San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
SCOUTING REPORT
CLASS 6A
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Adam Benhayoune: O’Connor,
F, 6-4, sr. Kendall Dow: Johnson, G, 6-1, jr.
Al Emerllauhu: Clark, F, 6-5, sr. Keith Davis: Reagan, G, 6-1, sr.
Tyler Gertson: Marshall, G, 6-0,
sr.
Gavin Gibson: Brandeis, G, 6-2,
sr.
Zayden High: Smithson Valley, G/F, 6-7, soph.
Corey Jackson: Roosevelt, G,
5-11, sr.
Ja’Sean Jackson: Wagner, G,
6-1, sr.
Keilon Johnson: Madison, G, 6-1,
sr.
Shane Johnson: Johnson, G,
6-2, sr. Xavier Kirk: Warren, G, 6-1, jr. Austin Nunez: Wagner, G, 6-2, jr.
Isaiah Washington: Judson, G,
6-2, sr.
Davion Wilson: Judson, F, 6-6,
sr.
OUTLOOK
Wagner’s move back to Class 6A shouldn’t slow the Thunderbirds, who reached the previous two Class 5A state tournaments. Wagner returns last season’s Express-News Player of the Year, guard Ja’Sean Jackson, who is committed to UT-Rio Grande Valley. The Thunderbirds are bolstered by the addition of junior guard Austin Nunez, a transfer from Cornerstone with 13 offers, including Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgetown and Baylor. The Thunderbirds have loaded their schedule with Dallas-area powers Duncanville, Waxahachie and Lancaster.
Judson, a regional finalist last season, will challenge Wagner in 27-6A. Steele, East Central and Smithson Valley are young, but they should be in the mix for postseason spots.
Johnson and Clark are the teams to beat in 28-6A. Johnson, a two-time reigning district champion, returns four starters, including district MVP Shane Johnson. Clark returns four starters and is motivated after just missing a postseason spot last year. Roosevelt has good size and returns three starters.
O’Connor and Warren are the front-runners in 29-6A, each with three returning starters. Brandeis, the reigning regional champion, returns all but one starter. Harlan, an undefeated district champion last year, moves up to Class 6A.
CLASS 5A
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Jordon Barajas: McCollum, G/F,
6-6, sr.
Dominic Davila: Floresville, C,
6-5, sr.
Reid Higgins: Boerne Champion, C, 6-6, sr.
Kalvin Nance: Brackenridge, G,
5-9, sr.
Manny Rabago-Castro: Harlandale, F, 6-5, sr.
Aaron San Miguel: Jefferson, G,
6-2, jr.
Richard Torres: Southside, F,
6-5, jr.
OUTLOOK
Look for Boerne Champion and Dripping Springs to battle it out in District 26-5A as Alamo Heights and Kerrville Tivy seek to fill huge holes left from graduation.
Brackenridge returns district MVP Kalvin Nance to lead an experienced group in 27-5A. Always-tough Sam Houston will be in district championship contention.
In 28-5A, Harlandale has only one returning starter and will face a big challenge trying for its third straight 20-win season. McCollum — with five returning starters — Southside and Floresville also will contend for the district crown.
SUB-5A
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Ryken Autry: Marion, G, 6-1, jr.
Trey Blackmore: Cole, G, 6-3, jr. Colby Brasher: Fredericksburg,
G, 5-10, sr.
Justin Contreras: Devine, G,
5-11, sr.
Trace Decker: Bandera, G/F,
6-2, sr.
Oscar Falcon: Comfort, G, 5-8,
sr.
Joaquin Gonzalez: Boerne, G,
6-3, sr. Silas Livingston: Cole, G, 5-9, jr. Jayden Sanchez: Fredericksburg, G, 5-11, sr.
Tristan Schlinke: Blanco, G,
5-9, sr.
Matthew Soto: Somerset, G,
6-0, soph.
Luke Whidbee: Boerne, G, 6-6,
sr.
OUTLOOK
The transfer of 7-foot center Vince Iwuchukwu to La Lumiere in Indiana was a blow for Cole, but the Cougars return three starters who were key to their back-to-back Class 3A state tournament appearances. The Cougars will be tested with a tough schedule that includes Dallas power Oak Cliff Faith Family along with local stalwarts Wagner, Judson and Johnson.
Boerne will make a run at the Region IV-4A title with four returning starters.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Bryon Armstrong: Antonian,
G/F, 6-3, sr.
Dezmon Dudley: Schertz John Paul II, G, 5-10, jr.
Rodney Hunter: Saint Mary’s
Hall, G, 6-2, sr.
Mason Knowles: Lutheran, G/F,
5-11, sr.
Xavier Martinez: Antonian, G,
6-0, jr.
Gavino Ramos: Antonian, G, 6-1,
sr.
Julian Sanchez: Central Catholic, G, 6-2, sr.
OUTLOOK
Antonian returns four starters from a team that advanced to the TAPPS Class 6A championship game. The Apaches are motivated after just missing out on back-to-back state titles.
Saint Mary’s Hall, one of the area’s top teams last season, has been reclassified from TAPPS 6A to 5A. The Barons return no starters and just four lettermen.
Schertz John Paul II, a TAPPS 4A state tournament qualifier last season, returns four starters. Its schedule includes Warren, Antonian, Brackenridge, Jefferson and Central Catholic.
KEY DATES
Thursday: TAPPS season begins Friday: UIL season begins
Feb. 18: UIL playoffs begin
March 4-6: TAPPS state tournament
March 11-13: UIL state tournament
*Note: No UIL regional tournaments this season.
CONTACT US
High school writer: David Hinojosa, email dhinojosa@expressnews.net
To report results: Immediately after games, email sports@express-news.net