FREE: The Pony Express 9-25

Top-2016 guard gets visit from SMU

Five-star point guard De'Aaron Fox is widely considered to be one of the top point guards in the junior class. Rivals has him ranked as the number-13 overall prospect in 2016.

During fall live-period, SMU assistant coach Ulric Maligi made the short trip from Dallas to Houston to watch Fox at Cypress Lakes' open gym.

"Coach M has been there. We talked a little bit. We talked a little bit about some players that (SMU) thought (it) might get and just SMU's program over the last couple of years and what's been going on," Fox told PonyPride. He also said that Maligi invited Fox up to Dallas for a game at Moody Coliseum this season. Fox is not yet sure if he will be able to take the coach up on his offer.

Assistants from Kansas, Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M, LSU and Kansas State have also been out to watch Fox during live-period.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pound Fox's interest in SMU is predicated on his respect for the Mustangs' coaching staff.

"I really like coach Ulric, the coach I've been talking to the most, and obviously coach Larry Brown. I know two players that are there (Keith Frazier and Ben Emelogu from the Texas-AAU circuit)," Fox said. "And it's really close to home and I really like that."

Fox is dangerous with the ball in his hand. He can attack the basket with an ability to finish it himself or dish to an open teammate. He can also score with his jump shot but there is one area of his offensive game that he has been working on for his junior season.

"Everything's been going great. Just working on a couple things lately. Just more catch and shooting, being ready to catch and shoot because I think that's where I can improve my game the most because I can already shoot off the dribble and creating my own shot. So catching and shooting is what I'm working on the most."

Fox also talked about Cypress Lakes' chances this season.

"We're trying to get further this year, potentially be the state champions. I think we'll do better this year," Fox said.

Senior running back talks visit for A&M game

North Crowley running back Kris Barnes was at Ford Stadium last Saturday for the Mustangs' game against Texas A&M.

At the SMU vs Texas A&M Game with my brother @jonhood24 College Life is Amazing Lets Goo— Kris.Barnes2015RB (@itsKrisBarnes20) September 20, 2014

Barnes spoke with PonyPride about the visit.

"I enjoyed it a lot. A lot of team spirit. It was just an awesome feeling being around SMU fans, a lot of loyal fans," Barnes told PonyPride. "The stadium was really cool, I liked how it went down into the ground. It's a different type of stadium. It has a lot of tradition and I got a chance to see the Boulevard. Everyone was having a lot fun. I saw the facilities with my teammate Jonathan Hood. I didn't realize how big the facility was when I got there."

"I got a chance to meet the strength and conditioning coach and coach (Jason) Phillips. It was nice. I liked everything. It was a good home feeling to it."

Barnes says he will be at SMU's game against Cincinnati in a few weeks.

Barnes and North Crowley are off to a good start at 2-1. Barnes had a monster first game of the season against Grapevine, running the ball 16 times for 184 yards and four touchdowns. The production has led to increased attention "especially from SMU" but also from Kansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Baylor, Arkansas and Iowa.

"I've been training with all my coaches and everything has turned out pretty great. I've noticed a big difference in everything I've been doing and I'm hoping to have a big game for my homecoming (Friday) too," Barnes said.

As a senior, Barnes is trying to take in all the festivities of his last high school homecoming.

"It's the greatest. It's like a big turnaround season for this class so it makes it fun," Barnes said.

2017 offensive lineman set to visit for TCU game

Evangel Christian (Shreveport) offensive lineman Ethan Harvey is traveling to Dallas this weekend to watch the Battle for the Iron Skillet between SMU and TCU.

Despite getting the chance to see a rivalry game, Harvey is more excited about something else.

"I just really like hanging out with coach (Wes) Suan. He really motivated me this season, teaching me some things at the SMU camp this year," Harvey said. "He just has a way with his players."

The 6-foot-4, 286-pound sophomore felt like he learned a lot at SMU's camp this summer.

"It went great. Coach Suan really liked me and we hit it off really well. He's a fantastic coach, really focused on the fundamentals and really broke down the blocking schemes," Harvey said.

Harvey and Suan got along so well that the coach hosted the lineman on another visit of SMU in early August.

"We took a visit up there not too long ago. We toured the campus. It's a beautiful campus," Harvey said. "I really liked the athletic facilities as well. The weight room is one of the better weight rooms I've ever seen. The locker room is really nice. It's just different than what I'm really used to."

Harvey, who also went to camps at LSU, Baylor and Florida State this summer, can play both guard and center.

"I like run blocking a little bit more (than pass blocking) because I get to deliver the hit rather than take it like I do in pass," Harvey said.