Best Prospects from TAAPS 5A State Semi Finals (Part 2/2)

<p>Check out my analysis on the top prospects that are left in the TAPPS 5A State Playoffs! In this article, we will check out the players who have been getting it done all season in the TAAPS 5A matchups featuring The Woodlands Christian Academy and TMI Episcopal High School. Congrats to McKinney Christian Academy for winning the TAAPS 5A State Championship, and TMI Episcopal for being the runners up! </p> <p>Part 1:</p> <p><strong>The Woodlands Christian Academy (Houston)</strong></p> <p><strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/austin-benigni/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="889590" first="Austin" last="Benigni"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0092-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0092-150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a></strong> 2022 6’0 Woodlands Christian Academy <br /> Austin continued to impress as he scored from all three levels of the floor, created open looks for his teammates with some wizardry level passes and fought through some real adversity in this tournament. Benigni is a high level point guard who thrives at creating opportunities for his teammates and himself. His basketball IQ is on another level compared to most high school athletes, and it does not take long to recognize that once you see him play. Whether he is firing near impossible level passes through two defenders, or no look passing to his open teammates on the back side, he always seems to thrill the crowd and his team. He is not just a passer however, he is great at getting into the teeth of the defense and finishing on either side of the rim. He is great at contorting his body away from contact or away from the help defender, making it nearly impossible for them to get an angle to block his shot at the rim. It is not hard to see why Austin is widely considered one of the best senior point guards in the state. </p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsIIFadTvj8</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1052161" first="Chanse" last="Perkins"]</strong> 6’7 2022 Woodlands Christian Academy </p> <p>Chanse is a high energy forward who can do it all on offense. He possess great touch from the midrange, even as he is fading away from a defender. I was most impressed with his overall on court IQ. He always seemed to be in the right spot, whether it be flashing to the free throw line and quickly spinning for a turn around, or being willing to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Woodlands Christian Academy has a special pick and roll combination with him and their standout point guard. You can tell the two of them have put the extra time in the gym, the point always seems to pick out the right pass where Perkins wants it, and the big man does his best to consistently reward his point guard. </p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nyZLqzeIk</p> <p><strong>Josh Bento</strong> 2023 6’0 Woodlands Christian Academy </p> <p>Josh is a creative combo guard who is great at playing off the ball. His consistent movement off the ball put steady pressure on the back side of the defense and allowed his lead guard room to take defenders off the dribble. He was a reliable shooter when given the time to catch and shoot and was fearless and putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim. He showed an ability to get into the midrange and do some damage from outside in. I loved watching him put constant stress on whoever defended him. His shot making ability is something teams will have to key on, especially next year as he likely takes over Benigni’s role… He is a high level defender for the guard position, he is great at moving his feet and keeping his man in front of him. </p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j49sgwHTrg</p> <p><strong>TMI Episcopal (San Antonio):</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="892136" first="Kendrick" last="De Luna"] </strong>6’8 2023 TMI Episcopal (San Antonio)</p> <p>Kendrick is a lanky forward with all of the ball skills to make him a complete player and prospect. He has a truly soft touch on his runners and floaters in the paint, and finishes with consistency right at the rim over other forwards. He is very polished with his back to the basket, and can get to his spot by bullying his defender deep into the paint and finishing over him. What really stood out was his willingness to do all of the little things on the court. He is a high level rebounder, who is good at high pointing the ball and keeping it away from his opponents as he lands and begins to make outlet passes. De Luna has a very high motor and loves to get on the floor after loose balls. </p> <p><strong>Ojani Bowen 2024</strong> TMI Episcopal (San Antonio)</p> <p>Ojani is a scrappy and intense combo guard who takes pride in shutting down his opponents on the defensive end, much like his namesake. His ability to take his opponents out of the game was very impressive. He seemed unafraid to go against anyone on the other side, even having to switch and defend bigger guards and wings. Bowen is a high level scorer with his ability to create shots for himself in the midrange and beyond the arc. His ability to get his own shot off allowed him to step up and hit big shots when his team needed him the most. He has a real connection and is great at creating offense with [player_tooltip player_id="892136" first="Kendrick" last="De Luna"] (2023). Ojani works well at relocating after feeding him in the post, and moving without the ball to take some of the attention of the defense away. He showed off deep NBA level range when given time to square up and really set his feet. He is a weapon as a catch and shoot player, which allows him to play well with other high level guards on the team. Expect his development to rapidly increase over the next two years, especially with his dad at the helm! </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1145204" first="Jaylen" last="Gardner"]</strong> 2023 6’4 TMI Episcopal (San Antonio)</p> <p>Jaylen is an athletic freak who specializes in creating separation with a live dribble and getting to the rim with ferocity. Gardner is a dual sport athlete with offers to UTSA in football as a wide receiver, and when you see him step on the court it is not hard to find out why. The 6’4 athlete has incredible end to end speed which allows him to fly around the court and wreak havoc on both ends of the floor. He is great at getting underneath a defender’s skin by making them work as they push the ball up the court, another testament to Coach Bruce Bowen’s teachings. Gardner is a special athlete, and whatever path he chooses in the future should bring tremendous success to him and his organization. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>