Top Texas (UIL) state high school boys basketball tournament stars, best 2024 performances

Which Lone Star State hoops star had their "One Shining Moment" at the Alamodome in San Antonio?"

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Texas high school boys basketball season is in the books after six UIL state champions were crowned on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio

Jayton (1A), Lipan (2A), Hitchcock (3A), Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (4A), Lancaster (5A) and Plano East (6A) all were crowned as state champions.

Championship Saturday did not disappoint, as Hitchcock defended its Class 3A state championship, while Faith Family completed their three-peat state championship in the 4A bracket. 

Plano East won its first state championship in any sport while completing a perfect 40-0 season, while Jayton and Lipan also won each program's first state title in their respective histories. 

SBLive brought you wall-to-wall coverage throughout the entire state week. Here is a look at the top individual performances during state week across all classifications:

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TOP STATE TOURNAMENT STARS

Dillion Battie

High school: Lancaster (5A)

The three-star Temple signee put an exclamation mark on the final chapter of his high school basketball career, lifting the Tigers to the Class 5A state championship with 17 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and three blocks helping Lancaster finish with a 30-5 overall record before their move up to the TX-6A level next season. In Thursday's semifinal game, the senior had a team-high 13 points.

Uzziah Buntyn

High school: Stony Point (6A)

The junior point guard finished with 19 points, two rebounds and two assists in a semifinal victory over Beaumont United. Down the stretch with the Tigers clinging to small lead, Buntyn was able to step up and knock down crucial free throws. He finished 6 of 7 from the free throw line. 

Court Gaylor

High school: Lipan (2A)

A freshman, Gaylor helped Lipan win its second straight state title over Shelbyville on Saturday, 47-36, posting an impressive 27 points, four rebounds, and three steals. In a semifinal victory, the freshman added 14 points with four 3-pointers. The freshman phenom earned tournament MVP honors announcing to the rest of the Lone Star State and Class 2A that he will be a problem for the next three years.

Colt Gentry

High school: Jayton (1A)

The sophomore guard was a stat sheet stuffer for the Jaybirds in a state championship victory over Benjamin. Gentry finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead Jayton to its first state championship in school history.

DJ Hall

High school: Plano East (6A)

The leader in the middle for the 6A state champions and 6A tournament MVP, Hall posted 18 points and six rebounds in the championship game securing the Panthers' 40-0 overall record. In the semifinal game, the three-star junior center was again the team's leading scorer with 15 points and 10 rebounds. 

Max Hutcherson

High school: Ponder (3A)

The senior forward was a big reason Ponder made it to Saturday's title game posting a 19-point, six-rebound performance on Thursday afternoon against Holliday. In the loss on Saturday, Hutcherson was again the leading scorer with 14 points totaling 34 points for the weekend and 10 combined rebounds. 

Damien McDaniel

High school: Hitchcock (3A)

McDaniel was the key to the Bulldogs second straight state championship — this time a 53-49 victory over Ponder in come-from-behind fashion. The senior guard nearly had a double-double with 23 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Not only was this the second straight championship for Hitchcock, but this was also McDaniel's second straight MVP honor at the state tournament.

Azhiel "JoJo" McIver

High school: Kileen Ellison (5A)

The senior guard stole the show in the Class 5A semifinals against San Antonio Veterans Memorial. He finished with 23 points, five assists, five rebounds while knocking down timely 3s from behind the arc in the double-digit victory. 

Isaac Williams

High school: Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (4A)

It was a perfect game for the senior forward on Saturday night as Williams and his Faith Family secured their third straight championship in Class 4A. Williams finished the night with 32 points on a perfect 14-for-14 shooting from the field setting a UIL record for field goal percentage. He also added six rebounds and four assists in the 80-66 victory over Silsbee. 

