GAMES
RANKINGS
Hightower's Chandler Preston-Caver
ALL ABOUT THE SISTERHOOD: Bonds have led Preston-Caver to State Finalist Hightower and beyond
Preston-Caver played a pivotal role in the Hurricanes’ historic run to the UIL 6A-DII State Championship. It was the program’s first trip to the State Tournament since 2019 and the first time since 2010 that they advanced to the Final.
“The work we put in made all the difference,” Preston-Caver said. “Coach (Jasmine) Brewer pushes us to our limits and makes us set new ones. We were tested early in the season, but we knew consistency was key if we wanted to go far. We kept pushing, and the results spoke for themselves.”
Hightower Girls Head Coach Jasmine BrewerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Despite their incredible run, Hightower ultimately fell to the No. 1-ranked team in Texas, Boswell, in a hard-fought 51-42 battle.
Still, Preston-Caver finished the season with an impressive list of accolades.
She was named to the UIL State All-Tournament Team, earned All-State honors with both the TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) and TGCA (Texas Girls Coaches Association), and was selected as the Co-District 21-6A Offensive Player of the Year.
Though the ending wasn’t what she had hoped for, she has no regrets about transferring to Hightower from Hardin-Jefferson during her sophomore year.
“Our program is built on sisterhood,” she said. “That’s something we preach, and you’ll see it on a lot of our graphics. We truly buy into the ‘family’ mentality, and that has helped me develop both as a player and a person in the short time I’ve been here.”
The stars of 2024-25 Hightower Girls BasketballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
That same sense of belonging ultimately led Preston-Caver to commit to Loyola University in New Orleans, marking a full-circle moment in her basketball journey.
“Loyola’s program felt the most like what I’ve experienced these past few years,” she explained. “My future coach (Kellie Kennedy) actually coached Coach Brewer when she played there. It just made sense—it felt like home, and they hold the same values I’ve come to know at Hightower.”
As one of the team’s veteran leaders and a future member of Loyola’s “Wolf Pack,” Preston-Caver embraced her role as a mentor. She made it a point to set the example for the next generation, including standout sophomore and fellow All-Tournament Team selection, Ogechi Okeke.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I had to be a vocal leader, both on and off the court,” Preston-Caver said. “I wanted to relay what I’ve learned in this program—that we have to ‘stay consistent’ and ‘push ourselves ’every day. At a certain point, we began to rise, and I could see all the growth in our game. Even though I’m graduating, I know this team is in great hands moving forward.”
With her high school career now behind her, Preston-Caver leaves a legacy of leadership, determination, and resilience—qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well as she takes the next step in her journey.
The Jordan Warriors are emerging in th Regional Tourney
SUPER TUESDAY: Huge Night For Girls, Boys Basketball Playoffs
On the girls’ side. The State Semis will see a trio of Houston-area teams vying to for the Alamodome in San Antonio.
VYPE will be on site at the Campbell Center for the Summer Creek vs Cibolo Steele Class 6A DI State Semis at 5:30.
Summer Creek fell to State Champ Duncanville in the State Semis last season 39-31 in overtime and is back under the bright lights tonight against Steele (27-7 overall).
Bulldog Kennedy Simpson is the alpha for first-year coach Kiara Marshall, who came over from Chaparral High School. Summer Creek has been to UIL State four times in six years. Addison Martin, Endia Thomas and Taiya Kikunga will need big games to advance.
In Class 6A DII, Hightower will face Churchill in Victoria, Texas tonight. Coach Jasmine Brewer’s squad is LOADED and deep. Kailee Beaudion, Ogechi Okeke, Chandler Caver, Breonna Shelby and Sydney Thomas lead the way, but the bench is deep and ready. Churchill is loaded too, with Alina Hernandez, Rakiya Nelson and Daphne Zuniga as the Chargers Big 3.
Up the road at College Station High School, it will be the Barbers Hill Eagles facing Liberty Hill for the right to go to State. Coach Bryan Harris is an elite coach and has Jayci Lackey, Brooklynn Roberson and Rachel Glynn running his system. Liberty Hill runs a college style offense and a slower pace. Possessions will be key in this game.
THE GALLERY
The boys playoffs enter the third-round of the postseason all over the city.
Class 6A Region III have some serious matchups, starting with Seven Lakes vs Atascocita and Bellaire and Summer Creek in DI. These are some of the biggest brands in Houston. The star power is legit with Spartan Isaiah Santos, Duke-signee Shelton Henderson (Bellaire), Atascocita’s Jaylen Fenner and a balanced Summer Creek squad who plays connected as a team. Their could be a match-up between District 23-6A powers Summer Creek and Atascocita in the finals.
In Class 6A Region III DII, Jordan faces CE King, while George Ranch plays the No. 1 team in Houston - Shadow Creek. The Sharks face George Ranch, who is led by Cayden Munnilal. Shadow Creek is led by super-duo Michael Collins and UH-signee Bryce Jackson. Prediction for this Region is for Katy Jordan and Shadow Creek to face off in a potential instant classic. Jordan is blessed with a senior-laden squad and an elite backcourt.
The Aldine Mustangs and Grand Oaks Grizzlies are two of the biggest stories in the State. Both have advanced to the Class 6A Region II, DI Regional Semis. Aldine first-year head coach Christopher Ceaser took over a team that went WINLESS in 2024 and is now in the third round of the postseason. Trae Lewis, Michael Rosario and Kevin Waddell run the show for Grand Oaks coming out of the Conroe ISD, in which they were district champs. Aldine faces Rockwall and Grand Oaks plays Duncanville, two very tough DFW schools.
In DII, College Park and Willis are in the Conroe ISD as well and have also advanced to Regional Semis. The Cavs face Wylie East and Willis plays Horn. Willis is led by SJ Young and his 20 points per game, followed by Chandler Beasley. College Park is driven by Colorado-signee Ian Inman and Aiden Buckmon. The district-mates have a legit shot to face each other for the right to go to the State Semis.
…
In Class 5A, No. 1 FB Marshall faces Barbers Hill and Randle faces Port Arthur Memorial tonight, while Stafford, Yates, Wheatley, Washington and new Fort Bend school Crawford are still in the Class 4A mix in Region III, while La Marque, Brazosport and Wharton are stll alive in Region IV.
Back-to-back State Champ Hitchcock faces Mexia tonight to continue their run to a return trip the the Alamodome.