As a long time coach of AAU in the area I have

seen many a good basketball player come thru the Richmond area. I remember

seeing Natasha Starks as a night grader hit 4 three's in one high school game, I

saw Angel Ross make big steals and hit tough baskets against James River High

School. I thought to myself "man these girls are really good". I had a chance to

see Ka Lia Johnson play as a 12u in AAU. She did things with the ball that was

usually reserved for college players. She was great. Then I remembered seeing

Kristy Toliver, the preseason player of the year in the ACC with Maryland, play

against my daughters AAU teams. She was nothing short of spectacular. She could

hit the three, break down a defense and had a great handle. At this point I

thought that would be it. Never again would I see a player this good at age 11.

Well in one weekend I saw two players to rival any girl I have seen at this age.

These

two girls are good enough right now to start on virtually every high school team

in the area and be one of their top players. There names are Autumn Childress

(pictured, left) from Tomahawk Middle School and Taja Cole (pictured,

right) from Salem Church Middle School.

How good are these girls???

In one AAU game

Childress

hit 5 of 8 three pointers on her way to 32 points against last years #9 team in

the country. Her last 20 points came against a box and one defense. Cole dropped

24 points on a tough and talent Three Point Line team. On one shot got hit in

the air, hung Kobe style and made a 360 mid air spin to get a foul with the

Basket. Each of these girls has long distance 3 point range, great handle and

can score on acrobatic drives to the basket. In Middle School play they were

unstoppable. Childress scored 32 points in the semi final win over Manchester

Middle School and had 24 points in the championship lost to Robious Middle. As a

5'8" point guard and bless with a 6' wing span she is a bless with a near

perfect basketball build. In her work outs with the top 14 u players in the area

she more then holds her own and is also going to be a member of the Three Point

Line Elite 14U team.

Taja Cole's game is a combo of the athletic play of Kobe Bryant and the pure

passing ability of Jason Kidd. She has the skill to get her own shot against

most any defender and the ability to set up her teammates for easy passes. She

has blazing speed with the ball yet is under complete control. She plays up on

the Capital City Ballerz 13 U AAU team. Against some of the top defensive guards

in the area she consistently beat them off the dribble for either an easy basket

or a good dish off.

As you read this article remember these girls names. If you have a chance to see

them play you are looking at some of the most advanced talent you will find

anywhere. As with any player the future depends on continual improvement and

surrounding themselves with coaches who will continue to develop their

potential. But for right now at age 11 they are doing things on the court many

college players cannot do.