State basketball semifinal preview for West Brook, United, Orangefield

Three Southeast Texas teams one win away from state championships

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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West Brook, Beaumont United, and Orangefield high school basketball teams are all set to compete in state semifinal games on Tuesday. West Brook faces Leander Glenn in Class 5A-I, United takes on San Antonio Veterans Memorial in Class 5A-II, and Orangefield battles London in Class 3A-I. The winners will advance to the UIL state championship games next weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Why it matters

High school basketball is a point of pride for many communities in Southeast Texas, and these three teams have a chance to bring home state titles for their respective cities and schools. Their playoff runs have captivated local fans, and a state championship appearance would be a historic achievement, especially for Orangefield which has never reached the title game before.

The details

West Brook survived a nail-biter against Richmond Randle in the regional final to advance, relying on its experienced players who won a state title in overtime in 2025. Leander Glenn also enters the semifinal on a long win streak. Beaumont United's stifling defense has held all four of its playoff opponents under 46 points, while San Antonio Veterans Memorial is coming off a 10-point regional final win. Orangefield is led by senior guard Jaden Scales, who is scoring over 20 points per game to fuel the Bobcats' historic playoff run.

  • The state semifinal games will be played on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
  • The UIL state championship games are set for the following weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The players

Michael Thomas

The head coach of the West Brook Bruins basketball team.

Jaden Scales

The senior guard for the Orangefield Bobcats who is leading their historic playoff run, averaging over 20 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winners of Tuesday's state semifinal games will advance to the UIL state championship games next weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The takeaway

These three high school basketball teams from Southeast Texas have all fought their way to the state semifinals, showcasing the strength of the region's basketball talent and the passion of their local communities. A state championship appearance would be a historic achievement, especially for Orangefield, and would cement the legacy of these talented student-athletes.