SAN ANTONIO, Texas–The 66th annual UIL Basketball State Championships took place “deep in the heart of Texas” once again calling the Alamodome home for the second consecutive year. In all 24 teams were on hand competing for the title in six classifications. The largest school making the trip was North Shore with an enrollment of 4300 and the smallest being Roby and their roster of 74 students.
This time around the participants shared a combined record of 801 wins and just 79 losses. One team, Duncanville brought an unblemished record while five more came in with just one loss on the season. Four of six defending champions were on hand and seven teams sported a history of double figure appearances in the big dance. Four of those (Canyon 26, Nazareth 25, Duncanville 24, Brock 21) have made the trip 20 or more times.
Below are quick synopses of the six championship games in the order they were played followed by some performance profiles of just a few of the many talented athletes in San Antonio this weekend.
A match up of the same two teams from one year ago saw Lipan get revenge on their 2015 disappointment by claiming their first Texas state title with a 54 – 43 win over Nazareth. Senior guard Lanie Roberts, whose 49 point semifinal explosion paved the way to the finals, led the way with a double – double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Lady Indians bookended the game with big opening and closing quarters. Nazareth held a one point margin entering the final period but a nine point run early provided Lipan the lead and momentum to claim the UIL 1A State Championship.
The eventual champs got out of the gate quick leading 12 – 5 after the first period. Both teams showed some nerves with Nazareth coughing up the ball six times and Lipan turning it over five times themselves. Nazareth struggled to find the range shooting just 22 percent as a team. The second period saw both teams settle down and the Swiftettes warm up to trail by just four at the break, 28 – 24. Roberts was just 3 for 11 for the half but still posted 13 points. Junior Allie Schulte and senior Deborah VanDijk both had 10 for Nazareth on a combined 6 for 8 shooting.
Lipan opened the half with a turnover and Nazareth responded with a 9 – 0 run before the Lady Indians could get back on the board at the 5:19 mark. Nazareth posted 2 more before Lipan went on a 6 – 0 run of their own to cut the lead to one point in favor of the Swiftettes entering the final quarter.
Nazareth opened the fourth with a three but Lipan responded with a 9 – 0 run and never looked back. A layup by Bryanna Phelps tied things at 41 and the lead stretched to 7 before Nazareth could get back in the scoring column. Schulte fould out with 2:13 to go and the margin at 6 effectively sealing the win for Lipan. The parade of fouls began and the margin jumped to double figures wrapping things up at 54 – 43.
Roberts, the MVP, had a combined 72 points and 25 rebounds over two games. She shot 23 of 41 from the floor including 7 for 9 from three point range. Add in 19 out of 20 free throws, 6 assists and 9 steals and you’ve got some icing on the championship cake.
What do you call a team that shoots just 7 of 24 from the floor, 3 for 10 from three point range and only connects on 7 of 19 free throw attempts? In Texas 3A you call them State Champs. Wall High School overcame Brock and, more so, overcame themselves to hold on to a 24 – 21 championship win. In a game that saw both teams in the teens until 1:02 remaining in the contest and despite the less than glowing numbers, things did get interesting down the stretch. With Wall holding a “commanding” 19 – 13 lead, a three pointer from Brock’s senior guard Trisha Jacobs made it a one possession game and a free throw obstacle course for the Lady Hawks who were just 2 of 11 at the line to that point. Junior guard Karley Pettiet extended the lead to four but senior Rachel Harrell answered for Brock with another three making it 20 – 19 with just one minute to play. Wall finally got a rhythm at the line making 5 of 6 while Brock kept within reach only to see Harrell’s three to tie come up short at the buzzer.
The first period was a sign of things to come as both teams “exploded” out of the gate to see Wall hold a 5 – 4 edge after one. Both teams shot 29 percent from the floor and each turned the ball over two times over the course of the first eight minutes. A big 8 – 2 second period gave Wall a 13 – 6 lead at the half. Brock’s single bucket at the 2:18 mark of the quarter broke a 12:03 scoreless fun for them. The first half saw the Lady Eagles struggle from the floor making just 3 of 15 shots. Wall fared slightly better going 5 for 12 in the half.
The third looked as though things might be thawing out with Brock getting the first four points and narrowing the margin to three. Wall failed to get on the board until MVP Maddie Chitsey knocked down a jumper with 2:20 to go in the period. It would be Wall’s only score of the quarter but they still held a 15 – 12 lead entering the final period and the homestretch heroics.
