UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT 2024
by LaQuita Thompson
San Antonio,Tx – The Alamo city was on fire this weekend as girls basketball took center stage at the Alamo dome. Rivalries were reignited and matchups got intense as teams battled for a spot in Saturday’s championship games. Defending state champs looked to make history again while new contenders staked their claim on the court. Fans traveled from all over to cheer on their teams.
The legacy of Texas girls hoops is nothing short of legendary, with powerhouse programs in every conference from 1A to 6A. Some dynasties, like 3A champs Shallowater, date back to the 90s. Others, like Waco La Vega (4A) and Frisco Liberty (5A), are more recent repeat title winners. When these perennial contenders clash, the competition is fierce and the energy electric. With the whole state watching, these young athletes leave it all on the hardwood chasing championship glory.
The 6A conference this year was an absolute must-watch, with powerhouse teams like Humble Summer Creek, South Grand Prairie, and Northside Brennan showing off their immense talent. But all eyes were on the Duncanville Pantherettes as they sought an incredible 12th state title. After being banned from the playoffs last season, the mighty Pantherettes roared back to claim the top of Class 6A once again, capturing that elusive 12th championship. The Duncanville faithful were out in full force, with chants of “D-Ville” ringing out loudly from the stands as their team completed its triumphant return. This unbelievable comeback story just goes to show that you can never count out the legendary Duncanville squad!
The La Vega Pirates are back on top! In an exhilarating 4A state championship, the defending champs took down the Canyon Eagles 45-36 to clinch their second title.
This battle of Texas powerhouses did not disappoint. The lead changed hands throughout, but La Vega’s talent and tenacity ultimately prevailed. Point guard Kiyleyah Parr (2024) dazzled with her ball handling and court vision scored a game-high 21 points. CeMaria Kelly (2026) was a pest on defense and a blur in transition. (2025) Alaysia Gude had 12 points.
Canyon is no stranger to playing for state titles, making their 29th appearance. They boast an incredible 20 championships in their decorated history. Forward Jaylee Moss (2025) led Canyon with 12 points, Kambrie Graser (2026) and Sydnee Winfrey (2025) supplied 10 each, but couldn’t will their team to victory.
With young talent on both squads, we may just see a title game rematch between these heavyweights next season. For now, the pirates reign supreme once more!
The Lady Lions of Richmond Randle roared onto the state tournament scene for the first time this year, flashing their claws with a stellar 30-8 record. Their Cinderella run to the playoffs was the stuff of legend. At season’s start, few could have predicted this three-year-old school would prowl so far. Yet the Lady Lions believed in themselves even when others didn’t.
For a program only two years into varsity competition, their first-ever state tournament appearance marks a monumental achievement. The Lady Lions are the first Richmond Randle team in any sport to qualify for state. On Thursday, they faced a tough test against Frisco Liberty in the Class 5A state semifinals. Though they fell 66-37, what a thrilling ride it’s been!
Keep an eye on talented young cubs like 2025 point guard Alaysia Cook and 2026 guard Kaurryn McNeil. The Lady Lions’ future remains bright!
Get those popcorn buckets ready, folks – Mansfield Timberview is back and ready to rumble. This basketball powerhouse is no stranger to the bright lights of the state tournament, having won it all in 2010 and finishing as runners-up in 2017 and 2018. Led by a loaded roster brimming with talent and grit, the Timberview Wolves entered this year’s final four ready to reclaim their throne.
Their semifinal clash with Cedar Park on Thursday was missing a key cog – senior point guard and statistical leader Chrishawn Coleman sat out the second half with a foot injury. But you can’t keep a champion down for long. Coleman gritted through the pain to suit up for Saturday’s championship bout with defending champs Frisco Liberty. And she didn’t just suit up – she put the team on her back, slicing up the Liberty defense scoring 17pts..
The Wolves were top dogs once again, thanks to a full team effort, Brooklyn Terry hit the 3-pointer as part of a 7-0 Timberview run that tied the 5A state final at 12-12 late in first quarter and Emilee Jones ended up with 23 points.
State No. 2 Frisco Liberty showed their championship mettle, battling back after trailing at halftime to stun the previously undefeated Mansfield Timberview 60-51 in a thrilling 5A state championship.
Led by phenom Abii, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2026, Liberty turned up the heat in the second half. Abii took over the game, pouring in 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to will her team to victory. After trailing by as much as 10 in the first half, Liberty roared back in the third quarter, cutting the Timberview lead to just 47-44 heading into the final frame.
From there, it was all Liberty and Abii. With the state title on the line, Abii elevated her game to another level. She simply refused to let her team lose, making one clutch play after another down the stretch. Her dominance propelled Liberty to their second straight state championship and third in the last five years.
