HISD boys basketball has made history.
For the first time, HISD will have three times at state after Booker T. Washington, Bellaire and Wheatley all punched their tickets to San Antonio. Bellaire (25-10) defeated San Antonio Brennan (33-2), 65-57, Booker T. Washington (28-4) defeated Austin LBJ (24-13), 76-56 and Wheatley (27-7) defeated La Marque (39-2), 49-44 in regional action to earn their way to state.
“It feels great to experience the success of coaches and players that have worked extremely hard,” said HISD athletic director, Andre’ Walker. “To witness their hard work pay off means so much to me. It is their time to show the state how their love and dedication to the sport they love has given them this opportunity to earn a UIL State title.
“The talent level in HISD has always been at a high level but the pieces of the puzzle must fit for everyone else to see it. For these teams, that puzzle is forming, but will only be completed by winning the state title.”
Booker T. Washington was a dominant force in 4A Region III District 20, led by senior point guard Robert Jones, who averaged 15.3 points per game along with 4.5 assists per game and senior forward Samuel Johnson, who averaged 1.4 blocks with 10.1 rebounds per game.
Robert Jones transferred to the Eagles from Klein Forrest last season and sat behind senior point guard Odis Carter Jr.
“Odis taught me how to be a leader and still play my game while remaining calm under pressure,” said Jones. “I saw every day at practice he never took plays off and held everyone accountable, the little things. Now that it’s my time to lead the team, I trust myself instead of forcing things and I’m able to play at my own pace.”
Johnson, who has played in 4 straight regional finals, took over for Chris McDermott, the Eagle’s star power forward and 2024 Guy V. Lewis award winner.
“Chris and I used to train together,” said Johnson. “Working with him taught me to put in the extra time every day and play with a high motor. Playing alongside him taught me to believe in myself and the work I put in. His quiet and humble confidence influenced me to be the way I am now with working and getting the job done.”
The Eagles made it to the final championship game under Coach Vincent Grayson during the 2022-2023 season but fell short 70-56 to a well-coached Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy team.
This year, under new head coach, Jessie Shelton, the Eagles are hoping to win their first State Championship under the UIL era. Shelton won a state title in 2004 with Jones High School on a team that featured Daniel Gibson
“To have the opportunity to be back for the third time is very pleasing. To be able to win for the second time in a career will be even more gratifying,” said head coach Jessie Shelton III. “In order for us to be victorious, we must continue playing as a team and stay focused on the task at hand. Team offense and team defense are critical in winning championships and all the small things must be executed.”
Booker T. Washington will face Kimball on Friday, March 7th, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Antonio Alamodome.
The Bellaire Cardinals claimed first place in 6A Region III District 18, powered by three standout seniors: Kohlman Dutton, Anthony Andrews, and Shelton Henderson. Dutton, the point guard, controlled the tempo of the game and led the team with an average of 2.3 assists per game. Andrews was the team’s top rebounder this season grabbing 155 boards from the power forward spot. Meanwhile, Shelton Henderson, a four-year varsity letterman, averaged 19.4 points per game, shot 52% from the field, and grabbed 6 rebounds per game.
“Playing with LJ [Anthony Andrews] helps me a lot,” said Henderson. “He makes so much space and opportunities for me to get to the paint or kick back to him. Kohlman and I’ve been playing together since third grade, so playing with these two guys has made it more enjoyable playing this game as they take a lot of weight off my shoulders. I can trust them and at any point, we can make a play for each other.”
“I appreciate these guys to the utmost,” said Dutton. “They helped me re-find a love for a game that I kind of fell out of touch with, after being injured and missing an entire year and a half of basketball. It’s just a blessing to play with these guys.”
The Bellaire Cardinals have numerous division titles but have never won a state championship. Under the leadership of head coach Bruce Glover, five-star forward Shelton Henderson, Kohlman Dutton and Anthony Andrews, the Cardinals hope to win their first State Championship in school history.
“For us to continue winning, we must remember we’re a group of guys with a lot of character focusing on the small things, said Bellaire head basketball coach Bruce Glover. “We must start early, create the tempo and force the other team to play our game.”
Bellaire will face Duncanville Saturday, March 8th, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Antonio Alamodome.
The Wheatley Wildcats finished second in 4A Region III District 20 behind Booker T. Washington. However, with UIL deciding to go with a 4A Division 1 and a 4A Division 2, both teams have played in the state tournament but in different divisions.
This year, the playoff bracket was split into Division I and Division II, as the UIL followed the same format used in football. Last year, only one team won a state championship per class.
The Wildcats are led by senior point guard Quinton Sanders and freshman standout Peter Dorsey. Sanders, known for his quickness and ability to play above the rim, excels in pushing the ball on fast breaks. On the other hand, Dorsey’s dominant presence in the post allows the Wildcats to slow things down and execute in half-court sets. The dynamic combination of these two talented players has been key to the Wildcats’ success, as they skillfully control both the tempo and pace of the game.
“Playing with Peter has been great,” said Sanders. “I was once a freshman on varsity so we have a of bond there. As a freshman, the mentality he possesses has a domino effect on the team. He isn’t afraid of competition and this has helped me elevate my game mentally. He also helped me sharpen my passing mechanics. With him down low, it’s important that I get him the ball so he can do what he needs to do. In all, it’s been great playing with him.”
“It’s a complete honor to be in this position,” said Wheatley head basketball coach David Burrell. “I made a promise my first day on the job to get us here and we finally did it. Just to be mentioned in the legend conversation is amazing, but we still have a lot to learn.
The Wildcats are the only school out of the three to have won a high school state championship since the inclusion of the UIL. They won in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, and 1978. On Friday, March 7th, at 5:00 p.m. at the San Antonio Alamodome, the Wheatley Wildcats will face Kennedale in a battle for their fifth win in school history.
“For us to win the state championship we must remember our motto,” said Burrell. “‘Always us, never them.’ If we play Wheatley basketball, the other team must adjust to us because when we play for each other, the chips are in our favor.”
