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DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing the UIL GBB Regional Tournament
H-Town audiences are now on the edge of their seats, as we enter the UIL Regional Tournament.
Only 16 teams remaining in each respective class, and whichever group advances could very well become this year's state champion.
With that in mind, here are this week's matchups that fans won't want to miss.
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Summer Creek Bulldogs vs. Seven Lakes Spartans
2023-24 Summer Creek Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It would almost seem inevitable that these two squads would eventually meet in the postseason down the stretch. Now that they each enter Round No. 4, tensions should be especially high.
Following their 65-31 victory over Shadow Creek, Summer Creek (33-3) extends their win-streak to 16, which marks the 400-win milestone for Coach Donny Ott. As the Bulldogs head into the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive year, senior guard Janiya Murphy will likely be the difference-maker after putting up 16 points against Shadow Creek.
Also watch for seniors Mariyah Brown and Zachara Perkins, who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, on Tuesday night.
However, they will face their toughest challenge yet when they face off against Seven Lakes (30-8) this Friday.
The Spartans are coming off a hard-fought 81-74 win over a red-hot Fort Bend Austin team, which was buoyed by the dynamic performances of the Carlton sisters -- Justice (Texas-signee) and Madison -- who combined for a whopping 54 points and 23 rebounds.
After coming off their 22nd straight victory, Seven Lakes will be more emboldened than ever. It will truly be a clash of the titans when these two squads meet at the M.O. Campbell Center on Friday night at 7:30 pm.
2023-24 Seven Lakes Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs Panthers vs. Duncanville Panthers
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cy Springs Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cypress Springs (30-2) has been on a war-path since the season began, and their 28-game win-streak is indicative of that.
Most recently, the Panthers are coming off a definitive 75-51 victory over Klein Collins in the Regional Quarters. Coach Taneisha Rogers will undoubtedly keep looking towards her big-three -- Ayla McDowell (20 ppg, 9 rpg), Jemini Mitchell (17 ppg, 7 rpg), and Mizzou-commit Ma'Riya Vincent (14 ppg, 4 rpg)-- to push the pace moving forward.
Cy Springs now looks on to face Duncanville (31-4), who has been on quite the run themselves.
The D'Ville Panthers feature a big-three of their own -- Mariah Clayton (14 ppg, 7 rpg), Chloe Mann (14 ppg, 4 rpg), and Kaylinn Kemp (12 pgg) -- which has them on a nine-game win-streak.
This won't be one you want to miss, when these two face off at the Panther Activity Center in Lufkin, TX, this Friday at 5:30 pm.
Pearland Oilers vs. Hightower Hurricanes
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Pearland Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Oilers (34-4) are coming off 43-41 nail-biter win over C.E. King, which brings their win-streak to a remarkable 23 straight.
Freshman phenom A'Zyua Blair (18 ppg, 3 apg) continues to be a difference-maker for Pearland, alongside senior guard Nyah Hardy (11 ppg, 2 apg), junior forward Eliece Perry (8 ppg, 6 rpg), freshman Shiloh Grays (7 ppg, 7 rpg), and senior La'Niah Thorton (7 ppg, 5 rpg).
Coach Jere' Adams will hope everything keeps clicking on all cylinders, as Pearland aims to return to the state tournament.
They'll have their work cut out for them, given how well Hightower (30-3) has been playing as of late.
With their recent dominant 60-23 win over Stratford, the Hurricanes have already surpassed their mark of the reaching Round No. 3 a year ago, and they don't intend to stop now.
Freshman center Ogechi Okeke (15 pts, 8 rebounds), and junior guard Kailee Beaudion (16 pts) led the way for Hightower against the Spartans, and will be depended on against Pearland, alongside senior guard Madison Bob . However, the most defining factor for the Hurricanes has been their stifling defense, which has limited opponents to just over 30 points per game on the season.
Will that be enough to stop Pearland?
H-Town audiences are certainly eager to find out, when these two titans tip-off on Friday at 6:00 pm, at the M.O. Campbell Center.
2023-24 Fort Bend Hightower Girls Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Barbers Hill Eagles vs. Chaparral Bobcats
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Barbers Hill Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Following their second-consecutive undefeated district campaign, Barbers Hill (30-7) carried over that momentum into the postseason.
Most recently, the Eagles emerged victorious from a 32-28 defensive battle against Manvel, which extends their win-streak to 14. Now, they prepare to face Chaparral (28-6) for the chance to play in the Region III-5A title game.
Coach Bryan Harris will look to his main-stays -- namely sisters Cynthia and Autumn LeCompte, as well as juniors Kynlee Kejonen and Rachel Glynn -- to propel his stellar squad further into the playoffs, which would surpass last year's mark of reaching the fourth round.
On the Chaparral side, coach Kiara Marshall has a trio of players -- Jerriyah Baines (15 ppg), Ivy Powell (14 ppg), Trinity Brown (10 ppg) -- who can pose a threat to the scoreboard.
The right to advance to Round No. 5 is on the line, and these two rosters will duke it out at the Kate ISD Merrell Center, this Friday at 7:30 pm.
