Teams to watch for 2024/2025: Houston Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of us spectators, media, and coaches are looking forward to the 2024/2025 high school basketball season. Grassroots basketball wrapped up a little over a month ago and the fans cannot wait to see what teams will take center stage in the Houston high school basketball scene. Let's take a look at some squads who may be bound to make a huge impact this upcoming year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2542749,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bellaire Cardinals ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1267ff07f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season's record: 30-7 overall, 12-0 district</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key losses: None </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellaire will be looking to make a deep playoff run this year and prove itself to be one of the best teams on the greater Houston scene. They return several key team members including top Texas ranked senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1225694' first='Shelton' last='Henderson'], senior forward Anthony "LJ" Andrews, senior guard Kohl Dutton, senior guard Jaren Brown, and sophomore guard CJ Williams. Look to see this team to run deep into the postseason picture and pick up chemistry right from where they left off last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2542760,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Summer Creek Bulldogs ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1267ff08cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season's record: 14-18 overall, 6-8 district</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key losses: Cameron Patterson, [player_tooltip player_id='1359650' first='Bryson' last='Wheatfall'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer Creek will aim to have a better finish in district this time around, coming off a disappointing end to the season last year and considering how much talent this team possesses, I expect this to be a statement year. Important returners include senior underrated guard [player_tooltip player_id='2467792' first='Demorae' last='Pritchett'], junior floor setter Reggie Rideau, and senior slasher [player_tooltip player_id='2430609' first='Damond' last='Matthews']. The Bulldogs will have a new look under coach Daniel Moore, who comes to the area as a 4x state champion and 2x national champion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2542766,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Barbers Hill Eagles ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1267ff0982"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season's record: 31-7 overall, 12-2 district</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key losses: None </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barbers Hill will be in prime position this season I believe to capture a district crown with their lineup of immense talent. They return several super valuable pieces and bring back a highly talented guard from Hightower in [player_tooltip player_id='1598898' first='Jaden' last='Williams']. Senior 6'6 forward Aidan Williams and junior 6'7 center [player_tooltip player_id='2077351' first='Wesley' last='Wake'] provide dynamic duo scoring potential under the rim and on the perimeter. Senior guards Dale Carter, [player_tooltip player_id='1598898' first='Jaden' last='Williams'], and Dre Charlot will be important playmakers in the backcourt setting the tone for the offense. This has been on my list of most exciting teams to watch over the past few years and that will continue this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2542771,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grand Oaks Grizzlies ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1267ff0a35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season's record: 23-17 overall, 12-4 district </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key losses: [player_tooltip player_id='2442220' first='Braylon' last='Toussaint'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Oaks was a tough out for anyone in their district last season, showing that they have what it takes to win grind-it-out games. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2028633' first='Trae' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2281664' first='Michael' last='Rosario'] return to form an experienced backcourt and senior sniper Trevion Ogburn will look to make an immediate impact on the 3-point line and with his aggressive defense. Senior Kevin Waddell has breakout potential on both ends of the court and will definitely see his stock rise as he will take on somewhat of a bigger role this year. First year coach Anthony Stephens will look to steer this group to a dominant season and compete for a district crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->