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Dickinson's TroyNelle Belle (Jr. F)
THE PLAYMAKERS: Scoring in Bunches // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, featuring a plethora of all-around performers who have continued to light up the scoreboard.
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Jermaine Thomas -- Iowa Colony Basketball
Matt Powell (VYPE)
The Pioneers are off to a hot start this winter, proving they can compete beyond their classification. Iowa Colony opened the season by going 3–1 at last week’s Cedar Hill Tournament, narrowly falling to Red Oak in the championship game while holding their own against several 6A programs.
Head coach Trent Olivier and company quickly pivoted to an intriguing matchup with Fort Bend Crawford on Monday, dispatching an exceptionally athletic Chargers squad by an 87–56 margin. The win improved the Pioneers to 12–5 overall, with Stratford next up on the schedule.
Much of the credit belongs to senior combo guard Jermaine Thomas, who continues to elevate his play as 2026 approaches. Thomas has embraced an expanded role and then some, routinely pouring in upwards of 20 points while serving as a steady offensive engine.
That added boost should pay dividends for ICHS as district play looms in the new year, with Thomas helping set the tone for a team trending firmly in the right direction.
Jakayla Glover -- La Porte Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
What a way to get things rolling in 20-5A. The Lady Dawgs opened their district slate with an overtime thriller Tuesday night, edging rival Friendswood 47–43 to improve to 16–5 on the season.
Depth and solidarity have long been calling cards for head coach Elisha Thompson’s La Porte program, and this winter is no exception. Still, it’s difficult to overlook the influence of senior point guard Jakayla Glover, who continues to serve as the team’s primary catalyst.
Equally adept at creating for others and setting the tempo, Glover recently reached a significant milestone, surpassing 1,000 career points during the Navasota Rattlers Tournament earlier this month.
Add in the consistency of fellow senior and junior Kaia Greenawalt, and it’s increasingly evident this La Porte squad has the makings of something special.
TroyNelle Belle -- Dickinson Basketball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Dickinson made a statement a week ago, capping off the Cy-Hoops Invitational as the tournament runner-up. While the Gators fell to Mansfield Summit, 55–51, in the championship game, wins over H-Town heavyweights such as Fort Bend Marshall (41–37) and Cy Falls (72–65) underscored that this group should still be considered legitimate contenders.
At the conclusion of the event, junior TroyNelle Belle was named the De’Aaron Fox Most Outstanding Player—an early indication of the impact he’s already made at DHS. Some may have expected the Gators to take a step back following the graduation of District 24-6A MVP David Chong. Instead, Dickinson has hardly missed a beat.
Operating primarily from the wing, Belle is averaging nearly 24 points and seven rebounds per game, helping guide the Gators to a 12–4 start. With Belle setting the tone, Dickinson has made one thing clear: it’s here to stay.
Anita Nwosu -- Pearland Girls Basketball
Matt Powell (VYPE)
Pearland has opened the winter with a 13–5 record, including a 3–1 mark against district competition. Friday night’s matchup with rival Dawson looms as an important measuring stick as the Oilers continue to define their ambitions within 22-6A.
Through the early portion of the season, sophomore Anita Nwosu has steadily emerged as the focal point of head coach Jere’ Adams’ offense. Operating primarily from the post, Nwosu provides an imposing physical presence, particularly in the paint, where her strength and positioning set the tone. She currently leads the team, averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game.
Against district opponents such as Dawson, Manvel, and Shadow Creek, having size and interior control can prove decisive—and Nwosu’s growing impact gives Pearlanda valuable edge.Madden Hill -- Clear Springs Basketball
Sophomore sensation Madden Hill has shown no signs of a “sophomore slump” through the opening stretch of 2025. After an eye-opening debut season that earned him District 24-6A Offensive MVP honors, Hill has picked up right where he left off.
Amid Clear Springs’ 10–5 start to the new campaign, the 5-foot-10 point guard has made scoring 25 points or more seem customary, consistently showcasing his ability to connect from beyond the arc. Just as impactful is his command of the offense, setting the tone with confidence and pace.
With district play right around the corner, expect Hill to continue building a strong case for another run at 24-6A MVP recognition.
