GAMES
RANKINGS
Shelton Henderson of Bellaire
MR. HOUSTON: Bellaire's Henderson next national star
SHELTON HENDERSON IS REPRESENTING HOUSTON MUCH LIKE TJ FORD, DANIEL EWING, DE’AARON FOX, JUSTISE WINSLOW, THE HARRISON TWINS, JARRED VANDERBILT AND QUENTIN GRIMES DID BEFORE HIM.
The aforementioned were all kingpins of Hoopston.
Now, it’s his turn as he holds Bellaire’s dreams in the palm of his hand.
“I remember my first varsity game as a freshman here and all the jitters I had,” he said. “Now, I’m the leader. The time has gone by so fast.”
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The national 5-star recruit recently committed to Duke, similar to how Ewing and Winslow did previuosly.
“Honestly, it’s Duke at the end of the day,” he said. “It’s that place where every kid dreams of going when they are young. I was looking for a place with a staff that is going to really push me to be great on and off the court. I think Coach (Jon) Scheyer and his staff will get me prepared.”
Before he heads to hoop heaven, Henderson has some unfinished business.
“I know I could have left to play at a prep school anywhere in the country,” he said. “I wanted to stay home and play with the guys I’ve grown up with for so long. I want to bring a State Championship to the HISD and Bellaire.”
Basketball has taken him outside of the confines of Harris County, most recently this summer.
“I was selected to play for Team USA in Argentina,” he said. “It was a life-changing experience. I met and played with so many cool people and we brought home the gold. Everyone says it, but it is special wearing the USA across your chest.”
The laid-back floor general has a chill persona... off the court.
“Everyone really knows each other when you get to this level of AAU and varsity basketball,” he laughed. “These are all my best friends, but when the game starts and we
are between the lines, that all goes away. I’m trying to win... trying to kill. After the game, we are right back to being cool.”
If he brings home the gold this winter, Henderson will be etched in the city’s Mt. Rushmore of basketball... just the next great ambassador of Houston.
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HOOP SCOOP: What will Lake Ridge do for an encore?
Mansfield Lake Ridge Eagles
Head Coach: Cornelius Mitchell
District 3-6A
Cornelius Mitchell enters his second season of leading Mansfield Lake Ridge and the Eagles are coming off an incredible year. This was a Mansfield Lake Ridge team that went 32-7 and reached the Class 6A State Semifinals.
The Eagles return just two starters off that squad. Players to watch this year include Shaqir Pack (6 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg), Eze Nwakamma (11 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 spg, 35 blocks, 56% FG) and Abisayo Gbakinro (3 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg). Nwakamma is 6-foot-8 and a second-team, all-district pick from a year ago.
Keys to success for Mitchell’s team includes offensive rebounds, 32 minutes of pressure and playing at their pace. The Eagles motto for 24-25 is “Non-stop action from whistle to horn”.