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Klein Forest assistant Darius Gatson named Klein High's head coach
KLEIN GETS THEIR MAN: Gatson to take over Bearkat basketball
There’s a new leader of the Bearkats.
Darius Gatson has been named the head coach of the Klein High School boys basketball program, stepping in for longtime head coach Glenn Arnold. And while the title may be new, Gatson’s roots in Klein ISD run deep.
“Being here in Klein means everything,” Gatson said. “I’ve been in the district since elementary school and so many people have poured into me. I feel like this is a way I can repay the district for what it has done for me in my life.”
A former Klein Forest star, Gatson played under legendary coach Cary Black, leading the Eagles to the 2008 State Final Four. His playing career continued at Trinity Valley CC and later at Sam Houston State, where he suited up for two seasons.
Now, the former rival returns to lead Klein High, ready to put his own stamp on the program.
“I’ve been working on this for 10 years,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to having my own program and putting my own imprint on it. I’m big on relationships… not so much commands. If that makes me a players’ coach, I guess I am.”
His vision? Fast, fun, and fearless.
“We’re going to play an exciting brand of basketball,” Gatson said. “We’ll get up and down the court on offense and fly around on defense. We want to compete at a high level and make it fun to watch.”
Gatson’s hiring adds another strong branch to the ever-growing Cary Black coaching tree and administration tree, which includes Brandon Baker (Klein ISD Executive Director of Athletics), Lance Alexander (Klein Forest Principal), Joshua Ervin (Klein Oak Head Coach), Jonathan Cook (Klein Cain Head Coach), and now Gatson himself.
With deep roots, a fresh perspective, and a passion for the game, Darius Gatson is ready to lead the Bearkats into a new chapter.
Hightower's Chandler Preston-Caver
ALL ABOUT THE SISTERHOOD: Bonds have led Preston-Caver to State Finalist Hightower and beyond
People often compare the point guard position to a quarterback in football, requiring leadership and control.
Chandler Preston-Caver exemplified that for Hightower with precision.
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.