Boys basketball
Sam Houston
The Hurricanes (9-6, 1-0) began District 28-3A play last Friday with a punishing 116-22 victory over Hawkins (0-1).
Sam Houston has its sights set on a third-consecutive district title, and a little bit more this season. After being eliminated in the Class 3A Region IV semifinals each of the last two years, the Hurricanes aren’t shy about their aspirations to take their success under coach Ike Thornton another step or two further.
“Our goal, and it’s critical, is that we’ve been two games from going downstate the last two years,” Thornton said. “We haven’t been able to figure it out, what we need to take that next step. But we’ve been there twice now, and we’re not coming back to do the same thing again.”
Despite being without some key players and taking some lumps against larger schools earlier in the year, the Hurricanes were No. 4 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 3A state poll.
“I’ve said all year that they’re one of the 10 best teams in the city,” Central Catholic coach Romy Vela said after a 73-55 loss Dec. 21 at Sam Houston. “I can’t believe they’re not ranked. They have a great team. They’re very athletic. They have two or three guys that can bring the ball up, they can shoot, they have an inside game and they play good defense.”
Sam Houston lost a tough game to Churchill (22-3), No. 5 in the Express-News area rankings, 66-63 Jan. 8 at the Chargers’ gym. The Chargers also are ranked No. 14 in the TABC Class 5A state poll.
Senior Isaac Thornton, one of the coach’s two sons on the team, led the Hurricanes with 28 points against Churchill. He contributes inside and outside scoring, along with a calming presence as the team’s leader.
“He’s having a huge type of year,” the elder Thornton said. “He’s a great leader. He’s basically been running practices. It’s great to have a player like that.”
Junior Jordon Harris added 13. The guard has been a marked man by opposing defenses, but is capable of big scoring outputs in his third year as a starter.
“He can be explosive,” Thornton said. “Jordon’s a really good player. He and Isaac have been basically carrying the team. He was really needed on varsity as a freshman, so he has it in him.”
Terrance Winkfield, a veteran who recently rejoined the team after being suspended for disciplinary reasons, also hit double figures with 10 points.
Thornton scored 26 against Hawkins. Sophomore post Devin Allen scored 19. At 6-4, 175 pounds, Allen plays with explosiveness that belies his size, and his development has been a key for the Hurricanes.
“Devin has stepped up,” Thornton said. “We knew we needed a three-headed monster (in scoring), and he’s giving us that. Even though he played last year, he didn’t play a whole lot. He’s got a very unique game. He’s got finesse – he can handle the ball and shoot the three – but he can also score in the post.”
The Hurricanes have gotten a pair of big boosts in the depth department in the last month.
Terrance Washington, who rejoined the team in mid-December after his disciplinary suspension was lifted, provided 17 points.
“He earned his way back by staying focused and working hard,” Thornton said of Washington after the Central Catholic game. “He’s still very rusty, but his presence means a lot.”
Winkfield scored 16 and Brandon Seals had 10 against Hawkins.
“We had eight players coming back from last year,” Thornton said before Winkfield returned, “but four of those guys haven’t played. When they do what they need to do, we’ll bring them back and it’ll make us a much stronger team. They’ve all played in two regional semifinals.”
One area Sam Houston will look to shore up as the season heats up is its trademark full-court pressure defense.
“We should be fine in our district,” Thornton said. “I’m not underestimating any of our district opponents, but we should be fine. We’ll come in as, easily, the district favorite. We’ll need to use the district season to pretty much hit on all cylinders. We’re nowhere near that. We’re probably in second gear now.”
Of course, he said that before Christmas. The Hurricanes seem to be revving up a bit at this time.