing in the paint. He can do work in the mid-range whether shooting off the catch or pulling up off the dribble. He will challenge anybody that attacks the rim. He denies the post well and is a coachable player. When he becomes a more vocal leader on the defensive end that energy will transfer offensively for him to transition points. I expect him to start making plays above the rim more as time goes on. Once he gains more muscle the potential in him will be fun to watch.</p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Gavin David Guard Jersey Village High School Class of 2024</h2>   <p>David was a major eye-catcher for me scoring 21 points against Conroe at their own tournament and 20 the game before against Huntsville. He has an aggressive scoring mindset with long-range skills to match. He either will drive to the basket to finish or accept contact getting to the free throw line. Steps back to create more room to shoot the three ball if his defender goes under the screen. Lots of potentials to be a top scorer in the city of Houston. Developing more ways to create space to release his jump shot will open his game. Nice size body on him that will tone up over time.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="has-text-align-left">Christopher McDermott Houston Booker T. Washington High School Class of 2024</h2>   <p>McDermott is one of the hottest prospects in the class of 2024, and earning tournament MVP at Vype Holiday Invitational helping lead his team to first place. McDermott is taking his game to the next level bringing the ball up the floor, and using his dribble to score. Becoming more of an inside-outside player for one of the favorites to win 4A state title this year. Still making life difficult for bigs to get a clean look at the basket. Discipline enough to keep both hands up. The big has a natural feel when maneuvering under the rim to go along with his soft touch finishing at the rim. Once he increases his handle we can see a legit four-star prospect on his way to becoming a five-star.</p>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <p></p>

After attending Vype Holiday invitational , TexLou Texas vs Louisiana Christmas, Conroe Tournament, Houston Private School Classic seeing what Houston have to offer. We all know the talent runs deep down south. During Christmas break we got the gift that kept on giving.... BUCKETS ! So who stood out during the Christmas Break?'