COLLEGE STATION – All four members of the Texas A&M men's basketball incoming signing class are heading to the UIL State Tournament as Tyler Davis, Admon Gilder, D.J. Hogg (pronounced HOEG [rhymes with rogue]) and Elijah Thomas have all led their teams to within two wins of a state championship.
“I'm really proud that all four of our signees are competing for state championships,” Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy said. “It shows that they not only have special talent but they know how to win at the championship level. I look forward to coaching them.”
Davis and Hogg have guided Plano West High School to a 31-2 record this season and a top-ranking in the state's 6A classification. Davis, a 6-foot-10 center who's rated as a five-star prospect as well as the top-ranked player in the state according to ESPN, scored 16 points to go along with a game-high 15 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the Wolves past Allen High School and secure PWHS's first-ever trip to the state tournament. Hogg, a 6-foot-8 small forward who ESPN regards as the state's No. 3 player as well as the nation's No. 6 small forward, contributed 17 points in the victory.
Plano West will face Irving MacArthur on Friday during the state semifinal round.
Thomas, meanwhile, enjoyed a triple-double performance with 14 points as Lancaster High School defeated Woodrow Wilson High School 73-45 in the Class 5A Regional II semifinal. The 6-foot-9 power forward/center is rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals and a four-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Scout. Additionally, 247 and ESPN regard Thomas as the No. 2 prospect in Texas as well as 247's No. 6 center prospect nationally.
The trip to the state tournament is the first for Lancaster High School since 2010, as the Tigers will face El Paso Andress in the semifinals on Thursday.
In Class 4A action, Dallas Madison High School is going back to state to play for a third straight championship after A&M signee Gilder scored a game-high 37 points to go along with eight rebounds, five assists and three steals to power Madison during a 67-63 victory over Triple A Academy.
Gilder, who stands out as one of the nation's leading scorers at 30.7 points per game this season, is considered a four-star prospect by 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout. The Dallas native is a member of ESPN's Top 100 and is ranked by the outlet as the No.6 prospect in Texas, as well as the No. 17 shooting guard in the country.
Madison will take on Bridgeport in the Class 4A semifinals on Friday.
In addition to his exploits in the UIL state playoffs, Davis has been honored with a selection to the 14th Annual Jordan Brand Classic. The event showcases the top boys and girls players from across the country, as well as top international players, on April 17 at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.