Five Austin/San Antonio area girls basketball teams are headed to this week's UIL state final four. Check out the VYPE Central Texas and VYPE South Texas playoff coverage to learn about the teams and read our projected finishes for the squads.
UIL 6A'sConverse Judson Rockets
2019-2020 Season Record: 33-8
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Players To Watch: Kierra Sanderlin and Amira Mabry
State Semifinal Opponent: Duncanville (38-3)
Other State Reps: Cypress Creek (40-0) and McKinney (22-12)
Prediction: Converse Judson has a very accomplished girls basketball program and is coming off a remarkable comeback against Westlake to win its fourth straight UIL 6A Region IV title. The Rockets got a huge boost from Kierra Sanderlin (19 of her game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter) in their regional final victory and also have important experience from back-to-back UIL 6A state title game appearances and their state championship from a year ago. But, they aren't enough to win Converse Judson a second straight state crown. The state's 18th ranked team has to face No. 1 Duncanville in the state semifinal round, so the Rockets' 2019-2020 season is expected to conclude on Friday.
UIL 5A's San Antonio Veterans Memorial Patriots
2019-2020 Season Record: 31-7
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2018 and 2020
Players To Watch: Sahara Jones, Brenna Perez and Vivian Castro
State Semifinal Opponent: Mansfield Timberview (31-8)
Other State Reps: College Station (32-7) and Frisco Liberty (29-11)
Prediction: San Antonio Veterans Memorial's very dominant three-year varsity girls basketball program has won at least 31 games and advanced to a regional final in every season in its history and will make its second UIL state final four appearance this week. The Patriots are led by Texas A&M signee Sahara Jones and fellow seniors Brenna Perez and Vivian Castro. The group's experience and talent will match up well in what is expected to be a very competitive UIL 5A state semifinal against fellow state top 10 team Mansfield Timberview and would also come in handy in a likely battle against College Station in the classification's state title game. But, don't forget about the program's under the radar characteristic. The players and coaches are extremely motivated to top their UIL 4A state runner-up finish from the 2017-2018 season and that will ultimately result in Judson ISD's second straight UIL girls basketball state championship (2018-2019 UIL 6A state champ Converse Judson).
UIL 4A'sFredericksburg Battlin' Billies
2019-2020 Season Record: 33-8
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 1951, 1985, 1995 and 2020
Players To Watch: Audrey Spurgin, Ella Hartmann and Brittley Bowers
State Semifinal Opponent: Argyle (32-6)
Other State Reps: Fairfield (33-4) and Dallas Lincoln (26-8)
Prediction: Fredericksburg's remarkable run during the 2019-2020 season produced its fourth UIL state final four berth and its deepest playoff push since the 1994-1995 season, but Friday's UIL 4A state semifinal game will record the Battlin' Billies' final result of the campaign. That's because they face one of the state's dynasties. Argyle girls basketball has won six UIL state championships since 2006, including the last five, and has advanced to seven consecutive UIL state final fours, so the Lady Eagles will soar towards another state title.
UIL 3A'sSchulenburg Shorthorns
2019-2020 Season Record: 34-4
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2003 and 2020
Players To Watch: Brynlee Hollas and Erica Otto
State Semifinal Opponent: Shallowater (37-2)
Other State Reps: Woodville (35-4) and Winnsboro (29-7)
Prediction: Schulenburg has a talented roster of multi-sport athletes, but it's been awhile since the Shorthorns have reached this round and that lack of experience will show in Thursday's UIL 3A state semifinal loss against 37-2 Shallowater.
UIL 2A'sMason Cowgirls
2019-2020 Season Record: 33-4
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2018, 2019 and 2020
Players To Watch: McKenzie Cano and Jesse Armstrong
State Semifinal Opponent: Muenster (35-4)
Other State Reps: Gruver (36-2) and Grapeland (34-5)
Prediction: Mason will lean on its third consecutive UIL state final four appearance in a UIL 2A state semifinal win against Muenster, but will eventually suffer its second straight season-ending loss against a very hungry Grapeland squad that lost the 2018-2019 UIL 2A state title game by four points.
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