GAMES
RANKINGS
THE CLUTCH 32: UIL Basketball 2025-26 State Championship Preview -- West Brook vs. Frisco Heritage (5A D1)
WHERE: Alamodome -- San Antonio, TX
...
CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL OF THE UIL BOYS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
...
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.
THE CLUTCH 32: UIL Basketball 2025-26 State Championship Preview -- Orangefield vs. Dallas Madison (3A D1)
WHERE: Alamodome -- San Antonio, TX
...
CLICK HERE TO STAY UPDATED ON ALL OF THE UIL BOYS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
...
ORANGEFIELD BOBCATS
Traveling from near the Louisiana border in Southeast Texas, Orangefield’s path to the State Final has been nothing short of remarkable. Making their program debut in the UIL championship, head coach Bryan Whitmire and the Bobcats arrive riding the momentum of a 26-game winning streak. Most recently, they outlasted CC London in a 60-57 thriller to improve to 35-3 on the year.
Though this feat has unquestionably been accomplished through a team effort, it’s difficult to deny the comprehensive impact seniors Jaden Scales and Carson Willis have had throughout the winter. At guard, Scales is averaging roughly 21 points, four assists, and two rebounds per game, while Willis is contributing 17 points and six rebounds a night from the post. Factor in the consistent production of junior Rylan Agerton, sophomore Kyran Morrow, and junior Elijah Jones, and it makes complete sense that this Orangefield team is on the precipice of etching its name into the history books.
Orangefield Sr. G Jaden ScalesBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
DALLAS MADISON TROJANS
Summary
While this is a new setting for Orangefield, the Alamodome has seemingly become a home away from home for the “Great” James Madison High. Under head coach Gerald Smith, the Trojans are making their 12th appearance in the title game (13th trip to the Final Four), and their first since the team’s championship run in 2022. On the heels of Tuesday’s 78-71 victory over Brownfield, Madison (25-12) now eyes the chance to secure state banner No. 6 — which would add another impressive chapter to one of the most preeminent programs of the 21st century.
Leading the charge for the Dallas ISD landmark is shooting guard Josiah “Juice” Cobb. Still a junior, the 6-foot-1 Cobb is a constant threat to score 20 or more points on any given night, complementing the steady contributions of seniors Eddie Moss, Darius Hooks, and Jamirion Rice.
