Rob C's: Day 2 Preview & Predictions of RCS Sports Season Opener

C.E. King vs St. John’s, 9:00 a.m. MO Campbell Center

St. John’s comes into the game with one of the best juniors in the country in ℅ 2025 W Sebastian Williams-Adams. He will put a lot of pressure on the defense by being able to do a variety of things, with or without the ball in his hands. ℅ 2027 W Malachi Booker comes in as one of the most highly touted freshmen in the city. Look for him to give St. John’s a huge boost. A new era has begun at C.E. King. With the addition of new Coach Damien Mobley, C.E. King looks to open the season up on a good note. Unsigned senior P Logan Alexander is a long-armed defensive nightmare. When locked in, he literally can turn the paint into a “No Drive Zone”. Unsigned senior G J’Mar Franklin must be a steady ball handler and score when needed for the Panthers. ℅ 2025 W Christian Thomas, a transfer from Maryland, provides versatility and added toughness on the perimeter.

Predicted Score: C.E. King 61 St. John’s 59

Bellaire vs Summer Creek, 10:30 a.m. MO Campbell Center

Bellaire will be led by a familiar face. ℅ 2025 W Shelton Henderson is an all-around force when healthy. ℅ 2025 P LJ Andrews can score with his back to the basket and hit midrange post-shots as well. ℅ 2025 G Kohlman Dutton is making his return after a long layoff. It will be interesting to see if he can get the Cardinals into their offensive sets against a lot of defensive pressure. One more name to watch out for at Bellaire will be ℅ 2027 G Jadarian “JD” Williams. One thing we know about Summer Creek is, that they will play fast, and hard and they will defend 94 feet. ℅ 2025 G Bryson Wheatfall is very talented and this could be his coming out party for the city. ℅ 2025 Davin Cross plays bigger than his height and must give Summer Creek energy on the defensive backboards.

Predicted Score: Bellaire 68 Summer Creek 55

Fort Bend Elkins vs Atascocita, 12pm MO Campbell Center

Elkins comes into this game without a key go-to player. That doesn’t mean that Coach Thomas doesn’t have players that can win this game for him. The unsigned senior backcourt of Todd Woods and Justin Mitchell will be the leading catalyst for the Knights if they plan on picking up this win. Atascocita will be led by Brown University signee Jerrell Barron, who is a good leader and three-point shooter. ℅ 2026 G Jachai Cantave is ready to show the city why he’s one of the top-ranked sophomores in the whole state of Texas. Last, but not least, ℅ 2025 W Jaylen Fenner could be the deciding factor in this game as he was unguardable in fall ball action.

Predicted Score: Atascocita 54 Elkins 42

Dickinson vs Houston Christian, 1:30pm MO Campbell Center

Fresh off of a state championship, Houston Christian looks to continue its winning ways. Led by ℅ 2025 G Montana Wheeler, a talented do-it-all point guard, should keep the pace uptempo for Houston Christian. Texas A&M Commerce signee Chris Adlam should handle the perimeter scoring and University of Chicago commit Carter Seeliger will be a presence in the post. Dickinson comes into this game without their high-scoring guard, unsigned senior Qasim Boyd, but still possesses one of the top point guards in the entire city in ℅ 2025 David Chong. He must play well and guard Wheeler to a standstill for the Gators to have a chance to win. One thing I know about Coach Wilson though, he likes to be counted out. Look for someone without a big name to step up and make this a good game.

Predicted Score: Houston Christian 70 Dickinson 62

Beaumont Westbrook vs SA Wagner, 3:00pm MO Campbell Center

Beaumont Westbrook comes in with one of the best backcourts in the whole state with TCU commit Ashton Simmons and ℅ 2026 Elijah Garrett. Look for them to establish the pace and put a lot of defensive pressure on the opposing team’s ball handlers. SA Wagner is a fixture in the city when it comes to games like this. They won’t be intimidated by the bright lights. ℅ 2026 P Trevaughn Clark is a high major prospect that must draw attention down low to take the pressure off of Wagner’s guards. The key to this game will be who can establish tempo the best.

Predicted Score: Beaumont Westbrook 54 SA Wagner 50

Nimitz vs Beaumont United, 4:30pm MO Campbell Center

Beaumont United returns New Mexico signee Kayde Dotson and top unsigned senior Clarence Payia. They have a wealth of experience after being in the state championship three years in a row. I believe unsigned senior G Daniel Williams will be a pleasant surprise this year. He will be tasked with doing more of the scoring, while also assisting with his ball handling. Nimitz will be led by their senior duo of G Eric Woods and W Dominic Samuel. They must play United’s seniors play for play to give the Cougars a chance to win this game. ℅ 2025 G Eliayahs Hood must bring his defensive presence and rebound the basketball. One more name to watch out for is ℅ 2027 G Jeremiah Demouchette. From what I’ve seen in fall ball, he is an on-ball defensive pest and can shoot from the perimeter.

Predicted Score: Beaumont United 65 Nimitz 55

College Park vs Silsbee, 6:00pm MO Campbell Center

Silsbee will be without some key players due to football, but Memphis signee G Jared Harris more than makes up for that. He must take on leading the charge for this young group. ℅ 2027 G Peyton Jones comes in with a well-deserved reputation. ℅ 2025 F Troy Rice must rebound and play bigger than his size for the Tigers to have a chance to pull off the win. College Park is led by ℅ 2024 G Martez James. He’s at his best when he’s getting downhill to the basket. Transfer ℅ 2025 G Ian Inman can change a game with his outside shooting. ℅ 2027 G Tyson Forrest must play well opposite Jones. This very well could be the matchup that decides the outcome of this game.

Predicted Score: Silsbee 64 College Park 63

Booker T. Washington vs Pasadena Memorial, 7:30pm MO Campbell Center

Fresh off of a state championship appearance, Booker T. looks to establish themselves again as, not only a good team in 4A but one of the best teams in the entire city of Houston. Unsigned senior W Chris McDermott is a walking double-double. Unsigned senior G Odis Carter, Jr can get hot from the three-point line and change the game. They also have a new transfer in smooth scoring ℅ 2024 W Abraham Kirksey. He can score from everywhere. Pasadena Memorial is led by the man in the middle, LSU signee Robert Miller. He must play well on both ends of the court. Unsigned senior G Gary Brown must play efficiently, hit shots, and handle the defensive full-court pressure of BTW. I’m excited to watch this individual matchup between McDermott and Miller. I’m sure neither one of them will back down from the other.

Predicted Score: Booker T. 76 Pasadena Memorial 59

Article Written by: Robert Carroll

[Ball So Hard, Lead Scout]

November 11th, 2023