GREATER HOUSTON’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM, EVER?

By Jim Hicks

LET’S SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR SNEAKERS WERE MADE OF CLOTH OR LEATHER, IT DON’T MATTER. NEITHER DOES THE MATCHING KNEE PADS, OR AERODYNAMIC AFROS OF THE 1970’S. MOST PEOPLE FROM THE “OLD SCHOOL” WILL FAVOR THE TEAMS FROM THEIR ERA, WHILE JUST AS MANY OF THE LIVE STREAMERS WILL FAVOR THE HIP HOPPERS OF RECENT YEARS. ANY WAY YOU SLICE THE PIE, ONE THING’S FOR CERTAIN – GREATER HOUSTON HAS BEEN PRODUCING SUPER TALENT FOR DECADES. CONSIDER THIS ARTICLE, ANOTHER EFFORT TO BURY THE HATCHET ON THIS “OLD SCHOOL - NEW SCHOOL” STUFF. LET’S REVISIT THE PAST (AND PRESENT) TOP STATE CHAMPIONS FROM THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.

CRITERIA:

- Must have been UNDEFEATED and WON the STATE championship

- Only 1 team/ year selected to represent the same high school

FORMAT:

(Fictional Single elimination boys basketball tournament)

GAME ONE: Houston Wheatley ’70 (39-0) vs Beaumont Ozen ’01 (36-0)

GAME TWO: Houston Milby ’04 (39-0) vs. Houston Madison ’85 (40-0)

GAME THREE: Fort Bend Willowridge ’00 (40-0) vs LaPorte ’87 (40-0)

GAME FOUR: Houston Kashmere ’75 (46-0) vs. Houston Yates ’10 (40-0)

Game One

BEAUMONT OZEN PANTHERS (2001) vs. WHEATLEY WILDCATS (1970)

Head Coach: Andre Boutte

Starters

Ozen Panthers (36-0)

Albert Marshall 5’10

Michael Thomas 5’10

Tigee Rideaux 6’2

Keena Young 6’7

Kendrick Perkins 6’9

Head Coach: Jackie Carr

Wheatley Wildcats (39-0)

Clarence Johnson 6’1

Allen “Batman” Batro 6’2

Lawrence “Spider” Johnson 6’7

Roy Fields 6’6

Dwight “Big D” Jones 6’9

Clifton Ozen High School opened its doors in Fall of 1997, and is a hip hop generated product of the back to back to back 3A state champion, Beaumont Hebert HS (1980-82). We could have easily included Hebert in this tournament, but this 2001 Ozen team was just too dominant to ignore. The Panthers featured a space eating, dominating 10th grade center named Kendrick Perkins. As a senior, he was selected to the McDonald’s All American game. Shortly after graduating, Perkins bypassed college, and was picked 27th in the 1st round by the Memphis Grizzlies. He would later win an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics (2008).

Wheatley’s head coach, Jackie Carr inherited this stacked deck of talent from legendary Collin Briggs (608-55, 13 state titles) who retired after guiding the Wildcats to back to back state championships (1968 and ’69). Ironically, those were the first two years of Integration between the PVIL and UIL governing bodies of Texas high school sports. To this very day, Carr and 49.9% of the Wheatley fans insists his 1973 state champs (instead of the 1970 team) was better. This one was too close to call, and after polling dozens of Fifth Ward historians, we just tossed a silver dollar in the air, and went with the 1970 team.

Wheatley featured All American center, Dwight Jones, who once hauled in 51 rebounds during a single game. After high school, Jones starred at University of Houston (1970-73). He was leading scorer / rebounder for the USA in the 1972 Olympics, and selected in the 1st round (9th pick) by the Atlanta Hawks during the 1973 NBA Draft.

THE TIP OFF:

Wheatley went to a man defense (something that Ozen had seen only twice all season). The Panthers spread the floor and worked the ball from side to side making at least five passes each trip down the floor before going inside to Perkins. He scored seven of Ozen’s first 10 points, and Wheatley started the game ice cold from the outside. However, the Wildcats were subbing two and three players every dead-ball. Leading 14-9, Perkins had to sit down after picking up his second foul with 1:43 to go in the first period. Wheatley rallied to end the period with a crown pleasing 9-0 run ignited by consecutive dunks by Jones and Lawrence “Spider” Johnson.

