TexasHoops talks Allen HS, Mark, Hernandez, Stewart, Hightower and more

• After losing key players from their 2018 6A championship team, Allen High School has reloaded with sophomores and juniors. Isaiah Stevens (Colorado State signee) is the backbone of this youthful squad, and Korey Jones has experience from last year’s team. But new head coach Joe McCullough has many other weapons on the perimeter to choose from.

In the final game of the night, Allen handed Fort Bend Bush a 62-39 loss. Stevens had his team-high of 20 points and fellow senior guard Jones added 15. The pair of seniors combined for seven three-pointers. However, it was the eye-catching play of sophomore Manny Obaseki and juniors Thailand Elder and Bryce Kennedy that gives the Allen Eagles options. Kennedy showed an explosive first step to the rim and helped on the boards, while Elder nailed two three-pointers and totaled 10 points. For Obaseki, it was seeing the potential that was oozing from his game. Obaseki is a ball handler that has a great feel, and he plays with stop-and-go pace. With the ball in his hands, Obaseki gets his teammates involved in the game by creating space and seeing the passing lanes. Obaseki is also fast in the open court and will blow by his defender to get into the lane to score or drop a pass to teammates on the block. There is something about Obaseki’s game that will bring us back to watch more throughout the year.

• In a 13 point loss to Fort Bend Ridge Point, the Crosby Cougars sophomore point guard Kaleb Stewart still made an impact by sharing the ball with his teammates and scoring 11 points hitting the three and penetrating to the basket to finish. -But in one of the best dunks of the day, Stewart took the ball the length of the court and with hos momentum carrying him to the rim, Stewart threw it down left-handed which brought the crowd to their feet in amazement. Stewart already has an offer from Texas A&M and he has a lot of tools to work with for the next level.

• Dickinson was once again a highlight reel of Tramon Mark making elite level plays. The wiry lefty guard is a play maker who is a threat to score once he crosses inside 25 feet. He has a smooth stroke with range beyond the arc and a sudden first-step to get by his defender at any time. His wing-span allows him to finish with ease at the rim over the top of the defense and when combined with his ability to get off the floor quickly, he is near unguardable at the high school level. A smooth 52 point game followed up his season-opening 42 point effort.

• Converse Judson snuck out a victory versus a talented Fort Bend Hightower squad who are full of youngsters. -But it was the experience of the Rockets unsigned senior forward, Dhimani Hernandez that won out down the stretch of the game, helping Judson to a 77-75 win. At 6-foot-6, Hernandez is a trim build pick-and-pop candidate that has a soft lefty stroke and can get a step ahead of his defender and rise up to hit the jumper. Hernandez is skilled and gets from point A to point B in just a few dribbles to hit shots. He will definitely have to add strength to his frame, but his skill and length are what makes Hernandez intriguing.

• As far as the Hightower Hurricanes go, they will be just fine. The Hurricanes have several prospects and none more talked about then 6-foot-1 freshman Bryce Griggs. A great looking 2022 standout, Griggs is physical and pounds the ball on his way to the basket where he leans into defenders and finishes through contact. He has a nice skillset and will sink the three. Teammate Chris Felix is a slasher and uses his long reach to score around his opponents at the basket. Felix steps inside the arc and nails the 15-footer and has a nice touch. Felix is 6-foot-3 and is a slender athlete.

• Unsigned senior Collin Warren of Fort Bend Elkins led the way for the Knights against Katy Tompkins, during Elkins first game of the day. The 6-foot-2 guard attacked the rim and exploded over defenders on his way to a game-high of 23 points. Warren went 9-for-11 from the charity stripe in the 61-45 victory to extend the Knights undefeated season. Warren is a terrific athlete with a quick first step to the basket. On the defensive end of the ball, Warren is a run and jump defender who will get up the lanes and head the other way in transition for thunderous dunks. Warren is a future college player who should start gaining more interest for the late signing period.