With the end of basketball season official, it is time to name the All CenTex East team for the boys in the area.
Every player that made the team earned their spot for sheer will to win basketball games, and they may not have won the big prize, but their efforts will not go unnoticed.
Starting with the hometown team, the Taylor Ducks had senior Conner Cobb and Anthony Cottrill, along with teammate junior Treos Richardson. Cobb altered his game and shifted more into a guard role for the Ducks this season, and it was the best thing for them.
Cottrill’s dominance in the paint during the season, including multiple 20 games, earned him the Offensive MVP award.
Cobb moved the ball better than anyone in the district, and then on the flip side, he was a lock down defender. Cottrill was the biggest beneficiary of Cobb’s passing, as the duo gashed defenses for points inside the paint. When that was taken away, Cobb had no problem finding Richardson for a threepoint shot that almost always went down.
Moving down the road to Hutto, another pair of seniors, Dylon Richardson and JJ Washington, along with junior Zach Hicks, made the team. Richardson is one of the best offensive players in the state, and could score from anywhere on the floor, while also being a prominent factor in the Hippos defensive effort.
Hicks being able to alter shots and cause offenses to change their game plan to avoid him on defense landed him as the Defensive MVP.
Washington was the perfect point guard for the Hippos, always being the painter of beautiful plays for the Hippos, while Hicks was a defensive nightmare. Hicks was a menace in the paint, swatting anything within his range, and then going down the court to throw down monster dunks.
Over in Thrall, a couple of Tigers put their name on the roster. Senior Brady Burlison and juniors Dawson Meiske and Steven Walker were a big part of the Tigers core this season, and their efforts landed them a spot on the All CenTex East team.
Walker and Burlison had an elite scoring touch for the Tigers, while Meiske also had a scoring touch but made a massive impact on the defensive end. With Meiske and Walker being juniors, the Tigers are already in good shape for next season.
Moving up State Highway 95 to Granger, senior Nate Tucker and junior Trae Herrera are added to the roster. Tucker and Herrera almost competed with one another while also wanting to see each other succeed.
If Herrera knocked down a three, Tucker would usually do the same. Tucker would draw a foul and score both free throws, and Herrera would follow suit. When two of the top players on the team are doing that, it is obvious how badly they want to win.
Next up is Thorndale, where three more players are added. Seniors Clason Beasley and Blake Roberts, and junior Kaden Kovar had great seasons to secure spots on the team. These three made their presence known in every game they played in, as all three averaged double-digit point games. Their performances landed them in the top five scorers in the district.
Beasley’s leadership and ability to motivate his teammates earned him the Glue Guy award.
Manor New Tech and Pflugerville Hendrickson would not be left out, adding seniors Darius Stewart and Davion Allen to the team respectively. Stewart was the engine behind the Titans’ offense this season, while Allen really committed himself to the leadership role by leading by example.
Junior Nathen Lewis from Elgin is a dual ACE athlete, earning a spot on the football and basketball rosters.
Cedar Creek had a junior, Robert Conrad, and a sophomore, Kenji Franklin, on the team. The duo was so dynamic for the Eagles this season, being the perfect one-two punch to take on the district.
Joseph Mokry and Ramonz Adams, of Smithville, helped keep their team energized, even during a tough season. They were considered the light at the end of the tunnel for their teammates all while being top scorers in the district.
