Princeton graduate Addy Smith, top, concluded a standout senior season by earning fifth place at 190 pounds in the Class 6A state wrestling tournament. Photo by Jerry Winfrey / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Princeton recently completed its second year in Class 6A.
For as many challenges and competition as residing in the state’s classification brought, the Panthers more than enjoyed their fair share of success.
The Princeton Herald will now take a look at the highlights and accolades that were earned by the Princeton boys and girls basketball, powerlifting and wrestling teams.
Boys basketball
Year two in Class 6A saw massive improvement for Princeton.
Although the Panthers lost the program’s all-time blocks leader, JeVaughn Martin Jr., to graduation, Princeton boasted an experienced roster and also had three transfers that made an impact.
Princeton’s depth paved the way for a 2025-26 season that saw the Panthers finish district play with an 8-8 record, and they were in the postseason hunt until the final two weeks of the season.
One of the biggest wins in recent memory for Princeton (18-17 overall) was a 61-59 road victory over Allen on Jan. 31.
Incoming junior Bryan Omwenga stole an inbound pass with 12 seconds left and made a layup to give the Panthers a two-point lead. The Eagles had a chance to tie or win the game, but their last-ditch 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession fell off the mark, and the Panthers held on to earn a signature 61-59 road win over the No. 19-ranked team in Class 6A.
Despite winning four of its last six games, Princeton fell just short of earning a postseason berth.
Following the conclusion of the season, senior forward Oluwafisayomi Falowo landed on the all-6-6A first team. Incoming senior guards DJ McCoy and Julius Johnson landed on the second team, while seniors Jordan Mosley and Marcus Flowers received honorable mention.
Girls basketball
The Lady Panthers came into the season with a younger roster and a new head coach.
Six Smith inherited a roster that lost three starters from the previous season’s team that finished 24-11 and made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Smith tried his hardest to connect the pieces. There were flashes of brilliance along the way, but the team’s overall inexperience proved too much for Princeton in a difficult district.
Princeton won just two district games – a 57-51 win over Plano and a 51-37 road victory against Plano West – finished the season with an 8-19 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Despite those struggles, Smith said the team saw significant improvement during the five months that he coached them.
Incoming junior guard Rayleigh Williams improved as a three-level scorer. Williams went on to average 13 points per game and was named to the all-district second team. Junior Jada Childress averaged just five points per game, but Smith lauded her leadership and growth as a point guard. Childress was named to the All-6-6A honorable-mention team.
Princeton will have a big void to fill at guard after losing Chandler Evans to graduation. Evans, who was named to the all-district first team as a senior, averaged 16.7 points, three rebounds and two assists in her final season donning a Lady Panthers uniform.
The Lady Panthers will also have a new head coach next season. Smith resigned following the conclusion of last season. Former Irving head coach Kaylann Miller has been hired as Smith’s successor.
Powerlifting
Daniel Tyutyunnik has improved greatly in the three years that he has competed in powerlifting.
After placing second in the 219-pound weight class division as a junior, Tyutyunnik finished his high school career as a state champion.
On March 28, he won the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Class 6A state title in the 242-pound division, lifting a total of 1,900 pounds between the squat, bench press and deadlift.
Princeton had four lifters compete at state.
Grady Upchurch finished just out of medal contention, capturing sixth place in the 198-pound division with a 1,560-pound total. Alijah Williams took eighth in the superheavyweight class, and Kayden Alvarado, competing in the 123-pound class, didn’t place.
Five Lady Panthers took aim at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Class 6A state meet, led by a third-place finish at 105 pounds by Aubrey Arredondo.
Astryd Espinoza joined Arredondo on the medal stand, finishing third in the 132-pound division with an 880-pound total.
Sydnee Simmons placed 13th at 181 pounds, Melanie Ramirez finished 17th at 123, and Favour Akubuogo competed in the 165-pound division.
Wrestling
After being a state alternate as a junior, Addy Smith not only wrestled at state for the first time, but she also stood on the medal stand after earning fifth place at 190 pounds at the Berry Center in Cypress.
Smith finished her senior season with a 28-6 record, won the District 6-6A title at 190 pounds and followed that by winning the Region II-6A championship in her weight class.
Smith was one of two Lady Panthers to wrestle in the state tournament.
Erin Marquez, also a senior, came up one win short of earning her first state medal.
Marquez finished her high school career as a three-time state qualifier with a career record of 146-41. During her senior season, she went 42-8, finished second at the district tournament, placed third at the regional tournament and won two matches at the state tournament.
Princeton had nine regional qualifiers. Analee Holguin (110 pounds), Isobella Cook (145) and Nalani Mornes (105) joined Smith and Marquez on the girls’ side, while Logan Wilczynski (third place, 113 pounds), Jeremiah Soto (third place, 126), Nolan Culverhouse (third place, 150) and Austin Aparicio (fourth place, 165) qualified for regionals in the boys’ division.
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