Harrison twins hope to cap run at Fort Bend Travis with a state title. Don't sleep on Prestonwood Christian, DeSoto, Yates and Brandeis.
Andrew Harrison (pictured) and his brother Aaron look to end their high school careers at Fort Bend Travis with a state championship.
File photo by Jim Redman
Craig Brownson
2011-12 finish: 36-4, Class 5A state runner-up
The
Tigers have the nation's top backcourt in twins
Andrew and
Aaron Harrison – ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the
MaxPreps Class of 2013 Top 100,
respectively. The Harrisons made a
highly-publicized pledge to Kentucky
in early October, allowing them to focus on winning a state title after
falling short as juniors. Collectively, the pair produced over 30 points, 10 rebounds and nearly 10 assists per game in 2011-12. While the supporting cast will be a bit of a mystery heading into the season, expect Travis to be tough on the defensive end after holding teams under 48 points per game last season.
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2. Prestonwood Christian (Plano)Head coach: Chris Mayberry
2011-12 finish: 27-4, TAPPS Class 5A state champions
PCA
senior
Julius Randle (6-8, 240) has the look of a NBA veteran and is
the No. 4 overall prospect in the MaxPreps Class of 2013 Top 100. Randle
posted over 21 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior and was
the MVP of the City of Palms Classic. Florida, Kansas and Kentucky –
among others – are battling for his services.
Mickey Mitchell, a 6-7
sophomore point-forward and burgeoning quarterback prospect, will also
be a big piece of the puzzle for Mayberry. Mitchell averaged 10.1
points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as a freshman. The Lions
will also look for big things from mighty mite point guard
Marquan Botley (5-8).
See last season's Texas stats leaderboard3. DeSotoHead coach: Chris Dyer
2011-12 finish: 33-6
The
Eagles are led by a special guard in
Matt Jones, a 6-4 senior who has
already delivered a verbal pledge to Duke. Jones was a
MaxPreps Junior All-American a year ago after producing 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and
3.4 assists per game. The DeSoto star is also a longtime summer teammate
of Prestonwood's Randle. Junior forward
Terry Maston (6-6, 200) will be
key among the six other players returning for Dyer from last season's
squad. DeSoto will get an early test at the McDonald's Texas
Invitational – a mega-showcase for Texas public schools outside of
Houston.
See last season's Texas boys basketball Freeman Rankings
4. Yates (Houston)Head coach: Greg Wise
2011-12: 34-6, Class 4A runner-up
The
Lions are expected to be a major problem in the 3A ranks after dropping
down from 4A in the offseason. In an "off" year offensively, Yates
poured in 97.5 points per game in 2011-12. Expect those numbers to
increase as some of Wise's young weapons mature and the Lions pounce on
3A competition. The headliners this season will include
Darrion Martin
(5-10, Sr., G),
Melvin Swift (6-7, Jr., F) and
Joseph Anderson (6-1,
So., G). The Houston superpower will compete in a number of major
showcases and tournaments, including December's Iolani Classic in
Hawaii.
See last season's Texas boys basketball playoff brackets5. Brandeis (San Antonio)Head coach: Marc Gardner
2011-12 finish: 27-7
The
Broncos return seven players who saw significant action a year ago,
including leading scorer
Justin Graham, a 6-2 guard who posted 14.9
points and 5.5 assists per game in 2011-12. Senior
Matt Kallead (6-2,
175, G) is also back after putting up 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per
game as a junior. Defense was the calling card as Brandeis reached the
regional quarterfinals last season, allowing just 46.7 points per game.
