Contenders, Prospects, & Sleepers: UIL 5A-III District 23

<p>It is November and the season-opening games are just getting kicked off. 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 23!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pre-Season Player of the Year:</strong></span></p> <p>This season pre-season mvp race will be between these two prospects. <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Ronald Holmes</strong></span> is a two sport stud, on the gridiron he is a Dual-Threat QB and on the hardwood he is a do it all guard. Last season he was awarded with the districts offensive MVP award. He looks to make a run for the MVP crown, especially after coming off a big Spring/Summer with Beast Elite.  <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Josh Farmer</strong> </span>who is also a junior and is starting to grow into his frame. He is stronger, faster, and is jumping higher than ever before. You can expect for this prospect who is drawing a lot of national attention to put up really big numbers also. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Team to Beat:</strong></span></p> <p>Houston Northside Panthers will be a very tough team this year in both district and outside of district play this season. Last year the Panthers went 17-11 overall and 12-2 in district play where they tied for 1st place in the district. They ended up loosing in the first round of the playoffs last season. The Panthers return the entire starting core with some much improved players on the bench. You can expect for MVP candidate <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Ronald Holmes</strong></span> to have a stellar junior campaign along side with these seniors to help carry the load <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Angelo Stutts</strong></span>,<strong><span style="color: #ff6600;"> Jeremiah Richardson</span></strong>, and the big <strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Daniel Contreras</span></strong>. The junior <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Devondre Moore</strong></span> will also add some fuel to the fire. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Biggest Threat:</strong></span></p> <p>Houston Sharpstown Apollos had a rough season last year as they went 10-12 overall and went 7-7 in district play coming in 5th place overall and missing the playoffs by just one game. They had to learn how to gel together as a unit in which they will show teams this season. They have some really good prospects in junior MVP candidate <strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Josh Farmer</span></strong>, senior <strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Tre'Von Banks</span></strong>, and junior <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Brian Perry</strong></span>. They are a very long and athletic bunch who will be a big time threat in their district. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sleeper:</strong></span></p> <p>Houston Austin Mustangs will be the sleeper team of the district this year. Although they finished in fourth place last season and our predicted to finish in fourth again this year, don't overlook this group. Last season they went 18-15 overall and secured that final playoff spot in the district by going 8-6 were they than fell in the first round of the playoffs. The Mustangs have a solid senior trio in <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Donald Harper</strong></span>, <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Greg Jones</strong></span>, and <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Markus Diggs</strong></span>. Be on the lookout for sophomore wing-guard <span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Kevin Destin</strong></span>. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Prospects to Watch [Last Year Awards]:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Ronald Holmes</strong></span> 6'4 CG Jr. <em>Northside </em><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span>TX<span style="color: #ff0000;">75</span></strong><strong> [District Offensive MVP] <span style="font-size: 8pt;">as seen in picture</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Josh Farmer</strong></span> 6'7 SF Jr. <em>Sharpstown </em><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span>TX<span style="color: #ff0000;">75</span> [All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Tim Moore Jr</strong></span> 6'5 PF Sr. <em>Madison </em><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span>TX<span style="color: #ff0000;">150</span> [All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Tre'von Banks</strong></span> 6'4 W Sr. <em>Sharpstown </em><strong>[All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Donald Harper</strong></span> 5'8 G Sr. <em>Austin </em><strong>[All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Daelon Lewis</strong></span> 6'2 W Sr. <em>Waltrip </em><strong>[All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Angelo Stutts</strong></span> 5'11 G Sr. <em>Northside </em><strong>[All-District 1st Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Rey Llanito</strong></span> 5'10 PG Sr. <em>Waltrip </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Greg Jones</strong></span> 5'10 G Sr. <em>Austin </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Devondre Moore</strong></span> 5'9 PG Jr. <em>Northside </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Jeremiah Richardson</strong></span> 5'9 PG Sr. <em>Northside </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Markus Diggs</strong></span> 6'1 G Sr. <em>Austin </em><strong>[All-District 2nd Team]</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Adam Kanafani</strong></span> 6'4 W Sr. <em>Madison </em><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">PH</span>TX<span style="color: #ff0000;">150 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">transferred in from Bellaire Episcopal</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Daniel Contreras</strong></span> 6'7 PF Sr. <em>Northside</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Brian Perry</strong></span> 6'5 WG Jr. <em>Sharpstown</em></p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Kevin Destin</strong></span> 6'4 WG So. <em>Austin</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Teams:</strong></span></p> <ol> <li>Houston Northside</li> <li>Houston Sharpstown</li> <li>Houston Madison</li> <li>Houston Austin</li> <li>Houston Waltrip</li> </ol>