The Wildcat basketball teams will host their annual Tip-Off Wednesday to meet the community and generate excitement for the coming season. The varsity boys’ and girls’ teams will have a 3-point shootout, dunk contest and live scrimmages, with performances by the Highlandettes, Wranglers, step team, Ruby Reds and cheer squad.
Based on the number of high-level college recruiters and coaches who’ve made stops at Lake Highlands High School this year, generating excitement is the last thing Coach Joe Duffield needs to worry about. Reps from Gonzaga, Kentucky, Texas, Trinity, Arkansas, Tulsa, Sam Houston State and other colleges have visited the Wildcat gym over the last few months.
The boys’ team, in particular, boasts several members playing on elite club teams and earning praise from national pundits. Sophomore Tre Johnson, 6’5 and currently ranked third in the country by ESPN, has offers to play at Illinois, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Prairie View A&M, UNLV and other schools. Junior Samson Aletan, 6’9, has an offer to play at Saint Louis. Freshman B.J. Davis, 6’5, has offers from LSU and Saint Louis.
“Tre Johnson is ready to lead,” said Texas Hoops’ Mike Timmins after the Mansfield Fall Classic. “His talent is off the charts, and (Lake Highlands) has a lot of pieces I’m really excited about.”
“2025 freshman B.J. Davis looks like a junior/senior wing out there,” continued Timmins, also noting the talent of seniors Kyle Moran, Reid Hocker and Adam Lopez. “You have a legit paint presence in Samson, who every single day looks like he’s getting better and better. I think this team is getting ready to make noise in a very, very competitive district and region.”
If you want to catch the action, the Tip Off starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for kids. Go Cats!