Lonestar State Showdown: 15U And 16U Saturday Afternoon Risers

The Lonestar State Showcase, Texas's premier event this year, drew teams from across the country. Prep Hoops successfully brought in talented players, some of whom other scouts discovered throughout the weekend. During Saturday afternoon's evaluation of players, I identified five standout players who made significant contributions to their respective teams.    Riley Pierce is the big man for Team Phoenix P32 15U that effectively holds down the paint with his help defense. His athleticism is evident in his ability to contest shots around the basket, often coming from the weak side. On the defensive end, he impacts the glass both offensively and defensively. Offensively, he finishes plays around the basket when receiving the ball in the paint, contributing to the team's scoring. As he continues to develop his athleticism, Riley will make significant contributions to his high school career.     Larreton Caldwell is the starting guard for Team Phoenix P32 15U that made significant contributions in their game against Chicago Showtime 15U. Throughout the game, he showcased his ability to take control of the game with his downhill scoring. By using his body to create space, he effectively separated himself from opposing guards. With the ball in his hands, Larreton remained aggressive attacking downhill, which not only allowed him to score but also opened up kick-out passes for his teammates as the Chicago Showtime 15U defense closed in on him. Larreton's performance on Saturday afternoon was truly impressive.     Darien Langston is a 6'3” forward for Chicago Showtime 15U that played a pivotal role in their comeback against Team Phoenix P32 15U in the second half. His infectious hustle and energy ignited his team's momentum. As Chicago Showtime 15U pressed in the front court, Darien became increasingly active, stealing and tipping opposing players' passes to create transition opportunities. In these transition moments, Darien was a key contributor to the offense.     Devyn Noore, a primary ball handler for Chicago Showtime 15U, prefers to play at a fast pace with straight-line drives. His slashing ability made him a key player for his team, contributing significantly to the team's transition points during the crucial second half run to get them back in the game. In half-court offensive situations, he skillfully maneuvered past defenders to score points. Defensively, Devyn was actively involved in the press coverage, contributing to the team's efforts in securing stops.     [player_tooltip player_id='3604579' first='Ezana' last='Sisay'] is a forward for Max Levels Elite D Rob 16U P32 that initially caught my attention with his shot-making ability against Nike ProSkills San Antonio 16U. Offensively, he effectively utilizes his length to play defense by blocking shots, contesting shots, covering ground, and intercepting passes in the passing lanes. As a 2028 prospect, with continued growth and development, Ezana has the potential to become a phenomenal player in the future.

The Lonestar State Showcase, Texas's premier event this year, drew teams from across the country. Prep Hoops successfully brought in talented players, some of whom other scouts discovered throughout the weekend. During Saturday afternoon's evaluation of players, I identified five standout players who made significant contributions to their respective teams.