WILDCATS WIN STATE TOURNAMENTS IN HOOPS, WRESTLING

The entire Lake Highlands community gathered for a parade in April to celebrate RISD’s first athletic state championships in decades.

The Lake Highlands High School boys basketball team went undefeated in District 7-6A and finished 34-3 overall. The Wildcats beat defending champions Beaumont United in the finals to become the first RISD basketball state champion in 55 years. LHHS junior Tre Johnson – the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2024 – was named the Mr. Texas Basketball by Dave Campbell’s Magazine and Chicken Express. Congratulations to Head Coach, Joe Duffield, assistant coaches Richard Johnson, Zac Haug, Tre Stewart, and Dominique Kirk.

Lake Highlands senior Fernanda López is a three-time UIL state qualifier in wrestling and finished her high school career ranked No. 6 in the nation. This year, Fernanda posted a record of 47-1, beating the two-time state champ on her path to the state championship. After graduation, Fernanda plans to further her academic and athletic career at the University of Southern Oregon. Fernanda was voted as the Most Outstanding Wrestler in District 7-6A and was also the Lake Highlands homecoming queen this year.

“What a year our Wildcats have had! These student-athletes are the best in the state and some of the best high schoolers in the nation,” RISD Superintendent Tab Branum said. “I truly believe there isn’t anything Fernanda cannot accomplish, and the chemistry and maturity this basketball team has shown throughout the season is inspiring to many of our youngest learners. Way to go Lake Highlands! You’ve brought a great deal of pride to everyone in RISD.”

THE 2022-23 LAKE HIGHLANDS STATE CHAMPION GIRLS WRESTLER

Fernanda López

THE 2022-23 LAKE HIGHLANDS STATE CHAMPION BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM:

Samson Aletan

Syncere Anderson

Ethan Davis

Elias Dement

John "Barrett" Francis

Brandon Gonzales

Warren Hamilton

Xavier Hernandez

Joseph Hughes

Ila Jehl

Tre Johnson

Beck Johnstone

Issaiah Tate

Quinton Perkins

Lewis Racine

Logan Strayhan

Khaleel Thomas

Sam Thomas

Chidi Umeh

Jaylen Washington

Dre Whitney

Jaire Williams