Ok.. Ok.. Now we’re starting to put the women and children to bed! The final four teams in the region are left standing and these games will be spicier than Madea’s gumbo! The greater Houston area could have a team in San Antonio at the state tournament representing Class 6A (Regions II and III), Class 5A (Region III), and Class 4A (Regions III and IV).
6A Region III
Morton Ranch (27-8) vs Dickinson (30-5)
Berry Center 6PM
This game could be a state championship final game with the quality of players, and teams in one. Maybe be the best trio of senior guards in the state will be battling. LJ Cryer & his Morton Ranch team which has survived a scare from Travis, will need to continue to play “Batman”. His “Robin” Eddie Lampkin, has been dominant this postseason, averaging a double double. Dickinson has the best back court in the state, Tramon Mark & Marcus Williams have been exactly what they are… HIGH MAJOR. They took turns dismantling Atascocita en route to a 75-49 win. They haven’t lost a game since December 14th. I fully expect this to be an old wild, wild west shootout! It’s going to look like the 4th of July in the country at the Berry Center, nothing but fireworks!
Morton Ranch 82- Dickinson 88
Bellaire (28-6) vs Summer Creek (34-5)
Berry Center 8PM
Coach Kenneth Coleman told me two weeks ago that his team was going to “shock the world”. As talented as this group is, I’m not sure they’re shocking many people. They are deep, experienced, and tougher than a T Bone at Waffle House. The Jackson, Scales, and Miles law firm has been the judge and the jury in these playoffs, controlling the game and leading their team. Bellaire is still loving the under dog role and using it as lighter fluid to ignite their success. Elijah Lawrence, Jaylon Calvin & Jordan Johnson will need to be on their A game, because they will be facing an unrelenting amount of defensive pressure from SC. Bellaire has been playing with a chip on its shoulder all year and with them not being the favorite in this contest, I fully expect them to have that fire burning to prove otherwise.
Bellaire 58- Summer Creek 67
6A Region II
Westfield (33-3) vs Killeen Ellison (34-4)
Davis Field House (Dallas) 6PM
Westfield has been quietly holding down the North side of Houston all year! They are an impressive 33-3, and went undefeated in a tough district. Senior guard Lorenzo Rand has been sensational, sophomore big man Willie Williams has been dominant in the post & on the glass, and junior point guard Ja’Dyn Chaney has been a terror all year long, including his 22 point performance in a win vs Klein in the regional quarterfinals. Coach Bill Goffney & crew go into today’s game vs Killeen Ellison looking for revenge stemming from a December 28th 72-48 loss in the Conroe Christmas tournament. That was their lost of the season and they’ve won 17 games in a row. It will forever be #HoustonVsEverybody for me, so you know who I’m riding with.
Westfield 72- Killeen Ellison 67
5A Region III
Hightower (31-5) vs Lake Creek (27-11)
Campbell Center 7:30PM
It’s going down like a fresh set of dominoes in this one! Hightower is locked in, I’ve been saying it since they beat rival Shadow Creek last month, they are really clicking on all cylinders. Coach Stephen Woods has everybody buying in, & they are excelling in their roles. “Box Office Bryce” Griggs has been unbelievable in the playoffs, Jah Roberston and Cam Collins have been holding down the paint. Chris Harris & Kris O’Neal have been the senior leaders this team has needed, making shots, getting stops defensively, and vocally leading their team. Lake Creek is an embodiment of their coach Shannon Spencer. Tough, hard nosed, and will compete with anybody, any given time and any given place. Senior guard Pierce Spencer has been one of the better players in the city all year long, junior Hudson Boyd is coming off a 19 point performance in their W vs Hutto & will need to come up big in this one. The match up of Spencer vs Griggs will be well worth the price of admission.
Hightower 74- Lake Creek 69
Shadow Creek (28-3) vs Manor (27-10)
Campbell Center 6PM
The Sharks have been business as usual this post season, getting wins and moving on to the next. It’s been a lot of fanfare on the other side of the bracket but that hasn’t bothered this group one bit. They’ve continued to steam roll teams in the playoffs. Coach President has possibly the deepest team left in the region. Ramon Walker, Will Young, & Shawn Jones have been as good as advertised, & each game one of their role players has stepped up in a big way. They will have a tough cover tonight in UH signee Jamal Shead, he’s explosive, tough and can score. Hopefully the Sharks don’t look past this group and at the possible rematch vs Hightower that could await them tomorrow…
Shadow Creek 77- Manor 70
4A Region IV
Stafford (30-9) vs Pleasanton (34-3)
Texas A&M Kingsville University
Stafford, my bad, my bad. I’m paying attention now. After going undefeated in district play, they look to keep their win streak alive! Junior guard Daylan Presley has been a star, leading his team in scoring, and propelling them the furthest the school has been in a decade. Again, you know my motto, I’m always going ride for the Houston team! With a special season already in the fold, look for the Spartans to make it even more special as they advance to the regional final.
Stafford 66- Pleasanton 60