Shaquille O’Neal, and Texas State Tournament superlatives

Growing up in Texas, loving the game and playing basketball at Friendswood High and on the AAU circuit has afforded me opportunities to watch some of the top players and performances in the history of the state. 

Today, six programs will win State Championships from class 1A to 6A. That includes Lipan with a chance for a perfect and special 40-0 season, Beaumont United going for back-to-back titles in 5A, and Duncanville for a historical three-peat at the highest level of basketball in the Lone Star State.

My first memory of the state tournament remains the highlight 33 years later. San Antonio Cole had the most dominant player I have ever seen come through the state of Texas. It didn’t matter if Cole played 2A, Shaquille O’Neal was a presence I have never seen on a basketball court to this day. The raw athleticism at his size with the natural strength was unlike anything I believe I will ever witness in person again. I’ve always believed Shaquille O’Neal is the most under rated athlete ever. So many people just see the powerful dunks, dominant strength and say he “was bigger” than everyone else. Here’s the thing about Shaq, he had the foot quickness of a 5-foot-10 point guard, ran the floor like a 6-7 wing in the NBA and was blessed with explosive vertical ability with power. He was quick, fast, fluid, agile, graceful, reactive, explosive and powerful. 

Today is a trip down memory lane for myself, and many of you guys that have attended the state tournament, followed basketball in the state of Texas and many of the players that have gone on to college and the NBA. 

Shaquille O’Neal and San Antonio Cole in 1989

San Antonio Cole finished off a perfect 36-0 season with a 69-56 semifinal win over Hearne (31-3) and Clarksville (29-3) at the state tournament. 

O’Neal turned in arguably the most dominate performance in modern history of Texas high school basketball. 

In the win over Hearne, O’Neal posted 38 points and 20 rebounds. He converted 19 of 33 from the field. 

O’Neal only scored 19 points in the state title game, but snatched 26 rebounds. The box scores didn’t include blocks back then, but the number was many. 

As a senior, Shaquille O’Neal averaged 32 points, 26 rebounds and eight blocked shots per game. PER GAME!

The state tournament that year also included another Port Arthur Lincoln state championship. The Bumblebees were led by future Texas Longhorns point guard via DePaul transfer Brandon “B.J.” Tyler. 

Then there was Clear Lake. Growing up in Friendswood, I watched and studied the Falcons. Clear Lake was coached by legend Bill Krueger. That Clear Lake team featured four Division I players, including sharp-shooter Tim Glover. Clear Lake beat an undefeated San Antonio Jay team led by Charles “Bo” Outlaw. Outlaw averaged 18.5 points and 10 rebounds in the two state tournament games. 

Kethus Hanks stats have to be mentioned

The year prior to Shaquille O’Neal dominating, Houston Sam Houston won the 5A title with a 34-5 season. The best player on that team was 6-foot-4 guard Kethus Hanks, who went on to average 17 points in one season at Sam Houston State. 

In a 91-86 double overtime win over an undefeated San Antonio East Central team Hanks scored 39 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. He got up 42 shots in the game, and it wasn’t a hot shooting game. He connected on 15 of 42 from the field, 4-15 from three and 5-9 free throws. 

In a 73-68 win over Fort Worth Dunbar in the state title game, Hanks posted 32 points and 13 rebounds. Again, not a good shooting game. He was 8 of 27 from the field, 5-11 from three and 11-11 at the free throw line. 

Hanks averaged 35.5 points and 17 rebounds in his two biggest games. And he didn’t get cheated. He got up 69 shots in two games, including 26 three-point attempts. 

Ray Jackson at LBJ, Dallas began taking over in 1989-90

Austin LBJ rolled into the 5A state tournament in led by Ray Jackson, of Michigan Fab 5 fame. LBJ didn’t stand much chance against Dallas Kimball in a 63-50 loss. Jackson posted 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the loss. 

Kimball went on to beat Clear Lake 65-59 in the title game. That, coupled with Dallas Lincoln winning 4A began a run in the DFW area that hasn’t stopped 32 years later. 

