Their names and faces might be familiar to anyone who attended the McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament in the past. Thirteen women currently scheduled to play in the upcoming Women’s NCAA Tournament once played in the McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament when they were in high school.
“You could tell these young women would be special when the played in our tournament, said Kirk Lewis, chair of the MTI committee. “Their success at the next level of competition proves it. We’re always excited with our MTI alumni go on to represent their schools in their respective colleges and universities.”
Among the MTI alumni playing in the NCAA Tournament this year are: DiDi Richards, Cy-Ranch, Baylor; La Shann Higgs, Cedar Ridge, University of Texas; Charli Collier, Barber’s Hill, University of Texas; Joanne Allen-Taylor, Cy-Falls, University of Texas; Chasity Patterson, North Shore, Kentucky; Brianna Turner, Manvel, Notre Dame; Erica Ogwumike, Cy-Woods, Rice; Olivia Ogwumike, Cy-Woods, Rice; Nicole Iademarco, The Woodlands, Rice; Nancy Mulky, Cy-Woods, Rice; Jasmine Williams, Cy-Woods, Texas A & M; Ciera Johnson, Duncanville, Texas A & M; Zaay Green, Duncanville, University of Tennessee.
He added, “That these outstanding young women are playing at such a high level with highly successful teams is evidence of the quality of the competition you will find in the McDonald’s Texas Invitational each year.”