TexasHoops 5A State Tournament Preview

The eyes of Texas will be focused on San Antonio this weekend as some of the best prospects in the state gather to battle it out for a state championship in the Alamodome. TexasHoops analyst Lyndon Cook previews the class 5A state tournament, and offers expert predictions from the rest of the TexasHoops staff.

Semi #1: Port Arthur Memorial vs. Midlothian, 7:00 p.m. Thursday

Semi #2: Justin Northwest vs. SA Alamo Heights, 8:30 p.m. Thursday

All year long the general consensus around class 5A was that the state championship runs through District 10. That analysis ended up proving correct, although it is 3rd place finishers Midlothian representing the district, rather than top-ranked Waxahachie or defending champs Mansfield Timberview. Midlothian is making its first appearance at the state tournament, but has some big time players who are used to the spotlight. TCU signee Kaden Archie is the standout for Midlo, but he has a great supporting cast in Air Force commit Evan Marshall and Caleb Jordan, who hit a corner 3 to punch the Panthers' ticket.

Squaring off with Midlothian will be Port Arthur Memorial, marking the first time a Port Arthur team has made it to state in 18 years. The Titans are a senior heavy squad, and will rely on the experience of Thailan Wesley to bring them success in San Antonio. Wesley averaged over 23 points per game in the playoffs, but will have plenty of support from Jamyus Jones, Jomard Valsin and others.

Back for the second year in a row, Justin Northwest will be out for blood after falling to Fort Bend Marshall in last year's state semifinals. 2019 guard Avery Anderson makes this team go, and is one of the smoothest players you will see at the high school level. UT-Arlington bound Mason Hix is one of the best stretch 4's in the state and will give Northwest a weapon they didn't have last year. Add in Jordan Keys and Sam Freeman and it's no surprise that many have Northwest as the favorites to take home a title.

Alamo Heights might be the lowest-ranked team remaining in 5A, but underestimating the Mules would be a grave mistake at this point. AH has racked up 32 wins this season and owe a great deal of that success to senior forward Evan Carcanagues. The Mules narrowly won their first 4 playoff games, only to explode for a 37-point win over Laredo Nixon in the regional finals thanks to a combined 30 points from senior guards Brandon Johnson and Tyler Glover. If they can carry that momentum with them and get the local crowd behind them, Northwest might not look like such a favorite anymore.

TexasHoops Analyst Lyndon Cook: Northwest over Midlothian

TexasHoops Head Analyst Blue Zertuche: Northwest over Port Arthur Memorial

TexasHoops Media director Michael Timmins: Midlothian over Northwest

TexasHoops contributor Derek Taylor: Northwest over Midlothian

TexasHoops Scouting Director Sam Lowe: Northwest over Port Arthur Memorial