After an 11–8 record and a third-place finish in 4A Region III District 20, few predicted the Wheatley Wildcats would be just one victory away from returning to the UIL 4A Division II State Championship in San Antonio.
Yet, after a hard-fought 79–78 win over Jack Yates, a team many expected to outshine them in the Regional Finals, Wheatley proved that resilience, leadership, and a chip on their shoulder could rewrite a season’s story. Wheatley now must get past La Marque High School on March 10 for the right to head to the 4A Division II State Championship in San Antonio.
“I feel like people placed us last, but we used that as motivation to keep going and
Jeremiah Baskin., senior point guard
striving for the best,”
“I feel like people placed us last, but we used that as motivation to keep going and striving for the best,” said senior point guard Jeremiah Baskin.
Baskin and his teammates didn’t let the doubters stop them. Wheatley’s 2025–2026 starting five features only one familiar face from last year’s 2024–2025 team that reached the state championship game: Sophomore forward Peter Dorsey. Baskin, senior forward Kenadarian Payne, and senior guard Herbert Goldsmith also played on last year’s roster but came off the bench.
“After graduating four starters last season, maximizing everything was crucial for this season,” said Wheatley head coach David Burrell. “We knew we didn’t have one particular superstar, so we were going to have to lean on everyone to play their role.”
Cohesiveness quickly became essential for Wheatley this season as they aimed to pick up where last year’s team left off.
“We did a lot of talking, team building, and culture building,” said Burrell. “And as you can see, those guys are really disciplined. They check in with each other, hold each other accountable, and in key moments, that’s what gets us over the hump.”
“Although I’m only a sophomore, as the only returning starter, I had to assume a leadership role to keep our team competitive,” said Dorsey.
Although critics doubted Wheatley’s early potential, both new and seasoned players began turning that potential into performance under the guidance of Dorsey and several new faces.
The 2024–2025 Wheatley team benefited from shared veteran leadership through senior guards Quinton Sanders and Marquan Elder. This year’s team is no different, as each player embraces their role to contribute to the team’s success.
“Peter’s role in keeping the team grounded during high-pressure moments comes from the encouraging words he gives when we’re down, or we’ve made a mistake,” said Goldsmith. “He’s a good teammate. He always says something encouraging to uplift the team.”
While Dorsey uplifts his teammates and fights hard down low for loose balls and possession chances, Baskin directs the offense, setting up players to succeed.
“I’m a point guard, so my role is to get my teammates open,” said Baskin. “I make sure my shooters are in the right spots while I organize the offense so we can get the best looks.”
With leadership solidified, Wheatley’s confidence and chemistry began to flourish. Still, experience from both the bench and coaching staff proved essential. Burrell’s championship background as a player and coach continues to impact the team, as he knows firsthand what it takes to reach the title game.
“It starts with Jeremiah Baskin as the point guard,” said Burrell. “Him playing last year and seeing those seniors lead on the court, he got an opportunity to see it firsthand, understanding what it takes in practice and what it looks like in the game, and not to be too emotional. Peter and the rest of those guys are able to pick each other up in those times of need and speak from experience.”
As Dorsey drew more attention from opposing defenses, other players were forced to step up, which also encouraged Dorsey to expand his game.
“The only specific adjustments I made this season to leverage Dorsey’s role were just to loosen his rope and trust him to do himself,” said Burrell. “His versatility allows him to do anything on the court, bring the ball up, post up, and play tough defense. He’s even shooting the ball now. So loosening his rope allowed him to be involved in other ways in the offense, which let other guys step up and shine as well.”
Guided by Burrell, Wheatley soon faced their toughest challenge yet: a showdown against Jack Yates for the Regional Finals.
With the clock winding down and Wheatley trailing by one, senior guard Collier Coleman proved why he’s a player to watch.
“In the beginning of the game, I wasn’t playing well,” said Coleman. “I had two fouls in the first quarter, and things weren’t going well. But my team kept me encouraged, and the coaches told me to keep my head in the game.”
With Baskin running the offense and Dorsey giving encouragement, Coleman felt the support he needed to make his presence known.
“As time was running out, I told myself, ‘It’s my senior year, I have to do something.’ My teammates were playing their hardest, so I told Coach, ‘Give me the ball,’” said Coleman.
The victory over Yates proved Wheatley could compete with anyone. But the state semi-final will require their very best. For junior small forward Micah Green, this moment brings many firsts.
“This moment feels great,” said Green. “I have never been in this moment before. Now that I know how it feels, I love the feeling. To reach the final game, we have to stay focused, practice hard, work on our closeouts, and play defense on our feet without fouling.”
As Wheatley prepares for its game against La Marque on Tuesday, the Wildcats’ journey from underdogs to contenders remains rooted in leadership and resilience.
“If we continue to execute and play as a team, we will be okay,” said Goldsmith.