Chitsey, a 6-1 senior, finished with 29 points in two games. Despite the icy effort Saturday she was a combined 10 for 21 from the floor, 2 for 5 from deep and 7 of 15 at the line. In two games she pulled 14 boards, had five assists and blocked five shots for the Lady Hawks.
The Texas 2A championship game remained in question right up till the final minute before Weimar stretched it’s lead just enough to post 52 – 47 win over Panhandle. A semifinalist a year ago, the Lady Cats had a one point lead after three then used an 18 – 14 final quarter and some timely free throw shooting to keep the Pantherettes at bay and claim their first ever state title. Panhandle was on the heels of Weimar throughout. A three point lead after one, four point margin at the half and a one point edge entering the final quarter made the new state champs earn every possession.
Early it was the size of Weimar junior post Summer Almeida and the attack of senior Jazmine Kirby that had Panhandle scrambling. It didn’t help that the Pantherettes were ice cold to start going just 3 of 12 for the period while Weimar was slightly better connecting on 5 of 14 to hold the lead at 13 – 10 after one. Back to back threes by freshman Lainey Choate got Panhandle into the mix and then sophomore Rylee Albracht tied things at 18 on a pull up at the six minute mark. Things went back and forth before a three pointer by Jazmine Kirby with eight seconds gave Weimar a 23 – 19 lead at the break.
The third saw both teams have small runs, multiple ties and Panhandle even took the lead briefly by one. By the end of the quarter both teams were shooting 32 percent from the floor but Weimar held an 11 rebound edge on the boards. Entering the fourth Kirby had 13 on 6 for 12 shooting while Albracht and Macalle Melton had nine apiece for Panhandle. The fourth was a chess match before the Lady Cats stretched the lead to 49 – 41 with just :41 seconds to go to their celebration.
Jazmine Kirby claimed the UIL 2A MVP award. Across two games she accumulated 30 points while shooting 11 of 29 from the floor. The 5-10 senior was 2 for 4 from three point range, 6 of 12 at the line and grabbed 19 boards.
You know if you’re making your 26th appearance at the state tournament, chances are you’re doing something right. Canyon and Coach Joe Lombard are synonymous with success in Texas and Frisco Liberty faced the uphill task of bucking tradition…and they almost did. And it was their first trip to the tournament, too to boot. In the end the Lady Eagles took home UIL hardware for the third consecutive year but they know they were in a battle. The 41 – 34 final score is not indicative of the competitive nature of the game or the fact that both teams finished their seasons with a combined record of 68 and 8. While Liberty was unable to take the lead in the final period they kept it in single digits and at two possessions for the majority of the quarter.
Out of the gate Liberty was on the attack exploiting a huge speed advantage. Jordan Hamilton’s lay up at the 2:01 mark gave them a 12 – 6 lead. Hamilton’s second personal sent her to the bench and took the edge off the Redhawks transition game though they still held the lead after one, 12 – 8. The second period saw the lid put on the rims as neither team could get on track. Liberty managed to add just five points to their total while Canyon posted enough to go to the locker room with a 17 – 17 draw on the scoreboard.
Eventual MVP Angel Hayden posted 7 of Canyon’s 11 third quarter points but they couldn’t shake Liberty. Randi Thompson put up four for the Redhawks who added nine to their halftime total to trail by just two going into the final period. In the fourth Canyon was able to get it to seven, their largest lead, but were never able to relax until the final horn sounded.
Hayden’s two game totals were 28 points on 8 of 19 shooting including 1 for 2 from behind the arch. She was 11 of 16 from the line and grabbed 11 rebounds from the guard spot.
The history between Argyle and Waco La Vega over the past two years is the stuff that makes for great rivalries…and games! La Vega claimed their only state title two years ago with a win over Argyle. Last year Argyle got by La Vega in the semis on their way to the school’s second ever state championship. Seemed fair that they tip it off and do it all again this year. Unfortunately for the Lady Pirates, Argyle slowed down their high powered offense and saddled them with their third loss of the season by way of a 53 – 43 margin while claiming their second state title in a row.
