The Cooldown: Week 20
The regular season is winding down, which means teams have few chances left to shake up district standings and playoff races. Girls hoops will wrap up with one final midweek game before the playoffs start, while the boys have two weeks left.
Let’s recap last week’s games, talk playoff implications and name some players-of-the-week.
Hightower girls win a crucial district game
With a record of 27-5, including a perfect 12-0 mark in district play and a No. 9 statewide ranking in class 6A, Hightower didn’t need to beat Fort Bend Austin to be stamped as one of the top competitors in Region III and the state as a whole, but a win against Austin surely provides some confidence heading into the playoffs.
This one was a thriller, with Hightower coming out on top 41-39 – exactly the kind of test the Hurricanes will benefit from entering the playoffs. Hightower will likely have to go through Austin again in the playoffs.
Ogechi Okeke led the way for the Lady Canes with 14 points and 14 rebounds, and she did it on an efficient 10-of-14 from the field. Chandler Caver was the other Lady Cane in double figures, with 11 points to go with five rebounds and three steals.
For Austin, Andrea Sturdivant led the way with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Aminah Dixon chipped in 15 points and six rebounds. These teams now have a solid feel for each other after two district matchups, and it will be interesting to see if these two meet up in the playoffs, and if Austin can win round three after dropping the two district matchups. There are no shortage of good teams in Region III, so a rematch is far from guaranteed.
Dickinson deals Clear Springs its first district loss
In a game that ultimately won’t shake up the district standings too much, Dickinson picked up a massive 56-40 victory against Clear Springs last week. The Chargers hadn’t lost a district contest until the loss to Dickinson.
However, for the Gators, the win was big in their efforts to grab the second seed in 24-6A – especially after a weekend loss to Clear Falls, who is currently tied for the three seed, one game back of Dickinson. Of the three games left on Dickinson’s schedule, none are in the playoff picture and none have winning district records. A slip up would mean Dickinson could slide to fourth place in the district, though the playoff picture is more than likely set at this point. Clear Creek and Clear Brook, both at 5-6 and both of whom still play Dickinson one more time, would have to win out to have a chance at the playoffs.
David Chong did a little bit of everything in the win. He finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Valin Idusuyi was the only other Gator in double digits, with 10 points and eight rebounds. Chong has been the engine for the Gators all season and will need to keep doing so in the playoffs.
Klein wins a thriller against Tomball Memorial
Klein needed overtime to escape Tomball Memorial, and that win helped keep the Kats in first place in 15-6A. Klein finished the week at 11-2, just ahead of Klein Collins at 10-2 and Tomball Memorial at 10-4.
The Kats got a massive game from Jaydon Smith, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jhaylen Williams also scored in double figures, with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. In a defensive struggle, it’s important to create extra possessions. Klein did that well, with five Bearkats grabbing at least two steals: Williams, Amari Simpson, Coby Butler, Kendrick Charles and Nick Schatz.
With a one game lead on Klein Collins for the top spot in the district, Klein is in good position to win the district. The Kats close with games against Magnolia and Klein Cain (each have just three district wins) next week, and Klein Forest (who holds the final playoff spot in the district currently) the following week. Klein holds the tie-breaker over Klein Collins, having won both games against the Tigers this year.
Players of the Week
Wheatley faced off against Washington in a highly anticipated showdown of top 10 teams, but this game didn’t quite live up to its billing. Quinton Sanders is partially to blame for that. He put on a show, scoring 26 points to lead Wheatley to a (small) upset of Washington, 82-55. Sanders is my boys player-of-the-week!
My girls player-of-the-week also helped her team to a huge win last week to remain perfect in district play. Even though its already been discussed here, Ogechi Okeke’s 14 points and 14 rebounds – in what was an otherwise low-scoring contest against Austin – helped Hightower to a two- point win to keep its district record unblemished. Okeke is my girls player-of-the-week!
Statewide Rankings
Here’s how the Houston area stacks up in the 6A statewide rankings: (4) Shadow Creek, (10) Atascocita, (11) Katy Jordan, (13) Seven Lakes, (15) Travis, (18) C.E. King, (19) Cy Creek and (25) Grand Oaks.
Class 5A features (2) Fort Bend Marshall, (16) Friendswood and (22) Barbers Hill. The class 4A rankings include (4) Stafford, (6) Booker T. Washington, (7) Yates, (8) Wheatley, (9) La Marque and (15) Huffman Hargrave. Hitchcock is the lone team ranked in class 3A at No. 3.
Here’s how the class 6A girls stack up in the statewide rankings: (3) Cy Springs, (9) Hightower, (10) Dawson, (14) Grand Oaks, (15) Pearland, (16) Dickinson, (17) Clear Brook and (23) C.E. King.
The class 5A rankings feature (17) Barbers Hill, (20) Spring Woods and (22) Fort Bend Marshall. Wheatley (No. 10) and Willowridge (No. 24) are ranked in class 4A, and Tidehaven (No. 12) and Hitchcock (No. 13) are ranked in class 3A.