In the second quarter, Jones had found his groove. He and Perkins traded baskets while guarding each other. With just over 4:20 left in the half, Roy Fields 6’6 / 230lbs spelled Jones to guard Perkins. Ozen’s Keena Young was not having his best day when he stole the rock at half court and raced towards the basket. Just as Young went airborne, and cocked the ball back, out of nowhere came “Spider” to block Young’s dunk attempt. The crowd went wild. Now I guess we understand exactly why he has that nickname. Five seconds later, an Allan “Batman” Batro alley-oop gave Wheatley their largest lead (37-29) prompting a much needed time-out by Ozen’s head coach Andre Boutte. Ozen’s backcourt duo Albert Marshall and Michael Thomas were relatively quiet until each nailed consecutive jumpers to bring Ozen within 37-35. Wheatley continued to aggressively sub fresh legs onto the court. Jones, Johnson and Fields re-entered the game with less than 2:00 remaining in the half. Ozen countered by inserting guard Brandon Chappell into the game. He immediately stole the rock and fed Tigee Rideaux who dropped a baseline eight footer, which barely beat the buzzer, to cap an 8-0 run and knot the score at 37. At this point the Ozen fans are going “blue and gold” crazy.

Although we weren’t there to hear the halftime speech from Coach Carr, whatever he said or did sent the Wildcats into another gear. Their press began to take its toll, and generated back to back turnovers which led to consecutive dunks. After an Ozen timeout, the Panthers’ forward Jason Dabney turned over the rock after his attempted entry pass to Perkins was intercepted by a double teaming “Spider”. Another steal led to another Wildcat fast break. Midway through the quarter, the frustrated sophomore Perkins picked up his third and fourth fouls. Once again, he had to take a seat. You could see the disgust in his eyes as he sat and watched Jones pick apart the interior of Ozen’s defense.

While Wheatley was opening the lead, Ozen couldn’t buy a rebound. By the end of the period, Wheatley had extended the lead to 68-50.

The fourth quarter was basically “Garbage time”. Every time Ozen would put together any type of run, Wheatley countered with a basket or two. With three minutes to go, Perkins fouled out, and finished with a very respectable 23p / 12r/ 4b. Once the final buzzer sounded, Wheatley had coasted to a 94-78 victory. They produced six players in double figures, led by Jones (18p 16r),

“Spider” (16p/8r/4b/4s), Batro 14p, Fields 10p, and Clarence Johnson (“Spider”’s brother) with 10p. Ozen got 13p from Dabney, Jason Brackenridge 12p, and Young had 10p. With the win, Wheatley advances into the semi-finals!

Game Two

Starters

Milby Buffaloes (39-0)

Tramaine Webster 5’5

Kevin Quinney 5’9

Jawann McClellan 6’4

Leon St Rose 6’5

Larry Posey 6’5

Madison Marlins (40-0)

Wendell “Kemo” Nibbs 6’4

Ivan Jones 6’3

Gerry McGee 6’1

Tony Gatlin 6’0

Sean Gay 6’4

These two teams are very compatible, especially considering that neither had a single player who stood over 6’5. Milby’s legendary coach Boyce Honea retired and Jimmy Duffer guided this team to 39 straight wins, despite being his first year as head coach. Midway through the season, Milby won 1st place of the prestigious Academy National Invitational, and steam rolled their way a #4 national ranking (by USA Today). The Buffs were anchored by McDonald’s All American senior Jawaan McClellan. He would later star at University of Arizona before suffering a pair of knee injuries. McClellan is currently an officer with the Houston Police Department.

The Madison Marlins absolutely galvanized the entire Hiram Clarke community with a flat out dominating run through the entire state. This team won all 40 games by double digits, including the state semis and final by a combined 48 points. The Marlins were paced by a very talented, well rounded superstar, Sean Gay. He went on to star at Texas Tech, and is one of only four players to ever reach 1,500p, 350r, 325a, and 125s. In 2018, Gay was inducted into the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.

THE TIP OFF:

The game started with Jawann McClellan and Sean Gay guarding each other. On the first possession, Gatlin found Wendell “Kemo” Nibbs for an acrobatic alley oop to set the tone. While the Marlins were celebrating, Milby’s pint sized point guard, Tramaine Webster dashed up court and found Larry Posey who faced up with a strong left handed lay up while being fouled by Ivan Jones. Gay missed all three of his field goal attempts in the first period. On the other end, McClellan connected on a baseline jumper followed by a three pointer which gave Milby a 17-11 lead to close out the period.

