State Championship sched/Coop's picks (updated throughout day)

[HoopInsider_Cooper]

Saturday, March 14

Class A-DI

No. 7 Roscoe 52, No. 2 Plains 48 - OT

R (28-4): Caden Smith 17p/9r, Chris Villanueva 15

P (32-2): Tim Brock 22

MVP: Jared Villanueva (big man Caden Smith robbed)

PICK: Roscoe (-4)

Class 3A

No. 1 Dallas Madison 68, No. 2 Lubbock Estacado 66 - OT

M (33-4): Dominque Smith 19

E (34-3): Clarence Williard 17

MVP: Dominque Smith

PICK: Madison (-6)

Class 2A

No. 2 Ponder 51, No. 1 New Waverly 39

P (40-1): Joel Garza 14, Isaiah Boxell 13

NW (32-4): Kyren Watts 13

MVP: Isaiah Boxell

PICK: Ponder (-3)

Class 4A

No. 1 Yates 94, Dallas Kimball 78

Y (34-1): Joseph Young 29, Darius Garner 20

K (31-10): Keenen Owoigbe 29

MVP: Joseph Young

PICK: Yates (-9)

Class A-DII

No. 11 Slocum 45, No. 13 Nazareth 27

S (29-8): Jared Lane 22, Randall Thomason 14

N (24-13): Sage Black 10

MVP: Jared Lane

PICK: Nazareth (-2)

Class 5A

8:30pm: No. 16 DeSoto (32-8) vs. No. 4 Cedar Hill (35-4)

PICK: DeSoto (-2)

Friday, March 13

Class 2A

No. 2 Ponder 77, Santa Rosa 54

P (39-1): Scott Gregg 26

S: (30-7): Dario Mendoza 17

PICK: Ponder (-15)

No. 1 New Waverly 69, No. 15 Shallowater 59

NW (32-3): Joseph Carrington 20, X'Zavious Harrison 18

S (27-6): Jordan Scaff 19

PICK: NW (-2)

Class A-DII

No. 13 Nazareth 63, No. 6 Leggett 46

L (28-7)

N (24-12)

PICK: Leggett (-1)

No. 11 Slocum 59, No. 16 Lipan 47

S (28-8): Jared Lane 22

L (28-9): Seth Riddle 26

PICK: Lipan (-4)

Class 5A

No. 16 DeSoto 48, No. 1 Strake Jesuit 44

D (32-8): Derico Dandridge/Alex Wilson 11

SJ (37-1): Tim Frazier 17

PICK: SJ (-3)

No. 4 Cedar Hill 61, Converse Wagner 58

CH (35-4)

W (32-8)

PICK: CH (-6)

Thursday, March 12

Class 1A-I

8:30am: No. 2 Plains 41, SA Stacey 38

P (32-1): Jaaron Bell 16, Chris Gonzales 15

S (26-6): David Clark 15

PICK: Plains (-8)

No. 7 Roscoe 64, No. 12 Tenaha 50

R (27-4): Jared Villanueva 28, Jacob Villanueava 16

T (29-6): Marlon McClure 24, Jay Moore 11

PICK: Tenaha (-3)

Class 3A

No. 2 Lubbock Estacado 77, No. 11 Hardin-Jefferson 73 - OT

LE (34-2): SOPH Kevin Wagner 27, Clarence Williams 13

FG: 25-69 (.362), 3s: 5-29 (.172), FTs: 22-29, REBs: 46, TO: 19, 2nd chance pts: 24

HJ (37-7): Jarvis Benard 31, Trey Burrell 18, Jacoby Turner 12

FG: 25-48 (.521), 3s: 4-13, FTs: 19-32, REBs: 31, TO: 28

PICK: H-J (-2)

No. 1 Dallas Madison 68, No. 5 Stafford 58

M (32-4): Dominque Smith 13, Nick Moore 11

S (30-6): Maurice Wiltz 22, Phillip Pete 18

PICK: Madison (-4)

