Senior, OL - Chris Owens, Arlington Lamar
After redshirting his freshman year, Owens has made his impact felt on the offensive line. Owens found himself filling in at center for the Tide after All-American Landon Dickerson suffered a torn ACL against Florida in the SEC Championship game. Owens helped the Tide complete their season with a Championship title playing Monday night against Ohio State.
At Arlington Lamar, Owens was a four-star guard and rated as the No. 10 guard Nationally according to a 247Sports composite and the No. 2 Guard in Texas. Owens earned an All-State selection by the Texas Associated Press and chose Alabama over Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M.
Freshman, PK - Chase Allen, Colleyville Heritage
Allen joined Alabama as a walk-on addition this season. Allen has served the Crimson Tide by kicking off in various instances to include the starting kickoff duties in the first four games of the 2020 season, against LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Although Allen didn't play during the National Championship game, he totaled 2,029 yards on kickoffs for the Crimson Tide.
At Colleyville Heritage, Allen was ranked as the No. 1 kicker and punter in Texas 5A Division 1. He earned an All-District 4-5A Special Teams Player of the Year honor his senior season and recorded a touchback on 30 of his 46 kicks during his senior season. Allen chose Alabama over Ole Miss and Villanova.
Freshman, RB - Jase McClellan, Aledo
McClellan has shown his ability more than once on Alabama's offense and special teams. He got his first collegiate playing time against Missouri early in the season where he played on special teams before doing the same against Texas A&M in the Tide's home opener. McClellan even earned special teams player of the week recognition from the Alabama coaching staff against Mississippi State where he helped limit MSU to zero yards on punt returns. McClellan totaled 245 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and one receiving yard during the 2020-2021 season with Alabama. McClellan joined on special teams during the National Championship game.
At Aledo, McClellan was a highly sought-after recruit. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 6 running back and the No. 6 player in the state of Texas according to a 247Sports composite. McClellan was selected to play in the Under Armor All-American Game and competed in Nike's "The Opening". McClellan helped lead Aledo to a State Title in the 2019-2020 season with a 45-42 win over Fort Bend Marshall. McClellan totaled over 6,800 yards and 842 carries with 125 touchdowns. He chose Alabama over Oklahoma after first pledging his loyalty to the Sooners two years prior to his Tide commitment.
Freshman, OL - Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan
Drew Sanders came out of Denton ready to show his strength to his SEC opponents. Sanders saw consistent play on special teams throughout the entire season as an outside linebacker. In his collegiate debut, Sanders recorded an unassisted tackle against Missouri early in the season. Sanders earned special teams player of the week from the Alabama coaching staff for his play against Tennessee and Arkansas. Sanders recorded four solo tackles and five assisted tackles prior to the National Championship game. Sanders saw playing time against Ohio State during the Championship showdown.
At Denton Ryan, Sanders made a name for himself and quickly became a five-star recruit. Rated as the No. 1 player in Texas according to a 247Sports composite, Sanders played on both ends of the ball where he completed over 10 passes and scored over 45 touchdowns in his career. Sanders was also named as a finalist for the 2019 Landry Player of the Year. Sanders chose Alabama over Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and more.
Led by Coach John Reese, the Boswell Pioneers have picked up right where they left off last year, when they reached the UIL-6A Region I Finals.
As the No. 1-ranked team in Texas (according to MaxPreps) and in our DFW rankings, Boswell enters the second half of this season with a pristine record of 24-2.
Their only losses so far have come at the hands of fellow state power Denton Guyer earlier in December, and more recently, they narrowly fell 44-40 to the top team in Arkansas, the Conway Wampus Cats, in the championship game of last week’s Sandra Meadows Tournament in Duncanville.
Both games were decided by four points or less, demonstrating that Boswell is more than capable of competing with the best.
In terms of star power, look no further than Camille Williams, the Offensive MVP of the Meadows Tournament. The University of Miami signee is currently averaging over 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game, making her the total package at the point guard position.
Williams, a two-time District MVP and a member of last year’s TABC All-Region team, is complemented by the remarkable talents of fellow senior Haleigh Jackson, who is also making waves in the college recruiting scene.
Standing at 6 feet tall, Jackson contributes roughly 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game, forming a dynamic duo that opposing teams struggle to contend with.
Additionally, sophomores Sydney Durrah (13 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg) and Seleste Massey (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 spg) further strengthen this formidable Pioneers squad, while junior Salena Carrasco (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg) is always ready to step up when needed.
Boswell will now turn its attention to the remaining district schedule, having already started off 3-0 against their counterparts.
