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Summer Creek's Janiya Murphy
THE FINAL SECONDS: UIL GBB State Tournament talent big as Texas
With elite programs, such as Summer Creek, Duncanville, Liberty, and Randle -- not to mention their fan-bases in tow -- heading to San Antonio, it's time to break down the key matchups of the girls basketball State Tournament.
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Summer Creek Bulldogs vs. Duncanville Panthers
The stars of 2023-24 Summer Creek Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After being eliminated by Pearland (39-26) in the 2023 Regional Final, Summer Creek proceeded to make a statement by escalating to the Class 6A Final Four, under the direction of first-year head coach Donny Ott.
This marks the team's third appearance in the UIL State Tourney over the past five seasons, which is a testament to the talent they bring onto the court.
Now, the Bulldogs (35-3; 13-1 in district) have the opportunity to surpass their 2022 result of finishing as a State Qualifier, when they face Duncanville (33-4; 13-1 in district) this Friday, at 7:00 pm, in the San Antonio Alamodome.
Ott will turn to his vast arsenal of weapons -- namely Janiya Murphy, Kennedy Simpson, Zachara Perkins, and Mariyah Brown -- in order to keep their current 18-game win-streak alive.
On the Panthers' side, coach Neiman Ford and company are coming off crucial victories against Cy Springs (48-40) and DeSoto (46-39) in the Region-II Tournament.
D'Ville flexes the talents of Mariah Clayton (14 ppg, 6 rpg), Chloe Mann (13 ppg, 4 apg), and Kaylinn Kemp (12 ppg, 2 apg).
These two teams have already met each other at a tournament exhibition in November, in which Summer Creek claimed a 63-53 victory.
Rest assured, this could be the most pivotal match-up of the whole tournament.
Randle Lions vs. Liberty Redhawks
The stars of 2023-24 Randle Girls Basketaball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
What a year it has been for Randle girls hoops.
In just their third season as a varsity program in the Lamar Consolidated ISD, the Lions (30-8; 13-1 in district) took District 20-5A by storm, prior to cruising all the way to San Antonio.
Coach Christy Westbrooks and co. defeated both Hendrickson (59-55) and Barbers Hill (38-34) at the Region-III tournament, which extends their win-streak to 21.
The talents of Alaysia Cook (14 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg), Jaziel King (11 ppg, 2 apg), and Kurynn McNeill (10 ppg, 6 rpg) have propelled Randle to new heights, as they look to continue re-writing the history books.
It's the fact that the Lions know how to win the close games that is essential, as that will likely be the case when they face-off against the reigning Class 5A champs Liberty.
The Frisco Liberty Redhawks (32-7; 14-0 in district) enter the UIL State Tournament yet again, on the heels of winning versus McKinney North (69-52) and Princeton (52-26) in Region-II.
Sophomore super-star Jacy Abii has been a key component to coach Ross Reedy's group, alongside the reigning 5A MVP Keyera Roseby, and junior Aziyah Farrier.
Whichever way this game ends up going, it could be a safe assumption that the victor will likely end up claiming the State crown.
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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.