Class 4A

No. 1 Yates 76, Mansfield Timberview 51

Y (33-1): Brandon Peters, Darius Garner 12

T (27-11): JJ Williams/Cedric Ivory 11

PICK: Yates (-16)

Dallas Kimball 66, Austin LBJ 54

K (31-9)

LBJ (28-8)

PICK: Kimball (-7)

TEAM PREVIEWS

Class 5A

Reg 1: No. 4 Cedar Hill Longhorns (34-4)

District 7-5A champs

HC: David Milson

Last year: 21-13 (no playoffs)

Miles to Austin: 186

Last trip to Drum: 2004

How they got here

Bi-district: Plano East (90-56)

Area: Coppell (65-40)

Regional Qtrs: Irving (59-51)

Regional Semis: No. 3 North Crowley (66-45)

Regional Final: No. 5 Duncanville (60-59)

Ballers: SR 6-6 Shawn Glover (15.7 pts, Utah), JR 6-2 Tanner Milson (3-pt shooter), JR 6-3 Anthony Wilson (7.4 pts), SOPH 6-7 Thomas Gipson (8.5 rebs), JR 6-2 Oliver Wells

Glover (TexasHoops)  Gipson (TexasHoops)  Milson (TexasHoos)

Scoop: Taylor Jacobs hit a 17-ft game-winner vs. district-rival Duncanville (who they split with in dist) after being down 16 pts to get here. 'Horns coming to Austin on 9-game win streak. Came here in 2004 losing in the 5A finals to undefeated & USA Today No. 1 Houston Milby, 72-67.

Coop's odds: 2-1 (favorite)

Reg 2: No. 16 DeSoto Eagles (31-8)

District 11-5A co-champs

HC: Chris Dyer

Last year: 28-7 (lost in Area Rd to Colleyville Heritage)

Miles to Austin: 183

Last trip to Drum: 2005

How they got here:

Bi-district: Killeen Shoemaker (60-45)

Area: Garland (63-48)

Regional Qtrs: Mesquite Horn (60-45)

Regional Semis: No. 14 Cy Woods (52-42)

Regional Final: No. 17 Mesquite (47-42)

Ballers: JR 6-8 Keith Davis, JR 6-6 Evan Washington, SR 6-2 Dominque Bennett

Scoop: Lost in the finals in 2005 (Kingwood) & blewout CC Ray for the ring in 2003. Split with No. 17 Mesquite during district then beat them in Reg Final. Started the season 3-4 losing to Chavez (56-42), Kingwood (49-42). They defeated Dallas Kimball (59-45) & lost to Dallas Carter (61-57) in a warmup game. Come to Austin with a 5-game winning streak.

Coop's odds:6-1

Reg 3: No. 1 Strake Jesuit Crusaders (37-0)

District 18-5A champs

HC: Wayne Jones

Last year: 27-7 (lost in Area Rd to Chavez)

Miles to Austin: 165

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: Katy (72-43)

Area: Houston Madison (69-57)

Regional Qtrs: Alief Taylor (67-39)

Regional Semis: FB Elkins (56-46)

Regional Final: Chavez (59-58)

Ballers: SR 6-5 Joey Brooks (Notre Dame, 8th best in Texas), SR 6-2 Tim Frazier (Penn St, 9th best in Texas), SR 5-10 Steven Rogers

Brooks (TexasHoops)  Frazier (TexasHoops)

Scoop: Former private school has won 37-straight. Joey Brooks (Norte Dame) poured in 29 vs. Chavez. SJ beat West Brook (41), St. Thomas (22), North Shore (18) and Houston Wheatley (4) this season.

Coop's odds: 4-1

Reg 4: Converse Wagner Thunderbirds (32-7)

District 27-5A runner up

HC: Cliff Ellis

Last year: 35-4 (lost in Regional Final to SA Madison)

Miles to Austin: 68

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: SA O'Connor (68-46)

Area: No. 2 SA Madison (65-64)

Regional Qtrs: No. 10 SA Stevens (79-74)

Regional Semis: McAllen (84-65)

Regional Final: SA Southwest (84-54)

Ballers: JR 6-2 Jordan Clarkson, JR 6-5 Andre Roberson, SR 6-0 Eddie Ortiz

Clarkson (TexasHoops)

Scoop: 4th year school (3rd varsity) nearly went to Austin last year but fell to SA Madison (LU's Charlie Harper). They returned just 1 starter from that team but here they are. Loaded with JRs & average 79 pts per 32 mins. Have a 10-game win streaking coming to Drum.

