I woke up this morning excited about today’s regional quarterfinal games like I was about to play! It’s some great games tonight in the city, and no it’s not the Coronavirus you smell in the air, it’s the scent of exciting high quality high school basketball! Don’t let people fool you, the city isn’t down..
Here are the previews of tonight’s 6A & 5A Region III quarterfinal previews.
Atascocita (32-5) vs Dickinson (29-5)
Delmar Fieldhouse 6PM
This is a heavyweight bout. If you love a good back court then you’re in for a treat. This game will look like Buckingham Palace with all of the good guards… Dylan Dawson, Tom Hart, Kaleb Stewart for Atascocita vs Tramon Mark, Marcus Williams & Deuce Guidry for Dickinson. This is one of those games that people anticipate all year. Tough to pick a winner in this one, but the way Mark & Williams have been playing, they’ll be hard to beat.
Dickinson 72- Atascocita 68
Morton Ranch (26-8) vs Travis (31-6)
Wheeler Fieldhouse 7pm
Two OTR Exposure All Greater Houston 1st teamers will duel it out as LJ Cryer & Justin Hill tango today. Two of the best guards in the state, with similar scoring prowess who both lead their team in assists and steals as well. Morton Ranch got the ball early and often to Eddie Lampkin vs Sam Houston & it lead to him having a 21 point, 15 rebound night. If they use this same formula, it should work against the smaller Travis team. Junior Mekhi McIntyre will be key for the Tigers, he gives them a legitimate second scorer/shooter who can pick up the slack for Hill. A high possession & fast paced game is what you’ll see in this one. Buckle up!
Morton Ranch 83- Travis 71
Bellaire (27-6) vs Tompkins (17-20)
Merrill Center 7PM
Out of the 8 teams left in the region, these two come in a little under the radar. Bellaire, district 18-6A champs, have gone about their business quietly & are putting together a super season. Junior guards Jaylon Calvin & Elijah Lawrence have been instrumental in the Cardinals success. Senior shooter Jordan Johnson stretches the floor, & freshman Jacolb Cole has provided the versatility, being a jack of all trades type of player. Tompkins comes in finishing 3rd in their district, & were the under dogs in their 1st two playoff games. Now that sophomore guard BB Knight is back, he opens the game up for his teammates Johnny Nash and Hank Sanders. Coach Bobby Sanders has his group playing tough team defense and sharing the ball offensively. This is a dangerous group that is playing with nothing to lose, this will be a dog fight.
Bellaire 61- Tompkins 57
Summer Creek (26-7) vs Beaumont United (26-7)
La Porte HS 7PM
Two tough, well coached teams in this one. Both coaches are old school, no nonsense, in your face type of guys and their teams reflect this on the court. This battle also lines with the theme of the region, really good back courts. Summer Creek’s Javon Jackson, Dylen Scales, and Dylan Miles vs BU’s Kasen Harrison. BU and it’s young guns, Trealyn Porchia (Fr), Terrance Arceneaux (So), & Wesley Yates III (Fr) will have to withstand the relentless pressure defense of Summer Creek. On the flip side, Summer Creek will have to contend with the size and athleticism of the Timberwolves. Another game that has been anticipated all year, should have La Porte rocking tonight!
Summer Creek 77- Beaumont United 73
5A Region III
Shadow Creek (27-3) vs Madison (20-13)
Hopson Fieldhouse 6:30PM
Two district champs, both with high expectations square off. Madison might have the best front line remaining in the playoffs, with Tim Moore Jr, Brian Myles, Adam Kanafani, & Elijah Hill. They’re athletic, physical, & are a terror on the glass. If they want a chance to win this game their guard play will have to be on point. The Sharks of Shadow Creek have been waiting for this stage all year, they are built for playoff success. Toughness, shooting, defense and intense focus are what I’ve seen from them since their last loss Feb. 18th vs Hightower. They are on a mission, Will Young is playing his best basketball, Ramon Walker is becoming a star, Shawn Jones and Trey Hartfield are setting the tone defensively. Expect some fireworks in this one.
Shadow Creek 82- Madison 74
Hightower (30-5) vs Crosby (26-10)
Delmar Fieldhouse 7:30 PM
It’s rare that we get match ups of the top 2 players in a class, but tonight at Delmar Fieldhouse, our requests has been granted! Hightower’s Bryce Griggs vs Crosby’s PJ Haggerty! OTR Exposure’s #1 vs #2 players in the 2022 class. Two really good basketball players, two really good coaches, two really good teams. Hightower will need senior guard Chris Harris to continue to excel, and Crosby will count on its other super sophomore, Sean Elkinton to produce another double-double. Coach Stephen Woods of Hightower has his team on an incredible roll right now, I don’t see the ride ending tonight.
Hightower 79- Crosby 68