HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Southside girls athletic director and head basketball coach Jessica Cardenas remembers her roots and enjoys being a Latina roll model.

After dominating as a freshman on the girls basketball team at Cole High School last season, standout Vivian Iwuchukwu is transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida to work on her game and get stronger alongside her brother Vince.

After Kim Mulkey announced she was leaving the Baylor program to head to LSU, Reagan junior Samantha Wagner made the difficult decision to reopen her college recruitment. The Rattler star had been committed to play for the Bears since she was in 8th grade as a result of her friendship with Mulkey, and has not yet determined where she'll play in the future.

After leading Veterans Memorial to a pair of state runner-up finishes over the past three seasons, head coach Christina Camacho has taken on a new challenge: taking over the Judson girls basketball program after former head coach Triva Corrales stepped down to become Judson ISD's athletic director.

After leading the Judson girls basketball team to five straight UIL State semifinal appearances, head coach Triva Corrales is stepping down to assume a new role: serving as Athletic Director for Judson ISD. Corrales replaces Mike Miller, who is retiring.

The Antonian boys basketball team celebrates after winning their second TAPPS 6A State title in the last three seasons at A&M Consolidated High School on March 12, 2021. COLLEGE STATION – Early on in the first quarter of their TAPPS 6A State Championship game, the Antonian boys basketball team was in trouble. Bishop Lynch came out on fire and jumped out to a 17-6 lead with a little over 2 minutes left in the frame. The Apaches lost to JPII last season in the state championship, the only blemish on what has been a stellar, three-year run of dominance. So to be able to get the second one tonight, when we missed out on getting it last year, it’s just sweet.”

On the exact anniversary of the 2020 University Interscholastic League (UIL) state tournament’s cancellation due to COVID-19, the Cougars used a third-quarter surge to knock off Tatum in the Class 3A State Championship Game at the Alamodome, 77-60. Trailing 9-7 after one quarter of play, Cole found some separation in the second quarter. Cole then outscored Tatum 31-12 in the third quarter, providing all the separation they would need to cruise to the title. Congrats to Cole High School on winning the Class 3A boys state basketball title! #KSATsports @RGC_BBasketball @SHAQ https://t.co/FGNKcY3yAK pic.twitter.com/GylwsuZHII — KSAT 12 Sports (@InstantReplaySA) March 13, 2021This is the program’s first state championship since Shaquille O’Neal led the Cougars to the Class 3A title in 1989.

“It feels great,” Blackmore said. “We’re going back to the championship game, and we actually get to play it this year. I love how we can come through in a tight game like this against a great team. “You never know if you’re going to get back to state or if you’re ever going to have a chance to get back to a state championship. They think they’re going to win every game.”The Cougars will return to the Alamodome on Friday, March 12 to take on Tatum in the UIL Class 3A State Championship Game.

SAN ANTONIO – A year after their championship game was canceled due to the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, the Cole boys basketball team rolled past Santa Rosa in the Class 3A Regional Final and clinched the program’s third straight trip to the UIL State Tournament.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – The Cole and Jourdanton boys arrive at Northside Sports Gym on Friday night for semifinal matchups against London and Santa Rosa for berths in the UIL Class 3A Regional Finals.

SAN ANTONIO – Devin Styles scored the game-winning layup at the final buzzer, and the Boerne boys basketball team defeated Somerset 61-59 in the Class 4A Regional Final to clinch the program’s first trip to the UIL State Tournament since 2008.

SAN ANTONIO – Junior Jordyn Lemm keyed a fourth quarter rally by scoring 10 straight points, and for the first time since the turn of the millenium, the Boerne girls basketball team is heading to the UIL State Tournament.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – Plenty of great boys basketball action on Tuesday night, as Al Emerllahu’s late shot gives Clark a 49-48 victory over Harlan in the regional semifinals, O’Connor comes up short in a back-and-forth battle with Westlake and Antonian rolls past Houston St. Pius in the second round of the TAPPS playoffs.

SAN ANTONIO – In a showdown between two of the best teams in the San Antonio area, Kierra Sanderlin scored a game-high 30 points to lift Judson past Reagan 58-52 in overtime, helping the Rockets claim their fifth straight regional title.

DEVINE – Clyde Schuchart hit the game-winning three with 4 seconds left in regulation, and Jourdanton erased a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat Marion and clinch the program’s first trip to the Regional Semifinals.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – Trailing by two at the start of the fourth quarter, the Harlan boys basketball team took control of their third-round playoff game against Warren with an 8-0 run and hung on late to defeat their District 29-6A rivals 45-42 and advance to the Regional Semifinals.

SAN ANTONIO – In the fourth round of the girls high school basketball playoffs, Reagan gets 20-point performances from Christeen Iwuala and Samantha Wagner en route to a 65-52 victory over Stevens, punching their tickets to the Class 6A Regional Final.

SAN ANTONIO – After holding at least 50 Division I offers, Antonian junior guard Carleigh Wenzel, one of the top girls high school basketball prospects in the country, has officially committed to play college ball at Virginia Tech.

SAN ANTONIO – In the second round of the high school basketball playoffs, the Jefferson boys roll past Dripping Springs and Clark knocks off Hutto.

