Sam Houston Girls Aim to Extend District Reign
The Hurricanes return four starters from a team that shared last season's 27-5A title and open their new gymnasium on Dec. 1.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
Sam Houston girls basketball enters the 2026-27 season as two-time reigning district champions, sharing last season's 27-5A title with Burbank at 15-1 in league play. The Hurricanes return four starters, including all-district picks Laniya Lee and Faira Starks, along with Jakiah Caldwell and Sasha Harris.
Why it matters
The program has won district titles but has not advanced past the first round of the playoffs in recent seasons, losing to Southside two years ago and to MacArthur 67-45 last year. The returning core gives the team a chance to change that playoff result.
Last season Sam Houston went 15-1 in 27-5A play to share the title, and Caldwell averaged 17.2 points per game to earn district MVP honors. Scoring returns for Starks (12.3 points per game) and Lee (11.4) are among the district's top four, alongside Botello of Burbank (16.5).
The players
Sam Houston High School
The San Antonio school whose girls basketball program is seeking to extend its district title run.
Jakiah Caldwell
Sam Houston guard who was named 27-5A MVP last season after averaging 17.2 points per game.
Laniya Lee
Sam Houston player and first team all-district pick who averaged 11.4 points per game last season.
Faira Starks
Sam Houston player and first team all-district pick who averaged 12.3 points per game last season.
The details
The Hurricanes play a long road stretch before their home debut against MacArthur on Dec. 1 in the school's new gymnasium. District play opens against Fox Tech on Dec. 8.
Timeline
Two years ago: Sam Houston won the district title with a 16-0 run and lost its playoff opener to Southside 38-29.
Last season: Sam Houston shared the 27-5A title with Burbank and lost in the first round to MacArthur 67-45.
Dec. 1: Home debut against MacArthur in the new gymnasium.
Dec. 8: District play opens against Fox Tech.
Season Trajectory
Sam Houston has won district championships in consecutive seasons but has yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs, falling to Southside two years ago and MacArthur last year. The return of four starters gives the Hurricanes a chance to convert district success into a deeper postseason run.
The Hurricanes' early-season road schedule and Dec. 1 home debut will show quickly whether the returning starters can carry the team into district play. Fans tracking the district race can watch the first Fox Tech game on Dec. 8, when the title picture begins to take shape.
The takeaway
Sam Houston's returning starters and district experience give the team a clear path to test whether its recent district success can translate into a deeper playoff run this season.
What happens next
The Hurricanes host MacArthur in their home debut on Dec. 1 and open district play against Fox Tech on Dec. 8.
Further reading
For more on the local teams in this district, see Basketball coverage across San Antonio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Antonio Express-News.
