Denton-Guyer Edges Katy-Jordan's Comeback Bid to Capture School's First Texas Basketball State Championship

Denton-Guyer Wildcats outlast the Katy-Jordan Warriors in thrilling fashion, 48-47 for the state title. Junior Wildcat guard Silas Rodriguez delivered big shots scoring a game-high 20 points and the Nike UIL's MVP

Junior guard Silas Rodriguez pulls up for a three pointer in the first period of Saturday night's state championship game. / Daniel Grant

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - Leading much of the game through three periods - the Denton Guyer Wildcats survived a comeback bid by the Katy Jordan Warriors clinching the Texas high school boy's basketball state championship, 48-47

The Denton-Guyer Wildcats captured the school's first boy's basketball state championship on Saturday night after junior guard Silas Rodriguez's go-ahead three-point shot from the top of key dropped to give the Wildcats 48-45 with 1:45 to go.

The scenario leading up to the junior MVP's shot was just seconds prior when Katy-Jordan's senior guard Jaden Holt tied the game with his miraculous, off-balanced three-pointer off the backboard and into the net to tie the game.

"I was overcome with emotion and I have wanted to win a state championship all year," Rodriguez said. "To watch that ball go through the net, I was just thanking God. "It was a moment I coud not have asked for, I was overcome with happiness."

Then, after senior Wildcat guard Mason White made one of two free throws to hold the Guyer lead at 48-47, the Wildcats just needed one defensive stop to clinch their first state championship.

And - Guyer head coach Grant and his Wildcats got that stop with good defense near half-court on the Warriors' Holt forcing Jordan's senior Jude Oluokun dropped the ball trying to do a dribble handoff so Holt could attempt the game-winning shot as time ran out.

"To win this game on a defensive stop up one point with two seconds left is perfect for this team," Long said. "A friend of mine said uncommon team win championships and this is an uncommon team. They were bought into each other - sacrificing points or whatever it is for one another. This is just a special group of guys."

Rodriguez and his Wildcats were able to build a big early lead in the game thanks in part to his hot shooting from behind the arc. The junior nailed two threes in the opening period as Guyer opened up with a 17-8 lead in the first quarter.

After the first quarter, the Warriors began to cut into their deficit with some tough defensive pressure and Jordan cut the lead to just six headed into the break.

Then, in the third quarter - Holt and the Warriors got hot and the Wildcats went cold shooting from the floor. Jordan started the second half on a 9-0 run to take the lead at 29-26.

Headed into the final eight minutes of play, Guyer trailed by one and that is when the Wildcats would start hitting shots again and turned up their defensive pressure.

"Normally this season we are pretty well known for having slow quarters, but then we said let's start a new trend in the fourth and that is what we did," Long said. "They really bought into that. You saw our defense pick back up and we made a few shots."

It was the key defense all night on the Warriors' senior guard duo, Hold and Jaden Black, that pushed the Wildcats over the top - specifically on the final play of regulation.

"We just wanted to win, so we were going to whatever it took to win," said senior UT Arlington commit Jordan Lowery. "We just had to buckle down to get one stop to win a state championship that is what we said we were going to do. And, that is what we did."

Long commended the defensive efforts of senior forward DJ Neal for his defensive effort all game on the Warriors' Holt. The Wildcat head coach said that Neal has guarded the other team's best player all year long for Guyer and is just a phenomenal person and athlete.

For the state champion Wildcats, the junior MVP Rodriguez led the team with 20 points while White had 10 points, and Lowery chipped in with eight points and 10 rebounds on the night.

The Warriors were led in scoring by Holt finishing the night with 13 points on 5-14 shooting from the floor and Rayan Fadika's 15 rebounds.

Not only was this win monumental for Denton-Guyer to etch their name in Texas high school basketball history with their first state crown, but it erased a 25-year drought for Denton ISD a basketball state title when Denton-Ryan won it in 2000.

