Breaking Down Texas’ 26-27 6A Landscape

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With high school basketball officially tipping off this weekend, I'm using the week to preview and break down Texas UIL top teams by classification. Tap in all week for early predictions based on 2025-26 season outcomes, players I've seen in the spring and fall and preseason scrimmages. Starting with 6A... The landscape looks a little different this year with powerhouse Lancaster moving to 5A, and other significant changes include DeSoto and Cedar Hill moving to 5A, while San Antonio Wagner, Barbers Hill, and Prosper Walnut Grove move up to 6A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Humble Summer Creek</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 6A Division I State Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>3-peat? This is Summer Creek's goal entering the new season with a championship. Proving they can handle quality competition when the stakes are the highest, the bulldogs closed their 2025–26 campaign with a 55–45 victory over Flower Mound after defeating San Antonio Brennan in the state semifinals. The program begins the season at the top of the <a href="https://tabchoops.org/uil-girls-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://tabchoops.org/uil-girls-rankings/">TABC rankings</a>, but maintaining that position will depend on how effectively its championship experience translates to the new roster. Summer Creek has established itself as a team to beat in 6A, and another postseason run will be the expectation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/erin-newsome/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/erin-newsome/">[player_tooltip player_id='1098793' first='Erin' last='Newsom']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/addison-martin/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/addison-martin/">[player_tooltip player_id='839900' first='Addison' last='Martin']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaylen-alexander/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaylen-alexander/">Kay'len Alexander</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kennedy-gouard/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kennedy-gouard/">[player_tooltip player_id='1929069' first='Kennedy' last='Gouard']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Austin Westlake</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 6A Division II State Runner-Up<br></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Westlake was one victory away from completing a championship season before falling to Lancaster in the 6A Division II title game. The Chaps advanced past Shadow Creek in a one-point state semifinal, proving their ability to execute in pressure situations. With Lancaster now competing in 5A, Westlake enters the new season among the favorites in a reshaped 6A field. The program's ability to replace any departed production while maintaining its defensive discipline will be central to its pursuit of another championship opportunity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/molly-frazer/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/molly-frazer/">[player_tooltip player_id='1760801' first='Molly' last='Frazer']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/geralynn-byers-veal/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/geralynn-byers-veal/">[player_tooltip player_id='946960' first='Geralynn' last='Byers-Veal']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/wynn-thorne/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/wynn-thorne/">[player_tooltip player_id='965653' first='Wynn' last='Thorne']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Flower Mound</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 6A Division I State Runner-Up<br></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flower Mound put was a favorite to win the state championship last year, and they're another contended favored to go all the way. After making a finals run last season they're returning a lot of experience including SEC Tennessee commit [player_tooltip player_id='764269' first='Maci' last='Pringle']. Although the Jaguars came up short against Summer Creek in the championship, the experience of reaching the final provides a strong foundation for the program heading into 2026–27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maci-pringle/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maci-pringle/">[player_tooltip player_id='764269' first='Maci' last='Pringle']</a>, Lorelei Ebert, Brooklyn Gray</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Shadow Creek</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 6A Division II State Semifinalist</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shadow Creek enters the 2026–27 season looking to build on a historic campaign that saw the Sharks reach the state semifinals for the first time in program history. Their postseason run ended in a heartbreaking 51–50 loss to eventual state runner-up Austin Westlake. Under head coach Micheaux-Giles, Shadow Creek has established itself as a serious contender behind its relentless defensive pressure and balanced offensive attack. With momentum from last year's breakthrough and a program continuing to raise expectations, Shadow Creek will have its sights set on another deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/courtland-cloud/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/courtland-cloud/">[player_tooltip player_id='840759' first='Courtland' last='Cloud']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aliyah-woodard/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aliyah-woodard/">[player_tooltip player_id='875721' first='Aliyah' last='Woodard']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lyric-cunningham/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lyric-cunningham/">[player_tooltip player_id='1215501' first='Lyric' last='Cunningham']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cypress Springs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2026–27 TABC preseason ranking: No. 5</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Springs enters the season with considerable expectations after earning a top-five position in the TABC preseason rankings. The Panthers will have opportunities to establish themselves against some of the strongest programs in the Houston area, where Summer Creek and Shadow Creek also begin the season among the state's top-ranked teams. For Cypress Springs, translating preseason recognition into postseason success will be the challenge. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/texas/rankings/2029-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/texas/rankings/2029-rankings/">PGH top 20 </a>sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='967105' first='Maddison' last='Madkins'] will be cleared to play varsity this year after having to go subvarsity this year giving Cypress Springs more ammo down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/makenzie-jackson/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/makenzie-jackson/">[player_tooltip player_id='974828' first='Makenzie' last='Jackson']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddison-madkins/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddison-madkins/">[player_tooltip player_id='967105' first='Maddison' last='Madkins']</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1867182' first='Milan' last='Barnes']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->