Navasota won 3A that year with a perfect 35-0 record. 

In 2A Ingram Tom Moore took home the title with one of the top small school scorers in the history of the state. Troy House scored 34 points (14-33 FG’s, 3-10 from three) in the semifinal win. House then scored 31 in a thrilling 73-72 win over Troup. 

My thoughts on 2A that year weren’t about House, however. It was Troup. That was a first introduction to the Jasper’s and the talent at the East Texas small school power. Future UCLA and NFL defensive lineman Shane Jasper posted 24 points and 10 rebounds in a semi-final win over Krum. He followed up with 20 and nine in the heartbreaking loss to Ingram Tom Moore. 

Greg Ostertag, Duncanville dominance in 1991

Duncanville, led by future Kansas Jayhawks and NBA center Greg Ostertag dominated the 5A state tournament in 1991 like no-one else ever will. 

The Panthers beat North Shore 82-50 in the semifinals, and then demolished San Antonio Jay 65-38 in the state title game. Osterag almost outscored Jay by himself, putting 35 points in the books. 

Port Arthur Lincoln won another 4A title in 1991. They beat a Dallas South oak Cliff team led by Derrick Battie 73-65 in the semifinals. Battie went on to play at Temple under John Chaney. 

Hardin-Jefferson took home the 3A state title with a 37-1 record. The head coach was Charles Breithaupt, who would go on to be the UIL Executive Director. 

Abernathy took home the 2A title in 1991 with a 37-1 record. But it was Troup High that had my attention again. Future Texas A&M and NFL defensive tackle Edward Jasper was an impressive athlete at his size. And Troup had another small school, big-time talent in 6-foot-5 Greg Austin.

Moulton had one of the best 1A teams one will see that year. They finished 37-1 led by Patrick Henke and Bobby Fishbeck. 

Bobby Taylor, Longview in 92

Longview beat Victoria 71-67 in overtime to win the state title in 1992. That team was led by future Notre Dame and NFL All-Pro cornerback Bobby Taylor, and Byron Young. The Victoria team was led by future Texas A&M point guard Jimmy Smith and Eric Leftwich. Smith is now the COO & CFO of FC Dallas. 

Dallas South Oak Cliff took home the 4A title led again by Derrick Battie, and Cordell Love. Battie posted 29 points and 12 rebounds in a 73-60 win over Georgetown. 

Groesbeck missed out on a perfect season by just a bucket, losing to Stafford 73-72. That team was led by future TCU and NFL linebacker Lenoy Jones. Jones averaged 23 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two games at The Drum. He’s currently the defensive line coach at Midway High. 

Troup finally got the state title in 1992 in dominant fashion. They beat Poth 69-25 and Krum 60-40 to finish the season 35-1. Greg Austin scored 20 and pulled 10 rebounds in the title game. 

Laneville (37-1) completed a great year for East Texas with a But it was Dime Box scoring machine Darian Tusie that I remember most. He scored 38 points in the semi-final loss to Laneville. He hit nine of 25 from three. He shot 25 three’s in a game! 

Charles “Spiderman” Smith, Dunbar rocks The Drum in 1993

Charles “Spiderman” Smith and Anthony Burks led Fort Worth Dunbar (35-4) to the 1993 5A state title. The 6-foot-5 Smith put up 22 and eight rebounds in the semifinal win over Milby. He scored 25 with six rebounds in the title game win over Converse Judson. 

Dallas Lincoln beat Port Arthur Lincoln 46-45 to claim the 4A title. This is mentioned for two reasons. Stephen Jackson was a freshman on the bench for the Bumblebees that watched in the playoffs much more than he played. And Lincoln beat the Friendswood Mustangs team I was a starter on in the second round of the Region III playoffs that year. When people say the losses still sting nearly 30 years later, it’s true. We were led by 7-footer Matthew Gotsch, who went on to play at Notre Dame. We held an eight point lead a minute into the fourth quarter before Lincoln head coach Andre Boutte Jr. turned up the pressure defense to a level we had not seen before. 