Wildcat senior Mason White leaps for a block from behind on Katy-Jordan's Elijah Black in Saturday night's UIL State Championship game. / Daniel Grant

Senior Wildcat guard Mason White lines up a corner three in the first half of the UIL Texas 6A-II State Championship Saturday night. / Daniel Grant

No. 10 Denton Guyer v. No. 11 Katy-Jordan: UIL Texas 6A-II State Championship: Game Recap

Denton-Guyer Wildcat Starters: Silas Rodriguez, Jordan Lowery, Mason White, DJ Neal, Tyler Copes

Katy-Jordan Warriors Starters: Jaden Holt, Elijah Black, Keegan Moorehead, Jude Oluokun, Rayan Fadika

FIRST PERIOD

Guyer gets the three ball to fall from Silas Rodriguez

Mason White with a nice spin move in the lane to get the lay-in

Jordan gets their first shot to fall from the corner by Keegan Moorehead

Jordan Lowery gets in the act with the three ball, then Rodriguez drains this second three.

1Q: 4:01: Guyer : 11-5

Jonah Folse three ball off the bench for the Warriors. (11-8)

Mason White with another corner three (14-8) and another 3 from the corner as time expring.

End of 1: Denton-Guyer leads Jordan 17-8 after 8:00 minutes

2Q: 8:00: Guyer: 17-8

Jordan's Jaden Hold is 1-5 shooting from the floor the teams leading scorer.

Silas Rodriguez is getting hot. Nice drive to the hoop for easy layup, then hes found wide open at the top of the key and drain his third 3 of the half.

2Q: 4:48: Guyer: 24-13

It is clear that the Wildcat offense goes through Silas Rodriguez and Mason White. White has 8 points and Rodriguez 11.

2Q: 3:10: Guyer: 26-15

HALFTIME FROM GAME 3 AT THE DOME: Guyer is holding onto a 6 point lead after Jordan closed the half on a 5-0 run.

Leading Scorers: Guyer- Silas Rodriguez 11 points ; Katy-Jordan - Jude Oluokun 5 points

Halftime: Denton-Guyer: 26-20

THIRD PERIOD

Moorehead missed a corner 3 in transition, and gets rewarded as Warriors get the offensive rebound. Moorehead got one more chance at a 3 ball and drains it.

Jaden Holt ties the game with a quick trigger three from the top of the key.

Rayan Fadika gets into the act with a 3 of his own. Jordan starts on a 9-0 run.

LEAD CHANGE: 3Q: 5:56: Jordan: 29-26

One free throw on each end. (30-28, 4:22, 3Q)

Jaden Holt is getting hot with his quick trigger pull up jumper.

Jalen Black gets in on the act for the Warriors with a corner three. Assist from Holt

3Q: 2:04: Katy-Jordan: 35-30

Two quick buckets - Rodriguez goes toe to toe with aggressive drive and then DJ Neal gets a layup in transtion.

3Q: 38.9 seconds: Jordan : 35-34

We are eight minutes away from crowning our 11th State Champion of the weekend.

End of Three

FOURTH PERIOD

4Q: 8:00: Jordan : 35-34

Jordan Lowery ties it at 35 at the charity stripe

Oluokun with a great post move to give Warriors lead back. (37-35)

Tyler Copes ties it back up with an offensive rebound and tip-in.

Silas Rodriguez with two more. Guyer retakes the lead.

Rodriguez has a game-high 15 points for the Wildcats.

4Q: 4:50: Guyer: 39-37. Full Timeout by Guyer

Rodriguez and Holt trade three point baskets on each end of the floor. Then, Wildcats get 2 more at the rim from Tyler Copes.

Oluokun adds another low post drop hook bucket to get within one. Jordan full timeout.

4Q: 2:13: Guyer : 43-42

Jordan Lowery extends the Guyer lead after the timeout back to 3 with a nice drive to hoop and a high arching shot off the glass over Oluokun.

4Q: 1:45: Guyer : 45-42

Jaden Holt ties it up with a falling down three point shot off the backboard.

But not to be outdone, Silas Rodriguez answers with his own three to regain the lead. (48-45)

4Q: :29 seconds : Guyer : 48-45

Wildcats extend the pressure out to behind the line to keep ball away from Holt. Oluokun finds himself wide open and drives to hoop . Warriors draw within one.

4Q: 6.7 seconds : Guyer : 48-47

Jordan fouls twice. White misses both free throws. Rebound Jordan. Timeout.

4Q: 3.8 seconds : Guyer : 48-47

FINAL SCORE: DENTON-GUYER WINS A THRILLER, 48-47 after the Warrior's fumbled the last second play.