In the second quarter, Madison made a key adjustment on the offensive end. Gay (still guarded by McClellan) opted to stand near half court in an effort to allow his teammates to play 4 on 4. Gatlin slid down to the low block and posted Webster for a quick bucket. Gerry McGee stole the inbounds pass and fed Jones for a monster dunk. After a three pointer by Kevin Quinney, ffs held a 4p lead with 5:40 left in the half. The tempo had increased, and the rest of this frame was nip and tuck as both teams went into the half tied at 37.

Milby opened in a 1-3-1 defense and Madison wasted no time attacking it. Gay started things off with a long jumper that appeared to be a three pointer, but his toe was one the line. Consecutive missed shot attempts yielded back to back transition baskets for the Marlins which prompted a time out by Coach Duffer and the Buffs, who trailed 45-37. McClellan stopped the surge with a trey ball for the far corner. Reserves John Williams and Tavon Bailey were subbed in for Leon St Rose and Webster. The move paid off quick rewards as Williams punched home an offensive rebound to trim the margin to 45-42. One the next possession, Gay hit another three and back peddled up the court while nodding his head up and down. Right on cue, McClellan responded with a line drive three for which he stared at Gay while nodding his head along with a sly wink. Obviously, the refs let that slide, and the energy in this building was epic. Both Gay and McClellan proceeded to swap big time baskets during each of their team’s next four possessions. Madison held a 62-59 lead entering the final frame.

On the first possession, Posey was whistled for his 4th foul, and was subbed in by Chris Jordan, as the Buffs opted to go with a smaller line up in hopes of pushing the tempo. A basket by Cedric Brown pushed the lead to 7. Williams was sent to the line, yet missed both free throws. A missed shot by McGee was put back by Jones, and the Marlins was up 68-59 with 6:12 to go. Milby was getting crushed on the offensive glass. Posey came back in, and converted another low post move. Madison got a trey from the top of the key, by Gatlin to provide their largest lead of the game, 71-61. Posey scored again, and added a free throw to bring the Buffs back within 7. Then, Quinney poked away the inbounds pass which led to a dunk by McClellan to make it 71-66. After a Madison timeout, Gay was placed at the top of the offense, along with Gatlin, Brown, Dexter McDougald and Patrick Crocklin also on the court. During the next three minutes, this unit managed to hit 5 of 6 free throw attempts while only yielding one basket defensively. Madison led 76-68 with less than two minutes remaining. McClellan nailed a much needed three pointer, but Posey (21p 11r) picked up his 5th foul while purposely sending McDougald to the line. He sank both freebies to make it 7871. A missed shot by Webster was rebounded by Gay was which yielded his 10th board to go along with 11 assists and 21 points, a triple double. McClellan (24p 13r, 4a, 3b) added a jumper just before the final buzzer, which provided the final score, 84-76. Madison advances to the semis!

Game Three

LA PORTE BULLDOGS (1987) vs. WILLOWRIDGE EAGLES (2001)

Head Coach: Tom Holland

Starters

LaPorte Bulldogs (40-0)

Freddie Harris 5’9

Keith Heron 6’0

Charles McCovery 6’2

Tommy Parker 6’3

William Gooden 6’6

Head Coach: Ronnie Courtney

Willowridge Eagles (39-0)

Terrance “TJ” Ford 5’10

Daniel Ewing 6’3

Kenny Taylor 6’3

Andre Watson 6’7

Curtis Walker 6’9

The cohesive LaPorte Bulldogs rode a 51 game win streak through the 1987 Class 5A championship, while finishing the season ranked #6 in the nation (by USA Today). There was only (1) player on this team taller than 6’4. Still, they repeatedly found a way to get it done, approximately 51 times in a row. In 2001, WIllowridge won their second straight Class 5A state championship. Shortly afterwards, USA Today listed Willowridge as the nation’s #2 ranked team. This Eagles squad was the first high school in Texas to produce two McDonald’s All Americans (Ford & Ewing) in the same year.

TIP OFF:

The house was packed as it normally is whenever Willowridge takes the floor. Also, LaPorte fans were in full effect, mostly clad in a sea of orange. Try imagining the smaller sample size of the Denver Broncos during the “Orange Crush” days. Well, that’s exactly how the Bulldogs side of the gym looked this afternoon. LaPorte opened the game by scoring the first six points. Willowridge head coach Ronnie Courtney ripped off his suit jacket and immediately called a timeout while the Bulldog fans erupted in a synchronizing chant. Donta Yates was subbed in for Kenny Taylor in an effort to give the team another ball handler against Laporte’s press. Both teams ended the first frame tied at 18.

