Houston's Jack Yates Lions Soar

WAY TO GO JACK YATES HIGH BASKETBALL TEAM!

While the rest of HISD was on Spring Break, the Jack Yates High School basketball team was busy winning its first ever State Basketball Championship. The Yates Lions are now the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 4A champions and on Friday, March 27, the Yates community will celebrate the momentous victory at 2:00 p.m. at a rally in the Jack Yates High School Auditorium (3703 Sampson, 77004)
Those expected to join the celebration include Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, HISD Superintendent Abe Saavedra, HISD Board Member Paula Harris and HISD Central Region Superintendent Adriana Tamez.

Dr. Saavedra said, “These fine young men truly have the hearts of lions. They have demonstrated that determination is the key to achieving goals whether it’s on a basketball court or in the classroom. I am proud of the students and their coaches, but also of the entire school and the dedicated Yates community for their loyal support of this team and the teams of the past that paved the way to this championship.”

“It is great to see the Jack Yates Lions roar being heard across the country again, said District IV Trustee Paula Harris. “There is so much work being done in athletics, academics, discipline and building repair at Yates it is exciting to see returns on our investments so soon. Congratulations to the talented team, the dedicated staff and the entire community as we celebrate our success and commit to our future for Yates!”

Harris’ comments were echoed by Central Region Superintendent, Adriana Tamez who said, “This championship represents so much more than the victory of a single title game. It represents a journey of dedication, discipline, teamwork, pride and passion by a phenomenal group of young men and their coaches. It celebrates the great things happening at Jack Yates High School, the pride of the Third Ward.” Both Harris and Tamez offered congratulations and praise to Lions Coach, Greg Wise, and Yates Principal, Ron “Coach” Mumphery who have demonstrated tremendous leadership to encourage the Lions on their journey to the championship.

The celebration continues on Tuesday, March 31, as the championship team is honored by Houston City Council at 1:30 p.m.

The victory was 83 years in the making. Jack Yates first opened as the second black high school in the city of Houston on February 8, 1926 with 17 teachers and 600 students. Now the school, named after the highly respected Reverend Jack Yates, has more than 80 staff members, more than 1300 students and a state basketball championship. There’s an old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This year March is also going out like a lion. A Yates Lion!