4A’s Region 2 Standouts After the Holiday Break

<p>This region is absolutely box-office with 4A powerhouses, Dallas Carter, and Oak Cliff Faith Family calling Region 2 home. This region is made up of many charter schools, and Oak Cliff Faith Family is at the top of the pile behind senior all-district studs [player_tooltip player_id="889584" first="Dallas" last="Hobbs"] and [player_tooltip player_id="889570" first="T.J." last="Caldwell"] powering their 18-3 record. This year's record is not far behind the 25-6 record last season on the way to the state semifinals. The team is fresh off a dominant home conference game win against Ranchview (Irving, TX) by a score of 91-40. [player_tooltip player_id="1297677" first="Brandon" last="Walker"], [player_tooltip player_id="1150772" first="Isaiah" last="Jones"] and Caldwell were all recently named to the McDonald’s All-American team. Jones, a 6’3 two-way wing is averaging 15 ppg, 4 rebs, 4 apg, 2 spg on 46%3pt.</p> <p>Carter is close behind with an 18-5 record and recently crowned champions of the Dallas ISD Holiday Invitational tournament where they took down #2 ranked 4A team Silsbee 69-67. In the tournament, junior 6’2 point guard, Kyle Givens was named to the Dallas ISD Holiday Invitational All-Tournament Team. Last year’s matchup between Dallas Carter and Oak Cliff Faith Family in the regional final game could repeat this season, as both teams are the powerhouses 4A competition.</p> <p>Joining the ranks of the Region 2 foray is Silsbee (17-5) and Waco’s Connally (19-2). Silsbee is 6-0 at home and the recent two-time state champs are poised for another deep run in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Connally is also undefeated at home and riding a massive 14 game win streak. Their most recent win is against Salado on 1/7 in a tightly contested 46-41 win.</p> <p><strong>Players to watch:</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889570" first="T.J." last="Caldwell"]: Oak Cliff Faith Family Sr. 6-5 SG - The Ole Miss commit is a sturdy, athletic wing with pro height and length. He is capable of putting on a show with a slew of ferocious, rim-rattling dunks this season. He is one of the best athletes in the 2022 class and was already a highly touted defender but has used his senior season to improve his passing and jump shot. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1297677" first="Brandon" last="Walker"]: Oak Cliff Faith Family Sr. 6-6 Wing - Coming off a junior season where he averaged <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">14 PPG, 7 RPG in 2020-21, he has moved into consideration as a </span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Top-35 ranked player in Texas by three different outlets and is a </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">4A Second Team All-State selection.</span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1150772" first="Isaiah" last="Jones"]: Oak Cliff Faith Family Sr. 6-5 SG - Another in OCFF’s talented wing players, Jones is unafraid to do the dirty work, reaching for steals and playing full-court defense on opposing guards. It’s difficult to believe he has remained unsigned at this point, but is sure to find a collegiate home by the end of the season. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1218010" first="Jared" last="Harris"]: Silsbee So. 6-2 SG - High IQ point guard who is the future of the Silsbee boys basketball team. The two-star recruit was named All-District as a freshman and has continued his grind this season as a lean, long lead guard with speed and control on fast breaks. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1325407" first="Jelani" last="McDonald"]: Waco Connally Jr. 6-2 Combo Guard - The young guard is the engine behind his teams top 10 state ranking by making his teammates better and playing under control at all times. His athletic ability and drive let on there could be another level to his game. Plenty of time for him to transition into a larger focal point of Connally’s offense before his senior season.</p> <p>Randy Woolf Jr.: La Vega Sr. 6-1 CG - Woolf made the All-Tournament Team at the Cameron Yoe Chamber of Commerce Christmas Classic last December by averaging 23.2 ppg,11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, and 5.4 spg. The highlife game of the tournament was against <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Smithville where La Vega won 84-57 and Woolf chipped in </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">25 pts, 6 rebs, and 6steals, </span>proving<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> his talent as a two-way threat. </span></p>