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Fort Bend Marshall is ranked No. 11 in Class 5A in the state, is 18-2 overall, and 7-0 in District 24-5A.
Four Observations: Fort Bend Marshall continues dominance, stays perfect in 24-5A
FULSHEAR—Ronnie Courtney has coached a lot of great high school basketball teams. He’s won state championships at two schools: two at Willowridge and one at Fort Bend Bush.
And while this year’s Fort Bend Marshall team is 18-2, 7-0 in District 24-5A, and ranked No. 11 in Class 5A in the state, it has a long way to go to meet Courtney’s standard of greatness.
“Potentially, they have an opportunity to go as far as they decide they want to go,” said Courtney, in his second season at the helm of the Buffs. “Talent-wise, against previous teams, they’re a long way off. You go all the way back to Willowridge and Bush, where I never had a losing season and never lost more than 10 games.
“This team is good in its own way, and they play so hard for me. I really enjoy coaching them and they make practice so much easier and so much fun.”
Marshall’s effort and firepower was on full display Tuesday as it routed Fulshear, 97-61, to stay undefeated in district. The Buffs, who play with relentless defensive pressure that leads to overwhelming pace on offense, forced 20 turnovers and scored 53 points in the first half. They scored at the rim, from long range (eight of 18 from 3) and at the line (15 of 25 free throws).
The Buffs are outscoring opponents by an average of 22 points per game. Their only two losses have come against Class 6A schools Ridge Point and Bush.
“I like the direction, but I’m not satisfied,” Courtney said. “No coach is ever satisfied. I’m trying to get to 16-0 (in district). That road is not easy. Foster is really good. We’ve got to deal with Hightower. So, it’s not going to be an easy chore, but it’s attainable.”
Four observations from watching Marshall handle Fulshear on Friday:
>> LOWE COMING INTO HIS OWN
Junior point guard Jaland Lowe was once again exceptional for the Buffs, scoring a game-high 31 points to go with five rebounds and five assists.
“I’m just trying to be a better leader and do what my team needs me to do, day in and day out,” said Lowe, a smooth-scoring left-hander. “I’m just trying to perfect that. I think there are a lot of things I still need to work on. I’m trying to get well-rounded everywhere.”
Courtney said Lowe is more confident.
“Last year, he was trying to feel his way,” Courtney said. “Now, he’s my guy. I can’t do without him on the floor.”
Courtney likes telling a story about when Lowe asked to meet him in his office one day. He had drawn up some plays and wanted to show his coach.
Courtney, without hesitation, allowed Lowe to put the plays in.
“He is truly a coach on the floor, and he’s the type of kid you want to be a leader of your program,” Courtney said.
>> MARSHALL A THRILLER ON COURT, TOO
Senior wing Chris Marshall was a four-star recruit in football. He’ll probably be playing on Sundays someday. At the Under Armour All-America all-star game earlier this month in Orlando, Marshall’s performance stood out most as ESPN broadcasts and analysts raved about him.
However, as electric as Marshall is on the field, his first love is hoops. It shows in his play. The 6-foot-4 Marshall scored 14 points with three rebounds and three assists. And while he is a highlight-reel dunker because of his insane athleticism—his breakaway one-handed slam in the first quarter had fans from both teams out of their seats—Marshall is a gifted shooter and has a flair for passing, often finding open teammates with crosscourt passes.
“You probably won’t even believe it, by my favorite (sport) is basketball,” Marshall said. “That’s what I love to do. I could hoop all day. I love competing against other great players every time I come out here on the court. I come out here and give it my all against whoever I’m playing against.”
Marshall has a maturity and poise on the court this year that he credits to Courtney.
“Hall of Famer. Legend. I’ve learned so much from him,” Marshall said. “Leadership. Me being a better leader my senior year and coming out and leading these juniors and sophomores. I ain’t ever had the chance to play in the playoffs in basketball, so that’s my goal this year. Go win state. We’ve got the team. We can do it.”
