In what feels like the blink of an eye, we’ve reached the State Final Four in the UIL girls’ basketball playoffs.
As the 6A-D1 race heats up, fans are in for a battle of historic proportions, as Plano East and Cedar Hill are set to square off following impressive victories in their respective Regional Finals.
Plano East is currently riding an unprecedented wave of success, making their first-ever State Tournament appearance since the school’s opening in 1981.
The Panthers (24-13), under the leadership of head coach Derrick Richardson, have advanced to this point after outlasting North Crowley 49-45 in a nail-biting Regional Final last Thursday.
Freshman sensation Arianna Robinson has been the driving force for Plano East, scoring 28 points in the Regional Final and averaging approximately 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals per game.
Sophomore Kennedy Borders, who contributed 13 points in the Region I Final, and senior Sema Udo (12 ppg, 4 rpg) have also played key roles in the Panthers’ remarkable postseason run, as Plano East looks to extend its Cinderella story into the State Semifinals.
On the other side, Cedar Hill stunned the defending state champions and district rival Duncanville with a 57-47 victory, improving their season record to 28-8.
The Longhorns, led by coach Nicole Collins, make their first State Tournament appearance since 2010 and are now focused on claiming their first-ever state title.
Cedar Hill boasts a talented roster, starting with senior captain Makiyah Risby. Fellow seniors Rylan Jones, Trinity Thomas, and Brooklyn King provide additional veteran leadership, while junior Lyntoria Daniel has also emerged as a standout performer this season.
Both teams are fighting to make history, but only one will advance to the championship game. Plano East and Cedar Hill will clash in the State Semifinals this Tuesday (6:30 PM) at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, in what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE UIL BASKETBALL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
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THE TIER LIST: VYPE SATX Preseason Softball Rankings; Smithson Valley, Harlan lead the opening stages
23 Feb, 2025
As the weather begins to heat up, so too does the 2025 UIL softball season.
In the San Antonio area, several teams stand out as potential contenders to represent Region IV this spring.
Smithson Valley comes off a strong 2024 campaign, securing over 30 wins and advancing three rounds into the postseason. They’re poised to be a major force in the 5A classification.
Though Harlan was eliminated in Round 2 last year, they possess enough talent to make a deeper playoff run this season. However, they'll face stiff competition in District 29-6A, where Regional Finalist Brennan and Quarterfinalist O'Connor will be the biggest challengers to the Hawks.
Clemens, another team that quietly reached the fourth round in 2024, looks set to build on that success this spring.
Meanwhile, East Central, Cibolo Steele, and McCollum are also among the hopefuls to watch in 2025.
With the race to Red & Charline McCombs Field underway, here’s a closer look at San Antonio’s heavy-hitters heading into the new season.
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*Parentheses indicates current district
*Last section indicates 2024 result
VYPE SAN ANTONIO SOFTBALL TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Smithson Valley Rangers (26-5A) -- 31-9; 13-1 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
2. Harlan Hawks (29-6A) -- 23-8; 13-3 (Area Finalists)
3. Brennan Bears (29-6A) -- 31-8; 15-1 (Regional Finalists)
4. Clemens Buffaloes (27-6A) -- 29-10; 5-5 (Regional Semifinalists)
5. O'Connor Panthers (29-6A) -- 23-13; 9-7 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
6. East Central Hornets (27-6A) -- 26-8-1; 8-2 (Area Finalists)
7. Cibolo Steele Knights (27-6A) -- 13-15; 5-5 (Area Finalists)
8. SA McCollum Cowboys (28-5A) -- 19-9; 11-3 (Area Finalists)
9. SA Veterans Memorial Patriots (26-5A) -- 21-9; 10-4 (Bi-District Finalists)
10. New Braunfels Unicorns (26-5A) -- 21-9-1; 4-6 (6A*)
Honorable Mentions: Comal Canyon (27-6A), Holmes (29-6A), Taft (29-6A), South San Antonio (28-5A), Southwest (28-5A), SA Madison (28-6A), SA Johnson (28-6A)
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Contrary to what the current chilly temperatures might indicate, the spring edition of the UIL season is officially underway, marking the start of the race toward Red & Charline McCombs Field.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, the Melissa Cardinals are the early favorites, and for good reason.
After a historic 2024 season, Melissa not only reached the State Tournament for the first time in program history, but they also secured the UIL-5A Title.
What’s even more daunting for opponents is the return of nearly the entire championship roster, including State MVP Caigan Crabtree (Texas-commit), along with All-Tournament selections Alexandra Starr (Michigan State), Kennedy Bradley (Florida), and Amariee Bradford (So. IF).
Shifting focus from the 5A favorites, Denton Guyer, fresh off their second consecutive State Final Four appearance, is aiming for a third trip out of Region I, with no intention of settling for another bronze medal.
Other 6A powerhouses, such as Keller, Forney, and Southlake Carroll, are expected to make noise this season, while Aledo, Centennial, and Walnut Grove will lead the charge in 5A.
While predicting the season's outcome is never an exact science, here are VYPE's top softball teams from DFW to watch as the 2025 campaign begins.
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*Parentheses indicates current district
*Last section indicates 2024 result
VYPE DALLAS-FORT WORTH SOFTBALL TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Melissa Cardinals (13-5A) -- 38-2-1; 11-1 in District (UIL-5A State Champions)
2. Denton Guyer Wildcats (5-6A) -- 37-5; 13-1 (State Semifinalists)
3. Keller Indians (4-6A) -- 29-11-2; 12-0 (Regional Finalists)
4. Forney Jackrabbits (10-6A) -- 38-5-3; 12-0 (Regional Finalists)
5. Aledo Bearcats (5-5A) -- 35-4; 12-0 (State Semifinalists)
6. Southlake Carroll Dragons (4-6A) -- 34-10 (Regional Semifinalists)
7. Centennial Spartans (8-5A) -- 32-9; 15-1 (Regional Finalists)
8. Walnut Grove Wildcats (13-5A) -- 38-5; 14-0 (Regional Semifinalists)
9. Plano West Wolves (6-6A) -- 24-14-1; 8-6 (Regional Semifinalists)
10. Wakeland Wolverines (12-5A) -- 24-10; 11-3 (Regional Semifinalists)
Honorable Mentions: FM Marcus (5-6A), Timber Creek (4-6A), Sanger (9-4A), Hebron (5-6A), Aubrey (10-4A)
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