The Texas High School basketball season came to a close, and it was a fantastic season for the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Here’s a look at the 2026 Press Pass Sports Boys Basketball Team. Compiled by Lee Passmore, Craig Sperry and Kale Steed.
Superlative honors
Co-Coach of the Year
Josh Strickland, Panhandle
A Cinderella playoff run had the perfect fairy tale ending for head coach Josh Strickland and his Panhandle Panthers.
From a team that many didn’t see getting to San Antonio, to a team that went on a six-game hot streak to win the programs first ever UIL state championship, Strickland is more than deserving for the 2026 Press Pass Sports Co-Coach of the Year.
“This is an honor,” Strickland said. “There were a lot of people that didn’t think we’d go all the way. That’s understandable. We just kept getting better and better and I could see how much we were improving by the week and I knew we had a chance if we could just win the first one and we did. This was a team led by the players. We have the ball on the wall coming for the gym, we have ordered the rings and the guys still talk about it everyday.”
The Panthers finished this historic season with a 27-6 record and didn’t lose when the calendar flipped to 2026.
The storybook run started to gain traction in the second round when the Panthers knocked off Hale Center in a thrilling 75-70 double overtime win highlighted by a pair of buzzer beating shots by Landen Andrews to end regulation and in the overtime session. In the regional semifinal, Panhandle erased a double-digit halftime deficit to blowout Seagraves 63-41, followed by a hard fought 52-39 victory over rival Wellington in the regional championship.
Then came the state semifinal. Panhandle showed no signs of nerves by pouring it on defending Class 2A Division I state champion Waco Meyer 59-33, and then made the dream come true in San Antonio by knocking off San Augustine 61-58.
“I think the confidence really came in the Hale Center game,” Strickland said. “Hale Center was the best offensive team we’d seen all year, and we’d played Texline. We became more disciplined as the season went on and started getting momentum. The guys started believing and playing for each other, and when we beat Wellington, I really knew there was a chance.”
– Kale Steed
Co-Coach of the Year
Aaron Green, Valley
Going from the hunter to the hunted is where Valley found itself this year.
After making it to the UIL Class 1A Division I state finals last year, head coach Aaron Green knew the pressure was there to get back and bring home a title and that’s exactly what his team did.
Bringing home the school’s first UIL state boys basketball championship with all the pressure looming is what earned Aaron Green the 2026 Press Pass Sports Co-Coach of the Year.
“We talked about it last year that people expected us to make a run this year,” said Green, who was the 2025 Press Pass Sports Coach of the Year. “We knew we were losing some quality players and depth, and we knew we were replacing some guys with little experience, but everyone stepped up and played a role.”
The Patriots, who have won 65 games over the last two years including 31 this season, started the season slow at 2-2 but the machine got rolling after that.
Green’s team reeled off 22 wins in their next 23 matchups with the lone loss to Class 3A Iowa Park. That domination included a run through district that saw last year’s state finalist never being pushed with a 68-34 win over Paducah the closest any district foe could get.
Green quickly called out the leadership of the upper classmen on this team as a reason they started rolling.
“The older guys on this team really stepped up in a leadership role and tried to lead the younger guys,” Green said. “The older ones set the expectations and showed our younger players what it took to try and repeat last year’s success. This group had more expectations, more focus, more determination to get back and finish the job”.
The playoffs began with more of the same before facing off with Boys Ranch in Region I-1A Division I championship The Roughriders led most of the game before Valley took the lead down the stretch and pulled out a 56-52 victory. That game seemed to dial in the Patriots as they played two of their best games after that.
Using a distinct size advantage, Valley took control of the boards to capture a title. In the state semifinals, Valley got up early on a higher ranked Munday squad and throttled a potent offense for a 44-33 win. The Patriots dominated the boards and consistently left the Moguls with no second chance scoring opportunities.
That set up another shot at a state title and the Patriots used a strong defense and more domination in the paint to shut down Fayetteville’s high scoring attack, 66-48, in a game that saw Valley build a 27-point lead in the fourth. The Patriots outscored the Lions 42-18 in the paint while holding a plus 20 rebounding margin.
A state title, the first in school history, meant a lot to Green and the community.
