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VYPE DFW GBB Game of the Week: Plano East vs. Cedar Hill (UIL-6A-D1 State Semifinals)
In what feels like the blink of an eye, we’ve reached the State Final Four in the UIL girls’ basketball playoffs.
As the 6A-D1 race heats up, fans are in for a battle of historic proportions, as Plano East and Cedar Hill are set to square off following impressive victories in their respective Regional Finals.
Plano East is currently riding an unprecedented wave of success, making their first-ever State Tournament appearance since the school’s opening in 1981.
The Panthers (24-13), under the leadership of head coach Derrick Richardson, have advanced to this point after outlasting North Crowley 49-45 in a nail-biting Regional Final last Thursday.
Freshman sensation Arianna Robinson has been the driving force for Plano East, scoring 28 points in the Regional Final and averaging approximately 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals per game.
Sophomore Kennedy Borders, who contributed 13 points in the Region I Final, and senior Sema Udo (12 ppg, 4 rpg) have also played key roles in the Panthers’ remarkable postseason run, as Plano East looks to extend its Cinderella story into the State Semifinals.

On the other side, Cedar Hill stunned the defending state champions and district rival Duncanville with a 57-47 victory, improving their season record to 28-8.
The Longhorns, led by coach Nicole Collins, make their first State Tournament appearance since 2010 and are now focused on claiming their first-ever state title.
Cedar Hill boasts a talented roster, starting with senior captain Makiyah Risby. Fellow seniors Rylan Jones, Trinity Thomas, and Brooklyn King provide additional veteran leadership, while junior Lyntoria Daniel has also emerged as a standout performer this season.
Both teams are fighting to make history, but only one will advance to the championship game. Plano East and Cedar Hill will clash in the State Semifinals this Tuesday (6:30 PM) at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, in what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
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THE BLACK & GOLD: Can Plano East make it Back-to-Back at State in the imminent postseason?
Over the course of the past few years, Plano East has emerged as a dominant force in Texas high school hoops, and despite the challenges of competing in one of the state's toughest districts, they show no signs of slowing down.
Coming off a historic 2023-2024 season, the Panthers completed a perfect 40-0 record and captured their first-ever UIL 6A State Championship with a 53-41 victory over Round Rock Stony Point.
Although they haven't maintained an undefeated record throughout the current campaign, their performance still makes them a formidable contender for a repeat.
With head coach Matt Wester back at the helm, East has continued to thrive, recently improving to 20-4 on the year.
Their strong district run, highlighted by a critical streak of wins over rivals Plano West (76-61), Prosper (74-54), and McKinney Boyd (62-42), has pushed their district record to 8-2.
While they sit second in District 6-6A behind the powerhouse Allen Eagles (24-1; 9-0), a pivotal rematch on February 4th against the top-ranked team in the state could have major implications for both teams' playoff aspirations.
A significant reason for the Panthers' success is the return of several star players with invaluable postseason experience.
Leading the charge is senior DJ Hall, the reigning UIL-6A State MVP. At 6-foot-7, the Texas State-signee is a force on both ends of the floor as the team’s leading scorer and an imposing defender at the power forward position.
He is supported by fellow senior Moustafa Abualneel (PF/C), as well as junior Izan Qazi (SF/SG), both of whom have consistently proven their ability to contribute offensively. Freshman guard Alex Brewington and senior Aarnav Boinpalli have also provided a boost to the team's depth, adding athleticism and versatility.
With an eye on the district title and a potential second consecutive trip to the Alamodome, the Panthers look primed for another extensive playoff run.
As they push through the final stretch of their district schedule, the excitement surrounding this team continues to build, and their championship aspirations remain within reach.






























