North Texas Opening Weekend Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UIL Opening weekend was one of the best in a while here in North Texas with no clear cut favorites this year for a state run. Most teams opted in for multiple games this weekend which let us really get to see who's who team and individual wise. Several players were impressive and made my watchlist for the season but here are a few standouts that deserve a first look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2273612,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2252457' first='Marri' last='Wickware']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kimball High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='2252457' first='Marri' last='Wickware'] is a kind I been watching over the last year to see how he handle a transition from middle school to State champ Kimball's varsity. Knowing the type of talent he has even I'm surprised how comfortable he's looked on the big stage so far as a freshman. Offensively he can score from anywhere if you step back he'll shoot it, if you press up he'll go right by you. Nice handle, he's improved in that area vastly knowing he'd be needed at the guard spot in high school. Defensively he plays in the passing lanes and offer length on the perimeter or in the post grabbing every rebound that comes his wat. The mix of skill, size and confidence is just all there for him at the moment and I have him in my Top 5 2027's in the state at the moment. He's currently averaging 21 and coming off a 29 point, 15 rebound performance against regional runner up Frisco Memorial. The upside is crazy, look for him to be a household name soon.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553d1839bac6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyBuh32O2Q7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyBuh32O2Q7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1217006"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2273484,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'4 Devin Boone was a standout this weekend in a close loss to Carter HS. My favorite part was at 6'4 Devin is honestly a true guard but he slid down to post defensively and helped neutralize two division 1 post players on the other team due to Red Oak's lack of a true big at the moment. This is a definition of a team player using his versatility in the post area in a physical matchup. He's a physical guard that is shifty and uses a pull up off the dribble to get to his short midrange spots. He also was effective in the catch and shoot situation knocking down 3 triples. Defensively has a high motor, all over the court making plays, I like the intensity he brings as a leader on this team. Look out for Devin this year he'll be matching up with some of the best teams in the area and have a chance to make his case to coaches.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553d1839b851"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598888"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2273199,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'3 [player_tooltip player_id='1598888' first='Ethan' last='Williams'] of Mesquite Horn was impressive on opening night against one of the states top teams Keller. He started slow offensively but always kept his motor on defense. He eventually heated up with some big buckets down the stretch bringing his game back to single digits. He's has a strong frame, physical on both sides of the ball. His defensive efforts in the trap really frustrates opponents and leads to easy transition opportunities for the offense. Offensively he can do a little of every thing. Patient play within the offense and can shoot it of the dribble or catch. He's also  powerful going to the rim and finish through contact. Make sure he's on your radar he'll be a good contributor for someone at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553d1839b7a2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2144856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2273514,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'5 [player_tooltip player_id='2144856' first='Steven' last='Ramirez'] has been one of the top players this preseason as far as consistency is concerned. He's had big performances in big wins over and over and I couldn't miss the opportunity to catch him on opening weekend. Steven has a impact that isn't coachable, using half IQ and half skill he fills up the stat sheet every game. Nice frame, checks all the boxes in the eye test, he can really knock down the 3 at a high percentage and when he gets hot its over. He also shoots lots of midrange shots which is plus for coaches. He can take you off the dribble and finish through contact as well. Defensively he averages a couple blocks and steals per game assisting Keller to transition play which they specialize in with 3/4 big guards on the court at a time. He's one to watch this year as Top 10 Keller looks to make a state run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553d1839b8ef"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2273632,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2367771' first='Rashad' last='Simpson'] Sr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pinkston High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2367771' first='Rashad' last='Simpson'] had some bright moments against a tough South Grand Prairie squad that some have making the state tournament in early brackets. At 6'4 he's super athletic and house a crazy bounce and long wingspan that makes him more like 6'6 defensively. He made some big plays on both sides. Had a couple block protecting the rim for Pinkston that went into the stands, and I couldn't help but the think u0022Woah.u0022 Offensively he's a slasher using his athletic ability rise rise up at the rim and finish through contact or pull up for a short midrange. He also knocked down a couple long shots. I can see he'll be a huge factor for a new look Pinkston this year and he could eventually make some noise looking at their schedule.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6553d1839b9e0"} /-->