Ferris lost to Southlake Carroll in the 3A state title game in 1993. Ferris’ Kyle Rogers was one the leading scorers in the state. He posted 28 points on 10 of 31 from the field. and seven of 20 from three in the loss. He scored 34 in a semifinal win over Gonzales on 13 of 31 from the field, including six of 19 from three. 

Troup was once again dominant in 2A beating Itasca 62-41 and Amarillo Highland Park 69-49 to finish 33-5. Greg Austin recorded 18 points, six blocks and five rebounds in just 11 minutes of action due to foul trouble. 

Laneville, like Troup, went back-to-back in 1A. 

Ansu Sesay, Willowridge take 5A crown in 1994

Willowridge took home there 5A crown led by future Ole Miss and NBA small forward Ansu Sesay. It was the first state title in basketball for Willowridge, but would not be the last!

Plainview took home the 4A crown led by future Oklahoma football signee Steven Ridley, surviving a great performance by Dallas Lincoln’s Damion Walker. Walker posted 31 points and 28 rebounds in the 78-65 semi-final loss. Plainview beat a Kris Clack led Austin Anderson team 54-52 in the 4A title game. Clack score 24 points to go with seven rebounds and six steals  in the loss. Anderson led by Clack beat Port Arthur Lincoln in the semifinal game. Lincoln’s Steven Jackson scored 18 in the loss. 

Kyle Rogers and Ferris were back in 1994. Rogers posted 31 points, eight rebounds and five assists in an 82-67 semifinal win over Hardin-Jefferson. Rogers then put together one of the top state championship performances in the history of the state. He scored 42 points to go along with seven rebounds in an 84-66 win over Littlefield. Rogers connected on 15 of 28 field goals with six three-pointers. Rogers played in four games in the state tournament over two seasons, averaging 33.8 points per game. 

In 2A, Krum finally got over the hump against Troup winning the state title capping a perfect 37-0 season. Troup’s Greg Austin posted 32 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes in a state semifinal win. 

San Antonio East Central arguably the best 5A team of all-time in 1995

San Antonio East Central finished the 1995 season 35-0. They have been in the conversation of best 5A team of all-time since. Future Texas Tech point guard Stanley Bonewitz scored 42 points, dished out 14 assists and had eight steals in a 107-94 semifinal win over El Paso Riverside. 

East Central took down Dallas Carter 108-86 in the 5A title game. Bonewitz scored 36 points and wished out seven assists to cap an all-time 5A state tournament performance. That Dallas Carter team was led by Texas point guard signee Anthony Goode and Robert Washington. Blue chip defensive tackle Jesse Warren was a starter on the squad as well. Warren was a big win for Colorado over Texas and Texas A&M at the time. 

Port Arthur Lincoln took home the state title in 4A in 1995 finishing 35-3. Steven Jackson was one of the top prospects in the country at that time. He posted 21 points and six rebounds in the semifinal win over Lancaster. He followed with 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in the 57-56 overtime state title win over Austin Anderson.

Austin Anderson was once again led by Kris Clack. The McDonald’s All-American scored 27 points and snatched 10 rebounds in a semifinal win over Wichita Falls. Clack scored 21 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the title game. 

David Boston was awesome, Dallas Kimball takes home 5A title

Future Ohio State and NFL star wide receiver David Boston led Humble to the 5A tournament in 1996. Boston scored 26 points, and added seven steals, six rebounds and three assists in a semifinal loss to Euless Trinity. He hit six three-pointers in the game. 

Dallas Kimball (38-2) took down Euless Trinity in the 5A title game. Kimball’s Jeryl Sasser Sasser went on to play at SMU before being a first round selection by the Orlando Magic. 

Pampa took home the 4A title led by Rayford Young, the father of Atlanta Hawks All-Star Trae Young. Rayford Young scored 33 points and dished out five assists in an 82-68 win over Dallas Madison in the title game. The future Texas Tech guard scored 34 in a semifinal win over Round Rock McNeil. 

