Brandon Baker is back in the game.
Klein ISD has named Baker as the district's Executive Director of Athletic and Student Services. He moves over from Klein High School, where he was the principal.
Prior to being in administration, he was an assistant basketball coach for Cary Black at Klein Forest High School.
VYPE's Matt Malatesta caught up with Baker as he embarks on his new journey.
20 -- KLEIN OAK PANTHERS
It was just two short years ago that Klein Oak (21-10 overall, 11-3 in district) ran to the Regionals Finals in Region II under the direction of coach Josh Irvin.
The Panthers have continued to thrive and won their district last season, before going two rounds deep in the playoffs.
So, now what?
“This year, our strength will be our shooting,” Irvin said. “We are going to have solid guard play, tremendous quickness and the ability to make shots. The key to our success, however, will be how we can defend.”
Brennen Webb and Rakin Ali will be the headliners as the Panthers try to hold off the likes of Tomball Memorial and Klein Forest in district play.
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The stars of 2024-25 Dickinson Basketball
21 -- DICKINSON GATORS
Jason Wilson (230-97 in career) enters his 11th season with the Gators, who most recently went 11-1 in District 24-6A to claim the program’s seventh title over the last decade.
As one of the most traditionally successful teams on the south-side of Houston, it’s unlikely that anything stands to change for Dickinson in 2025.
While some of last year’s stars have since graduated – particularly Qasim Boyd (South Alabama) – there are still a handful of key returners for Wilson to utilize.
Point guard David Chong is back for his senior season, after averaging over 14 points a game, while fellow guard Caleb Lopez adds some depth following an impressive freshman debut.
Defense is going to be crucial for the Gators and others will need to step up to fill in some of the gaps. The standard will remain the same as “Gator Pride” rolls on.
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2024-25 Kinkaid Girls Basketball
1 — THE KINKAID SCHOOL FALCONS
Kinkaid reached the SPC 4A Championship game in 2024 after not making the playoffs in the year prior. The Falcons fell just short and look to climb to the top of the mountain again in 2025 in order to claim their first SPC crown since 2019.
Stacey Marshall enters her 21st year at the helm of the program and sits 23 coaching wins away from No. 500.
Four starters return for Marshall’s youthful squad. A group of sophomores will lead the way, headlined by All-SPC selections Lauren Hull and Sydney Marshall.
Last year, Marshall – who currently holds offers from SMU, Wisconsin, Princeton, and Columbia – contributed 12.3 points and nine rebounds per game, while Hull (Old Dominon offer) averaged 11.1 points every contest.
Others to watch include Lyllian Walton (8.1 ppg, 3.1 spg, 2.7 apg) and newcomer Ma'Ryiah Alfred, who comes over from Beaumont Westbrook.
Alfred (UNLV, Southern Alabama, SFA, Lamar, ACU offers) brings another level of offensive firepower, as she most recently earned a first-team, all-district nod and District Offensive Player of the Year honors for her impressive stat-line (20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 spg, 2.7 apg).
Another player to keep an eye on is sophomore guard Kamdyn Flora.
Keys to success for Marshall’s team include having pressure defense, transition and pace, chemistry and teamwork.
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