>> STRONG SUPPORT
Courtney has been pleased with the emergence of players like juniors Jaylen Reedus and Trey Roberts.
Reedus is a strong, physical rebounder who gives the Buffs quickness and intensity in the paint. He had eight points and six rebounds.
Roberts is a knockdown shooter whose confidence continues to grow with each game. He made two of three triples.
Senior Omani Ozenne (11 points, seven rebounds) and sophomore Chris Catchings (eight points, five rebounds) also contributed and enjoyed spurts of outstanding play.
“Those guys will help us go as far as we want to go,” Courtney said.
>> ONE FOR ALL
Aside from elite coaching and playmaking, Marshall has a desire and familial dynamic that players say will get them far.
“We’re all bought in to this,” Lowe said. “Having everybody with the same mindset of really wanting to win and make a great run is what’s got us clicking. This team plays hard. Teams know every day we’re going to give it our all. We don’t want to lose, so that’s what keeps us going.”
Chris Marshall has been a part of great teams. The Marshall football team is perennially a regional contender year in and year out, and he has been a huge part of its success the last two years. He knows a good team when he sees it—it’s a big reason why he chose to go to Texas A&M—and said Marshall has it.
“Our bond is what’s got us,” Marshall said. “We compete every day and work hard every day in practice. Us coming out here, we have that bond because of that work and we’re able to build that chemistry every time we step on the court.”
National Signing Day Roadmap: Houston’s stars set to put ink to paper on Wednesday
HOUSTON – Early National Signing Day is normally a spectacle by itself.
But this year, you throw in the wild summer of conference realignment – started by Texas and Oklahoma officially getting accepted into the SEC and leaving the Big 12 Conference – paired with the wild coaching carousel that was headlined by Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for USC, this day is crazier than usual.
New head coaches and staffs have been racing across the country in their private jets to either try and keep their new program’s current signing class together or flip players from their old to their new school.
Here is what we know about Houston’s top stars in the Class of 2022 and what they plan to do this week. This is your Roadmap to Early National Signing Day in Houston.
Harold Perkins (Cy Park) – Will Commit January 2
Ranked No. 1 player in Texas by 24/7Sports and No. 1 Linebacker. Ranked No. 5 overall Nationally
Perkins is down to his Top 3 of Texas A&M, LSU and Texas. Perkins had an in-home visit with the Longhorns back on December 9.
Kelvin Banks (Summer Creek) – Will Sign to Texas on Wednesday
Ranked No. 3 player in Texas by 24/7 Sports and No. 15 Nationally
Banks was originally committed to Oregon since early this fall. But with Mario Cristobal taking the Miami job, Banks decommitted. He originally said he would wait until February after this. But on Saturday, Banks verbally committed to Texas. He does plan to sign to Texas on Wednesday. VYPE has been told that Banks is on vacation and will sign his NLI and send it in Wednesday morning.
Denver Harris (North Shore) – Is Expected to Announce and Sign on Wednesday
Ranked No. 5 player in Texas, No. 16 Nationally
Denver Harris has kept his recruiting process rather quiet. The five-star cornerback has made it known that he will be making his decision on Wednesday. VYPE has been told it will be done in the morning prior to the team’s practice around 10:30 am. Harris hasn’t publicly released his top schools but has recently made a trip to Texas A&M and visited with Texas coaches in-home back on December 10.
Conner Weigman (Bridgeland) – Will Sign with Texas A&M on Wednesday
Ranked No. 7 player in Texas, No. 19 Nationally
The dual-sport Conner Weigman will sign with Texas A&M on Wednesday. He will celebrate the signing at 3:15 in the cafeteria at Bridgeland High School. Weigman, a five-star quarterback, is a part of what the Aggies hope is their best class in history. Earlier on Monday, Zach Calzada entered the transfer portal from Texas A&M. This leaves former Longview QB Haynes King, who was starting for the Aggies before an injury this past season and Blake Bost, for Port Neches-Groves signal-caller as some of his main competition. Weigman also plays baseball and could see the field this spring for Texas A&M as he is an early graduate.