Dallas Kimball again in 5A, Big Leonard in 1A

Dallas Kimball went back-to-back in 5A in 1997. The Knights beat Duncanville in the semifinals. Jeryl Sasser scored 24 points to go with seven rebounds in the win. Duncanville was led by future Texas power forward via Tulane transfer Chris Owens. Owens posted 29 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in the 63-60 loss. Kimball beat North Shore 64-53 in the title game. 

Wortham took home the 1A title with a 27-2 record. The starting center was none other than future Texas Longhorns and NFL offensive tackle Leonard Davis. Davis averaged 11.5 points and 13 rebounds in the two wins. One of the best pound for pound athletes one would see at the high school level. Massive human that was very nearly perfectly put together. 

Future MLB pitcher Chris Young led Highland Park

Highland Park made the first of back-to-back appearances in class 4A in 1998. The 6-foot-10 future Princeton Tigers star and MLB All-Star posted 17 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in a 56-51 semifinal win over Waco University. He followed with 16 and 18 in a 67-60 loss to Houston Waltrip. That Waltrip team was led by guards Antonio Falu and Field Williams. 

Future Texas Longhorn football player OJ McClintock went for 28 and 12 in a 61-54 loss to San Antonio Taft in 5A.

And future Texas Longhorns running back Tyrone Richardson helped lead Clarksville to the 3A crown. He posted 12 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, four blocks and four steals in a 69-51 win over Stafford. He followed with a double-double in the 90-83 title game victory over Crockett. 

TJ Ford, Willowridge time in 2000

The Willowridge Eagles (37-1) are another team talked about as the best of all-time in Texas. And it’s legit after watching them over 60 times in a two year period. The Eagles were led by future Texas Longhorn, Naismith and Wooden Award winner and NBA lottery pick T.J. Ford. Ford had plenty of help from future Duke Blue Devil and NBA Draft Pick Daniel Ewing, Oklahoma State and professional power forward Ivan McFarlin, and Baylor and Texas three-point threat Kenny Taylor.

McFarlin posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in the 69-55 semifinal win over San Antonio Taft.  Ewing scored 19. Ford posted 14 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. 

The other semifinal was full of future Texas Longhorns. Klein Forest beat Duncanville 59-29. Klein Forest big man Jason Klotz scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Future Texas wide receiver Tony Jeffery was a starting guard. McDonalds All-American Brian Boddicker posted 10 points in the loss. 

Willworidge would go on to beat Klein Forest 59-52 in the title game.  Ford scored even points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists. Daniel Ewing led the scoring with 20, and Ivan McFarlin followed with 19. Klotz led the Eagles with 18 points and six rebounds. 

A.J. Hill put together a terrific pair of games leading Peaster to the 2A title. He posted 34 points and 13 rebounds in a semifinal 64-45 win over Hale Center. Hill followed with 30 and 14 in a title game win over Van Vleck. Peaster finished 35-4 on the season. 

The most talented state tournament ever in 2001

Willowridge won the headlines winning back-to-back 5A titles with an undefeated season. The Eagles were once again led by future NBA Draft picks T.J Ford and Daniel Ewing. Ford posted 12 points, nine assists, eight steals and seven rebounds in a 67-64 double-overtime win over Converse Judson. Ewing scored 28 in the win with both making huge plays down the stretch. Judson was coached by former Texas Longhorns power forward Mike Wacker. 

Willowridge beat Bryan in the title game. Bryan beat The Colony in the 5A semifinals. The Colony was lead by a great backcourt. The point guard was future Illinois and NBA star Deron Williams. The shooting guard was future Indiana Hoosiers star and NBA pick Bracey Wright. 

Beaumont Ozen won the 4A crown led by Kendrick Perkins. Perkins posted 31 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in a 54-39 win over Hereford in the semis. Perkins then went for 17 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in a 58-42 win over San Antonio Lanier. Ozen finished the season 36-0. 

Dallas Lincoln lost in the 4A semifinals to San Antonio Lanier. Lincoln was led by Chris Bosh and Bryan Hopkins. Bosh had a season worst game in the 50-48 loss. 

