Boys Basketball features

Boys Basketball

Twenty-eight Houston Cypress Woods students celebrated their athletic careers at Wednesday’s Signing Day Celebration. But through an entire bittersweet ceremony of laughter, smiles, jokes, tears and well-wishes, nothing could have prepared Cy Woods faculty and students for the amazing tribute to Trayvon Williams at the end of the ceremony.

Athletic director/head football coach David Jones fought back tears as he spoke about the inspiration that Williams has had on the Cy Woods’ community.

Williams, 19, doesn’t have any parents. He moved to the Cypress area last summer and lives alone in apartment; he works as a busboy and as a lifeguard just so he can pay his rent.  Williams wanted to play sports for the Wildcats, and his grades were good enough. But rules relating to housing and transferring schools in football, and age in basketball (he turned 19 earlier this year) prevented him from suiting up for Cy Woods.

But that didn’t stop Williams, Jones or Cy Woods boys basketball coach Chris Draudt from helping him achieve his dream of playing college sports.

Houston Community Newspapers

Boys Basketball

La Marque senior Julien Lewis sat in his jail cell. With nothing to do but listen to his own thoughts for 10 days, one childhood memory kept playing in his head again and again like a slow motion, instant replay.

The event, clouded by time and history, went something like this: Lewis just turned 5. His mother handed him a basketball, his first one, and said, “Here. Go make something of yourself.”

It’s been nearly two years since Lewis’ arrest. His life has changed dramatically. He’s won two District 24-4A MVPs, has earned solid grades, has a steady girlfriend and has committed to play basketball at the University of Texas.

Galveston County Daily News

Boys Basketball

A school bus left Thursday from a place called Hallettsville. It carried a band of explorers. None of the 15 boys inside had ever dribbled a ball in the state high school basketball championships. They'd never been closer than the early games of the regional tournament.

"It's one of those deals where the good guy finally gets to win," said Hallettsville boys basketball coach Rich Dozier.

Austin American-Statesman

Boys Basketball

When Fort Bend Bush defeated Fort Bend Dulles in the teams' second district meeting back in February, the Broncos were aware of the significance of the moment.

It inched them closer to a District 23-5A championship, which they eventually clinched a week later. And while district titles may come routine to some programs, it was a first for Bush, which has only been open since 2001.

And in a way, it foreshadowed Bush's success.

Houston Chronicle

Boys Basketball

Senior leadership is important at Flower Mound Marcus – just as important as sophomore leadership. That's the attitude around the basketball locker room as the team prepares for its first appearance in the UIL state tournament.

Marcus, which has five seniors, thrives on the play of sophomores Marcus Smart, Phil Forte and A.J. Luckey. Smart is the team's leader in scoring (16.8 points per game), rebounds (9.6) and assists (4.7). Forte is second in scoring (14.5) and the team's top 3-point shooter.

"We feel like we're the leaders," Smart said, "but the seniors have a big part and a big role on this team."

Dallas Morning News

Boys Basketball

Patience, Garland Lakeview coach Tony Mauldin reminds his players, violates the core tenets of his philosophy. He wants his team to play fast. He wants it to play furious. He wants 32 minutes of hustle and sweat. And his players usually deliver. The Patriots are 32-3 and have advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals in Austin, where they will face San Antonio Wagner today. Like every other opponent Lakeview Centennial has played, Wagner (38-1) will be subjected to the Patriots' relentless press defense that includes three variations with zone and man-to-man principles.

"In high school, I learned a lesson," Mauldin said. "Just do what you do."

Dallas Morning News