Coop's odds: 15-1

***************

Class 4A

Reg 1: Mansfield Timberview Wolves (27-10)

District 8-4A third place

HC: Eric McDade

Last year: 27-10 (lost in Bi-district to Midland)

Miles to Austin: 181

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: Trimble Tech (48-46)

Area: Azle (70-68)

Regional Qtrs: No. 18 Mansfield Legacy (50-46)

Regional Semis: Andress (49-43)

Regional Final: No. 10 Palo Duro (64-62 OT)

Ballers: SR 6-5 Dexter Elliott, SR 6-2 Cedric Ivory, JR 5-11 JJ Williams, SR 6-4 Jason Ross

Scoop: 5th year school that comes to Austin thanks to Dexter Elliott who hit a layup with 3 secs left vs. Palo Duro. They average nearly 60 pts per game. Lost to No. 18 Legacy twice in district before beating them in the Qtrs. Beat 3A No. 5 Stafford by 5. Girls team just lost in the 4A state finals. Their 5 playoff wins were by a combined 16 pts. 5-game win streak coming to Drum.

Coop's odds: 25-1

Reg 2: Dallas Kimball Knights (30-9)

District 11-4A third place

HC: Royce Johnson

Last year: 23-9 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Lincoln)

Miles to Austin: 197

Last trip to Drum: 2002

How they got here:

Bi-district: Dallas Hillcrest (49-38)

Area: Denison (71-49)

Regional Qtrs: No. 11 Lincoln (90-73)

Regional Semis: Waco Midway (64-58)

Regional Final: No. 9 Lancaster (66-54)

Ballers: SR 6-3 Davion Green, SR 5-9 Keene Owoigbe, 6-5 David Kates

Scoop: Last trip here they lost in the 5A finals to SA Jay in 2002. They own a 9-3 record in Austin. This will be their 7th trip (won it in 90, 96 & 97). Typical Metroplex team that is athletic. Lost to 5A No. 16 DeSoto (59-45), TAPPS No. 2 Arlington Grace Prep (75-57) & fell to 3A No. 6 Argyle (68-64) in a warmup game.

Coop's odds: 8-1

Reg 3: No. 2 Yates (32-1)

District 21-4A champs

HC: Greg Wise

Last year: 30-3 (lost in Reg Finals t Wheatley)

Miles to Austin: 165

Last trip to Drum: 1983

How they got here:

Bi-district: Furr (105-35)

Area: Texas City (98-59)

Regional Qtrs: No. 6 Wheatley (96-79)

Regional Semis: Livingston (95-52)

Regional Final: No. 5 Jones (78-57)

Ballers: JR 6-2 Brandon "Snap" Peters, JR 5-11 Joseph Young (son of former UH Phi Slamma Jamma Michael Young), JR 5-10 Darius Gardner, 5-11 JR Marshall Lange

Peters (TexasHoops)   Lange (TexasHoops)

Scoop: The scary thing is, they'll all return next season. Lost just 1 game, Alief Elsik (78-76) back on Dec. 20. Defeated PA Memorial (84-51) & downed Bellaire (102-69) in a warmup. Outscored 5 playoff opponents by an average score of 94-56. Have a 22-game win streak coming to Austin & if Yates doesn't win the 4A title, it would be equivalent to Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson.

