GAMES
RANKINGS
Some of the stars of 2025-26 Houston Christian HS Basketball
BEING ELITE: The Blueprint Behind Houston Christian’s Latest Title Run
“We could tell early on that we had something special,” Crandall said. “A lot of that came from our willingness to connect, starting in the offseason. We read The 7 Commitments of a Great Team together—going through a few pages each day and meeting twice a week to discuss it. That helped us get to know each other on a deeper level than just basketball. It became our focus and built a bond that was unbreakable—and one we were able to sustain.”
Houston Christian adapted The 7 Commitments as a guiding framework, emphasizing commitment to the team’s vision, positivity, continuous improvement, connection, and valuing each other. Those principles evolved into a player-driven mission statement: “Be a Brotherhood that inspires others through our infectious energy and discipline.”
On a broader level, the program’s identity is rooted in its “Be ELITE” mantra, introduced in 2020. More than a call to be superior, ELITE represents Excellence, Love, Identity, Thankfulness, and Enthusiasm.
“A coach told me a long time ago, ‘You are what you emphasize, and you get what you tolerate,’” Crandall said. “We want to be a team that emphasizes more than just going out there to hoop and win games. We want to be the young men God calls us to be, pursuing excellence through the process we follow each day.”
Landon Veal (Jr. F)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The players delivered on that philosophy. Juniors Landon Veal, Josiah “Jojo” McGowen, and Will Arriaga—each All-SPC selections—often proved too much for opponents to handle. Veal’s standout season earned him a Guy V. Lewis Award nomination and Tournament MVP honors, while senior point guard Demetri Lewis, Aiden Pitcaithly, Xavier Gibbons, and Miller Martin each contributed selflessly to the team’s success.
“Everyone has a special role that they bring to the team, and we value what that is,” Crandall said. “Let’s minimize what they can’t do and maximize what they can do. We poured into each other to bring out the very best in everyone to fulfill that role.”
One might assume that winning a championship is the ultimate goal each season, but that’s part of what sets Houston Christian apart.
“We’re not defined by how many championships we win,” Crandall said. “We should be defined by the impact we have on people—that’s what legacy is about. Titles are just an experience you share with that team, but it’s the journey that led there that you’ll always remember.”
For Crandall and his Mustangs, that journey—built on connection, discipline, and shared values—remains the real blueprint of success.
Atascocita Sr. G Adam Boyd (LA Tech)
AWARDS SZN: 2025-26 Houston Boys Basketball All-VYPE Teams
*Names will be listed alphabetically
**The VYPE Awards -- naming Player of the Year Finalists & Team of the Year -- will be released in the coming weeks.
ALL-VYPE PHOTO GALLERY: Isaiah Santos -- Seven Lakes
Matt Powell (VYPE)
...
All-VYPE Public School Boys Basketball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Adam Boyd, Atascocita
Josh Goodwin Jr., Cypress Ranch
Alvin Mosley, Almeta Crawford
Daniel Patton, Cypress Falls
Isaiah Santos, Seven Lakes
SECOND-TEAM
Ife Bolaji, Cypress Springs
Devan Brown, Pearland
Jachai Cantave, Atascocita
Christian Gibson, North Shore
Nasir Price, Seven Lakes
THIRD-TEAM
TroyNelle Belle, Dickinson
Madden Hill, Clear Springs
Jayden Jones, Fort Bend Marshall
Malcolm McNair, La Marque
Trey Pinkard, Grand Oaks
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Eric Beard Jr., Heights
Bryson Campbell, Angleton
Gabe Childress, Barbers Hill
Peter Dorsey, Wheatley
Evan Egans, Crosby
Marwane Fadika, Katy Jordan
Peyton George, Strake Jesuit
Avin Glover, Pearland
Korben "KJ" Goodwin, Cypress Ranch
Daniel Green, Shadow Creek
Brandon Harris, La Marque
Yanni Ibikunle, Randle
CJ Ideozu, Cypress Springs
Ebube Joseph, Grand Oaks
Jae’qurian Lincoln, Humble
Jose Martins, Seven Lakes
Damon Miles, Clear Lake
Javen Nededog, West Fork
Malik Olajuwon, Clements
Reggie Rideau, Summer Creek
Anthony Sadler, Dawson
Zayson Salanoa, Atascocita
Chancellor Simpson, Klein
Jaylen Singleton, Almeta Crawford
De'Marcus Sloan, North Shore
Fola Sodipo, Tompkins
Armani Theus, Fort Bend Marshall
Brody Thornton, George Ranch
Chase Wiley, Iowa Colony
Tyrie Wooten Jr., Klein Oak
All-VYPE Private School Boys Basketball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Reese Alston, Second Baptist
Shia Francis, Second Baptist
Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal
Ramsey Sato, The Woodlands Christian Academy (TWCA)
Landon Veal, Houston Christian
SECOND-TEAM
Will Arriaga, Houston Christian
Jayvien Cummings, Westbury Christian
Will Goolsby, Second Baptist
Nyle Harrison, Episcopal
Sean Jimmy-Ducksworth, Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Chase Baker, St. Thomas Episcopal
Holden Caltabiano, TWCA
Jackson Day, TWCA
Cason Hall, Second Baptist
Preston Kieschnick, TWCA
Dan Mangala, Westbury Christian
Josiah McGowen, Houston Christian
Ghaven Mittal, Concordia Lutheran
Dylan Nunn, FBCA
Jaxen Palmer, St. Francis Episcopal
Kaiden Smith, Second Baptist
Jaylen Walker, Lutheran South Academy