The first period saw both teams trading blows leading to a tied score three different times and a 13 – 12 edge for La Vega. Argyle turned it over a couple of times early against La Vega’s press but a quick time out resolved the issues and kept the Lady Eagles on track. Both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor for the period. The second period saw Argyle continue to shoot it well connecting on 57 percent of their shots while La Vega cooled off to the tune of 30 percent leading to a 25 – 17 deficit at the break. That lead hit double digits for the majority of the third growing to as much as 13 on two occasions. Dynamic Calveion Landrum, who struggled to five points in the first half, kept La Vega in the mix posting 10 points in the third and getting the lead to a manageable seven points entering the final period. The fourth period saw the Lady Pirates get it to six on two occasions but as time wound down they couldn’t get the margin to a single possession. In the end Argyle’s 17 for 29 team shooting effort overshadowed a 14 of 44 night from La Vega.
Swing player Gabby Standifer was named MVP. The championship game saw her put up 18 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the floor including 3 for 4 from deep. The 6-0 sophomore led the way on the glass as well with 9. Combined for two games she shot 5 for 8 from behind the arch.
The consensus number two team in the country, Duncanville confirmed the validity of that ranking with a dominating win over Spring Dekaney. The 76 – 42 margin could have easily been more as the undefeated Pantherettes subbed freely through the second half as they finished the season undefeated at 39 and 0. This title was the ninth championship for Duncanville over the years, eight of those coming in the last 13 seasons. While the fourth quarter usually decides games this one was essentially over with the 20 – 5 first period explosion by Coach Cathy Self-Morgan’s squad. A 9 – 0 start forced Dekaney to call time out at the 4:24 mark but they still didn’t get on the scoreboard until just 2:45 remained in the period.
The second period was a somewhat less damaging on the part of Duncanville but the Lady Wildcats could manage just 4 more points heading into the locker room trailing 33 – 9. The third period was much more competitive with Dekaney finally finding the range and adding 15 points but Duncanville added 21 more of their own. The fourth saw a revolving door of subs and just a four point gap in scoring but the edge still belonged to the Pantherettes closing things out 76 – 42.
Zarielle Green claimed 6A MVP honors as the sophomore wing continues to establish herself among the elite in the class. Her two game totals start with 41 points on 17 for 32 shooting from the floor and a 7 of 8 effort at the line. She grabbed 11 rebounds shared 5 assists and picked 3 steals.
Green has been an established presence on the recruiting landscape for quite some time now. Still just a sophomore, her game is on par with virtually any player on the scholastic level in any class. The combination of size, skills and athleticism make her more than a challenging match up for any defender. Add to that a relentless attack plus a willingness to get out in transition and opposing coaches are going to be scratching their head in terms of how to match up with her. Those same physical tools make her an asset defensively in virtually any scheme as well. Green was named MVP following the UIL 6A championship game which saw Duncanville complete a 39 – 0 season with a number two ranking nationally. With two more years in front of her she’s far from finished in advancing her game.
Another sophomore that is poised to make a bigger impact over the next two years is Ta’Naiya Norwood of Waco La Vega. The 6-0 forward is a dynamic athlete who plays with a physical aggressiveness that translates well to the next level. She’s active on both ends of the floor and makes herself an option in transition. Her vertical creates clean looks for her in traffic and also makes her a strong presence on the glass. She created some looks off short drives and even offered up a soft touch floater. Has the potential to evolve in to a top tier power forward. Waco La Vega was runner up in the 4A class falling to Argyle in the championship game.
It’s hard to imagine too many players offering up the versatility that Argyle’s Vivian Gray brings to the floor. The 6-1 junior has a multifaceted skill set that challenges any defender. Everything Gray does has a fluidity to its movement and an efficiency in how she approaches it. On the catch she has a deceiving first step that can get her to the rim or create just enough separation to get of her very effective mid-range jumper. There’s an instinctual sense to her play that leads to some sharp interior passing that really can’t be taught. It’s not often that you talk about a true forward making the players around her better but it would be a fitting description of what Gray brings to the floor. Argyle claimed their second straight state championship in San Antonio.
While North Shore came up short in their efforts in San Antonio, junior point guard Chassity Patterson demonstrated the ability to respond to being the target of opposing defenses. Over the past year the talented point guard has really embraced her role at the point and taken command of the floor. She’s creating her own looks as she always has but is also developing and improving opportunities for her teammates in transition and the halfcourt. The consistency and range on her jumper necessitates a tight close out which plays right into the 5-5 Patterson’s hands. The quickness and speed that works so well offensively allows her to be a defensive impact as well. North Shore fell in their semifinal match up with Spring Dekaney.