Coop's odds: 1-5 (favorite)

Reg 4: Austin LBJ Jaguars (28-7)

District 26-4A champs

HC: Freddie Roland

Last year: 20-12 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Wheatley)

Miles to Austin: Within walking distance

Last trip to Drum: 2004

How they got here:

Bi-district: Hutto (75-45)

Area: Kerrville Tivy (73-52)

Regional Qtrs: Austin Reagan (73-69)

Regional Semis: Austin McCollum (69-42)

Regional Final: No. 7 Lake Travis (62-61 OT)

Ballers: JR 6-1 Donald Dallas, SR 6-4 Kerry Hyder, SR 5-10 Eric Robinson

Dallas (TexasHoops)

Scoop: Got here thanks to Tim Dailey who put back a shot @ the buzzer to upset Lake Travis. Have a 13-game win streak heading to Austin. Lost to Chavez & Houston Westbury Christian.

Coop's odds: 9-1

***************

Class 3A

Reg 1: No. 2 Lubbock Estacado Matadors (33-2)

District 1-3A champs

HC: Tony Wagner

Last year: 27-4 (lost in 4A Reg Qtrs to Canyon Randall)

Miles to Austin: 382

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Lamesa (80-36)

Regional Qtrs: No. 10 Brownfield (80-61)

Regional Semis: No. 4 Burkburnet (68-54)

Regional Final: Seminole (70-36)

Ballers: SOPH 5-8 Kevin Wagner, SR 6-3 Jamar Johnson, JR 6-8 Tavien Rosemond, SR 5-10 Duran Minjarez

Wagner (Avalance Journal)

Scoop: Dropped from 4A last year. Outscored 4 playoff opponents 298-187. Hold a 17-game win streak coming here. Split with No. 10 Brownfield during season then beat them in playoffs.

Coop's odds: 6-1

Reg 2: No. 1 Dallas Madison Trojans (31-4)

District 11-3A champs

HC: Damien Mobley

Last year: 17-13 (lost in Area Rd to Princeton)

Miles to Austin: 197

Last trip to Drum: 2000

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Van Alstyne (74-44)

Regional Qtrs: No. 6 Argyle (48-46)

Regional Semis: Princeton (73-46)

Regional Final: No. 16 Pleasant Grove (58-55)

Ballers: JR 5-9 Desmond Flentroy, SR 6-1 Dominque Smith, JR 6-6 Tevin Harris, JR 6-0 Timothy Flentroy, JR 6-3 Nicholas Moore

Cousins, Desmond & Timothy (DMN)

Scoop: Came to Austin in 2000 & lost to Denton Ryan in the 4A Finals. Madison is 4-2 @ the Drum. Have a 26-game win streak heading into Austin. Split a series with 4A No. 1 Dallas Carter, defeated 4A No. 11 Dallas Lincoln (twice) & defeated Dallas Kimball (4A state semifinalist). Beat 4A FW Dunbar (75-72) in a warmup. Have won the last 24 games.

Coop's odds: 2-1 (favorite)

Reg 3: No. 11 Hardin-Jefferson (37-6)

District 21-3A co-champs

HC: Todd Sutherland

Last year: 35-1 (lost in Reg Final to Silsbee)

Miles to Austin: 245

Last trip to Drum: 2007

How they got here:

Bi-district: Liberty (76-52)

Area: No. 8 Navasota (60-53)

Regional Qtrs: No. 7 Cleveland (73-70 OT)

Regional Semis: No. 20 Lufkin Hudson (54-51)

Regional Final: Jasper (56-47)

Ballers: SR 5-9, Jarvis Benard, SR 6-1 Trey Burrell, JR 5-11 Jacoby Turner

Benard (Chevy Prep Ticket)  Burrell

Scoop: Off the 5A-3A teams in Austin, H-J was the only team to defeat 3 ranked teams in the playoffs. Jarvis Benard & Trey Burrell earned medals when H-J won the 2007 3A title. 5-game win streak coming from Sour Lake. The Hawks are looking for their 3rd title since 1991 (Clarksville) & 2007 (Abilene Wylie). HC Sutherland led the Hawks in 2007 & won a 3A title in 2004 w/ Kountze (Greenwood). 