They’ll face competition from Crowley and North Crowley for 3-6A supremacy, but it’s a likelihood that Coach Reese and his team will secure their first district title since the 2021-22 campaign.
However, their ultimate goal extends far beyond just a district championship.
Historically, the Pioneers have reached the State Tournament only once, back in 1977, when they fell to Waco Midway (74-59) in the UIL-3A State Semifinals.
Given the exceptional momentum this team has built in 2024, it’s entirely possible that Boswell could make a historic run to the Alamodome once the playoffs begin in February.
When it comes to Texas high school girls hoops, there are few teams more consistent than Lincoln.
Similar to Duncanville in UIL-6A (4 championships since 2015), the Tigers are always in the conversation within Class 4A, evidenced by their 16 state tournament appearances over the past 34 seasons -- claiming three titles over that span.
That trend continues to this day, and then some, as Coach Ashley Greer and company have enjoyed a perfect 23-0 start to the winter, while they currently compete in the Sandra Meadows Classic.
The 2023 District 13-4A MVP, Ar'Jayla Elder (Jr. G), headlines the high-octane Lincoln offense, averaging just over 14 points per game.
Naturally, this has paid dividends for a group that now seeks to dominate 11-4A, following the UIL realignment this past off-season.
Of course, she's not alone.
Fellow returning starter T'Anna Saddler contributes roughly 9 points and 3 assists per contest, while adding a significant rebounding and defensive presence with her 6-foot-1 frame.
Meanwhile, newcomer Lanae Dallas has wasted no time in establishing herself within the team's ranks, as the freshman is averaging over 11 points an outing.
If that isn't enough to hurt the opposition, sophomore Jada Patterson (8 ppg), as well as seniors Grace Spencer (9 ppg, 2 rpg) and Sy'Niyah Gulley (5 ppg, 1 rpg) are more than capable of making a difference.
Lincoln reached the State Semis a year ago, where they fell 65-60 in a double-overtime heart-breaker against eventual champion Waco La Vega.
Suffice it to say, the No. 2 team in our updated rankings would love to return the favor down the line
As is the case every season, the Tigers will have their sights set on reaching the Alamodome. If all goes according to plan, they'll secure the program's first state crown since 2008.
One of the most captivating turnarounds this winter has come courtesy of the Denton Guyer girls basketball program.
After years of fluctuating performance—most recently finishing 10-20 last season—the Wildcats have experienced a remarkable rise in 2024.
Under the tutelage of head coach Jake Floyd, Denton Guyer is currently sitting pretty with a 20-2 record, following a dominant win over McKinney North in the Dallas ISD Holiday Invitational on Friday evening.
Ranked No. 3 in Dallas via our updated rankings, the Wildcats have quickly established themselves as one of the most elite competitors in the state. Their performance this year is a reflection of the growing depth and talent within the program.
At the core of Guyer's impressive season is senior point guard Amaya Langford, the team's undisputed leader.
Langford's experience has been invaluable, but it's her exceptional ability to distribute the ball and control the tempo that sets her apart. Earlier this month, she reached the 200-assist milestone in her career, further proving her court vision and unselfish play.
Adding to the Wildcats' strength is sophomore Baylee Bowman, a first-team all-district selection, who excels both beyond the arc and on defense.
Bowman’s shooting ability and versatility make her a significant asset, and given her age, she’s only expected to improve as the season progresses. Alongside Langford, the two form a dynamic duo that is tough to match.
However, what truly makes Denton Guyer stand out is its impressive depth.
If Langford and Bowman aren’t leading the charge, individuals such as fellow first-teamer Peyton Underwood (So. G), Destanie Green (Fr. G), and junior Madison McGhie are ready to step up at a moment's notice.
As the Wildcats head into the second half of the season, tougher challenges await.
Competing in one of the most competitive districts in Texas (5-6A), Guyer will face teams like Braswell and Flower Mound, both of whom are well-renowned opponents.
Flower Mound handed Guyer a tough 64-56 loss in their first meeting, but the Wildcats are hungry for redemption and looking to settle the score.
The immediate goal is to end their three-year playoff drought, but with the talent this team has shown, the Wildcats are setting their sights higher.
For the first time in years, this squad seems primed to make a deep playoff run and possibly break through past the second round—something the program has struggled to achieve in the past decade.
For now, Guyer’s focus is on securing a district title, something they haven’t won since the 2020-21 season.
As the season continues, expect the Wildcats to keep impressing fans and opponents alike—they’re proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Stay tuned.
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