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THE CLUTCH 32: UIL Basketball 2025-26 State Championship Preview -- West Brook vs. Frisco Heritage (5A D1)
WHERE: Alamodome -- San Antonio, TX
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WEST BROOK BRUINS
It comes as little surprise that West Brook (34-3) is reaching the same destination as a year ago, as the reigning 5A Division I champions arrive in San Antonio wielding just as much—if not more—momentum and talent. Aside from a razor-thin 54-53 victory over Randle in the Region III Final, the Bruins’ path to the program’s second title-game appearance has been defined by undeniable dominance, most recently on display in Tuesday’s 63-35 trouncing of Leander Glenn. Now, head coach Michael Thomas and his squad are poised to capture back-to-back state crowns.
Reigning State Tournament MVP and District 19-5A MVP Elijah Garrett (Sr. PG) continues to perform at an elite level, averaging a team-high 21 points and three assists per game, along with four rebounds and three steals. Senior Christian Haskett quickly established himself as a difference-maker for the Bruins, contributing 14 points and six boards per outing. Meanwhile, junior forwards Austin Stewart and Braedon Moton provide size and composure on both ends of the floor, bolstering a well-balanced lineup.
FRISCO HERITAGE COYOTES
Under head coach Jibran Kelley, the Coyotes completed a revenge tour earlier this week, edging Birdville 65-63 to return the favor to the Hawks, who eliminated them from last year’s state semifinal. Heritage (33-2) mirrors West Brook in that both programs have made back-to-back trips to the UIL Final Four, each representing the same number of appearances in their respective histories. The difference: West Brook captured the title last year. On Saturday, however, Heritage has the chance to write a new headline, with its sights set on the team’s inaugural state banner.
The formidable duo of seniors Cameron Lomax and Bryson Howard is virtually unstoppable. Lomax, a four-star SMU signee averaging a monstrous 26.2 points per game, delivered the game-winning basket with under two seconds remaining against Birdville—punching the Coyotes’ ticket to the Final. Howard, son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard, is the No. 1 collegiate prospect in Texas according to 247Sports. Standing 6-foot-6, the soon-to-be Duke Blue Devil contributes 23 points and a team-leading eight rebounds per game. Beyond the star pair, senior guards Garrett Shelton and Malachi Balanzategui are known to make splash plays when called upon.