Chris Marshall (Fort Bend Marshall) – Will Sign in February
Ranked No. 11 player in Texas, No. 62 Nationally
Chris Marshall verbally committed to Texas A&M on November 6. The dual-sport star tells VYPE that he is not signing early but will do so in February.
Malick Sylla (Katy) – Will Sign to Texas A&M on Wednesday
Ranked No. 12 player in Texas, No. 66 Nationally
Sylla, a four-star defensive lineman, will be signing with Texas A&M on Wednesday morning at 6:45 am in the team meeting room.
PJ Williams (Dickinson) – Will Sign to Texas A&M on Wednesday
Ranked No. 14 player in Texas, No. 80 Nationally
PJ Williams is the ninth-ranked offensive lineman and will be heading to Texas A&M. Williams will be signing along with teammate Donovan Green at 10:20 am in the gym.
Julian Humphrey (Clear Lake) – Will Sign to Georgia on Wednesday
Ranked No. 16 player in Texas, No. 90 Nationally
The Clear Lake CB has had an interesting recruitment process. He was at one point committed to Florida but then opened his recruitment again on October 25. He dropped a Top 3 of Texas A&M, LSU and Georgia on November 2 before committing to the Bulldogs on November 12. He is set to sign and receive his All-American Jersey on Wednesday at 11:45 am in the Performance Athletic Center at Clear Lake HS. But on Tuesday, Humphrey was re-offered by new Florida coach Billy Napier just a day before signing … so we will see what happens.
Kam Dewberry (Atascocita) – Will announce his commitment on Wednesday
Ranked No. 17 player in Texas, No. 91 Nationally
The Atascocita offensive lineman has made his decision. He will make it publicly known on Wednesday at 3 p.m. It has come down to Texas A&M, which with Dewberry’s commitment could help vault the Aggies 2022 class to No. 1 in the nation, Texas and Oklahoma. Dewberry on December 9 had an in-home visit with the Longhorns coaches, including head coach Steve Sarkisian. He also visited with the Aggies in home, including Jimbo Fisher on December 1. The Longhorns have had a recent run of success with offensive linemen, including grabbing Summer Creek’s Kelvin Banks, who Dewberry grew up playing Little League with in the area.
Donovan Green (Dickinson) – Will Sign with Texas A&M on Wednesday
Ranked No. 20 in Texas, No. 121 Nationally
The Dickinson tight end is a nice get for the Aggies. Green follows in the steps of also former Dickinson Gator Jalen Wydermeyer, who was a star at Texas A&M this past season in the offense. This past season for Dickinson, Green had 27 catches for 602 yards and nine scores. He led the team in receiving yards, according to MaxPreps.
Other Key Houston-Area Signings
No. 27 Bobby Taylor (Katy) - Will Sign to Texas A&M on Wednesday -7 am at Katy’s Team Meeting Room
No. 32 Jaydon Blue (Klein Cain – Did Not Play His Senior Season) – Will Sign to Texas on Wednesday
No. 35 Matthew Golden (Klein Cain) – Will Sign on Wednesday at 12:30 in auditorium of Klein Cain HS
No. 38 Nicholas Anderson (Katy) - Will Sign to Oklahoma on Wednesday-7 am at Katy’s Team Meeting Room
No. 41 Martrell Harris (The Woodlands) – Will Sign to Texas A&M on Wednesday at 11:30 am at the HS
No. 44 Kristopher Ross (North Shore) – TBD
No. 47 Noah Thomas (Clear Springs) – Will Sign to Texas A&M at 11:45 am in the gym at Clear Springs HS
No. 54 Marcus Scott II (Conroe) – Will Sign to Missouri on Wednesday at 11:30 am in Conroe HS Gym
No. 65 Justin Medlock (Manvel) – Will Announce his Commitment on Wednesday
No. 75 Ty Kana (Katy) - Will Sign to Texas Tech on Wednesday-7 am at Katy’s Team Meeting Room