UIL State Tournament: TexasHoops MVP Capsules

TexasHoops.com presents our "unofficial official" all-tournament team from the UIL State Championships, offering detailed analysis about the standout player in each of the 6 state title games as selected by TexasHoops/GASO staff.

Will Luther - Texline - 2022

Analysis: Luther breaks the mold of what is to be expected from a Panhandle-based big man. At 6-foot-3, Luther has the stature one would associate with a wiry strong interior player, but plays with the finesse of a guard. One-legged fadeaways, a deft pull-up game and range to burn you from behind the arc all raised eyebrows at the Alamodome, and that's before you factor in his late game heroics that snagged Texline a set of gold medals. It'll be interesting to see if the Texline junior has a true jump in recruiting stock this summer, but two things are certain: One, he's fully on college coaches radar's now. And two, he'll never have to buy a drink in the far northwest corner of the Texas Panhandle for the rest of his life.

TexasHoops 1A All-Tournament Team:

Brock Harwell - Slidell, Sr.

Colton Luther - Texline, Sr.

*Will Luther - Texline, Jr.

Jaden Luttrell - Slidell, Sr.

Stratton Potter - Texline, So.

Donovan Thompson - Clarendon - 2021

Analysis: Due to the rapid tempo of the 2A title game, it was hard to get a read on any halfcourt tendencies for most players, but what was on full display was the heart and tenacity of all players on the court. Chief amongst these was Thompson, who seemed to be at the heart of everything positive that was going on for Clarendon. The 6'3 senior went out on a high note with 21 points that came in a variety of ways, and used his length to good effect on both ends. He could hit the 3, slash to the bucket with a soft touch, and really moves smartly around the court. And when it mattered most, he hauled in a Hail Mary pass and scored the easiest bucket of his night to cap the Broncos' first championship in school history.

TexasHoops 2A All-Tournament Team:

Keizion Ashford - Grapeland, Sr.

Sylvester Ballard - Clarendon, So.

JMaury Davis - Clarendon, So.

B.J. Lamb - Grapeland, Sr.

*Donovan Thompson - Clarendon, Sr

Trey Blackmore - SA Cole - 2022

Analysis: It's not the first time we've covered Blackmore on this site, nor will it be the last. The Cole guard had arguably the most impressive complete game performance of the weekend, heaping bucket after bucket on Tatum's defense with no fatigue in sight. Blackmore's lightning quick first step and polished pull-up game makes him a serious scoring threat at any level, and his ability to beat defenders in the open court was plain for all to see Friday afternoon. And now he is reaping his due rewards from a signature moment, already with a newly minted offer from Lehigh on the back of his MVP performance. Lehigh joins UTRGV in having offered the San Antonio based junior, and it will no doubt be interesting to see where Blackmore's recruitment goes from here.

TexasHoops 3A All-Tournament Team:

Aidan Anthony - Tatum

Kelby Beckstrom - Cole

Trey Blackmore - Cole

Jayden Boyd - Tatum

Silas Livingston - Cole

Skylar McCurry - Argyle - 2021

Analysis: McCurry didn't need to have an overwhelming night to take home MVP honors, but instead played his role to a tee and got the nod as the joint-leading scorer in the game, knocking down 4 threes and dishing two assists. McCurry plays under control, takes high percentage shots and was executes his responsibilities with laser like precision. McCurry's discipline on the defensive end was a major key in shutting down Huffman's offensive tempo, making him a deserving recipient based on his exploits on both ends.

TexasHoops 4A All-Tournament Team:

Nate Atwood - Argyle, Sr.

Grey Goodson - Argyle, Sr.

Jacob Harvey - Huffman Hargrave, Sr.

*Skylar McCurry - Argyle, Sr.

Luke Souileau - Huffman Hargrave, Jr.

Terrance Arceneaux - Beaumont United - 2022

Analysis: Arceneaux may play for the rest of his life and never hit two shots with the same magnitude as the pair of daggers he hit Friday night. A game tying stepback and then a walk-up 3 to win the state championship is the stuff of legends, and proof of the clutch gene that will definitely grab college coaches attention. While the 24 points he scored may have been a game high, they weren't even the most impressive stat that Arceneaux posted in the title game. That would be 9 shots he blocked, tied for the most in a title game for over a decade. With his versatility, scoring knack, and overall length and athleticism, Arceneaux is a no-brainer high major prospect with his best basketball in front of him.

TexasHoops 5A All-Tournament Team:

Terrance Arceneaux - United, Jr.

Kyron Henderson - Kimball, Jr.

Arterio Morris - Kimball, Jr.

Traelyn Porchia - United, So.

Wesley Yates III - United, So.

Zhuric Phelps - Duncanville - 2021

Analysis: SMU signed Phelps is clearly due for another raise in the national rankings, with his evolution from mercenary bucket getter into a legitimate do-it-all guard looking to be complete. Phelps has molded his natural scoring ability into more of a point role and it paid off with an undoubtable MVP performance to keep the title with Duncanville for the 3rd straight season. Phelps was borderline unguardable down the stretch, getting into the paint at will and working his way into high percentage scoring areas. SMU is getting themselves a bonafide D1 talent who will look to come in and compete for minutes from day 1.

TexasHoops 6A All-Tournament Team:

KJ Adams - Westlake, Sr.

Cade Mankle - Westlake, Sr.

Damon Nicholas - Duncanville, Sr.

Zhuric Phelps - Duncanville, Sr.

Juan Reyna III - Duncanville, Sr.