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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
The stars of 2024-25 Cy Springs Girls Basketball
THE STATUS: VYPE Houston Basketball Final Rankings with playoffs looming
We’re finally approaching the point of the season where the stakes are at their highest.
As the playoffs near for girls basketball in Houston, district seeding has been locked in, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.
At the top of the ranks, Cy Springs (27-3) has proven they’re ready to surpass last year’s Regional Semifinal appearance, finishing the regular season with a perfect sweep of District 16-6A.
In District 22-6A, the battle was tight, but Dawson (31-4) ultimately claimed the district title over Pearland (28-7). Both teams are primed for a deep postseason run.
Other teams expected to contend include Grand Oaks (29-3), Alief Taylor (26-5), Clear Brook (31-3), and Hightower (29-5), who have been impressively efficient throughout the winter.
One team that’s flown under the radar this season is Dickinson. The Gators (24-6A champions) are riding an 11-game winning streak and are poised to make some noise in the playoffs.
Don’t count out 2024 state semifinalists Summer Creek (24-11) either, as they’ve gained momentum while sharing the 23-6A title with C.E. King (26-5).
Other teams to watch in the coming weeks include Cinco Ranch (25-5), Fulshear (27-7), and Klein Collins (25-6).
On the boys’ side, Fort Bend Marshall (31-2) dominates Class 5A. With just a week left in the regular season, the Buffs are in prime position to claim a potential state championship.
Shadow Creek (28-2) may be the best 6A team in Houston. But, teams like Katy Jordan (29-3), Atascocita (25-4), and Seven Lakes (30-5) will certainly have something to say about that in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Fort Bend Travis (28-3) and Clear Springs (30-4) continue to impress, and it will be intriguing to see how far their momentum carries them.
In Class 4A, Stafford (32-0) remains unbeaten and looks to make another deep run toward the Alamodome.
With the postseason just around the corner, here's the final outlook on H-Town Hoops.
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*Parentheses indicates the team's district
*Last section indicates current overall record/district record
VYPE HOU GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP-20 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Cypress Springs Panthers (16-6A) -- 27-3; 14-0
2. Dawson Eagles (22-6A) -- 31-4; 16-0
3. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (13-6A) -- 29-3; 16-0
4. Alief Taylor Lions (20-6A) -- 26-5; 9-1
5. Dickinson Gators (24-6A) -- 26-8; 13-1
6. Pearland Oilers (22-6A) -- 28-7; 14-2
7. Clear Brook Wolverines (24-6A) -- 31-3; 12-2
8. Hightower Hurricanes (21-6A) -- 29-5; 14-0
9. C.E. King Panthers (23-6A) -- 26-5; 13-1
10. Summer Creek Bulldogs (23-6A) -- 24-11; 13-1
11. Cinco Ranch Cougars (19-6A) -- 25-5; 15-1
12. Fulshear Chargers (20-6A) -- 27-7; 9-1
13. Klein Collins Tigers (15-6A) -- 25-6; 13-3
14. Clear Creek Wildcats (24-6A) -- 26-6; 11-3
15. Manvel Mavericks (22-6A) -- 26-8; 12-4
16. Cypress Falls Eagles (17-6A) -- 26-5; 13-1
17. Klein Bearkats (15-6A) -- 27-8; 12-4
18. Barbers Hill Eagles (19-5A) -- 28-7; 13-1
19. Cypress Ranch Mustangs (16-6A) -- 24-8; 12-2
20. Katy Taylor Mustangs (19-6A) -- 24-8; 12-4
Honorable Mentions: Tomball Memorial, Fort Bend Austin, Shadow Creek, Tompkins, Klein Oak, Fort Bend Willowridge, La Porte, Katy Jordan, Bridgeland, Friendswood, The Woodlands, Alief Hastings
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VYPE HOU BOYS BASKETBALL TOP-20 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Fort Bend Marshall Buffaloes (22-5A) -- 31-2; 11-0
2. Shadow Creek Sharks (22-6A) -- 28-2; 15-0
3. Katy Jordan Warriors (19-6A) -- 29-3; 14-1
4. Atascocita Eagles (23-6A) -- 25-4; 13-0
5. Seven Lakes Spartans (19-6A) -- 30-5; 14-2
6. FB Travis Tigers (21-6A) -- 28-3; 12-1
7. Clear Springs Chargers (24-6A) -- 30-4; 12-1*
8. Friendswood Mustangs (20-5A) -- 27-5; 10-2
9. C.E. King Panthers (23-6A) -- 20-9; 11-2
10. Stafford Spartans (21-4A) -- 32-0; 11-0
11. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (13-6A) -- 26-8; 13-2
12. Ridge Point Panthers (21-6A) -- 23-8; 10-3
13. Summer Creek Bulldogs (23-6A) -- 22-11; 10-3
14. Katy Tigers (19-6A) -- 27-6; 10-5
15. Bellaire Cardinals (18-6A) -- 20-10; 9-2
16. Cinco Ranch Cougars (19-6A) -- 26-7; 10-5
17. College Park Cavaliers (13-6A) -- 24-9; 12-3
18. Cypress Springs Panthers (16-6A) -- 24-9; 10-2
19. Iowa Colony Pioneers (20-5A) -- 22-11; 8-3
20. Booker T. Washington Eagles (20-4A) -- 23-4; 16-1
Honorable Mentions: Cypress Creek, Strake Jesuit, Barbers Hill, Fort Bend Bush, Huffman Hargrave, Yates, Cypress Falls, Cypress Ranch, La Porte, Pearland, Dickinson, Clear Falls, Wheatley