The 2026 UIL boys basketball state tournament runs Thursday through Saturday in San Antonio.
Seven area teams (North Crowley, Little Elm, Frisco Heritage, Mansfield Summit, Kimball, Carter and Madison) will try to capture state crowns.
Here’s a look at everything basketball fans need to know:
— Statewide pairings: Complete past round results
Schedule
(All games at Alamodome in San Antonio)
THURSDAYClass A Division I
Valley vs. Fayetteville, 11 a.m. Thursday
Class A Division II
Jayton vs. Kennard, 1 p.m. Thursday
Class 2A Division I
Panhandle vs. San Augustine, 5 p.m. Thursday
Class 2A Division II
Lipan vs. Martins Mill, 7 p.m. Thursday
FRIDAYClass 3A Division I
Madison vs. Orangefield, 11 a.m. Friday
Class 3A Division II
Paradise vs. Palestine Westwood, 1 p.m. Friday
Class 4A Division I
Kimball vs. Almeta Crawford, 5 p.m. Friday
Class 4A Division II
Carter vs. La Marque, 7 p.m. Friday
SATURDAYClass 5A Division I
Frisco Heritage vs. Beaumont West Brook, 11 a.m. Saturday
Class 5A Division II
Mansfield Summit vs. Beaumont United, 1 p.m. Saturday
Class 6A Division I
North Crowley vs. San Antonio Brennan, 5 p.m. Saturday
Class 6A Division II
Little Elm vs. Austin Westlake, 7 p.m. Saturday
PreviewsClass 3A Division I
SportsDay Staff
Orangefield vs Dallas Madison
When/where: 11 a.m. Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Orangefield (35-3)
Playoff road: d. Diboll 70-49, d. Hitchcock 61-39, d. Mexia 68-56, d. Fairfield 74-68, d. Corpus Christi London 60-57
High School Sports
Previous appearances at state: None
State titles: None
Notable: Orangefield is led by senior duo Jaden Scales (20.6 points per game) and Carson Willis (16.5 points per game). Like Madison, Orangefield hasn’t lost since December and most recently knocked off No. 3 Corpus Christi London, who was 38-1 heading into Tuesday night’s state semifinal.
Earlier this season, Scales scored 49 points against Sabine Pass. Willis is the team’s top rebounder averaging 5.9 boards per game.
Dallas Madison (25-12)
Playoff road: d. Pilot Point 84-42, d. Bells 95-27, d. Jefferson 73-58, d. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 82-76, d. Brownfield 78-71
Previous appearances at state: 13 (1996, 97, 2000, 09, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 26)
State titles: 5 (1997, 2009, 2017, 2019 and 2022)
Notable: Head coach Gerald Smith was hired to bring Madison back to prominence after a few years of missing out on the state tournament. He comes from Kimball where he coached alongside his brother, Nicke Smith, and quickly established Madison as a formidable threat scheduling teams in higher classifications during non-district like Little Elm and Dallas Carter, losing by only single digits in most of them.
Madison rolled through its district schedule by an average margin of 35 points per game thanks to the play of junior Josiah Cobb and seniors like Darius Hooks averaging just over 15 points per game.
Class 4A Division II
SportsDay Staff
Carter vs. La Marque
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Carter (30-6)
Playoff road: d. Godley 95-49, d. Frisco Panther Creek 73-51, d. Athens 68-26, d. Kennedale 76-58, d. Brock 52-44
Previous appearances at state: 3 (1995, 2005, 2018)
State titles: None
Notable: The state final is a matchup of the top two 4A teams in the final state rankings — No. 1 Carter vs. No. 2 La Marque. Carter has won 23 games in a row and hasn’t lost since Dec. 23 against Bishop Gorman from Nevada. Carter’s only losses to teams from Texas were 77-76 to 6A state-ranked Waxahachie and 79-69 to 5A state-ranked Frisco Memorial. Carter beat 5A Division II state finalist Mansfield Summit, 4A Division I state finalist Kimball (twice) and 3A Division I state finalist Madison. After losing in five consecutive regional finals, Carter cleared that hurdle by beating reigning state champion Kennedale. Now, Carter will play in its third state final. Amarion Hunter, a 6-3 junior guard, led Carter with 21 points in the regional final against Kennedale and then scored a team-high 18 points in Tuesday’s 52-44 state semifinal win over Brock. Terrell Jackson, a 6-10 sophomore center, scored 14 against Brock. Point guard Landen Higgs scored 14 points against Kennedale and then hit a clutch 3-pointer with just under three minutes left against Brock to help Carter pull away in what had been a tight game throughout.
