Killeen ISD’s boys basketball teams averaged 21 victories last season, with four of the five qualifying for the playoffs.
Teams were shuffled up by the University Interscholastic League’s biennial realignment and dealt into different districts. However, the standard set by longstanding traditions of excellence will remain the same.
Ellison, after having Chaparral as district company each of the last two seasons and coming off a campaign in which it advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, will now have Killeen and Shoemaker as league foes once again in District 16-5A –– which also includes Belton, Liberty Hill Legacy Ranch, Liberty Hill, Waco and Waco University.
Meanwhile, the Bobcats, who posted a program-best 25 wins last season, will compete at the Class 6A level for the first time, joining Harker Heights, Bryan, Copperas Cove, Temple and Waco Midway in District 12-6A.
Opening night across the state is Friday, Nov. 13.
Shoemaker is scheduled to play at 6:30 p.m. versus Austin Lake Travis at Concordia University while Chaparral is on the road against Hutto for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
Friday’s home games include Killeen hosting Round Rock McNeil and Harker Heights hosting Legacy Ranch. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. starts.
The Eagles’ first game is Nov. 16 at College Station A&M Consolidated.
Schedules can be viewed by clicking here.
Chaparral
Head coach: Christopher Onwukaife
Total years as head coach: Three
Years as CHS head coach: Three
Last year’s record: 25-9
Playoffs: Yes
Players returning: Curtis Watson Davis (sr., guard), Demoni Mayes (sr., guard), Zhion Jones (sr., guard), Logan Killen (sr., guard), Devin Henderson (jr., forward), Tyler Shatswell (sr., guard), Alejandro Caudillo (sr., guard)
Newcomers: Cameron Hill (sr., guard), Luke Hequembourg (soph., forward), Frankie Graham (jr., guard), Khalil Medlock (jr., guard), Christian Goss (jr., guard), Terren Ladd (jr., guard)
According to Coach Onwukaife: “Our fans can expect a team that competes hard, plays for each other, and represents our Chaparral community the right way. We've continued to raise the standard of our program each year, but we're not satisfied with where we are. Our focus is on getting better at everything we do, becoming a more complete team in all facets of the game, and letting the chips fall where they may. We believe that being detailed and taking care of the little things will eventually lead to the bigger things we want to accomplish. That starts with being coachable, disciplined, and unselfish. We pride ourselves on the defensive end first. We want to play with toughness, compete on every possession, and make teams earn everything they get against us.”
Ellison
Head coach: Alberto Jones Jr.
Total years as head coach: 19
Years as EHS head coach: 19
Last year’s record: 24-13
Playoffs: Yes
Players returning: Jaelynn Ransom (sr., wing), Alberto “Tre” Jones (jr., guard), Messiah Lynch (jr., point guard), Tyler Reed (jr., guard), Mikah Augustus (sr., post)
Newcomers: Talio Torrence (soph., wing), Amar’e Williams (soph., guard), Jasyh VanBuren (soph., guard), Da’Wayne Castille (soph., guard)
According to Coach Jones: “Fans can expect some really good defense. We struggled a little last year guarding but we are getting back to our roots this year. We are young this year with only two seniors, so we just want to be competitive and get better every day.”
Harker Heights
Head coach: Austen Stolte
Total years as head coach: Three
Years as HHHS head coach: First
Last year’s record: 28-7
Playoffs: Yes
Players returning: Devon Cannon-Ross (sr., guard), Jalen Hines (sr., guard)
Newcomers: Demari Kaye (sr., guard), Jayden Hall-Clayton (sr., guard), Immanuel Dumas (sr., forward), Jordan Woullard (sr., guard), Duron Baker (sr., forward), Kendall Harris (sr., forward), Herbert Haynes (sr., forward), Isaiah Oliver (jr., guard), Phoenix Murphy (jr., forward), David Bestick (sr., guard)
According to Coach Stolte: “Fans can expect to see a team that is playing hard and with excitement. This group of guys is full of hard-workers who are committed to achieving success as a team.”
Killeen
Head coach: Walt Harris
Total years as head coach: Six
Years as KHS head coach: Six
Last year’s record: 8-19
Playoffs: No
Players returning: Jordan Trahan (sr., guard), Va'Shawn Walker (sr., guard), Willie Holsendolph (sr., guard)
Newcomers: Jayden Mays (jr., forward), Jeremiah Spikes (sr., forward)
According to Coach Harris: “Fans can expect a hard-working team that'll work together and get the job done. I have a very unified and good group of guys this year. Our main focus is on us and our process to getting to where we want to be at the end of the season. Looking forward to a good one.”
Shoemaker
Head coach: Karron Taylor
Total years as head coach: 10
Years as SHS head coach: Seven
Last year’s record: 20-13
Playoffs: Yes
Players returning: Cayden Logan (sr., forward), Jerimiah Maddox (sr., guard), Mohamed King Sanchez (sr., guard), Tyler Armstrong (jr., forward), Zion Jackson (sr., guard), Michael Galbreath (sr., guard), Devin Hartsfield (jr., guard)
Newcomers: Dae'shaun Ivy (sr., guard), Taureon Graham (sr., guard), Rico Harris Jr. (sr., guard), Jayden Brooks (sr., guard), Miguel Carraballo (sr., guard), Defonte Kidd (sr., guard), R'Mauri Brown (jr., forward), Tramel Scott (jr., guard), Damyn Maring (jr., guard), Darrion Ivy (jr., guard), Amare Williams (soph., guard)
According to Coach Taylor: “Fans can expect a we-over-me mentality. We will have a relentless intensity, grit and tenacity.”