“It’s exciting and I was excited for this team,” Green said. “It was great to see them leave the court with smiles versus being sad and hurt like last year. The community was just as excited as the team. I’ve gotten hugs from people in the community I didn’t know and they are just so excited for this group. The community really rallied behind the boys and were there with us every step of the way”.
– Craig Sperry
Player of the Year
Mason Lankford, Gruver, 6-4, guard, Soph.
From Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year as a freshman a year ago to the Press Pass Sports Player of the Year in 2026.
That shows the maturity, strides and growth on and off the court that Gruver sensation Mason Lankford has taken to be a go-to player for a very talented Gruver Greyhound team that put together another special season.
The Greyhounds and Lankford once again put together an outstanding year on the hardwood going 23-0 before suffering their only to Lipan in a UIL Class 2A Division II state semifinal.
“We knew we had a lot of talent back and a chance to be even better than we were last year,” Lankford said. “When we came out of football we were able to click faster than we did last year and practices started going well very fast. We had a lot of guys step up to make this year special and everyone played their roles perfect.”
When it comes to the definition of an MVP, Gruver head coach Brittin East said they don’t come any better than a young man like Lankford.
“It’s more than just court production when it comes to Mason,” East said. “He does so many things that a stat sheet doesn’t show. He has great teammates and everyone gets involved but I think Mason gets more excited passing the ball to his teammates or watching those guys score than he does for himself. He never brings the attention to himself and he’s very humble. He loves the team and they love him and he handles everything around him very well.”
Lankford ended his sensational sophomore campaign pouring in 19.1 points a game, pulling down 8.4 rebounds and dished out 4.7 assists. He also averaged four steals a night. Lankford was the District 1-2A MVP, and was named as a TABC All-Region and All-State selection.
“What I love is he plays four sports and excels at all of them,” East said. “You don’t see that at the big school level like you do at our level. He was also special this year because he was so much stronger physically. He was more under control up and down the floor and being stronger helped his rebounding ability. I also love his vision. He’s sees the court at entire different level.”
– Kale Steed
Offensive Player of the Year
Caden Armes, Panhandle, 5-9, guard, Sr.
When you look in a dictionary and see the word clutch, there maybe a picture of Caden Armes next to it. Game in and game out, the smooth shooting senior came up big during a historic run for a Panhandle Panther team that won the programs first ever UIL Class 2A Division I state championship.
Being the leader and heart and soul of the Panthers and this unbelievable playoff push, Armes has been named the 2026 Press Pass Sports Offensive Player of the Year.
“It’s still crazy to think about,” Armes said. “We didn’t know how far we’d go, but after the Hale Center game we all started to believe. I think after that, my teammates and I knew it was time to turn it up another level. Luke Schmucker really helped on the perimeter. He got opened and knocked down shots, and that allowed me to get open and bury shots. I’m just glad when the game came down to it, my teammates knew they could trust me and I could trust them.”
Panhandle head coach Josh Strickland echoed Armes’ comments.
“I’ve really built a relationship with Caden,” Strickland said. “He has a very high basketball IQ and is so far ahead when it comes to kids his age. We knew our team began and ended with Caden. There were times I knew I just needed to get out of his way and let him do his thing. He’s just one of those type of guys you can’t replace. He’s a leader, a pure shooter and a great overall young man.”
Armes was named the state MVP leading his team with 17 points in a 61-58 victory against San Augustine. Armes finished his incredible season posting 16 points a night with four assists and three steals. He was named the District 2-2A MVP on top of being a TABC All-Region and All-State selection.
– Kale Steed
Defensive Player of the Year
Corbin Taylor, Valley, 6-8, post, Soph.
It doesn’t take long to notice Corbin Taylor and his 6-foot-10 brother Kanyon on the floor for the Patriots.
Both stand out because of their height but Corbin has begun using that size and acute basketball acumen to stand out for his play and that is what has garnered the sophomore the 2026 Press Pass Sports Defensive Player of the Year.
The hallmark of Taylor’s defensive game, according to his head coach Aaron Green, is his great footwork.
“He’s constantly working on his ability to move and always wants to compete against our opponent’s best player,” Green said. “He’s so long and that keeps players from wanting to drive and try and get in the lane”.
