No.1 Jack Yates Lions

Here come the Lions. The Yates Lions fell in the state semis last year to Dallas Faith Family and are highly motivated. Coach Greg Wise's team went 12-0 in district and 23-5 overall, however, the Lions don't play for district titles – they play for state titles (four since 2009). This could be the most exciting team in the state as Wise's up-tempo style is matched with some elite athletes. New to the program are homeschool juniors Chuks Isitua and Allen Udemadu. You can't miss them as they are both 6-foot-9, 220 pounds. Gerald Doakes has moved in from Jacksonville, Ark to join the Lions' den. The point guard has several SEC offers. Showing these newbies the Yates' way is Rubin Jones, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard committed to North Texas. The Lions will likely put 100 points on half of their opponents and be a high-wire act of alley-oops coupled with a relentless full-court press. If the move-ins live up to the hype, Yates could be fitting for state rings – their first since 2014.

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No. 2 Morton Ranch Mavericks

Seven Lakes passed the torch to Tompkins, who has passed the baton to the Morton Ranch Mavs as THE team in the Katy ISD. Like Tompkins, who reached the state title game in 2017, Morton Ranch is thought to be the team in Houston with the best chance to reach the UIL state tournament. Why? Coach Khris Turner has two of the most dynamic players in the state in post Eddie Lampkin (TCU-commit) and guard LJ Cryer (Baylor-commit). Morton Ranch ran the table in District 19-6A a year ago and reached the third round of the playoffs, before falling to Fort Bend Elkins. While basketball can be a two-man game, the Mavs have other important pieces that will play important roles in 2019. Adrian Caldwell will help on the glass at small forward, while Ernest Ellis III and Westley Sellers will round out the backcourt. Working in their benefit is the fact that all five are seniors with a ton of big-game experience. This could be the Year of the Maverick.

Jack Yates HS