#MTI2024 Preview

This is the 21st annual McDonald’s Texas Invitational, hosted by Pasadena ISD and Deer Park ISD. The event uses nine facilities, with a total of 10 courts, and features 48 boys teams (24 playing D1 and 24 playing D2) and 32 girls teams (16 playing D1 and 16 playing D2). This high school event has been dubbed “The Road To State Starts Here.” they have been host to multiple UIL state championship programs throughout its 21 years of existence. The McDonald's Texas Invitational is one of my favorite tourneys. It gives a great feel for teams to progress and its facilities are top-notch, by the way, bring a hoodie or jacket because their A/C units at all facilities are top-tier.

Out of the 48 teams competing on the boy side of the event, 10 are state-ranked by TABC (7-6A & 3-5A). The number 1 through 4 6A teams will be competing (#1 San Antonio Brennan, #2 Allen, #3 Atascocita, and #4 North Crowley). Let’s take a look at some notable teams and players to watch on the boy side of the event.

DIVISION 1

TEAMS:

Allen Eagles - comes in at 2-0 on the season and were crowned UIL 6A State Champions last high school season and will be a tough out for everyone at the event. The Eagles are nationally ranked by ESPN as the 25th-best team in the nation. TABC has them ranked as the 2nd best 6A team in the state.

Atascocita Eagles - are 2-0 on the season and will be a tough team on the defensive side of the ball to go with some big-time shotmakers from the perimeter. TABC has them ranked 3rd in the state in 6A, and Shot 30 Clock has them as the number 1 team in the Greater Houston area for 6A.

Barbers Hill Eagles - are 2-1 on the season and are ranked by TABC as the 15th-best team in 5A in the state, while Shot 30 Clock has them as the 3rd-best 5A team in Greater Houston.

Iowa Colony Pioneers - made the classification jump from 4A to 5A and are sitting at 4-0 at the start of the season. They bring back their entire team from last year's successful season and are ranked as the 4th best 5A team by Shot 30 Clock for the Greater Houston area.

Marshall Buffaloes - start the season 4-0 and is ranked as the number 1 team in the state in the 5A classification. This scrappy bunch will be fun to watch at the event. They feature the legendary Coach Ronnie Courtney a the helms.

North Crowley Panthers - come in 4-0 on the season and they are ranked 4th in the 6A classification in the state by TABC. North Crowley has been paced by a sensational sophomore guard. They look to return to the Championship Game again this year at the tournament.

Ridge Point Panthers - are 5-0 on the year so far and will be a tough out for any of these state-ranked teams this weekend. They are ranked the 6th best team in Greater Houston according to Shot 30 Clock.

San Antonio Brennan Bears - come in 2-0 on the season. ESPN ranks them as the 21st-best team in the country, and TABC ranks them as the number one 6A in the state. The Bears will be fun to watch and follow during the event.

Summer Creek Bulldogs - 3-0 hot start to the season and will be a tough group to compete against in the event. With a new head coach at the helm, they have been firing on all cylinders. They are ranked 12th in Greater Houston 6A by Shot 30 Clock.

PLAYERS:

2025 - Sr.

Abram Hicks 6’0” G - North Crowley

Adrian Mathis 6’1” PG - Lake Travis

Aidan Williams 6’7” F - Barbers Hill

Antoine Shannon 6’4” G - Allen

Antonio Shannon 6’4” G - Allen

BJ Gill 6’0” G - Iowa Colony

Camden Cowgill 6’4” SG - San Antonio Brennan

Cameron Carroll 6’3” PG - South Grand Prairie (Rice)

DJ Thomas 6’7” PF - Allen (North Texas)

Damond Matthews 6’3” G - Summer Creek

David Chong 6’1” PG - Dickinson

Demorae Pritchett 6’5” G - Summer Creek

Dorian Hayes 6’4” SG - Ridge Point (UTSA)

Dre Charlot 6’0” PG - Barbers Hill

Eian Lowe 5’9” PG - Marshall

Isaiah Bates 6’3” G - Paetow

Jaylen Fenner 6’5” SF - Atascocita (Louisiana Tech)

Jesse Pollard III 5’10” G - South Grand Prairie Jordan Lowery 6’2” PG - Denton Guyer

Kebari Lewis 6’1” G - Cypress Creek

Kendarius Johnson 6’5” G - Cy Fair

Kevin Sargeant 6’5” F - Marshall

Kingston Flemings 6’4” PG - San Antonio Brennan (Houston)

Logan Menefe 6’10” PF - Ridge Point

Markece Young 6’4” SG - South Grand Prairie (Arkansas Fort Smith)

RJ Green 6’1” G - Iowa Colony

Trae Lewis 6’1” G - Grand Oaks

2026 - Jr.

Bryce Dixon 6’4” G - The Colony

Byron Bibbs 6’3” G - Pearland

DaKari Spear 6’4” G - The Colony

Devan Brown 6’4” SG - Pearland

Donovan Criss 6’5” SG - San Antonio Brennan

Isaiah Ward 6’6” SF - San Antonio Brennan

Jaylen Singleton 6’0” PG - Ridge Point

Nehemiah Lawrence 5’6” PG - Allen

Reginald Rideau 6’1” PG - Summer Creek

Silas Rodriguez 6'1" G - Denton Guyer

Tate Tapken 6’2” G - Lake Travis

Treaton Hall 6’6” SF - North Crowley

Wesley Wake 6’8” F - Barbers Hill

2027 - So.

Christian Brown 6’0” PG - Clear Brook

Caleb Lopez 5’10” G - Dickinson

Isaak Hayes 5’11” PG - North Crowley

Joshua Coleman 5’8” PG - Nimitz

DIVISION 2

TEAMS:

Angleton Wildcats - This is a 5A team that should not be taken lightly on the D2 side of the event. They are 2-2 on the season and will be a tough out this weekend.

Crosby Cougars - are sitting at 3-1 and are ranked as the 7th-best 5A school in the Greater Houston Area by Shot 30 Clock. They are one of the favorites to be playing for the D2 gold bracket championship game.

Dawson Eagles - come in at 2-0 on the season. The Eagles will be looking to display some high-flying action from a standout junior prospect who is listed as a player to watch.

George Ranch Longhorns - bring their 3-1 record into the event looking to add nothing but wins. They will be tough on the defensive side of the ball and they have some tough guards who will pace the way for them.

North Shore Mustangs - the 2-1 Mustangs will be a tough out in the event. They look to execute their half-court offense with patience. They may not have a lot of high-scoring games but they will be tough to beat.

South Houston Trojans - are 2-1 at the start of the season. You can expect them to be eyeing for a spot in the D2 gold bracket championship game. They get two home games on Thursday and you can expect that gym to be rocking with a rowdy crowd.

PLAYERS:

2025 - Sr.

Brayden Campbell 6’2” G - Angleton

Cayden Munnilal 5’10” PG - George Ranch

Chris Jones 6’2” SG - Pasadena Memorial

Jaxon Woods 6’2” G - Goose Creek Memorial

Jordan Buckner 6’0” PG - South Houston

Joseph Khalaf 6’1” PG - Klein Cain

Mason Bell 5’8” PG - La Porte

Phillip Ned 6’0” G - La Porte

Trent Callies 5’10” G - La Porte

2026 - Jr.