Season Preview: 6A Contenders-Region 2

This should be an interesting season for several reasons and although I haven’t seen EVERYONE, based on the teams I have seen early this should be a thriller, especially in many regions as 2 of, if not the 2 best teams in Texas, Duncanville and Desoto, are not only in the same region but the same district meaning it could come down to them playing against each other to represent the region

Desoto is coming off a 28-6 season which ended with them finishing second in the district to Duncanville however they were runner-up in the State Championship losing a nailbiter to San Antonio Clark. I haven’t seen them yet however I’ll get a great look on October 28th as I travel to The Opening which is a great title because you can open up that link and see where I’ll be. The Fab 4 Freshmen, Rieyan Desouze Rieyan Desouze 5'7" | PG Desoto | 2026 State TX , Amari Byles Amari Byles 6'2" | SF Desoto | 2026 State TX , Amayah Garcia Amayah Garcia 5'11" | CG Desoto | 2026 State TX , and Kamora Pruitt Kamora Pruitt 6'2" | SG Desoto | 2026 State TX are now SIMSATIONAL SOPHOMORES, and when you factor in talented Mylasia Smith Mylasia Smith 5'6" | CG Desoto | 2024 State TX , that’s an impressive group but there are others, I’ll recap after event

Duncanville went 26-5 last season and 2 of their wins came against Desoto so let’s fast forward to the NOW. I just dropped Chloe Mann Chloe Mann 5'8" | SG Duncanville | 2024 State TX as one of the Sizzling Guards Standout At the GIRLS TABC Showcase and all I can say is MANN oh MANN has she taken her game to another level but she isn’t alone. Mariah Clayton Mariah Clayton 6'0" | SF Duncanville | 2024 State TX and Jasmine Gipson Jasmine Gipson 6'0" | SF Duncanville | 2025 State TX were off the chain at the event however Trystan James Trystan James 6'0" | PF Duncanville | 2025 State TX was more than solid on both ends. After scoping out their roster, it appears Kaylinn Kemp Kaylinn Kemp 5'9" | CG Duncanville | 2025 State TX and Kenidi Glover Kenidi Glover 6'0" | PF Duncanville | 2025 State TX are returning, well I knew KK was coming back and that might be a TKKO for opponents as this next-level squad has more fire that I’ll be checking out at that same The Opening event listed above

Cy Springs has several pieces including incoming freshman Jemini Mitchell Jemini Mitchell 6'2" | CG Cy Springs | 2027 TX who left me speechless at times with her athleticism as well as skill set at the Girls TABC Showcase. The move-in from I believe Arizona will make an immediate impact, providing she stays in town as I’ve heard she may be playing ball at a Prep School in another state. What I do know is another move-in, Ma’Riya Vincent Ma’Riya Vincent 6'0" | SF Desoto | 2024 State TX has already committed and the talented senior played a major role in Desoto’s success last season. Ayla McDowell Ayla McDowell 6'2" | SF Cy Springs | 2025 State TX is one of the top players in the country, she shows that every time I catch her so add Evonne Sidney and Melanie Hodges as well as others and they have a chance to make some noise

Cedar Hill is another team that can be a thorn for several opponents and shake things up starting with the return of Vivian Franklin Vivian Franklin 5'8" | SG Greenhill School | 2025 State TX . Franklin was another talented player on Desoto’s roster that helped them make plenty of noise yet her teaming up with the ultra-athletic Taylor Craver Taylor Craver 5'8" | PG Sasche | 2024 State TX as well as powerful Brooklyn King Brooklyn King 6'0" | SF Cedar Hill | 2025 State TX has the nucleus to surprise plenty, oh yeah, they’re also in the same district as Duncanville and Desoto making it one of if not the strongest district in the state