Taylor’s presence was a key reason most teams shot poorly from the outside against the Patriots. His ability to close out and force contested shots was evident in the state title game as Fayetteville shot only 24 percent from behind the arc, including 0-for-8 in the second quarter, well below its season average of 33 percent.
It’s just not his presence on the outside, however, that creates issues for opposing teams. The imposing guard also dominates in the paint. Averaging 11.2 rebounds a night with seven of those on the defensive end, left many teams with one and done opportunities against Valley.
Taylor’s overall game has really flourished in his second season. Averaging a double-double, 23.4 points per game to go along with those 11 boards, the state tournament MVP, also averages 1.4 blocks and steals per game and has Patriots fans looking forward to what the next two year’s will bring. For his efforts, Corbin was named a TABC All-Region and All-State selection.
“It meant a lot for us to win this state championship as a team,” Taylor said. “This was a goal of ours after falling short last year, and it has been a goal for my brother (Kanyon) and I since we were little kids. It was just awesome to share this with all the guys on the team and celebrate. I think this year, I had another level of intensity, and I really did my best to work on my jumper. I knew I could always go inside, but I was really wanting to get my outside game going this year and I feel I did that.”
– Craig Sperry
Newcomer of the Year
Jimmy Cantu, Wellington, 6-0, forward, Fr.
Cantu exploded onto the scene in a hurry making the transition from junior high to high school look like an easy one and why Cantu is the 2026 Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year.
The versatile Cantu could play multiple positions for a Wellington team finished with a 22-11 mark while making a great playoff run to the UIL Class 2A regional championship.
Cantu kept getting better from the start of the year to the end of the season becoming the go-to option for the Skyrockets. Cantu ends his freshman campaign scoring 16.4 points a night to lead the team and averaged 7.9 rebounds per contest. Cantu was named the District 2-2A Offensive MVP, he was part of the district All-Academic Team and was a TABC All-Region selection.
“It’s always different when a new coach comes in like I did this year,” said Colton Holmes, who ended his first year as the Wellington head boys basketball coach. “We tried to change some things mentally and Jimmy was one of those who led the charge. He plays with so much intensity and I can’t tell you how much work he puts in. This guy plays basketball year around. He loves competition and plays against some very good competition in the summer that gets him ready for the UIL season. He soaks up knowledge and makes everyone around him better.”
FIRST TEAM
Kaden Hooker, West Plains, 5-11, guard, Sr.
A three-sport standout for the Wolves, Hooker helped the young West Plains program to its most successful season ever on the court, with an undefeated District 4-4A title and a berth in the Class 4A Division I state semifinals. Hooker’s relative lack of size didn’t keep him from averaging 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and four assists per game. He was named the 4-4A Co-MVP and was a key component on a team which set a school record for wins with a 31-5 mark.
Ayden Larra, West Plains, 5-11, guard, Sr.
Larra became the first player in school history to reach the career 1,000-point mark in forming a potent backcourt duo with Hooker as West Plains’ most consistent element for four years. He averaged 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game and shared the 4-4A MVP honors with teammate Hooker in concluding a stellar career for the Wolves. Larra was also a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region I-4A selection along with Hooker.
Tookie Johnson, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 6-0, guard, Sr.
Johnson provided a major cog for Liberty as they finished as Co-District 5-4A champions and made a push to the UIL Class 4A Division II regional championship. He was a prolific outside shooter for the Patriots, averaging 17.9 points a game, shooting 41.8 percent from 3-point range and hitting 83 percent of his free throws, as he was named as a Co-District MVP, as well as a TABC All-Region and All-State selection.
Ladarius Godbolt, Tascosa, 6-2, forward, Sr.
Godbolt emerged as one of the top pure scorers in the area this past season in helping lead the Rebels to a share of the District 3-5A championship, one of their most successful seasons in several years. He averaged 21.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game en route to being named the 3-5A Co-MVP, and was Tascosa’s go-to 3-point shooter. Godbolt was also a TABC All-Region I-5A selection.
Logan Winn, Shallowater, 5-9, guard, Jr.
Winn helped make up a solid backcourt and played his part and then some getting the Mustangs to a 27-4 mark and a run to the UIL Class 3A Division I regional championship. Winn is a player that is very dynamic with the ball in his hands and it showed nightly, as the District 2-3A Co-MVP and TABC All-Region and All-State selection, ended his year scoring 15.9 points a game to go with four boards and four assists per night.