Timberview saw their 37 game win streak snapped in heartbreaking fashion, unable to contain Abii and the Liberty attack in the end. But they can hold their heads high, giving the champs all they could handle before ultimately coming up just short.
The Summer Creek Bulldogs had another triumphant season under the guidance of their fearless leader, 2024 District 21-6A Coach of the Year Donny Ott. This marked the Bulldogs’ third voyage to the coveted state tournament in just six short years – a remarkable feat for any high school athletics program.
In Thursday’s electrifying 6A semi-final showdown, the Bulldogs faced a formidable foe in Duncanville. The first half was a struggle, with the Bulldogs trailing 23-14 at the break. But any sports fan worth their salt knows Coach Ott’s mastery of X’s and O’s would ignite a fire in his players. Sure enough, the Bulldogs came roaring back in the second half, showcasing the heart and tenacity that has defined their program.
The thrilling comeback left Bulldog Nation on the edge of their seats.
The tension was palpable as Duncanville and Summer Creek battled it out in a defensive slugfest during the third quarter. The Pantherettes clung to a narrow 29-20 lead heading into the final frame. Summer Creek’s senior floor general Mychal White provided a momentum swing with a timely steal and dish to cut the deficit to just two points.
Kennedy Simpson’s clutch layup knotted the game up at 29 apiece for the Bulldogs. But Duncanville suddenly went ice cold, failing to score for over five excruciating minutes in the fourth. Mariyah Brown’s heroic putback with eight ticks remaining improbably tied things up at 31-31 to force overtime.
The Duncanville offense remained stuck in the mud, getting outgunned 11-2 in the fourth. But Mariah Clayton emerged in the extra session, pouring in seven huge points while Summer Creek was held scoreless. The Pantherettes escaped by the skin of their teeth with a 39-31 victory, punching their ticket to the state championship game in dramatic fashion. What a thriller!
While the final buzzer sounded defeat, Summer Creek supporters walked away proud, knowing their girls left it all on the court under Ott’s spirited leadership. The future remains bright for the Bulldogs as they look ahead to next season and their continued success.
South Grand Prairie pulls through with a victory over Northside Brennan in the 6A semi-final state game 53-42 to advance to the championship game against Duncanville.
South Grand Prairie faced adversity heading into the 6A state championship game, missing star player Erica Carr. The 6-3 San Diego signee, who was injured in Friday’s semifinals, could only watch from the sidelines in a walking boot as her team warmed up.
But Duncanville refused to let SGP dampen their championship hopes. Mariah Clayton powered through contact for a gritty layup and free throw, slicing SGP’s lead to 16-11 after one quarter. Though their shooting was ice cold at just 3-for-15 from the field, Duncanville stayed scrappy and aggressive, getting to the line 15 times. Free throws kept them within striking distance, trailing just 16-15 at halftime despite their frigid field goal percentage.
The halftime buzzer sounded with South Grand Prairie clinging to an 18-17 lead over Duncanville in a hard-fought defensive battle. Both teams struggled to find their shooting touch in the second quarter, with Duncanville hitting just 2-of-11 from the floor while South Grand Prairie went 0-for-3 with 7 turnovers.
Texas A&M signee Taliyah Parker was a bright spot for South Grand Prairie in the first half, leading all scorers with 6 points despite picking up 3 fouls. Meanwhile, Duncanville’s Mariah Clayton found herself in early foul trouble as well with 3 in the opening half.
The second half opened with fireworks, as Clayton buried back-to-back triples in the opening minute to vault Duncanville to a 23-22 advantage. But South Grand Prairie had an answer, with Taylor Barnes converting a layup to put the Warriors back on top 24-23 in this see-saw third quarter battle.
With Parker and Clayton hampered by foul trouble, the stage is set for a dramatic second half finish between these heated rivals. Will South Grand Prairie hold on to their slim lead, or can Duncanville rally for the comeback victory? Stay tuned basketball fans!
The Duncanville Pantherettes are champions once again! Mariah Clayton came up clutch, draining a jumper to give Duncanville a 32-26 edge over South Grand Prairie with just 90 seconds left in the third. Clayton and Laila Coleman caught fire from downtown, each knocking down a pair of treys to help the Pantherettes seize a 35-27 advantage entering the final frame.
Duncanville refused to let up in the fourth, flexing their championship pedigree to ultimately trounce South Grand Prairie 59-41, capturing their 12th state title. Tournament MVP Mariah Clayton took over in the second half, willing her team to victory and delivering Duncanville yet another championship.
First-year head coach Neiman Ford can now call himself a champion, leading Duncanville to glory in his inaugural campaign. Ford and his staff did a masterful job this season, and there’s no doubt this is only the start of a new dynasty in Duncanville. The City of Champions has its latest crown, but with Ford at the helm, expect the Pantherettes to be right back in the hunt next year as they look to continue the Duncanville legacy!
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