::shoulder slump:: It was a 16-8 week last week, and the overall record stands at 115-48 (.701). To get to the 75 percent prediction record, I have to go 79-17, which is 82.3 percent correct a week or around 20-4. In other words, it probably isn't happening.
Below are the 21 other games of note that I'll try my best at predicting a winner for in addition to the deeper-dive games: Lewisville rolling past Irving; Martin just getting by Arlington in a 6A Top 10 matchup; Shelton beating Grace Prep at the Ford Center.
(Rankings for each team can be found in our Week 8 Top 10 Area Rankings)
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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The stars of 2024-25 Cypress Lakes Girls Basketball
19 - CYPRESS LAKES SPARTANS
Last season, Cypress Lakes marched all the way to the Regional Semifinals for the first time in program history.
The Spartans finished with an impressive 25-11 overall record, and a fifth-round appearance. It was their second-straight season of winning 20-plus games.
The Spartans will have to replace the production of now-Rice Owl and reigning District MVP Aniah Alexis, who averaged 29 points and 12 boards per game a year ago. Her younger sister Makennah Alexis is the next in line.
Makennah is a two-time first-team, all- district pick and was the District’s Newcomer of the Year her freshman year. Last season, Makennah averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 steals and 2.7 assists per game.
Others to watch include honorable mention, all-district selections Lauryn Jeffries (3.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Maycee Smith (2.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg).
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As we touched on in their State Semis preview, it's been no secret that Bellville is a perennial title-contender, dating back to 1984, when they won it all in their State-debut.
19 appearances in the UIL State Tournament over the past four decades speaks for itself. But, this particular group just seems special.
The Brahmanettes (44-5) took down the reigning UIL-4A champion Davenport in a five-set thriller on Tuesday, giving coach Susan Brewer and company the opportunity to capture the program's first championship since 2005.
Considering the level of play that Bellville has maintained throughout this Fall, knocking off any challenger that comes in their path, it appears that the title is theirs to lose.
However, Decatur might have something to say about that.
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In each of the previous five times (2013, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021) that they have reached the State-level of the playoffs, the Eagles have stepped off the court as UIL champions.
After sweeping Celina on Tuesday night, Decatur (31-13) now intends to go 6-for-6, under the direction of coach Stormi Snider.
Despite the odds, this squad has subverted expectations time and time again, which means they are not to be underestimated at this stage.
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In what could easily be a five-setter, these two Class 4A juggernauts will face each other Friday night (6:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center, with championship glory on the line.
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