The Cooldown- Week 26
Cover Photo courtesy of the Dallas Morning News and Special Contributor Salgu Wissmath.
There is a lot of new gold in DFW this week. The 2024-25 Texas high school basketball season culminated at the state championships in San Antonio over the weekend, and five of the six DFW area teams in the states top six classifications took home state titles. A big congratulations goes to Duncanville, Denton Guyer, Mansfield Summit, Dallas Kimball, and Kennedale for taking home state titles. Congratulations also go out to the Birdville Hawks, which fell to Beaumont West Brook in overtime of the 5A D-I State Championship Game. It was a thrilling basketball season with a new playoff format. That format yielded first time state champions in Denton Guyer and Mansfield Summit, powered Kennedale to its second ever state title, and saw Duncanville and Dallas Kimball return to glory for the first time in a few years. Birdville also made its first appearance in a state title game. Now, let’s put a bow on the 2024-25 season and recap the state title games.
Duncanville takes 6A D-I State Championship
If there was any doubt about Duncanville’s program, it’s gone now. The Panthers started the playoffs as the No. 6 ranked team in 6A, but finished as the 6A D-I State Champion with a 54-52 win over Houston Bellaire in the title game. Duncanville took out No. 2 Allen in the state semifinal en route to another state championship. After the regional final win over Rockwall, Kayden Edwards told Inside High School Sports that winning a state championship with this team would mean the world to him. That showed in his performance in the title game, as Edwards led the way with 23 points and six rebounds; a performance worthy of being named MVP of the 6A D-I State Championship Game. Christopher Hunt Jr. added 14 points, while Cam Smith contributed nine points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Gary Jones scored six points and Beckham Black contributed two points and six assists in the win. For Bellaire, Shelton Henderson did his best to keep Bellaire in the game with 25 points and 15 rebounds, but it ultimately wasn’t enough. Duncanville was able to extend its lead out to eight points, but this game was close for the majority of the night.
Denton Guyer wins 6A D-II State Championship Game
Denton Guyer clinched the first state title in program history with a 48-47 win over Katy Jordan. That means the two 6A state title games were decided by a total of three points. In other words, be sure to check out the highlights from these games on IHSS if you weren’t able to make it to San Antonio or stream the game live. Denton Guyer led this game by as many as 14 points, but Katy Jordan outscored the Wildcats 15-8 in the third quarter to make the fourth quarter interesting. Silas Rodriguez was named MVP of the 6A D-II State Championship Game thanks to a performance that featured a game-high 20 points and three rebounds. Mason White scored 10 points and Jordan Lowery did a little bit of everything, finishing with eight points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Tyler Copes scored six points and DJ Neal scored four points to round out the scoring effort for Denton Guyer. A historic first championship run for Denton Guyer came to an end with a win over another team making its first state title game appearance in Katy Jordan. This round went to DFW, as did every other DFW- Houston matchup at state this year.
Birdville drops 5A D-I State Championship Game
The one metroplex area team that made the trip down to San Antonio and did not return with a championship was the Birdville Hawks. It was still an incredible season for a Birdville team that made its first appearance in the state title game. Beaumont West Brook won the 5A D-I State Championship Game 63-57 in overtime. The Bruins were in control for much of this game before a comeback effort from the Hawks forced overtime. Sawyer Dotson led the way for Birdville with 25 points and five rebounds. Trent Bowers scored 15 points, Avery Webb added nine points, Tasshir Pina-Warren contributed five points, and DJ Driver scored three points to round out the scoring for Birdville.
Mansfield Summit claims 5A D-II State Championship
Now, back to another team that won its first state title in school history. Mansfield Summit took down Fort Bend Marshall 54-47 to win the 5A D-II State Championship Game. The Jaguars relatively cruised to the state title game, with the closest margin of victory coming in the state semifinal in a 48-40 win over Killeen Ellison. Mansfield Summit’s depth was its strength this season and that showed again in the 5A D-II title game. The MVP of the 5A D-II State Championship Game was Ian Sedah Jr., who finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and shot 13-17 from the free-throw line. Theo Brannan added 12 points and Caleb Richard chipped in 10 points and four rebounds to give the Jags three players in double figures. Javon Ross scored six points, Sam Getnet added five points, and Isaiah Walker contributed four points to round the scoring for Mansfield Summit. Fort Bend Marshall’s Eian Lowe scored 28 points to keep the game close, but Fort Bend Marshall didn’t get as balanced of a scoring attack as Mansfield Summit did.
Dallas Kimball dominates in 4A D-I State Championship Game
Go ahead and check out the highlights of this game below. You won’t regret it. Dallas Kimball dominated Houston Washington from start to finish in a 71-48 win to claim the 4A D-I State Championship Game. This game featured dunk, after dunk, after dunk. Sophomore Marri Wickware was named MVP of the 4A D-I State Championship Game with 21 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists. In a 32 minute game, it’s hard to stuff the stat sheet much more than that. On top of the impressive stat line, Wickware was also efficient, shooting 10-13 from the field. Lance Carr scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Jaylon Dean-Vines added 10 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. Jaylin Hancock scored 10 points, Kayden Gray scored eight points, Rylan Austin scored three points, and Rapheal Smith added two points to round out the scoring for Dallas Kimball. The entire playoff run was dominant for the Knights, and an exclamation point was added for the cherry on top of what was arguably the most impressive season for any team in the state.
Kennedale wins 4A D-II State Championship Game
Kennedale won its second state title in school history in thrilling fashion with a 69-65 victory over Houston Wheatley in the 4A D-II State Championship Game. Houston Wheatley led for the majority of this game, but Kennedale dominated the paint, scoring 52 of its 69 points there, and was able to come from behind to secure the victory. Trey Smith was named MVP of the 4A D-II State Championship Game with 22 points, 10 steals and four rebounds. Jacoby Lovings added 16 points and six rebounds while Bryson Nickerson chipped in 11 points and six boards. A’meir Williams scored eight points and hauled in 14 rebounds and Jackson Stingley scored six points. Mason Forbes chipped in four points and Michael Hall contributed two points to round out the scoring for Kennedale. Quinton Sanders had an impressive performance for Houston Wheatley with 24 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the win. DFW was able to dominate the Houston area with wins from Duncanville, Denton Guyer, Mansfield Summit, Dallas Kimball and Kennedale over Houston area schools.
Player of the Week
My last Player of the Week for the 2024-25 season goes to Duncanville’s Kayden Edwards! Duncanville’s state title run wouldn’t have been possible without Edwards’ play all season long. When it mattered the most, Edwards was able to rise above and deliver an MVP worthy performance with 23 points and six rebounds in the 6A D-I State Championship Game. Edwards is off to TCU next season, so metroplex area hoops fans still have a chance to get out and see him play. As for Duncanville, replacing Edwards won’t be easy, but the Panthers have been among the best and reloading from season to season. Don’t be surprised to see Duncanville back in San Antonio next March.