Chris Bosh’s revenge in 2002, Acie Law stars

Dallas Lincoln returned to the 4A state tournament in 2002, and won it all finishing 40-0. Future NBA star Chris Bosh posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists in a semifinal victory. Bosh then scored 21 points to go with 11 rebounds and seven blocks in a 71-51 win over Beaumont Ozen. Kendrick Perkins scored 20 to go with 14 rebounds and five blocks in the loss. 

Dallas Kimball lost to San Antonio Jay in dramatic fashion 54-53. Kimball was led by future Texas A&M star and NBA draft pick Acie Law. Law posted 12 points and seven assists in the title game loss. Kimball beat Midland Lee in the semifinals. That Midland Lee team featured future Miami Hurricanes and NFL offensive tackle Eric Winston. Winston’s recruitment today would have been a hit on Inside Texas with the Texas A&M family pushing the Aggies so hard they forced their son to Miami. They couldn’t let him go to Texas, where he preferred initially. 

Kendrick Perkins, Ozen return for one more run

Beaumont Ozen entered the 2003 state tournament undefeated. They left with one loss, Fort Worth Dunbar 66-54 in the 4A title game. Perkins scored 25 points with four blocks in a semifinal win over San Antonio Sam Houston. He followed with 18 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks to close out his high school career. Ozen finished the season 33-1. 

Daniel Gibson takes 4A title in 2004

Houston Jones took home the 4A crown in 2004 led by future Texas Longhorns guard and NBA draft pick Daniel Gibson. Gibson scored 22 points with seven made three-pointers in a 63-61 title game win over Dallas Lincoln. 

That Lincoln team was lead by Byron Eaton. They beat a Marshall Brown Austin LBJ team in the semifinal. Brown went on to play at Missouri and professionally. 

Houston Milby claimed the 5A title behind the play of future Arizona Wildcat guard Jawann McClellan. He scored 31 points with eight rebounds in a 72-67 win over Cedar Hill. Milby finished the season undefeated.

Normangee took the 1A state title led by future Texas A&M power forward Joseph Jones. Jones posted 18 points and 20 rebounds in the title game. 

Michael Crabtree, Dallas Carter come up short in 2005

Humble Kingwood beat Dallas Carter 80-63 in the 5A semifinal. Future Texas Tech All-American and NFL star Michael Crabtree scored 16 points in the loss. Kingwood went on to beat DeSoto for the title. 

San Antonio Sam Houston won the 4A crown by forfeit. Dallas South Oak Cliff had major eligibility issues on a team led by future Kansas Jayhawks power forward Darrell Arthur. Dallas SOC beat Amarillo Palo Duro 76-57 in the semifinals. Palo Duro was led by future Texas Longhorns guard Justin Mason. 

Future Texas Longhorns and NFL tight end Jermichael Finley made an appearance for Diboll. Diboll lost in the semifinal to Graham 70-61. Finley scored 15 points and added nine rebounds. 

Golden triangle power Kountze beat Tuscalo Jim Ned 77-64 in the 2A title game. Jim Ned’s Colt McCoy scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists in the loss. McCoy scored 12 points in a semifinal win over Howe. 

Rex Burkhead appears in 2006, Dallas SOC forfeits another title

Plano won the 5A title in 20026. A member of the team was current NFL running back Rex Burkhead. The star of the Wildcats title team was former Texas Tech guard John Roberson. He still plays overseas today. 

Dallas South Oak Cliff was back with Darrell Arthur. Arthur scored 34 points to go with 13 rebounds in a semifinal win over Angleton. Oak Cliff defeated Fort Worth Dunbar 76-58 in the title game with 21 points and 13 rebounds from Arthur. 

West Orange-Stark lost in the 3A semifinal 77-52 to Carrollton Ranchview. Future Texas Longhorns All-American and NFL All-Pro Earl Thomas scored 14 points (4-17 FG’s) in the loss. 

Future pros in 2007

A 5A semifinal game featured Kingwood and San Antonio Madison. Kingwood’s Michael Singletary scored 17 points with six rebounds. He went on to Texas Tech after being at the state tournament multiple times. He still plays overseas. Carleton Scott led the 36-5 Madison squad. Scott scored 23 points in the 64-55 loss to Kingwood. Scott went on to play at Notre Dame, and is still playing professionally. 

