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Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Springs Girls Hoops
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing the UIL GBB Regional Tournament
With that in mind, here are this week's matchups that fans won't want to miss.
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Summer Creek Bulldogs vs. Seven Lakes Spartans
2023-24 Summer Creek Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It would almost seem inevitable that these two squads would eventually meet in the postseason down the stretch. Now that they each enter Round No. 4, tensions should be especially high.
Following their 65-31 victory over Shadow Creek, Summer Creek (33-3) extends their win-streak to 16, which marks the 400-win milestone for Coach Donny Ott. As the Bulldogs head into the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive year, senior guard Janiya Murphy will likely be the difference-maker after putting up 16 points against Shadow Creek.
Also watch for seniors Mariyah Brown and Zachara Perkins, who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, on Tuesday night.
However, they will face their toughest challenge yet when they face off against Seven Lakes (30-8) this Friday.
The Spartans are coming off a hard-fought 81-74 win over a red-hot Fort Bend Austin team, which was buoyed by the dynamic performances of the Carlton sisters -- Justice (Texas-signee) and Madison -- who combined for a whopping 54 points and 23 rebounds.
After coming off their 22nd straight victory, Seven Lakes will be more emboldened than ever. It will truly be a clash of the titans when these two squads meet at the M.O. Campbell Center on Friday night at 7:30 pm.
2023-24 Seven Lakes Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs Panthers vs. Duncanville Panthers
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cy Springs Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs (30-2) has been on a war-path since the season began, and their 28-game win-streak is indicative of that.
Most recently, the Panthers are coming off a definitive 75-51 victory over Klein Collins in the Regional Quarters. Coach Taneisha Rogers will undoubtedly keep looking towards her big-three -- Ayla McDowell (20 ppg, 9 rpg), Jemini Mitchell (17 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mizzou-commit Ma'Riya Vincent (14 ppg, 4 rpg)-- to push the pace moving forward.
Cy Springs now looks on to face Duncanville (31-4), who has been on quite the run themselves.
The D'Ville Panthers feature a big-three of their own -- Mariah Clayton (14 ppg, 7 rpg), Chloe Mann (14 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kaylinn Kemp (12 pgg) -- which has them on a nine-game win-streak.
This won't be one you want to miss, when these two face off at the Panther Activity Center in Lufkin, TX, this Friday at 5:30 pm.
Pearland Oilers vs. Hightower Hurricanes
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Pearland Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers (34-4) are coming off 43-41 nail-biter win over C.E. King, which brings their win-streak to a remarkable 23 straight.
Freshman phenom A'Zyua Blair (18 ppg, 3 apg) continues to be a difference-maker for Pearland, alongside senior guard Nyah Hardy (11 ppg, 2 apg), junior forward Eliece Perry (8 ppg, 6 rpg), freshman Shiloh Grays (7 ppg, 7 rpg), and senior La'Niah Thorton (7 ppg, 5 rpg).
Coach Jere' Adams will hope everything keeps clicking on all cylinders, as Pearland aims to return to the state tournament.
They'll have their work cut out for them, given how well Hightower (30-3) has been playing as of late.
With their recent dominant 60-23 win over Stratford, the Hurricanes have already surpassed their mark of the reaching Round No. 3 a year ago, and they don't intend to stop now.
Freshman center Ogechi Okeke (15 pts, 8 rebounds), and junior guard Kailee Beaudion (16 pts) led the way for Hightower against the Spartans, and will be depended on against Pearland, alongside senior guard Madison Bob . However, the most defining factor for the Hurricanes has been their stifling defense, which has limited opponents to just over 30 points per game on the season.
Will that be enough to stop Pearland?
H-Town audiences are certainly eager to find out, when these two titans tip-off on Friday at 6:00 pm, at the M.O. Campbell Center.
2023-24 Fort Bend Hightower Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Barbers Hill Eagles vs. Chaparral Bobcats
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Barbers Hill Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following their second-consecutive undefeated district campaign, Barbers Hill (30-7) carried over that momentum into the postseason.
Most recently, the Eagles emerged victorious from a 32-28 defensive battle against Manvel, which extends their win-streak to 14. Now, they prepare to face Chaparral (28-6) for the chance to play in the Region III-5A title game.
Coach Bryan Harris will look to his main-stays -- namely sisters Cynthia and Autumn LeCompte, as well as juniors Kynlee Kejonen and Rachel Glynn -- to propel his stellar squad further into the playoffs, which would surpass last year's mark of reaching the fourth round.
On the Chaparral side, coach Kiara Marshall has a trio of players -- Jerriyah Baines (15 ppg), Ivy Powell (14 ppg), Trinity Brown (10 ppg) -- who can pose a threat to the scoreboard.
The right to advance to Round No. 5 is on the line, and these two rosters will duke it out at the Kate ISD Merrell Center, this Friday at 7:30 pm.
Randle Lions vs. Hendrickson Hawks
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Randle Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
In just their second year as a varsity program, Randle (28-8) has wasted no time establishing themselves as a Class 5A super-power.
The Lions enter Round No. 4 fresh off the heels of eliminating district rival Foster, in a 52-42 bout, which was highlighted by a clutch performance by senior guard Jaziel King, who had five three-pointers on the night.
Coach Christy Westbrooks and company now prepare to take on Hendrickson (29-7). King won't be the only weapon in her arsenal when Randle takes to the court, given how junior guard Alaysia Cook (14 ppg, 6 rpg) and sophomore Kurynn McNeill (10 ppg, 6 rpg) have been balling.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are eager for the chance to re-write last season's result, in which they narrowly fell 45-43 to Fulshear in the Region III final.
It will all go down 5:30 pm on Friday night, at the Katy ISD Merrell Center.
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VYPE ATX/SATX Boys and Girls Basketball Rankings Week of 1.16.23
**Games already played have been noted but not taken into account for the rankings
BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
5A-6A: Stony Point stays at the top and looks like the team to beat in 6A for the region, though I'm sure number 2 San Marcos wants another shot at them. They are coming off a thrilling buzzer beating win over district foe Clemens. Buda Johnson moves into the rankings after handling Westlake and San Antonio Veterans Memorial and New Braunfels jump into the rankings to round out our Top 10. The end of the season should be exciting with a handful of these teams about to play one another.
1A-4A: Boerne and Pleasanton are still the team to beat in district. Pleasanton got the best of Somerset in their first district game but that rematch will be one to watch. Meanwhile Nixon-Smiley finds themselves in the rankings for the first time of the season.
PRIVATE SCHOOL: Antonian jumps over Central Catholic after their head-to-head victory and Regents jumps into the rankings after defeating the previous number 5 Brentwood.
GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
5A-6A: Clark is still the best in 6A in the region. After that arguments can be made as to who should be where, in my opinion, when talking about 2-7. Austin and San Antonio is that contested. After that Glenn makes their way into the rankings sitting at 21-4 on the season.
1A-4A: Boerne jumps over Fredericksburg after their head-to-head win and that rematch will be a must watch. Beeville Jones jumps to 3 and Navarro settles in at 4. They lost to both Boerne and Fredericksburg and will look to try and exact some payback in the 2nd half of district. But if you're asking me now Boerne and Fredericksburg are a step above and should contend for a title this year.
PRIVATE SCHOOL: Antonian Prep stays at number 1 and Geneva jumps into the 2 spot. Other than that no change in the teams in the top 5, just their placement.