In the second quarter, the Eagles went inside to Curtis Walker. He spun on a low post move, and went up to dunk, but was met at the rim by the long arms of William Gooden. However, the ref on the opposite side whistled him for a foul which was met by a chorus of “Boo’s”. On the ensuing possession Gooden had to take a seat after picking up his third foul while attempting to take a charge against Andre Watson. As a result, LaPorte was forced to go into a zone defense, something they rarely played. Coach Courtney inserted Taylor back into the game, along with long forward Isaac “Tree” Rollins.

Back to back three pointers by Taylor put Willowridge ahead 42-34. After a LaPorte timeout, Charles McCovery drilled a wide open trey to pull the Bulldogs within five. The two teams traded baskets, and at the half, Willowridge held on to a 44-39 lead.

The third quarter was highlighted by the play of TJ Ford. He sparked the Eagle offense with five assists, including a dazzling behind the back no-look pass to Daniel Ewing for a crowd pleasing dunk over Keith Heron (who was attempting to draw an offensive foul). Paul McCovery (the cousin of Charles) and Jarvis Francious were subbed in for Freddie Harris and Heron. Willowridge continued to shuffle in fresh legs every other dead ball, including Roland Parsons and Ralph Vivarette for Watson and Walker (who had picked up his 4th foul). Charles McCovery and Gooden had the hot hand for the Bulldogs, combining for 17 of the teams 23 third quarter points.

Entering the final frame, Willowirdge held a 69-62 lead. Both teams had all five starters back on the court. With just over 6:00 to go, Taylor dropped a trey ball deep from the short corner to yield the largest lead (72-62). LaPorte’s Harris responded with a huge three pointer from the top of the key. Both teams would trade baskets and missed shot attempts over the next couple minutes. With 2:12 remaining, Harris connected with Tony Parker for an alley-oop, followed by consecutive jumpers by McCovery to close within a single possession, 84-81.

After a Willowridge time out, junior guard Brandon Chaison was subbed in to provide another ball handler. The Eagles went into a spread offense which eventually forced LaPorte out of their zone defense. As the clock neared the final minute, Ford zipped past Harris and had a wide lane to the basket, but was fouled in the act of shooting. He missed the first free throw, and LaPorte called time out in an effort to ice him. Ford sank the second one, and the Eagles had a four point lead. Willowridge called a time out, and inserted Rollins. The Bulldogs went inside to Gooden. He posted and turned to shoot over Walker, but the shot rimmed out. Rollins grabbed the rebound, and was immediately fouled with :24 to go. He proceeded to knock down both free throws which pretty much iced the game. A desperation three pointer badly missed, and once again Rollins was there for the rebound. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, LaPorte opted not to foul, conceding the 87-81 defeat to Willowirdge.

Walker led the way with 18p 11r 4b. Ford dished out 12 assists to go with 8p. Taylor was 5/11 from downtown and finished with 15p. Ewing added 14p while Watson had 10p. For LaPorte, Charles McCovery scored a game high 26p. Gooden added 18, Harris 12 and Parker 11. Willowridge advances into the semi-finals!

Game Four

KASHMERE RAMS (1975) vs. YATES LIONS (2010)

Head Coach: Weldon Drew

Starters

Kashmere Rams (46-0)

Madison Lane 6’1

Karl Godine 6’4

Henry Small 6’5

Carl Byrd 6’3

Jarvis Williams 6’7

Head Coach: Greg Wise

Yates Lions (34-0)

Darius “PeeWee” Gardner 5’10

Joseph Young 6’2

Brandon “Snap” Peters 6’0

Elton Roy 6’3

Alex Davis 6’9

The main event of the Quarter Final round attracted a standing room only crowd. An Old School versus New School instant classic. At the end of their seasons, both of these very talented, unbeaten teams were ranked #1 nationwide by National Sports News Service and USA Today. Kashmere’s 46 wins in a single season still stands as a UIL record. More impressively, this team had won consecutive state titles enroute to accumulating 83 straight wins. This dominating squad was led by Karl Godine (28ppg) who is without question - one of the best to ever wear a high school jersey in the state of Texas.