SAN ANTONIO – In girls hoops, Judson jumps out to an early lead and hangs on late to edge Clark and advance to the fourth round, while the Boerne Champion and Cole boys squads roll to convincing Area Round victories over Harlandale and Lytle respectively. WATCH: Trey Blackmore (@TreyBuckets11) throws down a thunderous slam dunk in the second quarter tonight, as Cole (@RGC_BBasketball) knocks off Lytle to advance to the third round for the fourth straight season! More highlights coming up tonight on #KSATsports @InstantReplaySA pic.twitter.com/anD2CTX3fZ — Andrew Cely (@ACelySports) February 25, 2021ON FIRE: Boerne Champion (@boys_champion) puts on an absolute clinic from behind the arc, knocking down 17 three-pointers in an Area Round rout of Harlandale! #KSATsports @LeechStan @WACathletics @BoerneISD pic.twitter.com/4z0C7H7q1X — Andrew Cely (@ACelySports) February 25, 2021MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – As the boys basketball playoffs heat up with the Bi-District Round, Jefferson rolls past Medina Valley while Lanier and O’Connor both earn hard fought victories. MORE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL COVERAGE

SCHERTZ – For the first time in three years, the South San boys basketball team is heading to the playoffs after defeating both Wagner and Smithson Valley on the final day of the regular season to clinch District 27-6A’s final playoff berth.

SAN ANTONIO – Junior guard Nadja Babilonia-Lopez pours in 18 points, Vivian Iwuchukwu adds 16, and the Cole girls basketball team defeated Karnes City 52-43 at Paul Taylor Fieldhouse to punch their tickets to the third round for the first time since 2016.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – Following a rush of scheduling changes due to the winter storm, the University Interscholastic League has decided to postpone the girls state basketball tournament to March 10-11 at the Alamodome. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held on March 5 and 6. The extra days will give teams more opportunities to complete the playoffs in a safe manner. The boys state tournament will also be held in the Alamodome from March 12-13.

WATCH: It ain't over till it's over! @WagnerboysBball's Jasean Jackson (@jjack_210) converts a 4-point play to send their game against @SamuelClemenBB into overtime & @DavonteDurst hits an enormous three in Double OT to lift the T-Birds to a thrilling 70-65 win! #KSATsports pic.twitter.com/o7XIAcD6Nc

SAN ANTONIO – With the regular season on the verge of wrapping up, the Jefferson Mustangs and Sam Houston Hurricanes both earn key victories in District 27-5A play on Friday night. MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE

SAN ANTONIO – The Southside Cardinals girls basketball team knocks off the Jefferson Mustangs in the Bi-District round to earn the program’s first playoff victory. MORE GIRLS BASKETBALL COVERAGE

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Leech, a former Boerne and Champion head boys basketball coach and current Boerne ISD Athletic Director, has been named one of the greatest basketball coaches in the history of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). East Central head coach Stan Bonewitz was also recognized on the list. The UIL unveiled the top 20 coaches on their 100 Greatest Coaches list in celebration of 100 years of UIL Texas high school basketball. Coach Leech was the head boys’ basketball coach at Boerne High School for twenty-two seasons and the head boys’ basketball coach at Champion High School for ten seasons prior to retiring from coaching in 2018. Ad“I am truly humbled and honored to be named to this prestigious list by the UIL,” Coach Leech said.

SAN ANTONIO – In the program’s first playoff matchup, the District 27-5A champion Jefferson Mustang girls basketball team will travel to Southside to take on the Cardinals. Tip off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.MORE GIRLS BASKETBALL COVERAGE

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – In a dramatic, back-and-forth game, the East Central Hornets knock off the previously undefeated Judson Rockets in overtime, and improve to 5-3 on the season.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.

SAN ANTONIO – With their win over Highlands on Tuesday night, the Jefferson Mustangs girls basketball team secured the program’s first ever playoff berth, and they’re getting plenty of support from the entire Jefferson community. Tonight at 6: Jefferson girls basketball team clinched a playoff berth for 1st time in school history. Here’s Coach Benavides, Eliana Rocha & Amelia George. @jeffgbball @ameliageorrge @SAISDAthletics @InstantReplaySA #KSATsports pic.twitter.com/NN7naz4emF — Larry Ramirez (@LRam2) January 22, 2021

LYTLE – With five games left in the regular season, the Lytle Lady Pirates are on the verge of completing an undefeated season against District 27-3A competition, and they’re doing it with a combination of efficient offense and suffocating defense.

Wagner, Cole basketball teams honored by UIL with State Championship trophyPublished: June 11, 2020, 11:40 amWith the boys state basketball tournament officially canceled, the UIL honored all of the remaining qualifiers, including the Wagner Thunderbirds and Cole Cougars, with trophies.

HELOTES On Thursday evening, recent OConnor High School grad, Camille Mili Fowler committed to continue her academic and athletic pursuits at the University of Dallas where she will be joining the Crusader womens basketball program. Fowler was a three-year varsity player for the Panthers. Despite tearing her left ACL in June 2018 and her right ACL in May 2019, she was still able to contribute to the teams success her senior year.

CONVERSE, Texas – Recent Wagner graduate and guard, Isaiah Kennedy, signed his National Letter of Intent Wednesday to continue his academic and athletic pursuits at Cameron University located in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Daniel P. Villanueva has been with KSAT 12 since 2003 and is the producer of our one-hour sports show, "Instant Replay." Villanueva is a graduate of St. Mary's University and is a TAPB and Lone Star Emmy award winner.

SAN ANTONIO – For the second week in a row, a Wagner basketball player commits to play college basketball next season. This week, it’s senior Braelon Seals, who’s heading to Blinn College where he plans on studying Kinesiology with the goal to become a basketball coach.

SAN ANTONIO At 10 years old, Alexus Cook initially resisted trying the sport for which shes now getting a college scholarship. At the age of 10 I didnt want to do this, Alexus said. Throughout her time playing, shes been a regular fixture on all-tournament teams and has won multiple tournament MVP awards. Her hard work has translated into a scholarship and an opportunity to join the Lady Movin Mavs basketball program a team that has won two National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Championships. If its your mind thats telling you that you cant, fight back because youre strong enough and everyone has that strength.