Contenders, Prospects, & Sleepers: UIL 5A-III District 21

<p>It is October and that means it is only days away from season-opening games. Let’s take a dive into the various districts, and begin previewing teams and players to watch! Today we dive into the UIL 5A-III District 21!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pre-Season Player of the Year:</strong></span></p> <p>Here are two prospects that will be a favorite to win the Districts MVP award for this season. <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Hayden Hefner</strong></span> is a 6'5 two guard that is tough as nails. The Texas A&amp;M University commit can score the ball in a variety of ways on the court. Don't let his look fool you either or you will wind up being on a poster because he put you in the rim. Last season he was the Districts Offensive MVP and was the best scorer in the entire district. You also have <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Kenneth Lofton</strong></span> a 6'7 power forward who could be used as a combo forward on the next level. who was All-District 1st team last season and was the anchor for the Titans. He is an Louisiana Tech commit and you can expect a double-double out of him every night. Very polished post player with great patience and a highly skilled post package no matter if it's high post or low post. These two are you favorite to take home the MVP honors.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team to Beat:</strong></span></p> <p>Port Arthur Memorial Titans are the team to beat this season. It was just two years ago that this team was crowned UIL 5A State Champions and they look to make that run this season. Last season they finished in a tie for 1st in the district with an 11-1 record but the coin flip placed them 2nd for the playoffs. Their overall record was 27-8 where they fell in the 4th round of the playoffs (Regional Semi-Finals). They bring back a very strong front-court with two NCAA division 1 commits in seniors <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Nathan Clover</strong></span> the center (Oral Roberts) and<span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong> Kenneth Lofton</strong></span> the combo forward (Louisiana Tech). These two will man the paint on both ends of the floor as well as future D1 prospect in sophomore point guard <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Amaree Abram</strong></span>. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Biggest Threat:</strong></span></p> <p>The biggest threat in the district will be Nederland Bulldogs. Last season in district play they went 7-5 and finished in third place. Their overall record was 18-14 and they fell in the first round of the playoffs. They will be anchored by senior pre-season player of the year candidate <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Hayden Hefner</strong></span> an Texas A&amp;M commit. They will receive great contributions from juniors <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Joseph Gibson</strong></span> and <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Tyler Jackson</strong></span> who should make a lot of noise this season. They will be the only threat to PA Memorial in the conference. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sleeper:</strong></span></p> <p>Barbers Hill Eagles will be the sleeper team in the district this season. They loss a team that was loaded with seniors last year as they went 11-1 in district play and finished with an 30-7 overall record. Coach Pennington will have the Eagles ready to roll this year. Their only returning player is senior <strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Mason Daniels </span></strong>a 6'0 point guard that will lead the charge this season with a very young squad filled with juniors and sophomores. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Prospects to Watch [Last Year Awards]:</strong></span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Hayden Hefner</span></strong> 6'5 SG Sr. <em>Nederland<span style="color: #800000;"> </span></em><strong><span style="color: #800000;">(Texas A&amp;M)</span> <a href="https://prephoops.com/texas/rankings/2020-rankings/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span><span style="color: #ff9900;">TX</span><span style="color: #ff0000;">150</span></a> [District Offensive MVP]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Nathan Clover</strong></span> 6'8 C Sr. <em>Port Arthur Memorial<span style="color: #000080;"> </span></em><strong><span style="color: #000080;">(Oral Roberts)</span> <a href="https://prephoops.com/texas/rankings/2020-rankings/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span><span style="color: #ff9900;">TX</span><span style="color: #ff0000;">150</span></a> [District Defensive MVP]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Amaree Abram</strong></span> 6'2 CG So. <em>Port Arthur Memorial </em><strong>[District Newcomer]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Cedric Pete</strong></span> 5'9 PG Sr. <em>Nederland </em><strong>[All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Kenneth Lofton Jr</strong></span> 6'7 PF <em>Port Arthur Memorial<span style="color: #3366ff;"> </span></em><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">(Louisiana Tech)</span> <a href="https://prephoops.com/texas/rankings/2020-rankings/"><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span><span style="color: #ff9900;">TX</span><span style="color: #ff0000;">150</span></a> [All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Noah Santos</span></strong> 5'10 PG Sr. <em>Dayton </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Joseph Gibson</strong> </span>6'0 PG Jr. <em>Nederland </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Tyler Jackson</strong></span> 6'5 SF Jr. <em>Nederland </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Gage Galloway</strong></span> 6'3 SF Sr. <em>Vidor </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Teams:</strong></span></p> <ol> <li>Port Arthur Memorial</li> <li>Nederland</li> <li>Barbers Hill</li> <li>Port Neches-Grove</li> </ol>