Convenience Big Store: See the All-Greater Houston girls basketball teams

March 24, 2025

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Cypress Springs All-American Ayla McDowell leads the way for All-Greater Houston girls basketball honors

Happy Monday!

It was a special season for girls basketball in the Houston area, and when all the dust had settled at the UIL state championships in San Antonio, the city had its first champion in a decade. Summer Creek rose to the mountaintop with its thrilling come-from-behind win over Cedar Hill in the Class 6A Division I title game, becoming the first Houston-area team to win state since Cypress Woods in 2015.

While the Bulldogs were the only local team to bring home the ultimate prize, there were several other squads that made impressive runs through the new split-division playoffs. That group included state runner-up Hightower, state semifinalist Barbers Hill, Cypress Springs and Grand Oaks, among others.

For their efforts, we recognize the top players in H-Town with the annual All-Greater Houston teams and awards. It starts with the 2024-25 Player of the Year, Cypress Springs senior Ayla McDowell, whose impeccable career ended with a McDonald's All-American selection and a run to the regional finals.

✅ Be sure to follow me on X at @JonPoorman for all the latest news. Follow our high school sports account at @HoustonChronHS.

See the rest of the award winners and the full teams here.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

🏆 Athlete of the Week polls are back. Check out the nominees and vote for your favorites. Voting runs through midnight Wednesday, and the winners will be recognized in the Thursday newsletter.

✅ VOTE: Girls Athlete of the Week

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Shout out

🏀 More basketball honors

Several Houston-area basketball players were honored recently when the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches released its private school all-state teams for the 2024-25 season. The following local players made the cut.

Girls
⭐ Ma'Ryiah Alfred, Kinkaid
⭐ Kenley Benson, Concordia Lutheran
⭐ Courtland Cloud, St. Pius X
⭐ Kennedy Farrell, Bay Area Christian
⭐ Charlotte Freeman, Legacy Prep
⭐ Lauren Hull, Kinkaid
⭐ Sydney Marshall, Kinkaid

Boys
⭐ Reece Alston, Second Baptist
⭐ Shia Francis, Second Baptist
⭐ Evan Cochran, The Village School
⭐ Christian Haskett, Houston Christian
⭐ Howie Keene, The Woodlands Christian
⭐ Alim Olajuwon, Episcopal
⭐ Sebastian Williams-Adams, St. John's

Stat of the day

⚽ 12: The number of goals allowed by the Stratford girls soccer team this season. The Spartans are surrendering just 0.52 goals per game and have recorded six consecutive shutouts. That streak includes an 8-0 victory against Westside in the bi-district playoffs last week. Stratford has won 15 consecutive game altogether and has not lost since Jan. 14.