UIL State Championships: All-Tournament Teams (3A & 4A)
The Texas high school basketball season has finally come to an end with the UIL state champions being crowned in San Antonio on Wednesday and Thursday. I was able to catch four of the six games played. The 3A and…
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Continue ReadingThe Texas high school basketball season has finally come to an end with the UIL state champions being crowned in San Antonio on Wednesday and Thursday. I was able to catch four of the six games played. The 3A and 4A matchups in particular were incredibly entertaining. The Brownfield Cubs earned a 68-64 overtime victory over the Fairfield Eagles, and the Canyon Eagles took down the previously undefeated Hardin-Jefferson Hawks 56-55 thanks to a wild sequence late in the game.
Here are my selections for the All-Tournament teams:
First Team
Guard
Gabbie Fields Gabbie Fields 5'6" | CG Brownsfield | 2022 State TX | 2022 | 5’6” Combo Guard | Brownfield HS – Fields led the way for her team, finishing the contest with 22 points and the MVP award, with 16 of those coming in the first half thanks to four three-pointers as well as some crafty jump shots inside the arc. Although she was bottled up in the second half, she got back on track and ultimately scored six of her teams’ eight points in overtime, including a pair of free throws to ice the game.
Guard
Chloe Callahan Chloe Callahan 5'10" | SG Canyon | 2021 State TX | 2021 | 5’10” Shooting Guard | Canyon HS – The second player on this list also earned a championship trophy and MVP honors due in large part to her shooting performance from the field. Callahan was an assassin from mid-range while scoring within the flow of the offense, but operated as a playmaker at times too, brilliantly setting up her teammates. Additionally, she came up with two steals and an assist for the go-ahead three in the closing minutes of action. The senior guard scored a team-high 17 points in the win.
Guard
Ashlon Jackson Ashlon Jackson 5'10" | SG Hardin Jefferson | 2022 State #22 Nation TX | 2022 | 6’0” Shooting Guard | Hardin-Jefferson HS – Jackson was sensational on Thursday. The No. 1 ranked player in the PGH Texas 2022 rankings dropped 27 points, scoring efficiently from all three levels. She further proved that she is a dynamic shot-maker who can also attack off the dribble and finish through contact. The Duke commit was as good as advertised.
Forward
Breyunna Dowell Breyunna Dowell 5'9" | SF Fairfield | 2022 State TX | 2022 | 5’9” Power Forward | Fairfield HS – Dowell put up some huge numbers on Wednesday, ending the afternoon with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. She was virtually unstoppable in the paint and showed off some versatility with her skill as an interior passer. Furthermore, she dominated the glass at both ends. The junior forward consistently got to her spots and outworked her opponents down low.
Forward
Deja Johnson Deja Johnson 5'10" | SF Brownsfield | 2022 State TX | 2022 | 5’10” Power Forward/Center | Brownfield HS – Johnson did a little bit of everything for the Cubs on Wednesday. She contributed some crafty buckets inside while also stretching out and hitting some mid-range shots. The Brownfield junior displayed some nifty passing as well and did a great job of operating in the two-woman game with her twin sister Tia. She accounted for 11 points, three rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Second Team
Guard
Jarahle Daniels Jarahle Daniels 5'6" | CG Fairfield | 2022 State TX | 2022 | 5’6” Point Guard | Fairfield HS – Daniels exhibited terrific quickness vs. Brownfield. She constantly got past and around defenders in transition for layups and finished in traffic at the basket. Her free throw shooting was excellent too, going a perfect 9-of-9 from the foul line. Her overall efficiency resulted in 19 points and four assists. On defense, she had quick hands and came away with three steals.
Guard
Taylor Thomas | 2022 | 5’8” Point Guard | Canyon HS – Thomas operated as the primary ball handler for her team and was outstanding at initiating offense on Thursday. The pass-first floor general showed unselfishness as a facilitator by not allowing the ball to stick to her. She proved that she is a capable scorer as well by dropping 12 points, having success attacking the basket off the dribble. In addition, she iced the game with a 2-for-2 trip to the foul line in the closing seconds.
Guard
Shadasia Brackens Shadasia Brackens 5'10" | SF Fairfield | 2023 State TX | 2023 | 5’10” Combo Guard | Fairfield HS – Brackens is a prospect with a ton of upside. She possesses good size and length, handles the ball comfortably, and showed off some deep range from behind the arc. Her height allows her to contribute as a rebounder at both ends and as a defender who can guard multiple positions. The Fairfield sophomore ended up with seven points, five rebounds, and four steals.
Forward
Kenadee Winfrey | 2021 | 5’11” Small Forward | Canyon HS – Winfrey proved that she isn’t afraid to take the big shot late in games by knocking down a three in the final two-minutes of the fourth quarter. That shot was the beginning of a six-point swing that propelled her team to victory. On top of that, the UNLV commit was fantastic as playmaker. She finished with seven points and five assists.
Forward
Molly Beavers Molly Beavers 6'0" | SF Hardin Jefferson | 2023 State TX | 2023 | 6’0” Power Forward | Hardin-Jefferson HS – Beavers was solid at both ends on Thursday. She exhibited that she can be a stretch four by draining a catch-and-shoot three while also scoring in the post when surrounded by several bodies. On defense, she bothered opponents with her length, challenged shots, and even turned a couple back. The sophomore forward accounted for two blocks in addition to her eight points and five rebounds.
Honorable Mentions
Dabria Blackwell (2022 | Brownfield)
Tia Johnson (2022 | Brownfield)
Zoey McBroom (2022 | Canyon)
Kross Hiatt (2021 | Canyon)
McKinna Brackens McKinna Brackens 5'10" | SF Fairfield | 2023 State TX (2023 | Fairfield)
Kendall Sneed Kendall Sneed 5'7" | CG Hardin Jefferson | 2024 State TX (2024 | Hardin-Jefferson)