Dickinson's David Chong
THE PLAYMAKERS: South Houston's most premier ballers of 2025 powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Boys Basketball Athletes of the 2024-25 season, who made key contributions all year long on the south side of H-Town.
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Michael Collins -- Shadow Creek Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Led by Coach David President, Shadow Creek was one of the most imposing squads in Texas—let alone Houston—this season.
After securing their second consecutive undefeated district championship (16-0 in 22-6A), the Sharks then advanced four rounds deep for the first time since 2022. Along the way, they took down Clements (71-60), Kingwood (66-30), and George Ranch (57-47).
However, their postseason journey came to a heartbreaking end in the Region III-6A Final, falling just short in a 60-57 overtime thriller against Katy Jordan—the team now vying for the 6A-DII State Championship.
Despite missing out on their first-ever State Tournament appearance, Shadow Creek’s 32-2 campaign was nothing short of remarkable.
While key players like Bryce Jackson, Aiden Law, and Adin Lewis played vital roles in the team’s success, it was senior point guard Michael Collins who served as the heart and soul of the squad.
In his final season, Collins earned another District MVP nomination, showcasing his ability to light up the scoreboard while creating opportunities for his teammates.
Though he has yet to announce his college commitment, he’s set to take his talents to the next level (offers from George Mason, Penn State, Lamar, etc.), capping off an outstanding high school career.
Dyllan Baker -- Friendswood Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite suffering an early exit to the postseason at the hands of Barbers Hill, that result was not indicative of how talented the Friendswood basketball program was this winter.
Under Coach Danny Russell, the Mustangs finished 27-6, securing their first district championship since 2014.
Leading the charge was senior point guard Dyllan Baker, who averaged over 15 points per game while adding 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per contest.
Beyond his stats, Baker’s leadership was invaluable, setting the tone for Friendswood’s success. His efforts earned him the District 20-5A MVP award, a well-deserved honor after securing first-team all-district selections in each of the previous two seasons.
Capping off a stellar high school career, Baker’s impact on the Mustangs will be felt for years to come.
David Chong -- Dickinson Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
By the time district play arrived, the Dickinson Gators were already battle-tested, having faced top programs like Fort Bend Marshall (5A-DII state finalist), Katy Jordan (6A-DII state finalist), North Crowley, and Ridge Point in the first half of the season.
Despite a strong showing and a second-place district finish, Dickinson (19-13) saw its playoff run cut short by powerhouse Atascocita in the opening round.
Still, the district recognized the Gators’ biggest asset—senior David Chong—naming him the 24-6A Most Valuable Player.
A standout all winter, Chong earned All-Tournament honors at the 2024 VYPE Holiday Invitational and dominated on both ends of the floor. His scoring ability from all ranges, elite ball-handling, and court vision helped him average 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals per game.
Though his college destination remains undecided, one of South Houston’s brightest stars is poised to make an immediate impact at the next level.
Madden Hill -- Clear Springs Basketball
Photo provided by Madden Hill (Twitter: @MaddenHill_1)
The term “freshman phenom” isn’t used lightly at VYPE, but it’s the perfect way to describe Clear Springs’ Madden Hill.
Living up to his “Mighty” nickname, Hill made an immediate impact in his high school debut, averaging 18 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal per game. Some already consider him the top-ranked point guard in his class, and his stellar play is proving the doubters wrong.
Hill played a key role in leading Clear Springs to its first district championship since 2011 (shared with Clear Creek), earning Co-District 24-6A Offensive MVP honors along the way.
Though the Chargers suffered an early playoff exit against North Shore, the future remains bright with Hill at the helm.
Julien Barclay -- Clear Lake Basketball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Like their district counterparts, Clear Lake (23-14) ran into trouble in the opening round of the playoffs, falling to C.E. King after finishing fourth in 24-6A (9-5).
While the early exit wasn’t ideal, the Falcons still achieved their goal of making the postseason for a third straight year.
At the heart of their success was senior Julien Barclay, a do-it-all playmaker who set the offensive tone with 16 points per game while contributing across the board with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals per contest.
His impact didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named the District 24-6A Co-Offensive MVP— a well-earned honor to cap off his stellar high school career.