La Marque (41-1)
Playoff road: d. Ingleside 93-24, d. Zapata 106-23, d. Manor New Tech 74-46, d. Wimberley 74-57, d. Houston Wheatley 68-67
Previous appearances at state: 4 (2011, 2015, 2016, 2025)
State titles: None
Notable: La Marque is playing in a state final for the first time since 2011, when it lost to Kimball. La Marque lost to Houston Wheatley in last year’s state semifinals but avenged that loss by beating Wheatley 68-67 in the semifinals this year. La Marque has scored 80 or more 17 times, including two games with more than 100 points. La Marque has won 20 in a row since suffering its only loss, 47-45 in overtime against The Woodlands College Park on Dec. 30. Junior guard Malcolm McNair and senior guard Je’Caryous Oliver have been La Marque’s top two scorers on the season, according to stats on MaxPreps. Against Wheatley, senior guard Joshua Minix scored 17 points, McNair added 16 and senior forward Brendan Harris scored 15.
Class 4A Division I 
SportsDay Staff
Kimball vs. Almeta Crawford
When/where: 5 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Kimball (22-11)
Playoff road: d. Alvarado 71-30, d. Celina 54-37, d. Quinlan Ford 79-36, d. Pinkston 69-51, d. Canyon West Plains 67-53
Previous appearances at state: 15 (1986, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2022, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)
State titles: 8 (1990,1996,1997, 2011,2012, 2014,2023,2025)
Notable: When Kimball won the 4A Division I state title last season, it secured the program’s eighth overall, two behind the state record. The defending champ will continue to chase history under coach Nicke Smith, who could win his third state championship at the helm of Dallas ISD’s storied program. Kimball, which lost key pieces last season (including Division I talents), entered the playoffs as the state’s third-ranked 4A team. The team finished 11-3 in District 11-4A, second behind rival Carter, which will compete for the 4A Division II title this weekend. Kimball, Carter and Madison, a 3A Division I state finalist, all have the opportunity to win state championships for Dallas ISD .
Almeta Crawford (31-6)
Playoff road: d. Bellville 110-60, d. Waco La Vega 67-45, d. Livingston 74-53, d. Navasota 67-50, d. Freeport Brazosport 82-44
Previous appearances at state: None
State titles: None
Notable: Crawford entered the playoffs as the state’s 17th-ranked 4A team after finishing 14-0 in District 21-4A. The program handily beat Freeport Brazosport in the 4A Division I state semifinals to advance to its first state title game in program history. It is only Crawford’s second varsity season. The school opened in 2023.
Class 5A Division I
SportsDay Staff
Beaumont West Brook vs Frisco Heritage
When/where: 11 a.m. Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Beaumont West Brook (34-3)
Playoff road: d. Angleton 77-51, d. Humble Kingwood Park 52-22, d. Pflugerville Hendrickson 67-41, d. Richmond Randle 54-53, d. Leander Glenn 63-35.
Previous appearances at state: 1 (2025)
State titles: 1 (2025)
Notable: The reigning Class 5A Division I state champions beat Frisco Heritage semifinal opponent, Birdville, last season to win its first state championship in boys basketball. Last year’s state finals MVP Elijah Garrett is a Top 30 prospect in Texas and holds offers from Oregon State, Sam Houston and Lamar. He’s averaging over 20 points and 3.2 steals per game as a senior. The team’s leading rebounder is Christian Hackett with 5.7 boards per game. This is one of three “No. 1 vs No. 2” matchups in the boys state championships. Beaumont native Michael Thomas was named West Brook head coach in 2024 after graduating from Beaumont Ozen and also serving as head coach before the program merged with Central to form United High School.
Frisco Heritage (33-2)
Playoff road: d. Highland Park 80-62, d. Melissa 101-86, d. Red Oak 74-57, d. West Mesquite 87-59, d. Birdville 65-63
Previous appearances at state: 1 (2025)
State titles: None
Notable: The top-ranked team in Class 5A has two of the best players in Texas leading in SMU signee Cameron Lomax (26.2 points per game) and Duke five-star prospect Bryson Howard (22.7 points per game). The team is unbeaten against teams in Texas. Another player to watch is senior Garrett Shelton as one of the team’s best 3-point shooters (36 percent). Lomax is averaging over 30 points per game in the playoffs alone.
Class 5A Division II
SportsDay Staff
Mansfield Summit vs. Beaumont United
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Mansfield Summit (33-6)
Playoff road: d. Fort Worth Poly 56-20, d. Saginaw 63-37, d. El Paso Andress 63-46, d. El Paso Burges 50-30, d. Lovejoy 52-35
Previous appearances at state: 2 (2023, 2025)
State titles: 1 (2025)
Notable: Senior guard Jaxon Sneed is the only Summit player averaging in double figures, at 12.6 points per game. He also shoots 50.6% from the field and averages 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Joseph Creal III, a 6-5 freshman guard, averages 8.9 points and has made a team-high 64 3-pointers. Mason Williams averages 8.4 points, has made 59 3-pointers and shoots 36.6% from 3-point range. Javon Ross, one of three players back who played in last year’s state championship game, averages 7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Summit has been in several big games this season, beating state-ranked Frisco Panther Creek, Waxahachie and Frisco Memorial, splitting two games with state-ranked Mansfield Timberview and losing to state finalists Little Elm and Carter.
