Deidre Vasquez enters her 11th season of leading the Oak Ridge program. This year, the veteran coach is in line to earn her 200th coaching victory at Oak Ridge.
The War Eagles are coming off a 25-8 year, which saw them reach the Area Round. Two starters return off that team as they seek a seventh-straight trip to the playoffs in 2024.
District 13-6A Offensive MVP Taylor Jones returns after averaging 18.6 points, 12.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game a year ago. Jones is verbally committed to Bethany College in Kansas.
Treasure Emeh is also back off a first-team, all-district performance.
Keys to success this year, according to Vasquez, include team chemistry, offensive execution and young post play. Vasquez wants her team to “turn up the heat” in 2024.
Recently, our team traveled to Montgomery High School for their exclusive Winter Media Day.
We caught up with Montgomery GBB Coach Kelly Savoy, detailing how he and the Bears aim to repeat their success from last year, and make another run for the playoffs.
SHELTON HENDERSON IS REPRESENTING HOUSTON MUCH LIKE TJ FORD, DANIEL EWING, DE’AARON FOX, JUSTISE WINSLOW, THE HARRISON TWINS, JARRED VANDERBILT AND QUENTIN GRIMES DID BEFORE HIM.
The aforementioned were all kingpins of Hoopston.
Now, it’s his turn as he holds Bellaire’s dreams in the palm of his hand.
“I remember my first varsity game as a freshman here and all the jitters I had,” he said. “Now, I’m the leader. The time has gone by so fast.”
The national 5-star recruit recently committed to Duke, similar to how Ewing and Winslow did previuosly.
“Honestly, it’s Duke at the end of the day,” he said. “It’s that place where every kid dreams of going when they are young. I was looking for a place with a staff that is going to really push me to be great on and off the court. I think Coach (Jon) Scheyer and his staff will get me prepared.”
Before he heads to hoop heaven, Henderson has some unfinished business.
“I know I could have left to play at a prep school anywhere in the country,” he said. “I wanted to stay home and play with the guys I’ve grown up with for so long. I want to bring a State Championship to the HISD and Bellaire.”
Basketball has taken him outside of the confines of Harris County, most recently this summer.
“I was selected to play for Team USA in Argentina,” he said. “It was a life-changing experience. I met and played with so many cool people and we brought home the gold. Everyone says it, but it is special wearing the USA across your chest.”
The laid-back floor general has a chill persona... off the court.
“Everyone really knows each other when you get to this level of AAU and varsity basketball,” he laughed. “These are all my best friends, but when the game starts and we
are between the lines, that all goes away. I’m trying to win... trying to kill. After the game, we are right back to being cool.”
If he brings home the gold this winter, Henderson will be etched in the city’s Mt. Rushmore of basketball... just the next great ambassador of Houston.
