Contenders, Prospects, & Sleepers: UIL 5A-III District 22
It is October and that means it is only days away from season-opening games. Let’s take a dive into the various districts, and begin previewing teams and players to watch! Today we dive into the UIL 5A-III District 22! …
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt is October and that means it is only days away from season-opening games. Let’s take a dive into the various districts, and begin previewing teams and players to watch! Today we dive into the UIL 5A-III District 22!
Pre-Season Player of the Year:
This award is up in the air this season with anyone being able to be crowned District MVP at the end of the season. Four of the top players in the district this season will be Chad McKenzie of a Texas City, this 5’9 junior point guard was one of the top scorers last season as a sophomore where he averaged 11.2 points per game and 1.5 steals per game last season. Jaylen Herman of Crosby is a 6’0 junior guard that averaged 11.5 points per game last season as a sophomore and 3.2 rebounds per game. His freshman to sophomore scoring jumped up 7.3 points per game average. You can expect for this prospect to continue to climb up the scoring ladder. Giovanni Janke of Galveston Ball will also be a top prospect in this district. He stands 5’11 and is the driving force for the Tornadoes. You can expect him to be problematic as a floor leader for this team. The final prospect is a newcomer into the district from a 6A playoff team last year in Sean “PJ” Haggerty a 5’11 PG that will be attending Crosby. PJ is one of the best shooters in his class in the entire state of Texas. Has a lot of D1 looks already and as a freshman last year was awarded District Newcomer in 20-6A and helped lead his team to the playoffs as the team second best scorer where he averaged 10.9 points per game.
Team to Beat:
Texas City Stingarees will be the team this year in the district. Last season they made it to the 3rd round of the playoffs. They went 13-1 in district play last season where they finished in first place and 31-7 overall. They return these three seniors who all where All-District 2nd Team members in Jacolby Belle the Swiss-Army knife, Leon Joubert the facilitator, and Phillip McDaniel the pesky defender. They also bring back 1st Team All-District prospect junior Chad McKenzie who was also the teams leading scorer last season as a sophomore with an average of 11.2 points per game.
Biggest Threat:
Galveston Ball Tornadoes will be the biggest threat in the district this season. You can expect for the Tornadoes to have a big year like they did last season in the district when they went 11-3 and finished their overall season with a 19-12 record. They made an early first-round exit in the playoffs last season. Although they loss the District’s Defensive MVP from last season they bring back a lot of good pieces. Senior Darion Henry was awarded District Newcomer last year. Giovanni Janke the senior lead guard is looking to have a big year again and could possibly make a run as the District MVP. They will also receive solid contributions from there returning 2nd team All-District members in senior forward Tyler Polzin and junior wing Nehemiah Noel.
Sleeper:
Baytown Lee Ganders will be another sleeper team that everyone should not overlook so quickly. They are returning a lot of young varsity players and will be a team with a lot of juniors on it. That year of experience as sophomores will be very beneficial coming into this season with another year to play next season, but let’s not jump to far ahead. Last season they went 5-9 in district play and finished 13-18 overall. They will receive great contributions from junior guard Ja’kenan Davis who was a 1st team All-District performer last season.
Prospects to Watch [Last Year Awards]:
Darion Henry 6’1 F Sr. Galveston Ball [District Newcomer]
Chad McKenzie 5’9 PG Jr. Texas City [All-District 1st Team]
Ja’kenan Davis 6’0 G Jr. Baytown Lee [All-District 1st Team]
Jaylen Herman 6’0 G Jr. Crosby [All-District 1st Team]
Giovanni Janke 5’11 PG Sr. Galveston Ball [All-District 1st Team]
Jacolby Belle 6’0 G Sr. Texas City [All-District 2nd Team]
Leon Joubert 5’10 G Sr. Texas City [All-District 2nd Team]
Phillip McDaniel 5’11 WG Sr. Texas City [All-District 2nd Team]
Tyler Polzin 6’1 G Sr. Galveston Ball [All-District 2nd Team]
Nehemiah Noel 6’3 W Jr. Galveston Ball [All-District 2nd Team]
Hudson Bockart 6’0 G Sr. Friendswood [All-District 2nd Team]
Sean “PJ” Haggerty 5’11 PG So. Crosby PHTX25 transferred in from Fort Bend Ridge Point (as seen in picture)
Malik Mustafa 5’10 PG Jr. Goose Creek Memorial
Cole Kelley 6’7 PF Jr. Friendswood
Top Teams:
- Texas City
- Galveston Ball
- Friendswood
- Crosby
- Baytown Lee
- Goose Creek Memorial