The Yates team was very fast, very tough, and best described as “Relentless”. The Lions set the national record for ppg (116.2), most 100 point games in a row (15), and set the record for the highest attendance (16,755) in a single game at the UIL State Tournament. This group was indeed special with seven D1 signees highlighted by Joseph Young (25.6ppg) and “Snap” Peters (25.5ppg).

TIP OFF:

Kashmere won the tip and Carl Byrd dashed to the rim for a lay-up. Then, Yates responded by scoring on each of their first four possessions, punctuated by Alex Davis’ dunk, and a knuckleball looking three pointer from Darius “PeeWee” Gardner to make the score 9-2. Throughout the rest of the quarter, the Lions maintained control of the tempo, while amassing a 27-20 lead at the end of the first period.

Yates opened the frame with a quick basket by Elton Roy. Coach Drew signaled for a timeout. Kashmere quickly came to realize they were not beating this Yates team with ‘speed’. Russell Sublet and Charlie Ross were subbed in. Floor general Marshall Lane got the rock to their ‘bread’ Karl Godine and ‘butter’ Jarvis Williams, the tables began to turn in their favor. Both combined to haul in 4 offensive rebounds and convert all of them into baskets. Meanwhile, Yates simply went cold from the field.

Midway through the period, Godine banked in another basket to tie the game. Finally, Brandon “Snap” Peters connected on a 14 footer from the baseline to end the 4:32 minute scoring drought. At that point, the Lions clung onto a 32-30 lead. Lane fed Godine for a thunderous slam dunk. Yates turned over the rock, and Kashmere took the lead 35-32 on a three point play by Williams which gave Davis his 3rd foul. Both teams traded baskets over the next two minutes before Young connected on back to back three pointers to push the Lions back head, 46-43. As he ran back up the court, Young cuffed his right hand over his ear. Right on cue, the fans engaged in chorus “Ouuu-Eye-Third Ward High”. On the other end, Byrd tipped in a missed shot by Lane just before the buzzer to pull the Rams within 46-45.

Kashmere adjusted the personnel on their press breaker and focused on attacking the lone defender in the paint, which happened to be Davis. Meanwhile, Yates simply had to play smarter and keep making plays. The third period saw four lead changes and lots of missed shot attempts from both teams. Yates and Kashmere were tied at 65.

The 4th quarter yielded plenty of action while the stars on both teams shined like new money. “PeeWee” found Peters streaking from the corner for an alley-oop to put the Lions back ahead. Kashmere countered with a basket by Godine. Yates got a lay-up from Young. Then, Godine knocked down a pull up jumper. Young followed with a deep two pointer. On the other end Godine converted an up and under reverse while getting fouled by Davis (his 4th). He sank the free throw and Kashmere led 79-78 with 5:14 to go. Clyde Santee scored on a left handed lay-up assisted by Marshall Lange to put Yates back up 80-79. Kashmere advanced the rock through the Yates press and Williams had an angle to the rim. Just as he went airborne for the dunk, out of no where came “Snap” Peters with the clean block. Yates was off to the races towards their basket. Roy swished home a three pointer right in front of the Yates bench to put the Lions up 83-79 with 3:47 left. Kashmere called time out, and as both teams walked to their respective benches, the Yates fans joined in that antagonizing chant as described earlier. As expected, Godine got the rock near the free throw line and fed the rock to Williams who had sealed his man on the low block. Williams finished the play through contact, which happened to be the 5th foul on Davis (12p 9r 4b). Williams made the free throw. On the ensuing possessions, Young and Godine proceeded to display their hot hands while scoring some big time buckets. As the clock dwindled under :20, the game was tied at 92. “Snap” Peters dashed his way to the rim, but was fouled while attempting a layup. He missed the first one, and made the second to yield a 93-92 lead for Yates. Kashmere got the ball into the hands of Lane who in turn fed the rock to Godine. He faced the rim just inside the three point line while starting his between the legs dribble. Godine took two hard dribbles towards the paint, then stopped on the dime, elevated and flicked the smooth jumper just over the outstretched hands of Young. The ball swished through the nets as the clock switched from :01 to :00. Ball game! Kashmere pulled off the 94-93 win, and advanced into the semi-finals. Godine finished with a game high 33p and Williams added 24p. Young led Kashmere with 31p while “Snap” Peters contributed 25p in defeat.