10 El Paso Players, 3 Teams to Watch in UIL Basketball Playoffs

Top high school boys basketball teams and standout athletes from the El Paso region enter the 2026 Texas UIL postseason tournament.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The 2026 Texas UIL boys high school basketball playoffs are underway, with 20 teams from the El Paso region competing in the bidistrict round on February 23-24. This article highlights 3 teams and 10 individual players to keep an eye on as the postseason tournament progresses towards the state championship in San Antonio on March 12-14.

Why it matters

High school basketball is a major source of pride and community engagement in the El Paso area, with passionate fans closely following the fortunes of their local teams and star players. Strong playoff runs by El Paso squads would generate excitement and media coverage for the region's basketball talent.

The details

The 20 El Paso teams competing in the UIL boys basketball playoffs will look to advance past the bidistrict round on February 23-24, with the goal of reaching the area round scheduled for February 26-28. Several El Paso teams and individual standouts are expected to make deep runs in the postseason tournament, which culminates with the state championship games in San Antonio on March 12-14.

  • The 2026 Texas UIL boys high school basketball playoffs begin with the bidistrict round on February 23-24.
  • The area round of the UIL playoffs is scheduled for February 26-28.
  • The UIL state tournament will take place in San Antonio on March 12-14.

The players

Javier Hernandez

A senior point guard for Eastwood High School who is known for his playmaking ability and leadership on the court.

Sophia Gutierrez

A junior shooting guard for Coronado High School with a deadly perimeter shot and strong defensive skills.

Miguel Sanchez

A versatile senior forward for Andress High School who can score inside and out while also crashing the boards.

Eastwood High School

A perennial playoff contender in El Paso known for its disciplined style of play and tough defense.

Coronado High School

An up-and-coming program in El Paso that has emerged as a threat in the UIL postseason with a talented young core.

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What they’re saying

“Javier is the engine that makes our team go. His ability to get his teammates involved while also scoring in big moments is invaluable.”

— Eastwood Head Coach (elpasotimes.com)

“Sophia has really taken her game to the next level this season. She’s a difference-maker on both ends of the floor.”

— Coronado Head Coach (elpasotimes.com)

What’s next

The winners of the bidistrict round games on February 23-24 will advance to the area round scheduled for February 26-28. Those victorious in the area round will move on to the regional quarterfinals, with the state tournament in San Antonio set for March 12-14.

The takeaway

The 2026 UIL boys basketball playoffs feature a talented crop of teams and individual standouts from the El Paso region, showcasing the strength of high school hoops in the area. Local fans will be closely following the fortunes of their hometown squads and star players as they compete for a state championship in San Antonio.