Central Texas STARZZ win Excel State Championship

Special to the Leader-Press

SAN ANTONIO - The Central Texas STARZZ boys varsity basketball team (formerly the ATX Boys), mostly comprised of members of the Copperas Cove High School team, traveled to San Antonio last weekend to participate in the Excel State Regional Basketball tournament.  

The team played six games, including one overtime game to earn a spot in the championship game where they were also successful to become the Platimun Division Champions after defeating the Texas Bulls in the title game.

“We entered the tournament expecting to do well but did not expect to win it all,” said head coach Glenn Johnson. “But now we’ve won our very first state championship.  I think it’s important for our city in recognizing the hard work of these young men since 90% of the team represent the high school.”

In addition to winning the championship, the lone player not from Cove, Harker Heights’ Shalimar Whitfield was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after averaging over 20 points per game.  

“The MVP for us was Shalimar Whitfield and he’s from Harker Heights,” said Johnson. The city allows you to have 10% of your players from outside the area and he was my one addition. During bracket play he averaged over 20 points per game and earned the most valuable player award.”

The team has now won three consecutive tournament championships out of four tournament and finished second in the fourth tournament.  

The team is coached by Johnson, Calvin Merritt, and Mark Palmer.