Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
4 Austin/San Antonio Boys Basketball Teams Chase UIL's Top Prize
Four Austin/San Antonio area boys 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's San Antonio Brandeis Broncos
2019-2020 Season Record: 33-3
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2020
Players To Watch: Kyle Schaefer, Tanner Brown and Gavin Gibson
State Semifinal Opponent: Duncanville (29-5)
Other State Reps: Dickinson (32-5) and Wylie (32-7)
Prediction: San Antonio Brandeis' most successful boys basketball season to date produced the program's first regional championship, but its first trip to the UIL state final four will be a short stay because it has to play the state's top ranked team (Duncanville) in the UIL 6A state semifinal round.
UIL 5A's San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds
2019-2020 Season Record: 35-5
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 2009, 2010, 2017, 2019 and 2020
Players To Watch: Journee Phillips, Jasean Jackson and Braelon Seals
State Semifinal Opponent: Mansfield Timberview (29-8)
Other State Reps: Lancaster (36-1) and Fort Bend Hightower (33-5)
Prediction: San Antonio Wagner boys basketball is making its fifth UIL state final four appearance since the 2008-2009 season and will get critical revenge against the team it lost to in the 2018-2019 UIL 5A state championship game (Mansfield Timberview) before falling in its third UIL state title game in the past four seasons.
UIL 3A's San Antonio Cole Cougars
2019-2020 Season Record: 32-6
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 1967, 1968, 1989, 2006, 2012, 2019 and 2020
Players To Watch: Vince Iwuchukwu and Jordyn Arnette
State Semifinal Opponent: Peaster (34-5)
Other State Reps: Coldspring-Oakhurst (36-4) and Dallas Madison (22-12)
Prediction: San Antonio Cole boys basketball advanced to the UIL state final four for the seventh time in history and for the second straight season. The Cougars will move a step closer to their first state championship since the 1988-1989 season by topping Peaster in the UIL 3A state semifinal, but will ultimately fall in the 2019-2020 state final.
UIL 2A's San Saba Armadillos
2019-2020 Season Record: 21-8
UIL State Final Four Appearances: 1928 and 2020
Players To Watch: Sean O'Keefe, Logan Glover and Risien Shahan
State Semifinal Opponent: Martin's Mill (39-0)
Other State Reps: Shelbyville (36-3) and Gruver (30-5)
Prediction: San Saba boys basketball is making its first UIL state final four appearance since the 1927-1928 season, but its season will conclude with a loss against 39-0 Martin's Mill in the UIL 2A state semifinal round.
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Cypress Creek leads storylines going into UIL playoffs; plus gallery
The girls UIL state hoop playoffs tip off tonight as area teams have visions of advancing to the Alamo Dome – the home of the state tournament.
Here are the Storylines going into the postseason.
Cypress Creek are the Favorites -- The top team in Houston is Cypress Creek – who is 35-0 on the season. 35-0! Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter are the best back court in the Bayou City. Coach Jennifer Alexander has the bigs as well. The Cougars are the favs to get to state from Region III, but they will have some competition in the regional tourney.
THE FACES OF THE PLAYOFFS by Bradley Collier
District 22-6A is Top-Heavy -- Summer Creek won the title going 15-1, while Atascocita went 14-2. Both are serious contenders to get out the Region III if Cypress Creek stubs their toe. Texas A&M-signee Maliyah Johnson and the Bulldogs made school history by reaching state a year ago. Can they get there again and finish the deal? It will be all about guard play.
Atascocita's Elyssa Coleman (Texas) and Dede Davis are a lethal one-two punch and could face up-start Tompkins in the Regional Semis.
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SHHHHHHH! Cy Ranch is a Sleeper: No one is talking about Cypress Ranch, but coach Megan Daniel has a trio of stud seniors in Riane Burton, Shadiya Thomas and Shira Patton. Region II is not super tough, so the 'Stangs have a shot.
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Meanwhile in Class 5A: Shadow Creek has a great shot of advancing to the Regional III Semis. Barbers Hill and Hightower would meet in the second-round of the postseason, which is a bummer.
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THE BRACKETS