June: An early look at Bartlett and Houston

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season isn't here yet, but Friday's scrimmage between defending Class 4A state champ Bartlett and Houston felt like a Class 4A District 15 Tournament title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The energy was high on both sides. Many viewers were inside the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center to watch the matchup that was highly anticipated at Penny Hardaway's Team Camp. The Panthers came away with the win and wanted to send a statement to each team in Class 4A that they are the top dog.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only June, but many were able to get a glimpse of both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are quick observations from both programs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Okoth lives at the rim</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the contest, junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2194617' first='DJ' last='Okoth'] caught lobs and glided into the paint for monster dunks. He lived above the rim and made his presence felt, especially on the glass. Okoth positioned himself well for key offensive rebounds, which allowed the Panthers to get second-chance opportunities. If Okoth, last season's Class 4A Mr. Basketball winner, dominates the boards this upcoming season, many teams in the state won't stand a chance at dethroning Bartlett.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Williams/Hill will be effective</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior point [player_tooltip player_id='2194475' first='Braylon' last='Williams'] and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2979284' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] will be the Panthers' starting backcourt in 2026, and it should be an effective one. Both guards are great ball handlers and shot makers. Both see the floor well and can make the right reads. Bartlett's head coach Dion Real won't have to worry about either turning the ball over at a high rate. The Panthers won't have any drop-off at the position and will have the luxury of giving either a breather when it's needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A lot of offensive firepower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone knows about Okoth's dominance at the rim and Williams and Hill's shot making ability. Senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones'] is another deadly weapon at Bartlett's disposal. Jones can make shots from the perimeter. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='2767787' first='Kaleb' last='Taylor'], who didn't play on Friday, should play key minutes this upcoming season and is another player for the Panthers with offensive talent. Teams won't be able to send double teams. Bartlett has too much firepower and will make teams pay with fiery dunks or deflating 3s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frison can be the best player on the floor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2101889' first='Justin' last='Frison'] can be the best player on the floor in big games. He had his usual moments against the Panthers on Friday. Frison got into the lane and finished through contact. He converted on a handful of 3-point plays. Frison gets up for big games, and the Mustangs will need him when both teams meet again in a meaningful contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tate can take attention off Frison</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2624485' first='RJ' last='Tate'] came over to Houston after spending the past three seasons at Arlington. The senior guard will start in the backcourt with Frison. Tate can make shots from the perimeter and is a trustworthy ball handler, which are two things the Mustangs need to take attention off of Frison. Now, it will be an adjustment for Tate, who's used to being the No. 1 option on his high school team. He's coming off a 2025 season where he made the Class 4A District 15 First-Team. With Frison and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2111892' first='Jordan' last='Myles'] on the roster, Tate will probably be the No. 3 option. The goal is to compete for a Class 4A title. At this point of his career, Tate has the individual accolades. Playing inside the Murphy Center should be the only thing on his mind at this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Givens will help</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2866173' first='Chase' last='Givens'] is back at Houston after spending a season at Tennessee Collegiate Academy. Just two seasons ago, Givens helped the Mustangs defeat the Panthers in the Class 4A District 15 Tournament title game. He's another seasoned guard Houston will be able to use on offense. Spacing shouldn't be a problem with Givens playing alongside Frison and Tate. All three can make shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->