The 5A Shakeup: Texas Teams Chasing the Crown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Could 5A be the toughest UIL classification in Texas girls basketball this season?</strong> With defending state champions, powerhouse programs, and several teams making the move from 6A, the competition is shaping up to be fierce. With plenty of talent returning and unfinished business across the board, the 2026–27 season could make 5A one of the most competitive classifications in the state. Here's a closer look at programs poised to either defend their titles or chase down the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lancaster</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 6A Division II State Champion<br></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster enters 5A classification with championship expectations after defeating previously unbeaten Austin Westlake 51–37 to capture the 6A Division II title. Coming off an impressive championship campaign, Lancaster has established itself as one of the state's premier programs and will look to carry that momentum into the new season. Lancaster has proven they can compete at the highest level, and their arrival only adds to what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive championship races in Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ava-womack/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ava-womack/">[player_tooltip player_id='1060734' first='Ava' last='Womack']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kamoria-davis/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kamoria-davis/">[player_tooltip player_id='899479' first='Ka'Moriya' last='Davis']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kylah-long-sattarphai/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kylah-long-sattarphai/">[player_tooltip player_id='809951' first='Kiylah' last='Long-Sattarphai']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Argyle</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 5A Division II State Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Argyle enters the 2026–27 season looking to defend its state championship after defeating Barbers Hill 51–42 in the 5A Division II title game giving them their seventh state championship in program history, and locking in their reputation as one of Texas' premier girls basketball programs. With a championship-tested program and a tradition of postseason success, the Lady Eagles will look to carry that momentum into another title run. However, the addition of Lancaster to an already competitive 5A landscape means the road to another championship could be even more challenging this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='739281' first='Wrigley' last='Green'], <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/landry-murphy/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/landry-murphy/">[player_tooltip player_id='965652' first='Landry' last='Murphy']</a>, Berkley Smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Denton Ryan</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 5A Division I State Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denton Ryan is another team that finished the previous season on top- actually the past two seasons, so this season they're chasing a third consecutive state championship. The Raiders have established themselves as one of the state's premier programs, building a winning culture centered around consistency and postseason success. The Raiders have proven their ability to compete at the highest level and will look to continue their dominance in an increasingly competitive 5A classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jamyla-anderson-2/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jamyla-anderson-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='839224' first='Jamyla' last='Anderson']</a> and [player_tooltip player_id='1154468' first='Atiya' last='Everett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Leander Glenn</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 5A Division I State Runner-Up</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leander Glenn enters the 2026–27 season with unfinished business after falling to Denton Ryan in the 5A Division I state championship. The Grizzlies put together an impressive 35-win campaign, establishing themselves as one of the top programs in the state. Despite coming up short of the title, their postseason run demonstrated their ability to compete on the biggest stage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/elizabeth-lee/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/elizabeth-lee/">[player_tooltip player_id='864824' first='Elizabeth' last='Lee']</a>, Jennah Lee,<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ariel-goppy/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ariel-goppy/"> [player_tooltip player_id='1867445' first='Ariel' last='Goppy']</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Frisco Memorial</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 finish: Class 5A Division II State Semifinalist</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frisco Memorial remains a program to watch after advancing to the state semifinals in 2025–26, but they will need to replace the production of Jevan Collier, a senior who earned all-tournament recognition last season. Memorial has demonstrated its ability to compete deep into the postseason, and the development of its next group of contributors will be essential to maintaining that standard. With Lancaster, Argyle, and Denton Ryan occupying the top three spots in the preseason rankings, Memorial has an opportunity to establish itself as a legitimate challenger in a crowded 5A field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/payton-jones-3/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/payton-jones-3/">[player_tooltip player_id='1154464' first='Payton' last='Jones']</a>, Aubrey Axtell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->