Early State Previews: 5A Teams Set For A Deep Run

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, I'll discuss which 5A teams have a great chance of making a deep playoff run. These teams are filled with talented players that help make their teams contenders for a 5A state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frisco Heritage:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a 22-12 season, the defending 10-5A district champions are expecting another big season led by there duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1583463' first='Cameron' last='Lomax'] and Bryson Howard. Lomax who is rated a 4 star prospect by ESPN averaged 25 PPG last season as a sophomore which brought much attention to his game. Bryson Howard is a 6'6 athletic combo guard who will be a big factor for this team given his guard skill set at his size. Having a dynamic duo is always helpful when making a run for a state championship and that's what Frisco Heritage is hoping for with their duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: Mikhail Patel, Garrett Shelton, Tatum Bell Jr, Roman Bradley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Colony:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A heavy favorite to win a 5A state championship, The Colony returns most of their players back from a 31-6 team and they are loaded with talent. Their big three of [player_tooltip player_id='1560901' first='Dakari' last='Spear'], [player_tooltip player_id='1590879' first='Bryce' last='Dixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2382175' first='Xavier' last=''] Green had huge sophomore year's last season and hope to make another deep playoff run now with more experience. Each of them have division 1 offers and [player_tooltip player_id='1560901' first='Dakari' last='Spear'] is even ranked 33rd in the Junior ESPN 60. Those three alone would make any team a favorite to win a state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: [player_tooltip player_id='2233759' first='Thor' last='Grissom'], [player_tooltip player_id='2233734' first='Jordyn' last='Goodman']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Killeen Ellison:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The runner ups in the 5A state championship game are looking for revenge coming into this season returning majority of their players. With good size and talent across the whole team, this team also made their image with their aggressive and gritty style of play. Following their 35-6 season, [player_tooltip player_id='1527106' first='JoJo' last='McIver'] made his mark as the leader of this team. McIver has multiple division 1 offers coming off a big junior season and grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: Sean Parks, [player_tooltip player_id='2125247' first='Marneko' last='Thomas'], Darone Leakes, Elijah Bass, Shaheim Bogues, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A team that was stacked with young talent last season went 27-9 and made a run to the 4th round of playoffs last season. Veterans Memorial is expecting to be a top team in 5A mainly due to the talent of their young core. The star of the young core is [player_tooltip player_id='2510773' first='Billy' last='White III'], A 6'7 junior forward with multiple division 1 offers. The athleticism of this team is another thing that puts them ahead of most of their competition. Given all these factors, Veterans Memorial is in a good position to make a deep run in playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: [player_tooltip player_id='2484577' first='Sean' last='Mondragon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2252902' first='Jeremiah' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2447589' first='Shawn' last='Williams'], Jeremiah Moynihan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Argyle:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Argyle went 28-8 last season and will be one of the more intriguing teams in all of Texas adding 6'10 Francis Chukwudebelu to the squad. Also with 6'9 [player_tooltip player_id='1225569' first='Kash' last='Polk'] expected to return from injury, Argyle will have a monster front court to deal with this upcoming season. Both players are highly recruited players with multiple division 1 offers. Those two alone will bring a lot of attention to Argyle, and with good guard play by their guards, Argyle is going to be a team to be reckoned with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: [player_tooltip player_id='2233732' first='Jonathan' last='Lungeni'], Gerald Burris, Karan Mattu</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Cliff Faith Family:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After dominating the 4A basketball scene, Faith Family will move up to class 5A for the upcoming season. The heavy favorite for the state title is bringing back a lot of talent from last season's 4A state title team and also reloading with new players. With star returners [player_tooltip player_id='1592927' first='Davion' last='Adkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2454445' first='Anthony' last='Spencer'] alongside new transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='1779014' first='Seven' last='Spurlock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1534610' first='King' last='Grace'], Faith Family could easily be considered the most talented team in all of Texas. Grace, Adkins, and Spurlock are 4 stars according to ESPN with Grace and Adkins being ranked among the top 100 and 60 of their classes on ESPN.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other key players: Tahsheim Gary, [player_tooltip player_id='2222517' first='Lamont' last='Hartfield'], Jacob Walker, [player_tooltip player_id='2252903' first='Elijah' last='Yarbrough']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->