Beaumont United (36-3)
Playoff road: d. Friendswood 57-46, d. Montgomery Lake Creek 49-30, d. Pflugerville Weiss 53-41, d. Fort Bend Marshall 62-39, d. San Antonio Veterans Memorial 58-44
Previous appearances at state: 4 (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
State titles: 2 (2021, 2022)
Notable: Payton Jones, a 6-3 junior shooting guard, averages 20 points and junior point guard Joshua Coleman averages 10 to give Beaumont United two double-digit scorers on the season. Ephriam Moore, a 6-9 sophomore center, averages 9.9 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds, according to stats on MaxPreps. Beaumont United played in three consecutive state finals from 2021 through 2023, winning two titles. United was the 6A state runner-up in 2023 and a 6A state semifinalist in 2024 before dropping back down to 5A. Beaumont United was ranked No. 8 in the final 5A state rankings but has beaten No. 15 Friendswood, No. 11 Fort Bend Marshall and No. 17 San Antonio Veterans Memorial in the playoffs. Beaumont United finished second in District 19-5A behind state No. 2-ranked Beaumont West Brook, but United did beat West Brook 59-52 in nondistrict play.
Class 6A Division I
SportsDay Staff
North Crowley vs. San Antonio Brennan
When/where: 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
North Crowley (34-3)
Playoff road: d. Hurst L.D. Bell 68-50, d. El Paso Eastlake 73-57, d. Coppell 71-40, d. Allen 72-55, d. Duncanville 52-49
Previous appearances at state: 1 (2008)
State titles: 1 (2008)
Notable: North Crowley has been one of the top teams in Texas all year, entering the playoffs as the state’s second-ranked 6A team. Led by longtime coach Tommy Brakel, the program has the chance to win its first state title since 2008 and second overall. North Crowley went 12-0 in District 3-6A, winning the district title, and beat four of its five last playoff opponents by 16 points or more. Defending 6A Division I state champion Duncanville tested North Crowley in the state semifinals, but North Crowley left Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center on Tuesday night with a 52-49 edge. Senior Tyler Hastings hit the go-ahead three with under 20 seconds remaining in the game.
San Antonio Brennan (33-3)
Playoff road: d. San Antonio Johnson 79-62, d. Round Rock 70-54, d. Laredo United South 65-38, d. Cibilo Steele 72-53, d. Humble Atascocita 63-61
Previous appearances at state: 3 (2013, 2023, 2025)
State titles: None
Notable: Brennan, a rising power in Texas high school basketball over the last several years, ranked fourth among the state’s 6A teams to end the regular season and played a national schedule before starting district play. The program went 16–0 in District 28-6A and cruised through the playoffs before meeting state-ranked Atascocita in the state semifinals. Brennan survived with a 63-61 win to advance to its first state championship game in program history.
Class 6A Division II
SportsDay Staff
Austin Westlake vs Little Elm
When/where: 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio
Austin Westlake (32-6)
Playoff road: d. Cedar Park Vista Ridge 64-45, d. San Antonio Harlan 66-46, d. San Antonio Clemens 64-54, d. Converse Judson 49-46, d. Cy Falls 59-27
Previous appearances at state: 4 (2018, 21, 22, 26)
State titles: None
Notable: Texas signee Bo Ogden is a Top 5 prospect in the stat. He’s led No. 21 Westlake through one of the more impressive runs in the postseason, knocking off teams like No. 8 Judson and No. 9 Cy Falls. Since 2014, they’ve been led by Robert Lucero. Lucero’s led the program to all of its state tournament appearances, mostly recently against McKinney in 2022.
Little Elm (36-2)
Playoff road: d. McKinney 77-46, d. Dallas Jesuit 66-42, d. Mansfield 92-72, d. 82-57 Grand Prairie, d. Cy Springs 60-51
Previous appearances at state: None
State titles: None
Notable: Arguably the most high-flying team in the state, Little Elm will hunt for alley-oops as much as they will 3-pointers. The No. 3 team in Class 6A is led by SFA signee Kensington Candler (18.9 points per game) and Dallas Baptist signee Joshua Weems (14.7 points per game). The program is in the midst of its best-ever season under head coach Damon Barnett, who previously led Dallas Madison to two state tournament appearances, winning state in 2017. Candler and senior Ian Berry have played on varsity since they were freshmen. Other starters, Joseph Brickley and Eli Fegans, have been on varsity since they were sophomores.
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