Lancaster Proving to be 5A Favorites at Elite 14 Showcase
Coming into the Elite 14 Showcase, I was uncertain of who would be my pre-season favorite team to win the UIL 5A State Championship. I thought of the always talented Justin Northwest Texans or the extremely well coached Mansfield Timberview Wolves squads; but after leaving Hirschi High School, I was comfortable knowing that the Lancaster Tigers would be the team I would ride with to win it all. The Tigers are well coached, guard heavy, tough and very talented. They are led by their two nationally ranked floor generals in Wade Taylor Wade Taylor 6'0" | PG Lancaster | 2021 State #103 Nation TX IV and Mike Miles Mike Miles 5'11" | PG Lancaster | 2020 State #161 Nation TX . Helping out on the perimeter is other four-out targets Jalen Roberts and sharpshooter Marco Foster Marco Foster 6'1" | SG Lancaster | 2020 State TX . Unsigned senior Devon Miller is the man in the middle who handles all the dirty work. This article recaps what these five starters displayed at the Elite 14 and how that can help the Tigers on their quest to a state title.
Nationally Ranked Floor Generals
Wade Taylor Wade Taylor 6'0" | PG Lancaster | 2021 State #103 Nation TX / 5’10” / PG / Sophomore
Wade was my choice for MVP of the Elite 14. He picked defenses apart with his dynamic offensive skillset. Wade is like an energizer bunny with his end to end speed and athleticism. When it seems as if he is constantly at 100 mph, his game is always under control. He has a quick trigger off the dribbleand scores off Steph Curry-like finishes in the paint.
Mike Miles Mike Miles 5'11" | PG Lancaster | 2020 State #161 Nation TX / 6’2″ / PG / Junior
Taylor’s backcourt partner was getting it on Saturday night vs Lewisville. The aggressive always in attack mode Mike Miles Mike Miles 5'11" | PG Lancaster | 2020 State #161 Nation TX is the Mike Miles Mike Miles 5'11" | PG Lancaster | 2020 State #161 Nation TX I admired in the beginning of the spring. Mike Mike blew by defenders and penetrated into the paint to score off short jumpers and tough finishes under the rim. He made plays defensively as well. The three-star point guard picked the pocket of 2020 guard K.J. Pruitt K.J. Pruitt 6'4" | SG Lewisville | 2020 State TX (who also stood out with his play). When Mike is playing inside and out while creating for others, rather than settling for questionable three pointers, he looks like every bit the part of a high major prospect.
State Ranked Sharpshooter
Marco Foster Marco Foster 6'1" | SG Lancaster | 2020 State TX / 6’1″ / SG / Junior
Marco is the spot-up sharpshooter for the Tigers. He has a pretty release from behind the arc and showcased it in the performance vs. Southwest Christian (AR). He will the key player defenses will be hesitant to help off of.
Unsigned Tigers
Jalen Roberts / 6’0″ / PG / Senior
If Miles and Taylor are not on ball, it does not hurt to have a third option at the primary ball-handling position. Jalen Roberts properly fills that void, but also plays well without the ball out in his hands. He is a constant backside lob and putback dunk target. Jalen also has a quick first step when slashing to the basket. An unsigned senior who junior colleges should take a serious look at.
Devon Miller / 6’5″ / PF / Senior
Devon should be a premier target for junior colleges across the state. He is an undersized, stocky four man who will play the center position for the Tigers this season. Miller is very active on the glass and uses every given opportunity to finish above the rim. Miller plays bigger than what he is and will have a chance to prove that during his senior season with the talented Lancaster Tigers.