GAMES
RANKINGS
BRACKETOLOGY: Shadow Creek, Marshall, Stafford, Hitchcock are VYPE's State Favorites
The run to State begins this week as Houston-area hopefuls have their sights set on the Alamadome in weeks to come.
So, who has the best chance to be dancing come March 8th on the Riverwalk?
Let’s start in Class 6A DI Region III, where it gets pretty dicey in the second round.
Cypress Creek and Seven Lakes would make for a tough second-round matchup along with Atascocita vs Fort Bend Travis, Bellaire facing Cinco Ranch, and Summer Creek against Pearland. That happens, if all goes to plan in the first round.
Seven Lakes finished 30-5 on the season and second in the district behind Jordan. Their two district losses came by a total of two points. Isaiah Santos is a STUD, and one of the top players in the state.
Atascocita ran the table in a tough district and coach David Martinez leans on captains Jase Mason and Jaylen Fenner. Fort Bend Travis won the FBISD and is led by coach Craig Brownson. The Tigers are balanced and deep with Dylan Campbell and Timi Ibikunle leading the charge. Bellaire is headlined by national recruit and Duke signee Shelton Henderson and Anthony Andrews. The Cards are senior-heavy. Ridge Point and Pearland is a toss up.
In Region II, Grand Oaks leads the way for the city, who opens up with a scrappy Nimitz squad. They would likely face district champ Klein in round two. Aldine is a wild story going winless last year and into the playoffs this year. Cypress Ranch should get by Klein Forest. Duncanville lays in wait for all comers in this bracket.
…
The Class 6A DII Region III bracket is TOUGH.
Shadow Creek is THAT team. Houston’s No. 1 Class 6A team is loaded going 30-2 on the season.
The Sharks have the best line up with Michael Collins, Bryce Jackson (Houston), Aiden Law and Julian Cullier all dangerous on both ends of the floor.
They have the best shot at advancing to State from this Region, but don’t sleep on Katy Jordan, Clear Springs and CE King. Jordan is balanced in the backcourt with Jaden Holt and Elijah Black and have athletic size as well.
With that being said, it is Shadow Creek’s to lose. They are just too talented.
…
In Region II, College Park is sneaky good with the backcourt of Ian Inman (Colorado) and Aiden Buckman. Cypress Springs has a puncher’s chance coming out of the lower side of that bracket.
…
The Class 5A DI Region III bracket has Beaumont Westbrook looming, who is the favorite. Spring Woods has had a breakout season with brothers Tavionn, Trae and Torian Pickens leading the way, however, it might be Crosby who has the best shot in this bracket coming out of H-Town. Evan Egans, Phillip Jackson and Tyler Eaden are solid scorers and went 10-2 in district play.
…
The bottom of the Class 5A DII, Region III bracket is not cool… at all. Fort Bend Marshall is the No. 2 Class 5A team in the State, while Friendswood and Kingwood Park both won their respective districts. Barbers Hill is TOUGH and long as well. Up top is Randle and Iowa Colony, who are also talented. VYPE’s prediction is that FB Marshall battles through the toughtest bracket in all of the UIL Tourney and earns their way to State.
…
Houston’s most dominant team this season has be Class 4A DI power Stafford. It’s the year of the Spartan as they went 34-0 so far this season. Stafford should roll to State with a bouncy team, led by Skyler Holt. He is a human-highlight reel.
In Class 4A DII, it’s the familiar names of Yates, Wheatley, Silsbee and La Marque, who will challenge for a Final Four spot. La Marque comes out of Region IV, while everyone else is in Region III.
…
Can Hitchcock win State for the third staight time? It would be unpresedented, if so. The ‘Dogs are 23-8 on the season and have the swag to hoist the hardware again. Gone are Lloyd Jones III and Kelshaun Johnson, who have already enrolled in college, leaving Elijah Sherwood to do the heavy lifting. It’s going to be a road, but it can be done.
2024-25 Shadow Creek Basketball
"WE WILL": No. 2 Shadow Creek features an excess of star-power to see out a likely playoff run
2 -- SHADOW CREEK SHARKS
Shadow Creek (31-3) was one of the most dominant squads around in the 2023 regular season, as they would go on to make their seventh consecutive playoff appearance.
Although they were eliminated in the Area Round, at the hands of a formidable West Brook team, the fact that a significant portion of their stars are returning bodes well for the Sharks.
Eighth-year coach David President will lean on the veteran leadership – particularly from District MVP Michael Collins (Sr. PG / 21 ppg) – to elevate the entire roster, while placing an emphasis on staying healthy.
Aiden Law moves over from St. Francis Episcopal (TAPPS-4A State Champs) to further bolster SCHS, paired with Julian Cuillier (first-team, all-district), Adin Lewis (second-team), and senior guard Bryce Jackson (Houston-commit), who returns after two years of injury.
The motto in 2024 is “WE WILL”.
All things considered it appears that Shadow Creek will be even deadlier.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2024-25 VYPE BASKETBALL PREVIEW
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE CITY-WIDE MEDIA DAY
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2024-25 VYPE BASKETBALL PREVIEW FLIPBOOK
THE VYPE PODCAST