Coop's odds: 4-1

Reg 4: No. 5 Stafford Spartans (30-5)

District 26-3A champs

HC: Eric Jackson

Last year: 21-10 (lost in Area Rd to Silsbee)

Miles to Austin: 160

Last trip to Drum: 2006

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Somerset (61-56)

Regional Qtrs: Bellville (58-52)

Regional Semis: Aransas Pass (66-51)

Regional Final: No. 3 CC West Oso (61-32)

Ballers: JR 6-0 Marcus Wiltz, JR 5-8 Phillip Pete, SR 5-9 Jordan Honore, JR 6-3 Brandon Hamilton

Scoop: Were in Austin in 2006 (under Greg Devers) but lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Dallas Roosevelt. Won it in 1992. Loaded with some good JRs, Spartans lost to 4A Mansfield Timberview (4A state semifinals) by 5, beat 2A No. 10 Hitchcock (74-56) & lost to 4A No. 5 Jones (65-56) in a warmup.

Coop's odds: 5-1

[HoopInsider_Cooper]

Class 2A

Reg 1: No. 5 Shallowater Mustangs (27-5)

District 3-2A runner up

HC: Ray Morris

Last year: 23-10 (lost in Reg Semis to Jim Ned)

Miles to Austin: 396

Last trip to Drum: 2007

How they got here:

Bi-district: Alpine (73-37)

Area: No. 8 Floydada (61-57)

Regional Qtrs: Spearman (53-50)

Regional Semis: Clyde (73-59)

Regional Final: Eastland (70-55)

Ballers: SR 5-11 Andrew Morris, SR 6-7 Jordan Scaff

Scoop: Were in 2007 but Kountze beat them by 14 in the finals. 7th appearance here, won it in 2004 in OT vs. Argyle. Have 2 studs in Morris & Scaff, both all-region last year. Scaff is the big man but can knock down the 3. Own a 9-game win streak coming here. Defeated 3A Lamesa, lost to TAPPS No. 10 Lubbock Christian, A-I No. 1 Cayuga, 2A No. 5 Brock.

Coop's odds: 6-1

Reg 2: No. 2 Ponder Lions (38-1)

District 10-2A champs

HC: Doug Boxell

Last year: 39-2 (state champs)

Miles to Austin: 221

Last trip to Drum: 2007

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Leonard (54-39)

Regional Qtrs: Rivercrest (69-45)

Regional Semis: No. 7 Edgewood (67-53)

Regional Final: No. 3 Whitewright (51-36)

Ballers: SR 6-1 Joel Garza, JR 6-5 Scott Gregg, SR 5-11 Isaiah Boxell

Gregg (DentonRC)

Scoop: 6th trip here & won it last year, lost in 06 but won it in 01. HC Doug Boxell's son is HC @ Nazareth, who is also here this weekend. Own a 13-game win streak. Defeated 3A No. 6 Argyle by 2. Play great defense.

Coop's odds: 2-1 (favorite)

Reg 3: No. 1 New Waverly Bulldogs (31-3)

District 21-2A champs

HC: Bill Goffney

Last year: 36-3 (lost in state semis to Jim Ned)

Miles to Austin: 156

Last trip to Drum: 2007

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: East Chambers (68-44)

Regional Qtrs: Kountze (66-61)

Regional Semis: Franklin (60-53)

Regional Final: No. 6 Sabine (27-26)

Ballers: JR 6-2 Tyren Watts, JR 6-3 Kyren Watts, SR 6-2 Joseph Carrington, SR 6-3 X'Zavious Harrison

Harrison hitting game-winning FT vs. Sabine (Huntsville Item)

Scoop: Here last year but fell to Jim Ned in the semis. Defeated 4A Brenham, lost to 5A Galveston Ball, def. 3A No. 7 Cleveland & Houston St. Pius.

