Hot Starts to the Season: Houston Hoopers Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season in high school hoops for Houston has been off to a quick start. Many teams and players have been putting the city on notice so far this season and the beginning of district play is helping reignite rivalries. A competitive atmosphere is always what is best for these high school players to help themselves improve their recruitment and get as many eyes on these varsity teams as possible. Let's take a look at some players who have been proving themselves this year and some standout performances they had. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2138028"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6950897465296"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2138028' first='Tyson' last='Forrest'] has been my biggest standout performer that I laid eyes on this year, and he is certainly continuing this strong level of play as we are in full district swing now. He had a string of three to four games early in the year where he consistently dropped 40-50 points, and you can tell that College Park is very comfortable putting the ball in his hands during crunch time. Tyson has a great jumper off the dribble and gets to the basket well against tough coverage. He stays calm and poised under pressure and showcases high IQ every game from the point guard slot. If Tyson can continue scoring at this high level, the Cavs will be a real problem for opponents to continue to deal with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Trahan ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cypress Creek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6950897465376"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah Trahan had a dominant performance against Summer Creek in enemy territory, and this was the first game I was able to watch for him this season. Trahan controlled the paint in every facet: grabbing second chance boards, taking advantage of mismatches, and blocking shots on the defensive end. Elijah runs the floor well for his size and is often an efficient finisher at the rim on fastbreaks where his athletic ability allows him to finish over the top of defenders, often embracing the contact. Look for Trahan to make some noise this year as one of the top returners for the Cougars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2170478' first='Brayden' last='Williams'] ","_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":"5'11u0022","_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":"Conroe ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6950897465418"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brayden was one of the best facilitators for Conroe in one of their early district games against College Park. I was impressed by Williams spot up shooting as well as his consistency drawing fouls on the defense and cashing in with a smooth stroke at the free throw line. He doesn't force bad passes, and he often is a major help for Conroe handling the ball and scoring against high octane pressure. This was my first time watching Brayden and he definitely will remain on my prospect list for the rest of his high school tenure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2858664"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-695089746546e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2858664' first='Javohn' last='Monk'] stepped up big time in the clutch to help the Cy Creek Cougars take home a big road win over the Bulldogs of Summer Creek. Monk had 22 points and knocked down open jumpers, played tough perimeter defense, and showed that he is not afraid of the bright lights. Javohn has a relentless and competitive nature when he is on the court and has proven to me multiple times that he can be relied upon as a go-to option especially when Cy Creek needs a bucket. Monk is one of the most impressive 2028 players in Houston and continues to gather more eyes on him playing at a high level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2556140"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69508974654db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gafford made a living scoring buckets under the basket and in the midrange against the College Park Cavs to start off district play. Johnathan had several strong and-one finishes against smaller defenders and fought hard for loose balls and rebounds that led to more buckets for Conroe. Gafford is never hesitant to put his body on the line for jump balls and trips to the foul line and his tenacity definitely helps his team on the glass. Undersized at the center position, he makes up for it with heart and fighting spirit. One of the more underrated seniors I have been able to evaluate this year, look for Gafford to make a statement coming off a big start to district play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->