GAMES
RANKINGS
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Bellaire Basketball
THE LAST DANCE: UIL Basketball 6A-D1 State Final Preview -- Bellaire vs. Duncanville
In the final game of the season, the 6A-Division I title will be decided between Houston’s Bellaire Cardinals and Dallas powerhouse Duncanville Panthers.
For Bellaire (27-10), history has already been made. Earlier this week, the Cardinals reached the State Tournament for the first time, then extended their milestone with a 65-57 semifinal win over Brennan.
Led by Coach Bruce Glover, Bellaire boasts one of the most dynamic players in Texas—superstar Shelton Henderson. The state’s No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2025, Henderson is a force on both ends of the court.
Bellaire's Shelton Henderson (Duke-commit)Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
His 6-foot-7 frame, scoring ability, and all-around impact were on full display in the semifinals, where he posted 26 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 assists. A state championship—and possibly a State MVP honor—would be the perfect way to cap his high school career before heading to Duke.
Of course, Henderson isn’t alone. Three-star guard L.J. Andrews, who holds offers from Texas A&M, George Mason, Lamar, and Nicholls State, plays a key role, while seniors Jaren Brown (F), Kohlman Dutton (G), Ejypt Gibbs (F), and sophomore Jadarian Williams (G) have all contributed to Bellaire’s historic run.
However, the Cardinals will face their toughest challenge yet in Duncanville.
Duncanville (26-7) is no stranger to this stage, having reached the State Tournament nine times, including four straight appearances from 2019 to 2022. Under longtime coach David Peavy, the Panthers have become a powerhouse and now seek their first state title since 2021—and their sixth overall.
After splitting the District 11-6A title with Lancaster (13-1), Duncanville dominated Temple (58-33), Wylie (70-56), Grand Oaks (84-68), and Rockwall (79-30) before edging out Allen 77-74 in the semifinals.
Senior guard Kayden Edwards, a TCU-signee, has been the driving force behind Duncanville’s success, averaging 26 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game.
Alongside him, standout point guard Christopher Hunt Jr. (offers from Sam Houston State, Texas State, etc.) has been equally effective, averaging 14 points and 4 rebounds while leading the team in field goal percentage (53%).
The Panthers’ depth is another key factor. Beckham Black (9 PPG, 5 APG, 3 RPG), Cam Smith (9 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG), and Gary Jones (6 PPG, 3 RPG, 1 APG) round out one of Texas’ most complete squads, eager to add another championship to their storied history.
With two elite teams set to clash, the stage is set for an unforgettable UIL 6A-D1 State Championship in the Alamodome on Saturday night (7 PM).
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ALL OF THE UIL BASKETBALL STATE BRACKETS
D'Ville sophomore Samari Holmen celebrates alongside the recently graduated Mariah Clayton and Chloe Mann at the 2024 UIL-6A State Championship (3/2/2024)
TITLE TOWN: Duncanville GBB as deadly as ever, aiming for State repeat
That brief history lesson aside, they have every intention of going back-to-back at the Alamodome this March.
Under second-year head coach Neiman Ford, the Pantherettes began the season strong, winning their first two games against top-tier teams—Summer Creek (59-44) and Cypress Springs (64-57).
While they faced a few setbacks later in the season, they’ve turned a corner in the new year, winning seven consecutive games.
After a crucial 40-36 victory over district rival Cedar Hill on Tuesday, Duncanville improved to 20-5 overall and 7-0 in district play, climbing to No. 3 in the DFW rankings and No. 5 in Texas (MaxPreps).
Though they lost 2024 UIL-6A State MVP Mariah Clayton to Old Dominion, and Chloe Mann to Cincinnati, the team's production hasn’t faltered.
After putting up some respectable numbers in her debut a year ago, shooting guard Samari Holmen has truly flourished in her sophomore campaign. She currently leads the squad in every major statistical category, providing an approximate 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per contest.
Experience is critical for postseason longevity, and the Pantherettes boast a seasoned starting lineup.
Senior forward Jasmine “Jazzy” Gipson, a University of Arizona signee, continues to shine with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game.
Jasmine "Jazzy" Gipson (seen clapping) takes in the moment of winning the 2024 State Title with Clayton (#1) and Holmen (#13)Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Another standout, senior UNLV signee Trystan James (11 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 spg), recently earned a nomination for the McDonald’s All American Games, as did Gipson.
Additional contributions come from seniors Londyn Harper and Kierston Russell, along with sophomore Aja Smith, rounding out a balanced and formidable squad.
Only a handful of matches remain in the regular season, and the Pantherettes are on track to capture their third consecutive district title (sharing it with DeSoto in 2024).
Subsequently, with the new upcoming UIL playoff structure, which reduces the number of victories needed to claim the state title by one, Duncanville has an even greater chance to add a 13th championship to their storied history.