To catch a big-time district on a Wednesday is great to see. It was a big-time University Interscholastic League (UIL) Class 5A matchup when W.T. White (Dallas) and defending Classs 5A state champ Kimball faced off! W.T. White secured a 63-53 victory over Kimball.
I learned some things from my time in Dallas and here are my three main takeaways:
W.T. White Can Win It All in Class 5A This Year
The Longhorns may have the tallest team not only in Texas, but possibly in the Southwest Region. With a galore of big men and big wings, their length and size cause problems for the majority of teams White plays against. 2025 Isaiah Kalala provides adequate athleticism, mobility and mid-range shooting. 2026 DJ Ogoemeka is 6’11 with a 7’6 wingspan and he alters any shot at the rim and is a problem on the offensive glass. He’s already received high major offers and I can see why. Ben and Jonathan Price are 6’6 twins that jump out the gym and can defend three or four positions in high school. Their contributions go beyond the stat-sheet. Khadim Diongue is a 6’5 wing that’s versatile. I can go on and on with their roster.
The X-factor to me is the backcourt play. Senior Steven Cruz is a fearless shot-taker that’s efficient from three. He produced 18 second half points to lead W.T. White to the win. 2025 Jamison Thrower is a 6’4 guard with some real shot creating and playmaking substance to him. He hasn’t put it all together just yet, but he goes on runs by himself where he breaks the defender down, gets to the rim and generates a clean look for himself or others. Senior Maxwell Chambers is a floor manager and a pesky defender. I like his leadership qualities and he gives a timely jolt to the squad’s energy.
5A is wide open again this year and I believe about seven or eight teams have a chance to win it. The Longhorns are in that mix. They have the pieces, just have to see if the group can peak at the right time.
Buy Stock in Lance Carr
Kimball’s 2025 forward Lance Carr is an interesting one to evaluate. Good size at 6’7, athletic, runs the floor, can shoot it from deep and from the mid-range area. He checks several boxes. He’s not the most physical of players, but I do think Carr's a legit wing-forward prospect with tremendous upside. He was blocking dunk attempts Wednesday night, finishing above the rim and flashed his shooting, making a catch n shoot three from the wing. Carr can sometimes float around in games and I think if he stayed active, he can really make his presence known in games. I’ve seen noticeable improvements in the skill since the fall and he’s going to continue to get better. I think Carr has a chance to blow up this spring and summer.
Kimball Can Be A Dangerous Team Come Playoff Time
Albeit taking the loss, I do think the additions The Knights added to the core they already have, can result in a playoff run. I talked at length about Lance Carr but the addition of senior Lekendric Taylor will add another big that can jump out the gym and be mobile. He didn’t play tonight, but I think once he’s fully integrated and locked in, Taylor can provide a stable interior presence.
2025 Jaylon Dean-Vines is a 6’4’ish wing with a big-time vertical leap and can make deep threes. He’s a prospect that higher-end D1’s have called about. 2025 Rico Aguilar is a steady guard that makes the right play and freshman (2027) Marri Wickware can be a national level prospect if he puts it all together. He's a mismatch wing-forward with adequate perimeter skills. He’s just adjusting to the varsity speed and physicality.
Also to note 2026 Jaylin Hancock and Kayden Gray. This Kimball group is mainly young with 3 seniors generating rotation minutes, but if the young guns step up their play, they can make some noise in the coming weeks.