Doryan Onwuchekwa

High school: Oak Cliff Faith Family (4A)

Onwuchekwa was a key contributor in both wins in San Antonio this weekend, guiding Faith Family to its third straight state championship. In total, the senior had 28 points and 24 rebounds in the two games - including a 19 point, 14 rebound performance against Silsbee in the title game. 

Josiah Moseley

High school: Stony Point (6A)

The impressive career of the Villanova commit came to an end with two impressive performances showing why he is one of the top ranked prospects in Texas. In the two games, Moseley scored a combined 37 points and hauled down 19 rebounds for the Tigers — including an 18-point, 12-rebound performance in the championship loss to Plano East. 

Clearance Payia

High school: Beaumont United (6A)

The senior was a star in the Timberwolves' loss on Thursday night against Stony Point. He led all scorers with a game-high 27 points, including four 3-pointers. Payia led Beaumont United to a  34-4 overall record. 

Rachard Angton

High school: Plano East (6A)

One of the most impressive things about the Panthers perfect season this season was their guard play and Angton was a key contributor in the backcourt. In the championship game, Angton finished the game with 13 points and showed composure handling the ball against Stony Point's full court press defense.  

Grayson Rigdon

High school: Benjamin (1A)

The junior from Benjamin scores points and scores points in bunches. In two games this weekend, Rigdon scored 32 points in each game while chipping in with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 1A state championship loss on Saturday. 

Kris White 

High school: Kileen Ellison (5A)

The senior Eagle guard was nothing less than impressive in Ellison's semifinal victory over Veterans Memorial with 14 points, three assists, and four rebounds. White was able to knock down four timely 3-pointers shooting 4-for-7 from behind the arc. 

Damarrion Dennis

High school: San Antonio Veterans Memorial (5A)

The Texas A&M Corpus Christi commit shined in the Patriots' semifinal loss finishing with 19 points shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field. Dennis was a key contributor all season helping lead Veterans Memorial to a 40-2 overall record.

Ja'Davian Mathis

High school: Shelbyville (2A)

The junior guard was a key contributor to Shelbyville advancing to championship Saturday with 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists against Thrall. More impressively, Mathis shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line to help secure the victory. 

DJ Barnes

High school: Shelbyville (2A)

As the backcourt mate to Mathis, Barnes was another star in Shelbyville's semifinal victory scoring a game high 23 points. The junior chipped in with four rebounds and three assists. In the championship loss, Barnes scored a team-high 14 points. 

Dawson Meiske

High school: Thrall (2A)

The senior center was a monster in the middle in their semifinal loss to Shelbyville. Meiske posted a double-double — 17 points and 15 rebounds as he led the Tigers to a 30-6 overall record. 

Jared Harris

High school: Silsbee (4A)

The senior Tiger guard entertained the fans at the Alamodome with high-flying dunks in their semifinal victory. Harris finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds, and three assists and was able to backup his performance with another 21 point performance on championship Saturday.  

Caleb Cook

High school: New Home (2A)

The junior New Home star had an impressive showing in the state semifinal with a team-high 17 points and seven rebounds. He had a chance at a potential game-winner at the buzzer to advance New Home to championship Saturday, however the basket was ruled off after official review determined he did not get it off before the horn sounded. 

Elijah Sherwood

High school: Hitchcock (3A)

The junior Bulldog wing stole the show in Hitchcock's semifinal victory scoring a game-high 20 points against San Antonio Cole. Sherwood was impressive on the boards, hauling in eight in the win. 

Braden Hausen

High school: Amarillo (5A)

The senior forward was a bright spot in the Sandies' semifinal loss to Lancaster on Thursday night. He posted 14 points and hauled in four rebounds helping guide the Sandies to a 34-5 overall record and a district championship.

Amir McMillian

High school: Mansfield Lake Ridge (6A)

The senior guard certainly did his part in their semifinal appearance against Plano East scoring a team high 18 points, shot 50 percent from the field. He led Lake Ridge to a 32-7 overall record. 

---Ryan Childers | @sblivetx