Originally Appeared on VYPE
WHILE HOUSTON DIDN'T WIN A PUBLIC SCHOOL HOOP TITLE, THERE WERE SOMEHISTORIC MOMENTS ON THE HARDWOOD.
The Klein Forest Golden Eagles made an historic run to the Class 6A state tournament finals. Coach Cary Black had a group of seniors who bought into his program and bonded together for one last run.
Kharee McDaniel earned the Guy V. Lewis Award as the city's top player, running his squad from the point-guard position. Calvin Solomon was the hottest player
in the postseason as the 6-foot-7 hybrid shut down opposing teams' top players and scored from the inside and out.
The Eagles fell short in the finals to Duncanville, but their legacy has been cast as one of the top programs in the city of Houston for their long-time consistency.
North Shore played some blue- collar basketball, living up to their #Eastside-tough mantra. Coach Sam Benitez pushed all the right buttons in his first season for the Mustangs, leading them to the state tournament semis from Region III. Keiman Capers, Bruce Scott and Jalen Means were the headliners, but it was a team built on the pillars of a stingy defense and a relentless effort on offense. It wasn't always pretty but North Shore grinded their way to the state Final Four.
The Jack Yates Lions are a state power under the direction of coach Greg Wise. The "Third-Ward High" squad played their usual game of relentless pressing and fast-breaking offense to throttle opponents to the state semis. Antwon Norman and JoQuarius Valrie led the way for the pride.
In the private school ranks, Houston Christian defended their Southwest Preparatory Conference title from a year ago as highly- coveted Sahvir Wheeler got healthy at the right time to push the Mustangs to the title.
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