Randle Lions vs. Hendrickson Hawks
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Randle Girls Basketball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
In just their second year as a varsity program, Randle (28-8) has wasted no time establishing themselves as a Class 5A super-power.
The Lions enter Round No. 4 fresh off the heels of eliminating district rival Foster, in a 52-42 bout, which was highlighted by a clutch performance by senior guard Jaziel King, who had five three-pointers on the night.
Coach Christy Westbrooks and company now prepare to take on Hendrickson (29-7). King won't be the only weapon in her arsenal when Randle takes to the court, given how junior guard Alaysia Cook (14 ppg, 6 rpg) and sophomore Kurynn McNeill (10 ppg, 6 rpg) have been balling.
The Hawks, on the other hand, are eager for the chance to re-write last season's result, in which they narrowly fell 45-43 to Fulshear in the Region III final.
It will all go down 5:30 pm on Friday night, at the Katy ISD Merrell Center.
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SWEET SIXTEEN: Regional Tourney promises exhilaration for H-Town VB
The first three rounds of the postseason have flown by, and just like that, we're onto the Regional Tournament.
With only 16 teams remaining in Class 6A and 5A respectively, there is no room for error. Fortunately for each of the squads remaining, that hasn't been a problem throughout the playoffs, and now it is time to be put to the test.
Houston fan-bases are surely in for a show this weekend, with the fourth and fifth rounds taking place.
Here are the must-see matchups.
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Deer Park Deer vs. Seven Lakes Spartans
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
After rolling past a surging Atascocita team on Monday, Deer Park (35-10; 12-0) has already surpassed their mark from last season, in which they fell in Round No. 3.
The leaders of the Deer, Tatum Busch (Sr. OH) and last year's District 22-6A MVP Cayley Hanson (Mississipi State-commit) have played lights out all postseason, and that is sure to continue as they take the program to new heights.
Erin Goodson (So. L/OH), Cadence Lippe (Sr. S), and Mycah Whittemore (Jr.) are some of the other key pieces on Deer Park's deadly rotation, which should come to play when they face off against Seven Lakes.
Speaking of, the Spartans (28-15; 12-4) stunned district rival Tompkins in the Regional Quarterfinals (3-1), after falling to them three times in the regular season.
Given that fact, it seems that Seven Lakes is capable of overcoming any opponent. As long as their playmakers -- namely Temi Sam-Olibale (Sr. OH), Sameena Burns (Sr. OH/MH), Simone Romriell (Sr. S), and Megan Chapman (So.) -- keep clicking, anything is possible.
We've spoken often about these two programs, and for good reason. This is one game you won't want to miss.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch Cougars vs. Pearland Dawson Eagles
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Cinco Ranch (35-5; 16-0) has exceeded expectations all season long.
After offensive playmaker Courtney O'Brien moved on to Texas Tech over the offseason, her younger sister Kassidy O'Brien (Kentucky-commit) has efficiently taken over the reins as a leader of the program, as she currently boasts nearly 1,200 assists on the season.
Gabriella Martinez (Jr. OH) has also stepped into the offensive role with ease, tallying over 400 kills thus far, and will surely be a valuable asset moving forward. Furthermore, expect Makenna Loo (Sr. OH), Magdalene Finnegan (Jr. L), and Ariana Willis (Sr. OH/MH) to continue to power the Cougars' loaded roster.
Cinco Ranch has dominated just about every opponent -- most notably in the relentless District 19-6A -- and that has carried over into the playoffs, as they seek to surpass last year's mark which ended at the Regional Final.
The team that currently stands in their way is the Dawson Eagles (38-9; 11-1), who have been on a tear of their own through three rounds.
Dawson is coming off a definitive sweep over Clear Springs, and looks to keep their momentum rolling. With stars such as Addison Moss (Sr. S), Dominique Phills (Sr.), Kennedy Jones (Jr. MH), and Jenna Thedford (So. DS) leading the charge, this could very well be one of the games of the year.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Fulshear Chargers vs. Montgomery Bears
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
There are few teams that have been quite as dominant as Fulshear (38-4; 14-0) in the Class 5A race in 2023.
The Chargers have been electric all season, and the past couple of weeks have been no different. With District 20-5A MVP Bailey Warren (Wake Forest-commit) at the helm -- complemented by the likes of Lauren Witte (Jr. OH), Sydney Black (Jr. L), and Alexys James (Jr. S) -- Fulshear's explosive offense has been nearly unstoppable.
After cruising past Waltrip (3-0) and Santa Fe (3-0), they were put to the test against Manvel, in which they clinched a trip to the Regional Semis for the second straight year after a five-set bout.
Next up is Montgomery.
After finishing third in their district, the Bears (32-17; 9-7) have defied the odds this postseason in unprecedented fashion, by advancing the furthest the program has ever seen since the school opened in 2007.
Coach Stormi Champion (awesome name) has optimized her talented competitors to their full potential in the playoffs.
Freshman OH Delaney Wright has been outstanding, with over 500 kills to her name to begin her promising high school career. Pair that with the sublime efforts made by senior setter Kaysie Lynch (1,300 assists), Ellie Sadler (Jr. L), and Grace Ellis (Sr. MH), and you have a recipe for success.
The motors are running hot for both squads. Stay tuned.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)