SAN ANTONIO — Plano East has arguably introduced among the finest highschool sports activities tales to the state of Texas.
Some of the seniors on the state’s top-ranked boys basketball staff have been taking part in ball collectively since elementary faculty. Only one participant, junior DJ Hall, boasts a school supply. And maybe outdoors of the corridor, Plano East would not look all that threatening at first look.
But on Saturday night time, within the 6A state championship on the Alamodome, Plano East defeated Rock Stony Point 53-41 within the second spherical, profitable the primary boys basketball and UIL staff sport for the reason that faculty opened in 1981. The faculty gained its first title. The win over Stony Point additionally made Plano East the primary undefeated champion within the UIL’s prime division since Duncanville within the 2006-07 season.
It was the right finish to a magical senior season for a staff of lifelong buddies.
However, this match was a rematch from earlier this season, and it was an all-out battle. Aside from the excessive stakes of the state championship recreation, this contest was private for each groups.
Plano East beforehand confronted Stony Point, then the state’s top-ranked 6A staff, simply earlier than the brand new yr. In the championship recreation of the 66th annual championship match, then-No. 2 staff Plano East defeated Stony Point 55-50.
The recreation ended up being Stony Point’s solely lack of the season till Saturday, however Plano East shot 40% from the sector and was 1-of-3 within the first half, main the locker room to 29-0. He took the lead with 24. arc. Hall led all scorers with 11 factors early on. Plano East had six steals within the first half and scored 14 factors off Stony Point turnovers.
Chased by Hall, Moseley completed 18th on Saturday night time. But, as has been the case all season, Plano East’s stability made all of the distinction. Hall scored a game-high 18 factors, and his seniors Raychard Anton and Jordan Mizell added 13 and eight factors, respectively.
Anton sank a shot from deep to start out the fourth quarter, and Plano East by no means relinquished the lead within the ultimate interval. As the fourth quarter drew to an in depth, chants of “East” rang out all through the Alamodome.
The Plano East boys began out as greatest buddies since childhood. Now, they’re additionally the undefeated state champions in his UIL historical past.
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