SECOND TEAM
Brock Butler, Gruver, 6-0, guard, Sr.
The District 1-2A Defensive MVP was a menace on anyone he was guarding for a Gruver team that went 23-1 with a run to the state semifinals. The pickpocketing Butler shut down any opponent in front of him, averaging 3.4 steals a game. On the offensive end, Butler could score, tallying 10.4 points a night and dished out 4.5 assists. For his strong season, Butler was a TABC All-Region selection.
Talon Garcia, Dalhart, 6-2, guard, Sr.
Garcia was a strong leader for a Golden Wolves team that was 27-4 overall while winning a District 1-3A championship before their season came to an end in the Division I regional semifinals. Garcia did everything asked of him throughout the basketball season scoring 14.7 points a game, grabbing 4.2 rebounds a night to go with 3.8 assists and 3.5 steals. Garcia ended his season as a TABC All-Region selection.
Zack Armes, New Home, 5-10, guard, Sr.
Like his cousin, Caden from Panhandle, Armes his self was quite the sharpshooter. Armes helped lead the Leopards to 25 wins including a District 4-2A championship. Not only was Armes named the District 4-2A MVP but he was also a TABC All-Region and All-State choice as he registered 18.5 points a game, averaged 6.1 rebounds and handed out 4.1 assists.
Ethan Gilliam, West Plains, 6-5, post, Jr.
Gilliam emerged as an inside force on an otherwise experienced yet relatively undersized team. He averaged 13.2 points and led the Wolves with 8.6 rebounds a game and was named the 4-4A defensive player of the year for the unbeaten district champion. Most importantly, Gilliam established himself as a consistent offensive fore as the Wolves made a deep playoff run.
Willy Atak, 6-5, Holy Cross Catholic Academy, guard, Sr.
Behind first-year head coach Austin Turner, Holy Cross Catholic Academy had a historic season by winning the school’s first ever TAPPS state championship. Atak was definitely the go-to player as the Swiss Army knife of the Mustangs during this historic run. Atak can play inside or outside and was a mismatch nightmare. Atak, the district MVP and All-State selection, poured in over 18 points a game and snagged eight rebounds a contest.
THIRD TEAM
Mikah Blackshear, Shallowater, 6-0, guard, Jr.
Blackshear was the main offensive force for the Mustangs, as he averaged 16.1 points, six rebounds and 3.1 assists a game in leading Shallowater to a District 2-3A title and was named the district’s offensive player of the year. He was also a TABC Region I-3A and Class 3A all-state pick for a team which reached the Class 3A Division I region finals.
Braddock Foster, Farwell, 5-10, guard, Sr.
Foster took on a bigger role as a playmaker for the Steers this year and proved more than up to the challenge. He became the most viable scoring threat for Farwell, as the seniors lit up his opponents for 22.7 points a game with 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists on top with 3.8 steals. Foster was the District 3-2A MVP and a TABC All-Region and All-State selection.
Bo Bradley, Texline, 6-1, guard, Soph.
Deadly from behind the arc, the talented Bradley poured in 19.2 ppg including shooting 38.2% from the three-point line. An All-State and All-Region performer, as well as District MVP, this Tornado was more than just a sharp shooter. The lanky guard handed out over six assists and pulled down more than seven rebounds per game in leading Texline to the Regional Semifinals.
Riggs Pennington, Canadian, 6-6, post, Sr.
With his size and ability to play as a guard, the Canadian offense and defense both ran through Pennington. Pennington was a major cog for why the Wildcats advanced to the second round of the Class 3A Division II playoffs. The 6-foot-6 Pennington averaged a double-double with 18.2 points a game and 10.5 rebounds. He shot 57 percent from the floor and was not only named a Co-Offensive Player of the Year in District 1-3A, but he was also a TABC All-Region choice.
Kanyon Taylor, Valley, 6-10, post, Sr.
In his final year as a Patriot, the menacing center averaged 19.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in helping Valley nail down its first UIL state championship. His presence in the middle altered opponent shots and allowed Taylor to average 3.5 blocks per game en route to All-State and All-Region honors as well as a spot on the All-Tournament team at state.