THE BLACK & GOLD: Can Plano East make it Back-to-Back at State in the imminent postseason?
Over the course of the past few years, Plano East has emerged as a dominant force in Texas high school hoops, and despite the challenges of competing in one of the state's toughest districts, they show no signs of slowing down.
Coming off a historic 2023-2024 season, the Panthers completed a perfect 40-0 record and captured their first-ever UIL 6A State Championship with a 53-41 victory over Round Rock Stony Point.
Although they haven't maintained an undefeated record throughout the current campaign, their performance still makes them a formidable contender for a repeat.
With head coach Matt Wester back at the helm, East has continued to thrive, recently improving to 20-4 on the year.
Their strong district run, highlighted by a critical streak of wins over rivals Plano West (76-61), Prosper (74-54), and McKinney Boyd (62-42), has pushed their district record to 8-2.
While they sit second in District 6-6A behind the powerhouse Allen Eagles (24-1; 9-0), a pivotal rematch on February 4th against the top-ranked team in the state could have major implications for both teams' playoff aspirations.
A significant reason for the Panthers' success is the return of several star players with invaluable postseason experience.
Leading the charge is senior DJ Hall, the reigning UIL-6A State MVP. At 6-foot-7, the Texas State-signee is a force on both ends of the floor as the team’s leading scorer and an imposing defender at the power forward position.
He is supported by fellow senior Moustafa Abualneel (PF/C), as well as junior Izan Qazi (SF/SG), both of whom have consistently proven their ability to contribute offensively. Freshman guard Alex Brewington and senior Aarnav Boinpalli have also provided a boost to the team's depth, adding athleticism and versatility.
With an eye on the district title and a potential second consecutive trip to the Alamodome, the Panthers look primed for another extensive playoff run.
As they push through the final stretch of their district schedule, the excitement surrounding this team continues to build, and their championship aspirations remain within reach.
