Power of three could help Mesquite Horn make some noise

Collectively, they're known as "The True Trio."

The self-given nickname makes sense for Mesquite Horn seniors Quincy Acy, John Bowman and Dominique Collier. When they're on the court, they know where each other are at all times. When they're off the court, they're the best of friends.

Acy and Bowman have known each other since freshman year. Collier joined the group at the end of last year after moving from Lancaster. Combined, they form a talented triad that can shake up District 12-5A and the rest of the area.

"Teams who played us last year remember me and John, but they're going to forget about Dominique," Acy said. "He's going to make a difference."

Bowman and Collier, both 6-4 and athletic, will give Horn scoring options on the wing. Bowman has orally committed to Texas State. Collier is being recruited by SMU, UT-Arlington and San Diego State, among others.

Acy, a 6-8 high-riser, is expected to be one of the area's top interior players. Acy was a human highlight reel last season, scoring many of his points with powerful dunks. Acy has several schools looking at him, but he said he will attend prep school following his senior year.

Horn finished 17-13 last season under coach Billy Clark. Acy and Bowman combined to average almost 35 points and 20 rebounds a game. Collier was the District 14-4A MVP as a sophomore while at Lancaster.

"With the talent here, there are high expectations, and we're getting a lot of hype," Bowman said. "We've just got to follow it up."

Defending champ Duncanville not fazed by pressure that comes with being No. 1

Duncanville had it all last season: An undefeated record, a Class 5A state championship, a mythical national championship. Doing that again will be tough.

"Oh yeah, there's pressure," forward Shawn Williams said, "but it's nothing we can't handle."

BOB PEARSON / Special to DMN

Kevin Butler (left), MVP of last year's Class 5A title game, will be a full-time starter for Duncanville.

Duncanville, fresh off a 39-0 season, is staying humble with all the new national recognition. Rivals.com has the team ranked No. 1 in its preseason national poll.

Duncanville also realizes that last season's success means a larger target for opposing teams to focus on.

"That's what our slogan's about," guard Brian Talley said. "It's us against the world."

"Everybody wants to beat the state champs," forward Kevin Butler added. "That makes us want to go out and play harder."

Williams and forward Roger Franklin are returning starters, and Talley was a part-time starter last season. Butler, last season's state title game MVP, moves into the starting lineup full time.

All eyes will be on Duncanville to continue its winning ways, but no one from the team is using last season's reputation as a pre-game advantage.

"What happens this year is not impacted by what happened last year. In this business, it's what have you done for me lately," coach Phil McNeely said. "Everybody at this time of year is 0-0."

Duncanville's formidable schedule includes two out-of-state tournaments and a matchup with three-time 4A state champion South Oak Cliff. Duncanville also will face Virginia's Oak Hill Academy on Dec. 19 at SMU's Moody Coliseum in a clash of national powers.

"We're ready for all of it," Franklin said. "All we can do is take it step by step, from a district championship to a regional championship to a state championship – and then maybe to national contender."

Lack of height doesn't keep Lewisville from thinking big

The tallest player on Lewisville's basketball team looks eye to eye with the team's assistant coach, 6-4 Kely Walk.

Lewisville, however, proved last season that lack of height isn't a major concern when you mix speed with athleticism and technique. The team had only one player taller than 6-4 but still finished 30-4 and reached the 5A Region I quarterfinals.

"It's going to be a lot like last year for us," Lewisville coach Henry Thomas said. "That's the only way we can play, but I think the kids love that."

Lewisville lost two games to in-state opponents. The first loss was a forfeit against Carrollton Creekview, and the last was against a Duncanville team that won state and mythical national titles. There are high expectations, despite a frontcourt that averages 6-3.

Austin Brown leads the unit. The 6-3 senior may be one of the area's most athletic players. William Weathers, a 6-0 guard, led the team in scoring last season. Forward Keilan Ollor and guard Eric Dansby also return.

Thomas will depend on four sophomores to help shoulder the load. Lewisville lost 10 seniors last season, but guards George Richardson and Brandon Jefferson are promising.

"We're not quite as deep as we were last year," Thomas said. "It was hard to let those guys go, but the guys here now are focused. They've responded real well and worked their tails off."

Kentucky looks like just the ticket for McKinney point guard

During a summer basketball trip to Fayetteville, Ark., McKinney junior G.J. Vilarino and his family made a trip to the University of Arkansas' Bud Walton Arena. As they sat in arbitrary seats, Vilarino's father, Gerry, noticed a ticket stub underneath the seat of his youngest son, Alex.

It was a stub from Arkansas' Feb. 3 home game against Kentucky. G.J. Vilarino orally committed to play for Kentucky in April.

"That's a 20,000-seat facility, and they've cleaned that place I don't know how many times. What are the odds of that happening?" Gerry Vilarino said. "I thought that was kind of ironic, almost like destiny."

The junior point guard hopes his next meeting with destiny is in Austin in March. Vilarino will lead a McKinney team looking to improve on a 2006-07 season shortened by an early playoff exit.

Vilarino averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds and was a first-team All-District 9-4A selection last season. He was the 9-4A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.

Vilarino gets two more seasons to add to his awards collection and make a legitimate run at a state championship. He will also use that time to polish an already impressive game that includes stellar ball-handling, quickness on offense and defense and a nice perimeter jumper.

"G.J. wants to make a pretty big splash when he gets [to Kentucky] and before he gets there," McKinney coach Wes Watson said. "I think coach [Billy] Gillispie is getting a real good one. From a basketball standpoint, it doesn't get much bigger than Kentucky, and we're thrilled to death for him."

Shooting for 40-0 season is perfect motivation for South Oak Cliff

Perfection is a prerequisite for South Oak Cliff's basketball team. Winning a fourth consecutive Class 4A state title may not be enough.

"We want to go 40-0 this year," point guard Ty Shaw said. "We were disappointed when we lost the three games last year. Winning state is always our goal, but going 40-0, that's our new motivation."

There are sky-high expectations for a SOC team that in March became the first boys team to win three straight state basketball titles since Snook won seven straight in Class A and B from 1978 to '84. SOC returns four starters and several key reserves from last season's 33-3 team.

"We expect a lot. Whatever those from outside expect is nothing, because we expect so much," SOC coach James Mays II said.

SOC will ride the play of 6-11 J'mison "BoBo" Morgan, a shot-blocking and rebounding machine who orally committed to LSU last Friday. Morgan is one of the nation's top-ranked centers.

Shaw will run the floor with the graduation of four-year standout point guard Fred Gipson. Brandon "Slim" Jones returns faster and stronger after an ankle injury slowed him over the summer.

Baron Brown offers senior leadership, and Jacquies Smith and Demetrius Fields are expected to give SOC added depth following the football season. Newcomers Dequall Wynn and Carlton Biggers offer perimeter shooting and solid defense.

It's the perfect equation for a perfect season – or so the team thinks.

"Everybody who's for us wants 40-0 to happen," Jones said. "We feel we can make it happen."

DAMON L. SAYLES' PRESEASON ALL-AREA TEAM

MVP

FAB FIVE

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH

5A TEAMS TO WATCH

4A-OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH

KEY DATES

MONDAY: UIL games begin

FEB. 8-9: SPC Championships, Houston

FEB. 16: TAPPS playoffs begin

FEB. 18: UIL playoffs begin

FEB. 29-MARCH 1: UIL regional tournaments

FEB. 29-MARCH 1: TAPPS state tournament, San Antonio

MARCH 6-8: UIL state tournament, Austin