Coop's odds: 3-1

Reg 4: Santa Rosa Warriors (30-6)

District 32-2A champs

HC: Johnny Cipriano

Last year: 21-14 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Jourdanton)

Miles to Austin: 321

Last trip to Drum: 1965

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Industrial (66-57)

Regional Qtrs: Jourdanton (80-69)

Regional Semis: No. 17 Jarrell (59-56)

Regional Final: No. 13 UC Randolph (63-62 OT)

Ballers: SR 5-10 Jacob Garcia, SOPH 5-10 Ruben Lopez, JR 5-9 Dario Mendoza

Scoop: After 3 straight trips to Regional tourney, the Warriors are in Austin. Jacob Garcia hit a 3 @ the buzzer to send the game into OT then they hung on to upset UC Randolph. Garcia is a scoring machine. Warriors lost to Hidalgo Early College (55-54) in a warmup.

Coop's odds: 20-1

***************

Class A-I

Reg 1: No. 2 Plains Cowboys (31-1)

District 6-A champs

HC: Michael Davis

Last year: 25-4 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Smyer)

Miles to Austin: 405

Last trip to Drum: 1959

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Iraan (67-56)

Regional Qtrs: Van Horn (80-44)

Regional Semis: Anton (42-40)

Regional Final: Gruver (50-46)

Ballers: SR 6-3 Chris Gonzales, SR 6-1 Chris Addison, SR 6-2 Tim Brock

Celebrating Regional tourney (Plains ISD)

Scoop: First trip to Austin since 1959 (lost to Huntington in finals). Gonzales & Brock are their scorers. Defeated A-II No. 12 Fort Davis (47-42) in a warmup. Only loss was to 3A Lubbock Cooper. Won 29 straight coming to Austin.

Coop's odds: 4-1

Reg 2: No. 7 Roscoe Plowboys (26-4)

District 11-A runner up

HC: Johnny Martin

Last year: 22-5 (lost in Reg Finals to White Deer)

Miles to Austin: 267

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: Santo (69-55)

Area: Archer City (65-55)

Regional Qtrs: No. 16 Poolville (58-50)

Regional Semis: Goldwaite (59-47)

Regional Final: Italy (68-34)

Ballers: SR 6-0 Jared Villanueva, SOPH 6-3 Caden Smith

Villanueva (Ab Reporter News)

Scoop: 1st trip to Austin, own a 5-game win streak & dress just 7 players, but 1 is probably won of the best @ this level in SR 6-0 Jared Villanueva. He averaged 31 pts in the 5 playoff games & scored 59 in the Regional tourney.

Coop's odds: 7-1

Reg 3: No. 12 Tenaha Tigers (29-5)

District 22-A champs

HC: Todd Bodden

Last year: 12-14 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Avinger)

Miles to Austin: 270

Last trip to Drum: 2003

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Grapeland (72-65)

Regional Qtrs: West Sabine (93-66)

Regional Semis: Waskom (69-47)

Regional Final: No. 1 Cayuga (59-51)

Ballers: SR 5-9 Marlon McClure, JR 5-5 Jay Moore, FROSH 6-2 Reginald Davis

Scoop: Last here in 2003 when they won the 1A title but lost to 1A-II Nazareth in Texas Cup. Come to Austin winners of 22 games & the love the 3-point shot. Defeated 3A Center (66-64) in a warmup. Lost to A-II No. 4 Laneville (83-75), lost to TAPPS No. 3 Bullard The Brookhill (58-38) & 3A No. 20 Lufkin Hudson (71-42).

Coop's odds: 3-1 (slight favorite)

Reg 4: No. 14 SA Stacey Eagles (26-5)

District 30-A champs

HC: Mike Flores

Last year: 24-7 (lost in Reg semis to Thorndale)

Miles to Austin: 79

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Bruni (67-28)

Regional Qtrs: Gervin Academy (67-51)

Regional Semis: No. 20 Normangee (75-62)

Regional Final: No. 19 Bremond (70-58)

Ballers: SR 6-2 David Clark, JR 6-2 Garrett Wimsatt, SR 6-2 Jaxon Morton

Scoop: 1st trip to Austin. School near Lackland AFB. Winners of 16 straight heading into Austin. David Clark averages 25 points per game. Team lost to 2A No. 13 UC Randolph twice. Defeated Geronimo Navarro (84-76) in a warmup.

