GAMES
RANKINGS
Ayla McDowell of Cy Springs
THE HISTORY LESSON: Cy Springs leads VYPE's Top 5 State Contenders; the brackets
Cypress Woods, under the direction of Cy-Fair ISD athletic director Virginia Flores, won it in 2015 over Dallas Skyline. Erica Ogwumike was the game’s MVP and Nancy Mulkey was on the all-tournament team.
A year before, the Manvel Mavs beat Duncanville with Brianna Turner leading the way. She starred at Notre Dame, where she would win a National Championship.
In 2008 and 2010, Cy-Fair won State with the likes of Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike. Both were stars at Stanford and overall No. 1 picks in the WNBA.
So, what gives?
Over nearly 20 years, four teams have won State… three being from the Cy-Fair ISD.
Ten years after Cy Woods won the last H-Town title, there is a team that looks the part of a State Champion.
Shockingly, from the Cy-Fair ISD - Cypress Springs. The Panthers are blessed with a pair of national stars in Ayla McDowell and Jemini Mitchell. McDowell is a McDonald’s All-American and headed to super-power South Carolina, while Mitchell is one of the top sophomores in the country.
Looking ahead in the Class 6A DII Region II bracket, the Panthers are on a collision course with state-ranked Lancaster out of Dallas to get to the State Final Four.
Yes, DeSoto is in there, but the Eagles aren’t the Eagles of old.
With Cypress Springs as the No. 1 team in H-Town with realistic State Title dreams, who else has a shot as the playoffs have expanded into two divisions per classification?
THE GALLERY
Ayla McDowell of Cy Springs
....
THE TOP 5 CONTENDERS
No. 1 Cy Springs - A lock for the State Final Four in Class 6A DII Region II. Too much star power.
No. 2 Hightower - Coach Jasmine Brewer has a balanced lineup with great guards and a talented young post in Okeke. Only CE King and Alief Taylor stand in the way in Class 6A DII Region III… kind of.
No. 3 Dawson - Journey Lovett, Jaycee Ingram, Kendall Ford, Mia Barre and Jaylynn Perez-Richard are connected as a team and ran the table in a competitive district. Summer Creek, Pearland or Cinco Ranch will challenge the Class 6A DI Region III State Final Four spot. Clear Brook has a “Big Three” as well.
No. 4 Summer Creek - the Lady Bulldogs have played a BRUTAL non-conference schedule that may have them prepared for a run. They have the playoff experience and a bona fide star in Kennedy Simpson. They can win every playoff game in Class 6A DI Region III… but on the flip… they can lose them all too.
No. 5 Alief Taylor - The Lions have a special talent in Nataliyah Gray (Miss. State signee), but don’t sleep on Madison Bush-Lewis and Samyra Williams in support. If they BELIEVE they are supposed to be in this conversation, they have a shot.
SLEEPER ALERTS - Klein Collins is well-coached with young stars who are hungry. Grand Oaks and Bree Riley can run, run, run. Cinco Ranch has a bucket in Foye, while Clear Brook has McLauren, Castillo and Terrell balancing the floor. Wheatley and Willowridge are the top teams from Houston in Class 4A. Barbers Hill and Friendswood lead the way in Class 5A.
...
THE BRACKETS
The stars of 2024-25 Cy Springs Girls Basketball
THE STATUS: VYPE Houston Basketball Final Rankings with playoffs looming
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.
...
FB Marshall Buffaloes
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
*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
...
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