There may not be a more dynamic point guard with the ball in her hands than Waco La Vega’s Calveion Landrum. The Baylor signee can create her own looks and make defenders look silly in the process. At the same time she has deep range and a touch on her shot that challenges defenders to close out tight. Not really a good option. The ability is there to navigate traffic and create her opportunities or improve those of her teammates. There’s an element of her game that will remind you slightly of Ohio State sophomore Kelsey Mitchell. She’s not quite in that conversation yet but the thought does come to mind. La Vega came up one game short as mentioned earlier falling to Argyle Saturday night.
Brittany Brewer and her Abilene Wylie teammates lost in their semifinal game Thursday but the Texas Tech signee showed why the folks in Lubbock are excited about her future. The 6-4 post continues to evolve and is on track to make a smooth transition to the college level. She’s well aware of how to use her size and length effectively. The ability is there to create her own looks on the block and around the paint. The left hander reads well and can make good decisions both on shots and passes. Off the glass few players have a quicker outlet to trigger the break than Brewer. When her upper body strength catches up with her lower body she’ll challenge both 4’s and 5’s on opposing rosters.
Quick and athletic, Angel Hayden was instrumental in helping Canyon claim another state crown this weekend in San Antonio. The 5-6 junior handles the ball effectively in transition or within halfcourt sets. She’s reading the floor well seeing her options as well as those that might develop for her teammates. Hayden, named MVP, was making plays both on penetration or knocking down her jumper. She was efficient at pushing the tempo when needed or pulling back when Coach Joe Lombard needed to pull in the reigns. She also offered up some solid on ball defense.
Frisco Liberty came up one game short of the 5A state title but there’s a promising majority of the roster returning including guard Jordan Hamilton. Quick and smooth, the 5-8 junior is a factor on both ends of the floor. She can be a threat with and without the ball and has the ability contribute through her own scoring or that of her teammates. The ball skills are in place to attack from the point or the two guard spot. Her change of speed gets defenders out of their stance and she can get all the way to the rim or elevate on her pull up. Defensively she’s assertive on ball and anticipates one and two passes away.
Lanie Roberts was the talk of day one of the Texas State Tournament with her 49 point explosion that included a 6 for 6 effort from three point range. The 5-10 Lipan senior has good length on the wing with lean build. A lot of her shots come off the dribble but as her three point attack suggests, she can spot up as well. She sees the floor and can deliver passes on the break or in traffic off the drive. Roberts plays with good instincts and should have a bright future at Tarleton State. She and her teammate avenged a championship game loss to Nazareth this time around.
Senior post/forward Maddi Chitsey of Wall suffered through one of the most difficult finals while still coming out with a smile at the end. She and her teammates were locked into one of the lowest scoring games in tournament history…and nobody was holding the ball. When the ice did thaw Chitsey and her teammates were celebrating a hard earned state title. Chitsey has been coached well and understands good angles and posting position. On the catch she can attack herself but also offered up some sharp passing as defenders rotated her way. The perimeter touch is there though the form is more of a one handed push shot. Chitsey is bound for Lubbock Christian next year.
TCU signee Danielle Rainey has good size in the backcourt to combine with some explosive athleticism. With the ball in her hands she’s able to create off the dribble and slash through traffic on her way to the rim. Once among the trees the elevation she gets allows her finish with good looks and handle contact when it rotates her way. The 5-11 senior is active without the ball and cuts with intent. In turn she’s finding some open spot up shots that she has the touch to knock down. The combination of size and agility gives her the tools to be a strong defender. Rainey and her teammates fell to Frisco Liberty in their 5A semifinal matchup.
Weimar had one of the tougher battles for their state crown before posting a five point win for the title. MVP Jazmine Kirby was a factor from start to finish providing an offensive attack that Panhandle had no answer for. A 5-10 senior, Kirby is a guard/wing that can be explosive at times. There are still rough edges to her game but the Incarnate Word signee is already being productive both with and without the ball. She can get into the paint and is comfortable with the contact that comes her way. On the break her speed can get her out in the lanes and make her an option time and again. The athleticism that is in place makes her factor on the boards from the perimeter at times. The jumper will need consistency and the left hand needs to be more of an option but lots of tools are in place.