Coop's odds: 8-1

***************

Class A-II

Reg 1: No. 13 Nazareth Swifts (23-12)

District 2-AII champs

HC: Zach Boxell

Last year: 18-14 (lost in Area Rd to Adrian)

Miles to Austin: 461

Last trip to Drum: 2007

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: Bookers (56-27)

Regional Qtrs: Happy (56-41)

Regional Semis: Meadow (62-41)

Regional Final: No. 1 Vega (46-44 OT)

Ballers: SR 5-10 Nicky Rowland, JR 5-11 Sid Sheffy, JR 6-2 Sage Black, JR 6-2 Clint Huseman

Scoop: Stunning 13th trip to Austin winning it their last two trips in 2006-07. Nicky Rowland was on those two teams & hit the winning layup @ the buzzer to stun No. 1 Vega in OT. Rowland was 2-20 from the field in that game but the last one counted the most. Have a 5-game win streak heading here. Lost to 1A-I No. 4 Wheeler in a warmup then beat Stratford. HC Zach Boxell's dad, is the HC @ Ponder. His brother Lance is @ Krum. Began the season 8-11 then won 15 of 16. Lost to A-II No. 16 Lipan (semifinalist) by 4 early in the season.

Coop's odds: 6-1

Reg 2: No. 16 Lipan Indians (27-8)

District 15-AII champs

HC: Cody Chandler

Last year: 27-8 (lost in Reg semis to Avinger)

Miles to Austin: 197

Last trip to Drum: 2006

How they got here:

Bi-district: BYE

Area: No. 20 Roby (76-53)

Regional Qtrs: Zephyr (74-57)

Regional Semis: No. 2 Paducah (61-56)

Regional Final: No. 5 Ira (65-46)

Ballers: SR 5-11 Seth Riddle, JR 6-3 Ryan Drake, JR 5-9 Chris Pittman, SR 6-0 Lane Hedeman

Riddle

Scoop: Making their 9th trip to the Drum, most recent was 3 straight 2004-06. They won it in 05 but lost in the Texas Cup. Riddle can ball. Scored 37 in the win over Ira. Beat 3 ranked teams in the playoffs. Won 19 in a row coming here. Beat 1A-II No. 13 Nazareth (semifinalist) by 4 early. Lost to 3A Lorena (who lost to Jasper in playoffs) by 20. Beat Milford (70-57) in playoff warmup. 

Coop's odds: 3-1 (slight favorite)

Reg 3: No. 11 Elkhart Slocum Mustangs (27-8)

District 24-AII runner up

HC: Jay Bruce

Last year: 29-8 (lost in Reg Qtrs to Big Sandy)

Miles to Austin: 182

Last trip to Drum: 1st

How they got here:

Bi-district: Bloomburg (58-46)

Area: Dodd City (58-43)

Regional Qtrs: No. 18 Avinger (71-57)

Regional Semis: Avalon (71-53)

Regional Final: No. 4 Laneville (58-56)

Ballers: SR 6-1 Jared Lane, JR 6-2 Randall Thomason

Thomason (Palestine Herald)

Scoop: 1st trip to Austin, lost to Laneville twice in district then Thomason hit 2 FTs with :03 left to give Slocum the win in the Regional Finals. Lost to Frankston & Woden, defeated Woodville.

Coop's odds: 7-1

Reg 4: No. 6 Leggett Pirates (28-6)

District 25-AII runner up

HC: Daryl Mason

Last year: 13-18 (lost in Bi-district to Fayetteville)

Miles to Austin: 204

Last trip to Drum: 1977

How they got here:

Bi-district: Fayetteville (88-62)

Area: Moulton (59-56)

Regional Qtrs: Calvert (60-56)

Regional Semis: Priddy (53-39)

Regional Final: Goodrich (61-54)

Ballers: JR 5-9 Joe Johnson, SR 6-0 Deon Wyatt

Scoop: Split w/ 1A-II No. 3 Goodrich during district then beat them when it mattered most. Also in the same district w/ No. 15 Brookeland (they split). Beat Hull-Daisetta by 40 (early), lost to 2A No. 1 New Waverly by 21.

Coop's odds: 5-1