The featured standouts of the 2026-27 Iowa Colony Pioneers basketball team.
4. Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos
5. Lake Creek Lions
Others to Watch: Angleton Wildcats, Freeman Golden Eagles, Kingwood Park Panthers, La Porte Bulldogs, Madison Marlins, Randle Lions, West Fork Gators
Almeta Crawford Chargers
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1. Iowa Colony Pioneers
In addition to reclaiming the district title, Iowa Colony advanced three rounds into the playoffs before Fort Bend Marshall brought its impressive showing to a close, with the Pioneers finishing 29-8 overall. Despite that conclusion, IC is rightfully generating plenty of hype heading into this winter, armed with a balanced roster capable of replicating its remarkable 2024 State Final Four appearance. Stratford transfer Chris “CJ” Williams (Sr. G) provides exceptional shooting range, while 6-foot-6 Cameron Leftwich (Sr. F) offers a formidable scoring presence inside. Second-team all-district pick Chris Forbes (Sr. G) and reigning District 20-5A Newcomer of the Year Justin Thompson (So. G) further bolster the lineup, alongside Kenny Taylor Jr., LaRee Bridges and Larry Wright III. Coach Trent Olivier believes this group can be “really special” provided they “stick together and play as one.”
2. Almeta Crawford Chargers
As H-Town’s lone representative to compete in the Alamodome this past March, Crawford’s 2026 showing was nothing short of monumental. From capturing their first district title to making their inaugural appearance in the UIL State Championship, the Chargers (31-7) firmly announced their arrival among the city's elite. Now, head coach Chris Iles and last year’s 4A Division I runner-up are looking to extend their remarkable ascent, this time in the 5A classification amid UIL realignment. The transition should be seamless, especially given the proven caliber of players who will allow Almeta Crawford to continue to “Be The Standard,” as Iles puts it. First-team all-district selections Bryce Vann and Lakeevis Hunt, both seniors, keep the offense firing alongside second-team juniors Dylon Younger and Kevin Green. Meanwhile, reigning District Defensive Player of the Year Darrion Boyd anchors the Chargers' physicality on the other end of the floor, with junior Chasen Edwards also expected to see meaningful minutes.
3. Friendswood Mustangs
Friendswood's 27-9 record spoke volumes about the Mustangs' capabilities last season, though a first-round meeting with eventual state finalist Beaumont United brought their postseason ambitions to an abrupt end. Even so, there's plenty of reason for optimism as head coach Danny Russell steps into his fourth year at the helm. Chief among them is the highly anticipated return of four-star point guard and Texas A&M commit Chase Richardson (Sr.), who missed much of last season due to injury. He'll share the backcourt with Cash Clark (So.), a dynamic playmaker who garnered first-team all-district recognition as a freshman. Junior Peyton Lowe lends considerable size to the rotation, while senior forward Connor Owens could be primed for a breakout showing of his own.
4. Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos
It’s virtually a guarantee that the Buffs will punch their ticket to the playoffs, evidenced by their fifth consecutive undefeated district title last winter. Though keeping that streak alive could prove more challenging with Crawford joining the district slate, the UIL brackets are where coach Ronnie Courtney and company tend to save their best basketball. Coming off a trip to the Region III Final, where Marshall (30-8) fell to Beaumont United, the Buffalos are embracing “a different style this year,” according to Courtney, with a particular emphasis on defense. Headlining this new-look roster are a pair of all-district honorable mentions in junior Andre Rubin Jr. and senior Christopher Dickerson. They'll shore up the backcourt alongside E’Marion Wilkerson, while forwards Xavier Autrey and Jerome Love bolster both ends of the floor. Additionally, expect freshman guard James Smith to make an immediate impression at the varsity level.
5. Lake Creek Lions
Collectively, Lake Creek pieced together arguably its most productive season during Scott Peak's tenure a year ago. From compiling a 27-8 record and reclaiming the district crown to advancing to the Area Round, all signs point toward the Lions raising the bar once more heading into Peak's fourth year in charge. Point guard Axel Anderson remains the focal point of the attack, looking to build on a junior campaign in which he led the Lions in scoring with 16 points per game, alongside five assists and three rebounds per contest. That production earned Anderson first-team all-district honors, while junior Hunter Laskoskie (12 PPG, 2 APG, 2 RPG) garnered District 17-5A Newcomer of the Year recognition. Then there’s Tysen McMillin, a towering 6-foot-7 sophomore center who appears primed to take center stage. The expectations are clear, and Peak has already supplied the rallying cry: ‘We ’bout to #RiseUP!’
