The Dallas Stars have traditionally had a roster loaded with talent, and that will be the case again in 2014. Coach Roosevelt Riley’s roster includes a series of players that are being recruited by major Division I programs, and Riley has high expectations for the coming travel campaign.
“The nucleus of this team has been together for a while, and they’ve always been successful,” Riley said. “We have a lot of athleticism on this team, and we will be getting up and down the court.”
The Stars will showcase their talent at the 2014 Deep South Classic, which will be played in Raleigh, NC, on April 25-27. Now in its 17th year, the Deep South Classic annually hosts many of the nation’s elite travel teams in a field that will eclipse 200 squads, and hundreds of collegiate coaches will be on hand searching for talent. The 2014 event will mark the second year that the Deep South Classic has been held at the Raleigh Convention Center. The venue was a tremendous success in its debut last year, with all games played at one site on 18 courts, and it is in a convenient central location.
The biggest stars for Riley’s club will be five veterans from the Class of 2015: Chelsea Warren (6-2, PF), Jerice Fears (6-0, F), Alexus Gilbert (5-7, CG), Teneticia Newman (6-0, F) and LaBrasia Baty (5-4, PG). The Stars should also get a big boost from Clarissa Moody (2016, 5-11, G).
“Chelsea is very, very strong in the post, but she is also versatile. She has nice post moves, and she can shoot the three,” Riley said. “Jerice is as strong as a bull, and she is very agile. She can shoot the three too, so she is an inside-outside player. Alexus is a baller who can do it all. She can score it, and she can defend it. She is big time.
“Teneticia is a six-foot jumping jack. We call her ‘Baby Rodman’ because she is such a good rebounder, and she has a good mid-range game. LaBrasia is our floor general, and she is an excellent facilitator — just the consummate point guard. Clarissa is one of the best shooters in her class. She was hurt last year, but she is averaging 18 points per game for her high school team now as a sophomore.”
All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick added his perspective on the Dallas Stars prospects:
Chelsea Warren: “Chelsea is an athletic, physical, aggressive player. She will rebound, and she can score out to the three-point line.”
Jerice Fears: “Fears is an athletic wing who can attack the basket. She has the ability to take the ball coast-to-coast.”
Alexus Gilbert: “Gilbert is a very quick, smart player who can attack the rim and she can knock down the three.”
Teneticia Newman: “Newman is a great athlete. She is strong and she can leap. She is a high energy player who is a tremendous rebounder, and she can step out to 14 feet.”
LaBrasia Baty: “Baty is a true point guard with good quicks. She can run the show and make good decisions, and she knows how to involve everyone.”
Clarissa Moody: “Moody is an athletic wing who shoots the ball well. She wasn’t on the circuit last year, so she is someone to check out.”