The other side of the 5A bracket was headlined by undefeated Duncanville. D’ville was led by future Texas Longhorns signee Shawn Williams, among others. Duncanville capped a perfect season with a 60-46 win over Kingwood. 

Jordan Clarkson in 2009

San Antonio Wagner lost in the 5A semifinal game to Cedar Hill 61-58. Future NBA guard Jordan Clarkson scored 19 points (8-23 FGs/1-7 from three) with six rebounds in the loss. 

DeSoto took home the 5A crown with future Texas Longhorns receiver/tight end Darius Terrell a key starter for the Eagles. Terrell posted a double-double in the title game. Future LSU offensive lineman Evan Washington was also a starter on the team. 

Former Texas guard Joseph Young led Yates to the 4A title. He scored 29 points with seven three-point makes in the 94-78 state title game win over Dallas Kimball. 

Cameron Ridley helps leads Bush to 5A title in 2010

Future Texas Longhorns center Cameron Ridley helped lead Fort Bend Bush to the 2010 5A title. He posted eight points and 10 rebounds in a 65-58 title game win over Lakeview Centennial. Bush beat Flower Mound Marcus in the semifinal game. Marcus Smart was tremendous in defeat with 14 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Future Oklahoma State guard Phil Forte hit six of seven from three in the loss. 

San Antonio Wagner’s Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points in a semifinal loss to Lakeview Centennial. 

Houston Yates finished off a perfect season in 4A with Joseph Young again leading the way. Young scored 24 points with six threes in a 92-73 title game win over Lancaster. Yates dusted The Colony 106-76 in the semifinal game with Young scoring 20. 

Cayuga took home the 1A title. Future Texas Longhorns and SMU running back Traylon Shead posted 15 points and 17 rebounds in the title game win over Bronte. 

The last 10 years

The last ten years has seen a number of future NBA players and pro athletes play at the state tournament. 

NBA guard Marcus Smart, Flower Mound Marcus 2010-12

NBA guard Danuel House, Fort Bend Hightower 2011

Former Oregon WR Bralon Addison, Fort Bend Hightower 2011

Former Texas Tech guard Toddrick Gotcher 2010-11

Former Texas guard Julien Lewis, La Marque 2011

NFL defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, Fort Worth Arlington Heights 2011, 2013

Former Kentucky guards Aaron and Andrew Harrison, Fort Bend Travis 2012-13

Current NBA and former Baylor SF Taurean Prince, San Antonio Warren 2012

Former Texas Longhorns Prince Ibeh and Demarcus Holland, Garland Naaman Forest 2012 

Former SMU and UTEP SG Keith Frazier, Dallas Kimball 2012

Former Texas Tech PG and current professional Keenan Evans, Richardson Berkner 2013 

Former National FB recruit Derrick Griffin, Rosenberg Terry 

Former Duke and current profession PF Marques Bolden, DeSoto 2014, 2016

Former Texas Longhorns SG Kerwin Roach, North Shore 2014

Former Kansas and current NFL EDGE Dorance Armstrong, North Shore 2014

Former UCLA RB Soso Jamabo, Plano West 2015 

SF Mickey Mitchell, Plano West 2015 

Former Texas Longhorns small forward Gerald Lidell, Cibolo Steele 2016 

Former Purdue and current NBA guard Carsen Edwards, Atascocita 2017

Former Kansas and current NBA guard Marcus Garrett, Dallas Skyline 2017 

Current Texas Tech G/W Kevin McCullar, San Antonio Wagner 2017 

Current Texas forward Brock Cunningham, Austin Westlake 2018

Current Baylor forward Matthew Mayer, Austin Westlake 2018 

Current Nevada center Will Baker, Austin Westlake 2018

Former Kentucky and current NBA guard Tyrese Maxey 2018

*Maxey scored 46 in and 80-76 OT loss to Katy Tompkins 

Current Oklahoma State guard Avery Anderson, Justin Northwest 2019